Clarence is now the proud owner of 2 calves.
One is named Dolly. I probably talked about her last fall. She was born late last summer and her momma died, so she was our bottle calf for a while. Well, yesterday we shipped the rest of our calves, and Dolly wasn't one of them. There's no way Clarence was letting her get on the semi. So, Matt told Clarence he could keep Dolly for all the hard work he's helped with over the winter.
When we were loading the heifers on the semi, Clarence spotted an orange/red heifer. He decided she had to stay home, too.
Well, Matt, being the softie that he is, decided Clarence could have that one, too. So, Clarence has 2 heifers. With names. Dolly and Regan....(he's so original...we have a cat named Regan already....named after our neighbor Regan Twamley).
I don't even want to mention the fit he had when he saw the 2 red steers come into the pen and get ready to get on the semi. He cried and cried and cried. I felt really bad, but there's no way we can keep steers on the farm just for the heck of it. We'd never be able to even butcher them because if he found out about it, it wouldn't be good! Anyway, he cried for about an hour about the whole ordeal....once we were on the road, he calmed down. He had two dollars in his pocket that he wanted to bring with to Bagley to try and buy them back. (It wasn't quite enough, though.)
Yesterday we went to Bagley to watch the calves sell. Clarence loved every minute of it (Well, we all did, but he didn't want to leave. I think if he could've gotten a job, he would've stayed and helped out.) Anyway, we drove home through Roseau and stopped at Fleet so Clarence could pick out his own eartags for his calves. Guess what color? Orange. Yep. He's all set to raise cows now.
He's been playing with his tags now since he woke up from his nap. Dolly doesn't have any eartags, so he needs to get her some eartags with numbers. He told me that her number is going to be A84H. (Just the random numbers/letters that popped into his head, I guess). I'm guessing we'll just end up putting tags that say "Dolly" in her ears with 2011 written somewhere so we know she was born in 2011.
Anyway, now you know.....Kittson County has another rancher!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Adina
Here's a little info about our crazy little princess, since her big brother's the one who is usually talked about.
#10: Adina loves lipgloss....and makeup. Anytime I'm in the bathroom and she catches me in there, we have to put on mascara, lipgloss, deoderant and perfume. She's quite a girl!
#9: She loves cats! Every time she sees our cats, Rocks and Regan, she just squeals....Today she's been chasing Regan around the yard trying to catch her so she can hold her.
#8: She loves Clarence no matter what. I know they're going to be great friends. They're both at an age right now where they love to play together (most of the time) and be silly together. Their big thing right now is climbing into Clarence's bed and hiding under the covers....hiding from me. :) Clarence calls under his covers his "cabin". He loves hiding in his cabin. So does Adina.
#7: Anytime one of us is getting ready to head outside, Adina's right there, too. She likes to be in on all the action. She'll find any of her shoes closest to her and put them on. She gets really nervous and starts looking for her hat and coat, too. She'll gather it all and bring it to me so I can send her out with whoever's ready.
#6: She likes to help me in the kitchen. If I'm cooking or baking, she'll grab a chair/stool and slide it as close to me as possible, then stand on it and try to help with everything. I love it - it's fun to have company!
#5: Her favorite outside activities include: playing in the sandbox, swinging, going down the slide, feeding cows, riding 4-wheeler, and checking on the animals with someone (Me, Clarence or Matt).
#4: Adina's starting to get picky about what clothes she puts on for the day. If I pick out an outfit and she doesn't like it, she'll either throw a little fit or go and find something else she'd rather wear. Uh-oh!
#3: She's a very affectionate little girl. She loves to give kisses and hugs to Dad, Mom, Clarence, Grandma's and Grandpa's, Baby Harley, and Aunties and Uncles. She's always willing....(unless she's a tired, cranky, ready-for-bed little girl).
#2: Adina's developed a love for talking on the phone. She'll babble something, nod her head a lot, listen, then babble some more. At the end, she'll say "wuv uh" and "bye".
#1: She loves chocolate and candy and gum and her pacifier. All of them. She'd mostly prefer to eat a piece of candy, then her passy, then some chocolate, then her passy, then some gum, then her passy. I know it's time to get rid of it - I hate the stupid little thing - but I also can't live without it! I feel like she'll be a mess for a couple days, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that!
Hope you're enjoying the wonderful spring weather!
#10: Adina loves lipgloss....and makeup. Anytime I'm in the bathroom and she catches me in there, we have to put on mascara, lipgloss, deoderant and perfume. She's quite a girl!
#9: She loves cats! Every time she sees our cats, Rocks and Regan, she just squeals....Today she's been chasing Regan around the yard trying to catch her so she can hold her.
#8: She loves Clarence no matter what. I know they're going to be great friends. They're both at an age right now where they love to play together (most of the time) and be silly together. Their big thing right now is climbing into Clarence's bed and hiding under the covers....hiding from me. :) Clarence calls under his covers his "cabin". He loves hiding in his cabin. So does Adina.
#7: Anytime one of us is getting ready to head outside, Adina's right there, too. She likes to be in on all the action. She'll find any of her shoes closest to her and put them on. She gets really nervous and starts looking for her hat and coat, too. She'll gather it all and bring it to me so I can send her out with whoever's ready.
#6: She likes to help me in the kitchen. If I'm cooking or baking, she'll grab a chair/stool and slide it as close to me as possible, then stand on it and try to help with everything. I love it - it's fun to have company!
