Recipes

For all you bakers out there.....you will love this site.

I got this sent to me in an e-mail and thought I would pass it on to all of you.

http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/

Random Photos

Had a few minutes this morning so I thought I would post some random photos that I have taken over the last few weeks.

Chad's little mishap....he ran the beans over and had to scoop them up. I usually do that once a year or so too but not that bad. Had to post his to show you that I am not the only one that "screws up"! Isn't he lucky that I happen to have the camera with me that day??!!

Parents night for volleyball was a few weeks ago. Tonight they play first round of Districts....we are seeded #4 so we play the #1 seed and they are a really good team.

Just another random harvest photo.

Teenager redeems herself!

As I posted before...I have been getting some attitude from my teenage daughter Courtney but this weekend she totally redeemed herself!

First of all it has been one tough week...harvesting corn, working cows and calves, harvesting corn, trying to keep up with the house (and not succeeding very well) harvesting corn, of course trying to get some blogging time in (which I was very limited in this week....sorry...I will catch up with all of you soon) and I have been fighting a nasty cold to top it off...oh, and did I mention that we are harvesting corn. Anyway, my very lovely daughter (when she wants to be) made and brought breakfast treats (turnovers) to the field and made dinner and brought it to the field for us on Saturday. She also vacuumed, swept and scrubbed floors, washed-dried and folded laundry, washed the dishes in the dishwasher, put them away and filled the dishwasher again. She has also been doing the pig chores for me in the evenings....what a load off my shoulders! Ok, so she can be a great kid when she wants to!!



We got done at 8:00 tonight and now that the housework and laundry are caught up....I finally have a chance to check in with a few of you.



Hope you all have a great week!

Corn Harvest

We began corn harvest several days ago. My father-in-law always runs the combine but he and my mother-in-law went to a concert in SF on Wednesday night. Jeremy got to run the combine for the first time. I was running the grain cart beside him and it was kinda fun watching him up there in that "big green machine". I couldn't help but take a few pictures of him.
This one I thought was really "cool"...if you look hard you can see the moon coming up right underneath the auger that is sticking out.

Butchering 101 (not for those with a weak stomach)

We had a little mishap working cows today....we had one go down and got trampled by several others and she died. We quickly bled her out and then we called several butchers in the area but they were all too full to take her in. So..... we called a good friend of ours (Pat) and he and my father-in-law (Al) are going to grind her by themselves for hamburger. I ran to the house the first chance I got to get my camera...they were already well into the process.

Here is Pat skinning her...he is almost finished with the process.

A closer view

All skinned!

Now the "gutting" process.

Here come the guts!

Pat and Al were laughing at me taking pictures of the process for my blogging

friends!

This is the heart....it is HUGE! Pat is pretty proud displaying this for all of you!

The pile of guts...the big white things are her stomachs...she has 4 of them. I wanted to cut them open but they warned me that it gets too "stinky".

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They cut her into quarters (didn't get pictures of that as I had to leave for the field)....they will let her hang like that until tomorrow night and then take the meat off the bone and grind it. Don't know if I will be around for that or not....I have a feeling I will be in the field.

Not much time to post today.....working our calves and preg testing the cows.....then to the field to combine some more corn. The corn dryer is fixed so we are at it full force again. Hope you all have a great day!

Teenagers.....GRRRR

We just got a really good start on corn harvest and now the corn dryer is broke down. There is a guy here right now fixing it so hopefully we can get going soon.

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On another note.....beware all of you with young daughters! Right now my lovely teenage daughter thinks I am the meanest mom on earth and "all of her friends even think I am a b*tch". She wants to know why I can't be "cool" like her dad. For all of you raising teenage daughters or that have already raised teenage daughters.....HELP!

Pheasant Hunting

Every year my husbands family comes back from all parts of SD and some in MN on opening weekend to hunt pheasants. We have a HUGE "hunting party" and have lots of fun. I think they had 17 guns this year. I used to hunt with them but have not for several years now. I did however walk along with them last year but took some "alone time" this year.

The relatives hunt our land and my father-in-laws land and have named our group "Big Al's Pheasant Safari"(after Chad's dad, Al). They had t-shirts made up with the logo on it several years ago so we all look kinda "cool" wearing the same orange t-shirts!