#5: Her favorite outside activities include: playing in the sandbox, swinging, going down the slide, feeding cows, riding 4-wheeler, and checking on the animals with someone (Me, Clarence or Matt).
#4: Adina's starting to get picky about what clothes she puts on for the day. If I pick out an outfit and she doesn't like it, she'll either throw a little fit or go and find something else she'd rather wear. Uh-oh!
#3: She's a very affectionate little girl. She loves to give kisses and hugs to Dad, Mom, Clarence, Grandma's and Grandpa's, Baby Harley, and Aunties and Uncles. She's always willing....(unless she's a tired, cranky, ready-for-bed little girl).
#2: Adina's developed a love for talking on the phone. She'll babble something, nod her head a lot, listen, then babble some more. At the end, she'll say "wuv uh" and "bye".
#1: She loves chocolate and candy and gum and her pacifier. All of them. She'd mostly prefer to eat a piece of candy, then her passy, then some chocolate, then her passy, then some gum, then her passy. I know it's time to get rid of it - I hate the stupid little thing - but I also can't live without it! I feel like she'll be a mess for a couple days, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that!
Hope you're enjoying the wonderful spring weather!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A Three-Year Old's Prayer
Clarence prayed his own prayer at bedtime tonight...here's how I remember it.
C: Dear Yord, calves, cows...
Me: Say 'thank you for calves'.....
C: Thank You for calves. Thank you for cows. Thank you for bulls. Thank you for horses. Thank you for shickens. Thank you for bulls.
Me: What about family?
C: Family. Thank you for family. Grandma Yuli?
Me: Yes, and everyone else.
C: No, everyone no my family.
Me: Ok, just family, then.
C: Amen.
C: (gets under covers).....Dear Yord, Amen.
______________
Meanwhile, Adina jumped around here and there, then bowed her head, folded her hands, and made noises like she was praying. Then, she looked up at me, clapped her hands, and said "Amah". Good girl, Dia! and good job praying tonight, Clarence!
C: Dear Yord, calves, cows...
Me: Say 'thank you for calves'.....
C: Thank You for calves. Thank you for cows. Thank you for bulls. Thank you for horses. Thank you for shickens. Thank you for bulls.
Me: What about family?
C: Family. Thank you for family. Grandma Yuli?
Me: Yes, and everyone else.
C: No, everyone no my family.
Me: Ok, just family, then.
C: Amen.
C: (gets under covers).....Dear Yord, Amen.
______________
Meanwhile, Adina jumped around here and there, then bowed her head, folded her hands, and made noises like she was praying. Then, she looked up at me, clapped her hands, and said "Amah". Good girl, Dia! and good job praying tonight, Clarence!
Clarence's Daily
Clarence.....
He's really been on a roll lately.
Poor Regan (his black cat).
Poor Ruby (our dog).
He's so enthused about what he's doing, I hardly have the heart to stop him. However, yesterday when we got home from his day at the Finney's, he ran straight to a little shed out in the yard and opened the door. I was carrying groceries in and not really paying attention. However, when I went back outside, Ruby was jumping, wiggling, everywhere - just so happy and excited to see me. I wondered, 'was she around when I just drove in the yard?' I went over to the shed....Clarence was standing there with the door open and Adina was watching. I went inside and he had his cat in a covered box in the shed. He said she was sick, and this was his place to keep her.
The poor cat.
Poor Ruby!
I got after him and told him he couldn't keep animals locked up all day - it was mean and cruel. Plus, what if he forgot about them? I asked him....he told me they were sick and they needed to be in the pen. He's so persistant these days!
Right now, he was out with Matt, then came up to the house. He tried to catch the cat, then grabbed his rope and roped Ruby (who didn't even try to get away). He brought her over to the red shed. Guess what I've gotta go do now? Get after the crazy kid.... I want him to love his animals, but to take care of them the right way. He thinks what he's doing is just playing with them - he doesn't understand if he forgot about them that they could die....(although, now that I know about it, I'll be keeping a watch out for the cat and dog).
Ruby's such a good dog with Clarence....he grabbed her again out of the shed and is leading him around the yard. She's so content to just follow him around. What a good dog we have! I'm so happy she likes him and doesn't mind all the pestering (I'm sure if she didn't like it she'd either try and get away from him or nip at him, but I truly don't think she'd ever bite him.)
Well, off I go, to try and explain (once again) that Clarence needs to be nice to his animals, and that putting them in a shed (whether they're sick or just imaginary sick) isn't being nice.
Wish me luck!
P.S. I promise that I won't let him ever hurt the animals....in case you're worried and think I'd let him do anything....I won't!
He's really been on a roll lately.
Poor Regan (his black cat).
Poor Ruby (our dog).
He's so enthused about what he's doing, I hardly have the heart to stop him. However, yesterday when we got home from his day at the Finney's, he ran straight to a little shed out in the yard and opened the door. I was carrying groceries in and not really paying attention. However, when I went back outside, Ruby was jumping, wiggling, everywhere - just so happy and excited to see me. I wondered, 'was she around when I just drove in the yard?' I went over to the shed....Clarence was standing there with the door open and Adina was watching. I went inside and he had his cat in a covered box in the shed. He said she was sick, and this was his place to keep her.
The poor cat.
Poor Ruby!
I got after him and told him he couldn't keep animals locked up all day - it was mean and cruel. Plus, what if he forgot about them? I asked him....he told me they were sick and they needed to be in the pen. He's so persistant these days!