Jeremy taking aim.

Jeremy re-loading.

Chad, Jeremy and Courtney getting ready for a photo...notice Jeremy "goofing off".....he can't help himself when he has a gun in his hand. He loves to shoot.

My three pheasant hunters. Courtney is right handed but left eye dominant so she shoots left handed.

My three hunters on Sunday evening....they must have had a good hunting weekend...they are all smiling. Nothing like killing things and getting some good bonding time in with their dad!

It's a GREAT day!

It's always a great day when the sun comes out after days and days of clouds and rain. Thank you God for the much needed sunshine!

An Award

A Coach For Life gave me this award! I am so honored!
This is what the person that created this award says about it:
"the thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell,and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for the people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement."

I pass this award on to:

Michelle- a mom of 7 who homeschools several of her kids

Teresa- a wife and mother with a heart of gold

Erin- a loving wife who adores her hubby and farm animals

Jennifer- a woman who steps out and tries new things

Jennifer- a step-mom with 2 teenage daughters of her own

Amy- a hard working woman who is willing to try anything

Workin' Cattle

Today we worked my in-laws cattle. We were supposed to do ours tomorrow but we rescheduled for next Wednesday due to the mud and the rain that is supposed to be on the way again tomorrow.

Chad running the calves into the tub. (I ended up helping him with this job part way through) Calves were first then we did the cows.

Here I am at the tub...helping to get them into the alleyway. I am smiling so you can tell it is early on in the day!

My mother-in-law (Sharon) running them down the alleyway to my father-in-law (Al).

Al getting them into the squeeze chute for the Vet and his assistant to work.

Chad snapped this picture of me when we got done....I didn't get too muddy but did get a little wet as a rain shower came through right before we got done. It could have been WAY worse...it could have rained the whole time.

When we got done working cattle, we had to go to the hog barns to get the remaining 1050 feeder pigs in. We now have the hog barns filled again which is a nice job to have done. I will check them in tomorrow with my sister (who happens to be our Territory Manager for the pigs) and hope to vaccinate them this weekend.

Rain Delay

We are SO ready to get started on harvesting the corn but the weather doesn't seem to want to cooperate. It rained Sunday evening and all day yesterday and is cloudy today.

I guess it's ok because we have the last barn of pigs coming in tomorrow night and we need to get that barn all ready yet today. We are working our calves and my in laws calves (castrating, dehorning, pouring and implanting) and Preg checking our cows and my in laws cows all day tomorrow and Thursday morning. It's going to be one MUDDY mess! I will try to take pictures if I have time during the process.

I am praying that the sun will come out soon!

Weekend Work

Whew, what a weekend! We hauled 80 cow/calf pairs home from pastures...we don't have a semi trailer to do this so it takes several loads and a LONG time and LOTS of driving. We got all the farm equipment moved back home to get ready to start on corn.....we finished with soybeans *sigh of relief*. We also vaccinated the 2100 pigs we have so far....each one gets a shot. Ahh...Family Fun!

Believe it or not...we do have lots of fun while doing some of this! Our nephew Booker rode along with us on several loads of cattle and he is such a RIOT....he cracks us up all the time! Courtney's friend Hannah helped with shots and we all got some good laughs with her too. We always try to keep it light and have fun while doing thing.

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Also....it is Jeremy's 18th birthday today.....what a great young man he has turned into! Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Last Football Game

Our high school football team did not make the playoffs so tonight will be their last game of the season. It will be my son's last football game EVER. He is sad because he LOVES football and I am sad because I LOVE watching my son play football. I am also sad because once again....it's a sign that he is growing up and will be leaving the "nest" soon. Please pray for my son and for me tonight as we go through this emotional night.

Have a Great Day!