Right now, he was out with Matt, then came up to the house. He tried to catch the cat, then grabbed his rope and roped Ruby (who didn't even try to get away). He brought her over to the red shed. Guess what I've gotta go do now? Get after the crazy kid.... I want him to love his animals, but to take care of them the right way. He thinks what he's doing is just playing with them - he doesn't understand if he forgot about them that they could die....(although, now that I know about it, I'll be keeping a watch out for the cat and dog).
Ruby's such a good dog with Clarence....he grabbed her again out of the shed and is leading him around the yard. She's so content to just follow him around. What a good dog we have! I'm so happy she likes him and doesn't mind all the pestering (I'm sure if she didn't like it she'd either try and get away from him or nip at him, but I truly don't think she'd ever bite him.)
Well, off I go, to try and explain (once again) that Clarence needs to be nice to his animals, and that putting them in a shed (whether they're sick or just imaginary sick) isn't being nice.
Wish me luck!
P.S. I promise that I won't let him ever hurt the animals....in case you're worried and think I'd let him do anything....I won't!
Ramblings
It's been a quick morning here.....it always seems to go by quickly when we're in and out of the house, playing outside, and feeding the cows, calves and heifers. The kids just go with the flow....it's so nice that they're flexible. Even today, we didn't get in the house until 1:30 and the kids weren't overly crabby (to my relief!). I fed them quick and sent them up to bed....
The only problem is that Clarence isn't sleeping yet (it's about 2:30)....He fell asleep for five minutes in the tractor, so now he's probably just too wide awake. I hate when that happens! It means he'll be tired and ready for bed by about 7:30 - I know, not so horrible, but it just seems to screw up the day somehow.
Anyway, I'm really enjoying this spring and staying home with Matt and the kids. Our babysitter just had her baby and I don't really have someone to bring my kids to (or at least I've been using it as my excuse so that I can be home and help out here).....That's ok...I got plenty of subbing in over the winter - now I can help feed cows, be outside and get some exercise, and work on cleaning out my back entry so that it's ready when Mark is done with college. (It needs to be ready because we're tearing it off and adding on an addition out back.) I can hardly wait. I just picture how I want everything to look, then change my mind and picture it another way....I can't wait to decorate it! (I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, though, because then I'll just get impatient with the slow "building" process. I guess that'll just motivate me to help whenever and wherever I can.)
I've been thinking about my garden.
I'd like to start planting it, but the days have been kinda chilly. I wonder if it'd be a good idea or not. I think it would be safe to plant my potatoes....and maybe onions? And the kids and I planted cucumber and pumpkin seeds last week (which, miraculously, are still in the dirt, in the pots we put them in - don't ask me how we've managed it this far!). I can't wait for fresh veggies from my garden and to can and freeze everything so I'll be all stocked up again!
I've been thinking about my addition (which I already told you about...I won't bore you again....but it's always on my mind!).
I've been thinking about the summer.
We've got some planned things happening, but I feel like most of the summer will be relaxed and enjoyed here at home (I hope!).
Anyway, this is a really random post - sorry!
_______________________________________
Today, Clarence and I were in the barn talking, and Adina had left. I said, "Where did Adina go?" Clarence said, "I don't know". We looked outside the barn and she was looking through the gate at the cows mooing at them. She didn't notice us at first. It was adorable watching her.
Then we went out back for a 4-wheeler ride and to watch Matt show us his expert roping skills. There's a calf out back that's not being claimed, so I think we'll be having another bottle baby to feed. It was out with the big herd, so Matt wanted me to drive him out there and help shoo it towards him so he could rope it. He got it, after four or five attempts.
_________________________-
Also, for those of you who read my facebook post about Matt and that he likes drinking buttermilk and that it makes him more athletic, he added oysters and blue cheese dressing to his statement. Just take his advice, everyone, and you'll definitely be more athletic. :)
(I'm not making fun - he's just really random sometimes)
Well, anyway, have a super day and sorry for the jumping around!
The only problem is that Clarence isn't sleeping yet (it's about 2:30)....He fell asleep for five minutes in the tractor, so now he's probably just too wide awake. I hate when that happens! It means he'll be tired and ready for bed by about 7:30 - I know, not so horrible, but it just seems to screw up the day somehow.
Anyway, I'm really enjoying this spring and staying home with Matt and the kids. Our babysitter just had her baby and I don't really have someone to bring my kids to (or at least I've been using it as my excuse so that I can be home and help out here).....That's ok...I got plenty of subbing in over the winter - now I can help feed cows, be outside and get some exercise, and work on cleaning out my back entry so that it's ready when Mark is done with college. (It needs to be ready because we're tearing it off and adding on an addition out back.) I can hardly wait. I just picture how I want everything to look, then change my mind and picture it another way....I can't wait to decorate it! (I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, though, because then I'll just get impatient with the slow "building" process. I guess that'll just motivate me to help whenever and wherever I can.)
I've been thinking about my garden.
I'd like to start planting it, but the days have been kinda chilly. I wonder if it'd be a good idea or not. I think it would be safe to plant my potatoes....and maybe onions? And the kids and I planted cucumber and pumpkin seeds last week (which, miraculously, are still in the dirt, in the pots we put them in - don't ask me how we've managed it this far!). I can't wait for fresh veggies from my garden and to can and freeze everything so I'll be all stocked up again!
I've been thinking about my addition (which I already told you about...I won't bore you again....but it's always on my mind!).
I've been thinking about the summer.
We've got some planned things happening, but I feel like most of the summer will be relaxed and enjoyed here at home (I hope!).
- So I wonder about what the kids and I are going to do to keep busy....what are some fun activities I can do with them?
- We've got a little pool - they'll play in that almost every day, I'm sure.
- and the sandbox
- and the animals
- and the stroller to go for walks
- work in the garden
- the bikes to go for bike rides
- plus the usual check cows and check on daddy routine
- go visiting
- ride horse
- etc.
- however, I feel like all that will bore me after the first few week.....any other suggestions?
Anyway, this is a really random post - sorry!
_______________________________________
Today, Clarence and I were in the barn talking, and Adina had left. I said, "Where did Adina go?" Clarence said, "I don't know". We looked outside the barn and she was looking through the gate at the cows mooing at them. She didn't notice us at first. It was adorable watching her.
Then we went out back for a 4-wheeler ride and to watch Matt show us his expert roping skills. There's a calf out back that's not being claimed, so I think we'll be having another bottle baby to feed. It was out with the big herd, so Matt wanted me to drive him out there and help shoo it towards him so he could rope it. He got it, after four or five attempts.
_________________________-
Also, for those of you who read my facebook post about Matt and that he likes drinking buttermilk and that it makes him more athletic, he added oysters and blue cheese dressing to his statement. Just take his advice, everyone, and you'll definitely be more athletic. :)
(I'm not making fun - he's just really random sometimes)
Well, anyway, have a super day and sorry for the jumping around!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
List of Supper Ideas
I sub quite a bit over the winter, and it seems that I always get kinda bored. I bring books and magazines with to read, but I'm usually through with those (or bored by them) before lunch....
So, I make lists.
I make lists of things I should do in my house now, things I want to do in the future, ideas for fixing things up, what needs to be done on the farm, what I want to plant in my garden, what I should can from my garden, baby names (for future reference, of course), and supper ideas to have on hand for those days when I'm feeling uninspired and can't think of a darn thing to make.
Here you go (in no order whatsoever):
Use as you like, or discard as you like. I like this because it's all things I like to make, but can never think of at the last minute.
hamburgers/hotdogs/brats/polish
pizza burgers
bbq's
funeral sausage
fried potatoes
potato wedges
hamburger gravy over potatoes
swiss steak
tacos
chicken enchiladas
roasts, pork or beef or both
ham and scalloped potatoes
quesadillas
pancakes
waffles
eggs
pizza
spaghetti
hotdish: tator tot, cabbage, hamburger-noodle, pizza-noodle, etc.
taco pie
spaghetti pie
chicken pot pie
chicken thighs with noodles
creamy chicken and veggies
sandiwches: with lunchmeat, chicken salad, egg salad, pb & j
wraps
grilled chicken salad/sandwich
steak
pork chops
fried egg sandwich
pasta - with marinara sauce or creamy sauce
mac and cheese
bbq chicken
cheesy hashbrowns
fried rice
pineapple chicken with rice
stroganoff
stir-fry
shepherd's pie
Soups:
chicken noodle
chicken dumpling
beef and barley stew
ham, bean and dumpling
chili
taco soup
wild rice with bacon/chicken
chicken with rice and veggies
chicken tortilla - creamy or brothy
Well, there's my list - in no way complete - it's just nice to have something like this handy to get ideas.
And, if you're a breakfast person, here's a list of fun breakfast ideas:
toast
eggs
pancakes
waffles
bacon
sausage
egg bake
caramel rolls /maple/cinnamon/orange
muffins
tea ring
coffee cake
oatmeal
granola
french toast
smoothies
waffles with peanut butter and honey
maple nut butter (for spreading on waffles or pancakes)
Anyway...there you go. Hope this helps you think of something fun to make for supper/lunch/breakfast!
So, I make lists.
I make lists of things I should do in my house now, things I want to do in the future, ideas for fixing things up, what needs to be done on the farm, what I want to plant in my garden, what I should can from my garden, baby names (for future reference, of course), and supper ideas to have on hand for those days when I'm feeling uninspired and can't think of a darn thing to make.
Here you go (in no order whatsoever):
Use as you like, or discard as you like. I like this because it's all things I like to make, but can never think of at the last minute.
hamburgers/hotdogs/brats/polish
pizza burgers
bbq's
funeral sausage
fried potatoes
potato wedges
hamburger gravy over potatoes
swiss steak
tacos
chicken enchiladas
roasts, pork or beef or both
ham and scalloped potatoes
quesadillas
pancakes
waffles
eggs
pizza
spaghetti
hotdish: tator tot, cabbage, hamburger-noodle, pizza-noodle, etc.
taco pie
spaghetti pie
chicken pot pie
chicken thighs with noodles
creamy chicken and veggies
sandiwches: with lunchmeat, chicken salad, egg salad, pb & j
wraps
grilled chicken salad/sandwich
steak
pork chops
fried egg sandwich
pasta - with marinara sauce or creamy sauce
mac and cheese
bbq chicken
cheesy hashbrowns
fried rice
pineapple chicken with rice
stroganoff
stir-fry
shepherd's pie
Soups:
chicken noodle
chicken dumpling
beef and barley stew
ham, bean and dumpling
chili
taco soup
wild rice with bacon/chicken
chicken with rice and veggies
chicken tortilla - creamy or brothy
Well, there's my list - in no way complete - it's just nice to have something like this handy to get ideas.
And, if you're a breakfast person, here's a list of fun breakfast ideas:
toast
eggs
pancakes
waffles
bacon
sausage
egg bake
caramel rolls /maple/cinnamon/orange
muffins
tea ring
coffee cake
oatmeal
granola
french toast
smoothies
waffles with peanut butter and honey
maple nut butter (for spreading on waffles or pancakes)
- butter wipped with syrup and pecans
- butter whipped with berries, then wrapped in a log and refrigerated/frozen until ready for use
Anyway...there you go. Hope this helps you think of something fun to make for supper/lunch/breakfast!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Ahh!
The days are just flying by.
It seems like last week, but it was really last month, that my cousin Shannon asked if Ruthie and Guilford could come and spend the night this weekend while she was away at a conference. I said absolutely. And they've been here all day.
In fact, they're upstairs sleeping right now.
We've had a fun/long/busy/exhausting day.
#1: We woke up....it seems like I'm always tired....even when I get enough sleep.....I guess the days are so filled and busy that I don't really catch up. Oh well.
#2: We had to run out and check cows (the four kids and me)....No new babies today.....kind of a relief since we had 11 or 12 yesterday. Matt was out spreading fertilizer on the hay fields right after he ate breakfast because of the rain that was headed our way....
This (checking cows) resulted in something we wouldn't discover until three hours later......
#3: Matt finished, came home, and we all headed into town to run some errands. It all turned out fine...the kids were pretty good. Ruthie has proven may times today that she is a LIFESAVER! What a great kid! She's so awesome and always willing to help...whether it's me or to occupy the kids. I love her!
#4: Our trip to town resulted in Clarence crying because I let him pick out only one can of pop at the store - he wanted "lots of root beer", which I wouldn't give in to.
#5: We drove into the yard to find about 75 cows running around the yard, most of them eating beet pulp.
(This was the result of checking cows this morning...Clarence is the "main gate man", but his double-checking hasn't quite kicked in yet, and he missed latching the gate correctly....which resulted in the mess of cows running everywhere.)
#6: I almost died because of this.
#7: Mostly because of all the running and yelling I did trying to chase them in. This was the most exhausting part of my day.
It's not something I'd like to repeat every day. It took about 45 minutes to chase the cows back in. Which brings me back to Ruthie. Have I mentioned yet that I love her? She brought the kids into the house (where it's safe) and played with them until I came in to feed the kids - about an hour later. I don't know how I would've ever managed to help Matt chase all the cows back in and worry about the safety of my children. Obviously, I wouldn't have been much help to Matt had Ruthie not been here.
#8: Ate dinner. All three little kids napped. So did Matt. I thought about it. Then finished washing dishes.
#9: We baked cookies. Delicious peanut butter/oatmeal/choc. chip cookies. They're my favorite! I shouldn't really say "we". Ruthie pretty much did it herself; I washed dishes some more, then gave the little kids snacks and such....
#10: We made homemade pizzas for supper.....one of my favorite meals!
#11: I got my "Pioneer Woman Cooks" Cookbook (#2) in the mail today. I'm loving it.
#12: All three kids got baths; Clarence was quite naughty off and on throughout the afternoon. Which resulted in no pop after supper while the other kids got to drink theirs. He wasn't happy. Neither was I. We'll both live, though.
#13: It's only 10-ish and I'm so ready for bed.
Goodnight, all.
Sleep tight.
We've got another wild day again tomorrow. My cousin Savannah's bridal shower in the morning and a benefit for the baby daughter of my kids' babysitter in the evening. I'm so happy Ruthie's here to go with me, especially since I'll be trying to help with the shower, and I'll definitely be more help with her there than if she wasn't going to be there. She's so helpful, and I'm so thankful!
Sleep tight!
It seems like last week, but it was really last month, that my cousin Shannon asked if Ruthie and Guilford could come and spend the night this weekend while she was away at a conference. I said absolutely. And they've been here all day.
In fact, they're upstairs sleeping right now.
We've had a fun/long/busy/exhausting day.
#1: We woke up....it seems like I'm always tired....even when I get enough sleep.....I guess the days are so filled and busy that I don't really catch up. Oh well.
#2: We had to run out and check cows (the four kids and me)....No new babies today.....kind of a relief since we had 11 or 12 yesterday. Matt was out spreading fertilizer on the hay fields right after he ate breakfast because of the rain that was headed our way....
This (checking cows) resulted in something we wouldn't discover until three hours later......
#3: Matt finished, came home, and we all headed into town to run some errands. It all turned out fine...the kids were pretty good. Ruthie has proven may times today that she is a LIFESAVER! What a great kid! She's so awesome and always willing to help...whether it's me or to occupy the kids. I love her!
#4: Our trip to town resulted in Clarence crying because I let him pick out only one can of pop at the store - he wanted "lots of root beer", which I wouldn't give in to.
#5: We drove into the yard to find about 75 cows running around the yard, most of them eating beet pulp.
(This was the result of checking cows this morning...Clarence is the "main gate man", but his double-checking hasn't quite kicked in yet, and he missed latching the gate correctly....which resulted in the mess of cows running everywhere.)
#6: I almost died because of this.
#7: Mostly because of all the running and yelling I did trying to chase them in. This was the most exhausting part of my day.
It's not something I'd like to repeat every day. It took about 45 minutes to chase the cows back in. Which brings me back to Ruthie. Have I mentioned yet that I love her? She brought the kids into the house (where it's safe) and played with them until I came in to feed the kids - about an hour later. I don't know how I would've ever managed to help Matt chase all the cows back in and worry about the safety of my children. Obviously, I wouldn't have been much help to Matt had Ruthie not been here.
#8: Ate dinner. All three little kids napped. So did Matt. I thought about it. Then finished washing dishes.
#9: We baked cookies. Delicious peanut butter/oatmeal/choc. chip cookies. They're my favorite! I shouldn't really say "we". Ruthie pretty much did it herself; I washed dishes some more, then gave the little kids snacks and such....
#10: We made homemade pizzas for supper.....one of my favorite meals!
#11: I got my "Pioneer Woman Cooks" Cookbook (#2) in the mail today. I'm loving it.
#12: All three kids got baths; Clarence was quite naughty off and on throughout the afternoon. Which resulted in no pop after supper while the other kids got to drink theirs. He wasn't happy. Neither was I. We'll both live, though.
#13: It's only 10-ish and I'm so ready for bed.
Goodnight, all.
Sleep tight.
We've got another wild day again tomorrow. My cousin Savannah's bridal shower in the morning and a benefit for the baby daughter of my kids' babysitter in the evening. I'm so happy Ruthie's here to go with me, especially since I'll be trying to help with the shower, and I'll definitely be more help with her there than if she wasn't going to be there. She's so helpful, and I'm so thankful!
Sleep tight!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Salted Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake
It's delicious!
Wonderful....
Scrumptious.....
Heavenly......
You should make it....but only if you have people to eat it...otherwise, you might eat it all yourself....
And that could or could not be a bad thing.....
I made this cheesecake for Easter Sunday dinner with my family. It turned out very well, considering this was my first time ever making cheesecake.
I got the recipe from the latest Taste of Home magazine. It's got 12 wonderful cheesecake recipes in it....
Here's the recipe:
(Make it. I don't think you'll be disappointed!)
Salted Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake
1 pkg. (9oz. ) chocolate wafers
1 c. semisweet choc. chips
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. instant espresso powder (I used about 1 1/2 Tbsp. instant coffee crystals)
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 c. butter, melted
Filling:
3 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. Kahlua (coffee liqueur....I used 2 Tbsp. instant coffee and added water to make 1/4 c. liquid)
2 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. instant espresso powder (I omitted this since I added coffee crystals above, and there really ended up being enough coffee flavor)
4 eggs, lightly beaten
Topping:
1/2 c. hot caramel ice cream topping
1/2 tsp. coarse sea salt
Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Place the first five ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse until fine crumbs form. Gradually add butter, pulsing until combined. Press into the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Set aside.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream, Kahlua, flour and espresso powder. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to larger pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until center is set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool on a wire reack for 10 minutes; loosen edges from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
Pour caramel topping over cheesecake. Refrigerate for at least 15 mintues. Remove rim from pan. Jus tbefore serving, sprinkle sea salt over caramel.
Enjoy!
Wonderful....
Scrumptious.....
Heavenly......
You should make it....but only if you have people to eat it...otherwise, you might eat it all yourself....
And that could or could not be a bad thing.....
I made this cheesecake for Easter Sunday dinner with my family. It turned out very well, considering this was my first time ever making cheesecake.
I got the recipe from the latest Taste of Home magazine. It's got 12 wonderful cheesecake recipes in it....
Here's the recipe:
(Make it. I don't think you'll be disappointed!)
Salted Caramel Cappuccino Cheesecake
1 pkg. (9oz. ) chocolate wafers
1 c. semisweet choc. chips
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. instant espresso powder (I used about 1 1/2 Tbsp. instant coffee crystals)
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 c. butter, melted
Filling:
3 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. Kahlua (coffee liqueur....I used 2 Tbsp. instant coffee and added water to make 1/4 c. liquid)
2 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. instant espresso powder (I omitted this since I added coffee crystals above, and there really ended up being enough coffee flavor)
4 eggs, lightly beaten
Topping:
1/2 c. hot caramel ice cream topping
1/2 tsp. coarse sea salt
Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Place the first five ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse until fine crumbs form. Gradually add butter, pulsing until combined. Press into the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Set aside.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream, Kahlua, flour and espresso powder. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to larger pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until center is set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool on a wire reack for 10 minutes; loosen edges from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
Pour caramel topping over cheesecake. Refrigerate for at least 15 mintues. Remove rim from pan. Jus tbefore serving, sprinkle sea salt over caramel.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Clarence Daily
Matt's off at an auction sale today, so it's just the kids and me at home. We've been watching Little House, folding clothes, making lunch, and out checking cows. While we were on our trek out back to check cows, I noticed an old Hereford was calving, so we drove away a little to give her some space, then stopped, turned around, and watched.
Me: Hey, kids, should we stop and watch the Hereford have her baby? Clarence, can I have the binocs?
C: (hands over the binoculars)
Me: Oh, there she's laying down.
C: (I hand the binocs back)...(he puts them up to his eyes...backwards...and looks straight out the front window at some cow grazing) Oh, there's another cow calving. She's having a calf.
Me: No, that one's just eating...look over here, out my window, at the cow that's laying down.
C: (puts the binocs back up to his eyes and looks in the general direction of the Hereford, but is looking way above her...into the sky) Oh, I see her.
Me: Are you sure? See? She's having her baby!
C: I need go pee.
Me: Ok, hop out and go; hand me the binoculars.
C: No, I want use these.
Me: No, honey, I'll just use them while you're outside.
C: Ok. (hands them over....hops out.....goes pee.....comes back in)
Me: Oh, Clarence, you missed it...the calf is out. Should we drive up and go check on it?
C: Yeah!
Me: (drive up close, right beside the calf to make sure sac is off its nose, which it is...) Isn't it cute, you two?
C: Yeah!
Adina: Baby....which sounds more like BeeBee. (She just repeats it over and over while we're out with all the babies. And she gasps, points, grunts and gets really excited every time she sees one. She's really cute.)
Me: Ok, let's head back now and see if there are any more new babies.
Me: (once we're at the gate) Clarence, will you open the gate for me?
C: Yeah! (and jumps out to open the gate while I drive through, then shuts it again)
Me: (I jump out to feed our sick cow.) Clarence, will you get her some hay while I get her some water?
C: Yeah...(grabs a few handfuls of hay, then comes over to help me carry water.) (As I'm sure you can imagine, he's so strong, so he was very helpful. :) ) (Actually, I put about a coffee-can's worth of water in a pail and he carried that over to her. While he was dumping it in her tank, his gum fell into the water.)
Mom, my gum fall out. Get me some more.
Me: I will after nap.
C: (tries to reach in the tank...the water is too cold....he starts crying) I'm going to the car.
C: (when I get back in the sub to drive back to the house....says,) You mean, Mommy.
Me: Why?
C: I want more gum!
Me: (I told him to keep his gum in his mouth next time....he didn't really like that response, either.)
(And the conversation was pretty much over with because he was crabby and needed a nap and I wasn't going to give him gum.)
From time to time, I'll give you a "Clarence Daily" and maybe an "Adina Daily", but she's not vocal yet, so she only DOES funny things (like: collect nail polish; puts on lip gloss; requests lots of gum; has cute, cheesy smiles).
Have a super day. Hope the weather warms up soon!
Me: Hey, kids, should we stop and watch the Hereford have her baby? Clarence, can I have the binocs?
C: (hands over the binoculars)
Me: Oh, there she's laying down.
C: (I hand the binocs back)...(he puts them up to his eyes...backwards...and looks straight out the front window at some cow grazing) Oh, there's another cow calving. She's having a calf.
Me: No, that one's just eating...look over here, out my window, at the cow that's laying down.
C: (puts the binocs back up to his eyes and looks in the general direction of the Hereford, but is looking way above her...into the sky) Oh, I see her.
Me: Are you sure? See? She's having her baby!
C: I need go pee.
Me: Ok, hop out and go; hand me the binoculars.
C: No, I want use these.
Me: No, honey, I'll just use them while you're outside.
C: Ok. (hands them over....hops out.....goes pee.....comes back in)
Me: Oh, Clarence, you missed it...the calf is out. Should we drive up and go check on it?
C: Yeah!
Me: (drive up close, right beside the calf to make sure sac is off its nose, which it is...) Isn't it cute, you two?
C: Yeah!
Adina: Baby....which sounds more like BeeBee. (She just repeats it over and over while we're out with all the babies. And she gasps, points, grunts and gets really excited every time she sees one. She's really cute.)
Me: Ok, let's head back now and see if there are any more new babies.
Me: (once we're at the gate) Clarence, will you open the gate for me?
C: Yeah! (and jumps out to open the gate while I drive through, then shuts it again)
Me: (I jump out to feed our sick cow.) Clarence, will you get her some hay while I get her some water?
C: Yeah...(grabs a few handfuls of hay, then comes over to help me carry water.) (As I'm sure you can imagine, he's so strong, so he was very helpful. :) ) (Actually, I put about a coffee-can's worth of water in a pail and he carried that over to her. While he was dumping it in her tank, his gum fell into the water.)
Mom, my gum fall out. Get me some more.
Me: I will after nap.
C: (tries to reach in the tank...the water is too cold....he starts crying) I'm going to the car.
C: (when I get back in the sub to drive back to the house....says,) You mean, Mommy.
Me: Why?
C: I want more gum!
Me: (I told him to keep his gum in his mouth next time....he didn't really like that response, either.)
(And the conversation was pretty much over with because he was crabby and needed a nap and I wasn't going to give him gum.)
From time to time, I'll give you a "Clarence Daily" and maybe an "Adina Daily", but she's not vocal yet, so she only DOES funny things (like: collect nail polish; puts on lip gloss; requests lots of gum; has cute, cheesy smiles).
Have a super day. Hope the weather warms up soon!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Clarence-isms
Tonight, while we were eating supper, Matt was asking Clarence some questions.
M: Clarence, did you go into the chicken barn today?
C: Yeah.
M: Did you feed the baby chicks?
C: Yeah, I feed those.
M: Did you put the cover back on the tank?
C: (stares blankly, thinking)
M: Clarence, did you put the cover back on the tank?
C: No, I a yittle guy. I no lift it.
(So, therefore, Matt needs to run out and put the lid back on...we've lost a couple chicks and ducks because we didn' t have a cover on the stock tank they live in and something got in. Clarence doesn't really remember stuff like that, though...he's more worried about feeding and feeding and feeding some more)
Our next supper conversation:
Clarence and Adina were talking a little...he said something about pancakes.
C: I like pankees.
A: (starts snorting like a pig)
Pretty soon, Matt and both kids were snorting, laughing, and snorting some more. It was pretty funny to watch.
______________
Our after-prayers conversation...
C: Mom, I go Nikki's house. I have to help fence.
Me: Not tomorrow...
C: Next week?
Me: Maybe...but you'll see her tomorrow at church. We're going to church and there's going to be a potluck. I love potluck.
C: I no yike potluck. That yucky.
Me: No, you'll like it...I'm bringing a salad and maybe meatballs.
C: Meatballs? Yummy! I yike meatballs. I have Sunday School morrow?
Me: No, not for like a week and a half.
C: Next year?
Me: No, in two Sundays.
C: Next week?
Me: yep. Then we'll have three more times of Sunday School, then have a break for the summer. You'll start Sunday School again next fall. And, you'll also be in school next fall - pre-school.
C: pre-cool?
Me: Yep. And Kiefer and Anna will be there with you, too.
C: No, Kiefer too yittle.
Me: He'll be able to go next year because he'll be old enough. But not yet.
C: Me a yittle guy. I no go cool this year.
Me: Nope, not until next fall.
C: okay...
Me: Ok, time for bed.
C: I go feed cows tomorrow?
Me: Yep, if you're good.
C: I be good.
Me: That means you have to be good for me, too. No being sassy or talking back.
C: I be good, mommy. I talk nice.
Me: Goodnight, Clarence. I love you.
C: I yuv you, too.
________________
We had a fun day today. We spent all morning out with the cows....feeding, taking twines off, tagging calves, feeding a sick cow, helping the blind calf suck...
Clarence helped me with the blind calf and Adina helped Matt feed some bales. Clarence kept busy with me by carrying handfuls of straw to put in the calving pen where I was helping the blind calf. He kept coming up to pet the calf while she was sucking.
Me: What should we name the baby calf?
C: Ruby.
Me: No, not Ruby...Ruby's our dog. Pick another girl name. How about one of your friends...how about Marlyee?
C: No, Marlyee's mean. (She's really not - they probably fought once last summer.)
Me: How about Payton?
C: No, Payton hit me....(like 7 months ago...!!!)
Me: How about Courtney?
C: (smiles)....(and names our blind girl calf Courtney).
So, now Clarence has another thing to help occupy his time....a blind calf he named Courtney.
_______________
Have a great day! I'll try to get pictures tomorrow when we're out with the cows. I could've gotten a lot of cute ones today, had I been prepared.
M: Clarence, did you go into the chicken barn today?
C: Yeah.
M: Did you feed the baby chicks?
C: Yeah, I feed those.
M: Did you put the cover back on the tank?
C: (stares blankly, thinking)
M: Clarence, did you put the cover back on the tank?
C: No, I a yittle guy. I no lift it.
(So, therefore, Matt needs to run out and put the lid back on...we've lost a couple chicks and ducks because we didn' t have a cover on the stock tank they live in and something got in. Clarence doesn't really remember stuff like that, though...he's more worried about feeding and feeding and feeding some more)
Our next supper conversation:
Clarence and Adina were talking a little...he said something about pancakes.
C: I like pankees.
A: (starts snorting like a pig)
Pretty soon, Matt and both kids were snorting, laughing, and snorting some more. It was pretty funny to watch.
______________
Our after-prayers conversation...
C: Mom, I go Nikki's house. I have to help fence.
Me: Not tomorrow...
C: Next week?
Me: Maybe...but you'll see her tomorrow at church. We're going to church and there's going to be a potluck. I love potluck.
C: I no yike potluck. That yucky.
Me: No, you'll like it...I'm bringing a salad and maybe meatballs.
C: Meatballs? Yummy! I yike meatballs. I have Sunday School morrow?
Me: No, not for like a week and a half.
C: Next year?
Me: No, in two Sundays.
C: Next week?
Me: yep. Then we'll have three more times of Sunday School, then have a break for the summer. You'll start Sunday School again next fall. And, you'll also be in school next fall - pre-school.
C: pre-cool?
Me: Yep. And Kiefer and Anna will be there with you, too.
C: No, Kiefer too yittle.
Me: He'll be able to go next year because he'll be old enough. But not yet.
C: Me a yittle guy. I no go cool this year.
Me: Nope, not until next fall.
C: okay...
Me: Ok, time for bed.
C: I go feed cows tomorrow?
Me: Yep, if you're good.
C: I be good.
Me: That means you have to be good for me, too. No being sassy or talking back.
C: I be good, mommy. I talk nice.
Me: Goodnight, Clarence. I love you.
C: I yuv you, too.
________________
We had a fun day today. We spent all morning out with the cows....feeding, taking twines off, tagging calves, feeding a sick cow, helping the blind calf suck...
Clarence helped me with the blind calf and Adina helped Matt feed some bales. Clarence kept busy with me by carrying handfuls of straw to put in the calving pen where I was helping the blind calf. He kept coming up to pet the calf while she was sucking.
Me: What should we name the baby calf?
C: Ruby.
Me: No, not Ruby...Ruby's our dog. Pick another girl name. How about one of your friends...how about Marlyee?
C: No, Marlyee's mean. (She's really not - they probably fought once last summer.)
Me: How about Payton?
C: No, Payton hit me....(like 7 months ago...!!!)
Me: How about Courtney?
C: (smiles)....(and names our blind girl calf Courtney).
So, now Clarence has another thing to help occupy his time....a blind calf he named Courtney.
_______________
Have a great day! I'll try to get pictures tomorrow when we're out with the cows. I could've gotten a lot of cute ones today, had I been prepared.
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