Usually I have a little time in the mornings to get caught up on my blogging, laundry, dishes, etc. (notice the order I put them in). We usually can't start combining soybeans until mid-morning, sometimes later if there is a heavy dew but this morning I have to check in more pigs. We got one more barn of pigs in last night (another 1050), one more barn to go next week. So, I don't think I am going to have time to get around to all of you today. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Soybeans

Thought I would show you a little more about soybeans since I had taken these pictures while in the field.This is how they look standing in the field. There are many pods on each stalk.
Part of a stalk with the soybean pods on it.
Here are just a few pods.
This is what the soybeans look like out of the pod. The stalk and pod get thrown out the back of the combine and the soybeans go into the grain tank of the combine to get unloaded onto the grain cart and then onto the semi's which haul them off to the soybean plant or to the bins on the farm to be hauled out later.

Soybeans have many uses....they make them into soy oil, soy flour, soy milk, soy nuts, tofu, soy candles, soy diesel, soy lotion, soy sunscreen, soy crayons, feed for livestock and many, many other things.

Movin' Cattle Home

The kids didn't have school on Monday so we took advantage of that and moved one pasture of cow/calf pairs home. It was one of our smaller pastures but the worst one to haul home from because we have to set up all the corral panels and then take them down when we are done....I hate that part! Next year we ARE going to build a permanent corral there (we have been saying that for several years now)! Getting them to the trailer.
Getting them in the trailer.
Jeremy and I WATCHING Chad get them in the trailer (ok, Courtney caught the 2 of of us slacking off...she's the one taking pictures). I have a silly grin on my face....I have a feeling there are a few choice words coming out of Chad's mouth at this moment.
Calves can be pretty dumb...here we are STILL getting them in the trailer.
Whew....the front part of the trailer is loaded!

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Notice Courtney was taking the pictures....she is not a cow girl and would gladly take any other job than be around the cattle! She HAS gotten a lot better but we are still working on it.

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The kids don't have school again on Friday so we are planning on moving the other 2 pastures of cow/calf pairs home next weekend. Stay tuned....maybe more pictures to come.

My Home Away From Home

We got rained out so we took all day Sunday off....YIPEE....not for getting rained out but for the much needed day off! We all went to Mass and then out for dinner and then some laying around the house....AAAH....relaxation!

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I took some pictures of my HOME AWAY FROM HOME for this time of the year while I was in the field the other day...thought I would share them with you.

This is my JD tractor that I drive and the grain cart that I pull behind it all day.

This is my lovely radio that if I ever had to go without I would go insane. I did buy myself an Ipod to bring along too but haven't taken it along yet.

This is my two-way radio that I use to keep in contact with Chad and Al throughout the day. We use them mostly during harvest as it is much faster than dialing the cell phones and we can all hear each other at the same time.

Here is my trusty scale (for the grain cart) that I have only had for a few years and I love, love, love it (I know, doesn't take much to excite me)! I use this to tell me how much grain to put on the semi so I don't have to guess anymore and chance putting too much on which would result in Chad ending up with an overweight fine. (Have never had a fine so far....knock on wood!)

I usually have my water or Diet Coke and some reading material along too. I have a little idle time during bean harvest but not near as much during corn harvest. I am always open for some good reading material suggestions or something else to occupy my idle time with. I do have a handheld Yahtzee game but I got bored with that years ago.

So.....hope you enjoyed a look into my "home away from home".

Meme

Pam tagged me for this meme.....





Two names you go by: Chris and Mom


Two things you are wearing right now: t-shirt and jeans


Two things you want (or have) in a relationship: love and commitment


Two things you like to do: read and spend time with my family


Two things you want very badly at this moment: food and sleep


Two things you did last night: went to a football game and had a few drinks with some friends


Two things you ate today: chocolate chip cookie and coffee


Two people you spoke last to: hubby and kids


Two things you are doing tomorrow: going to Mass and farming


Two longest car rides: to Texas which I don't remember since I was pretty young and to Ohio which I don't remember much either.


Two favorite holidays: Christmas and Easter


Two favorite beverages: Diet Coke and beer


Two jobs I have had in my life: Salesperson at Shopko and Farmer


Two movies I would watch over and over: Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing


Two places I have lived: SD and SD...only moved 3 times in my life and they are all within 6 miles


Two of my favorite foods: Pizza and DQ cookie dough blizzards


Two places I'd rather be right now: sleeping or doing something fun with my kids


Two people I am tagging to do this meme: Michelle and ?

Mini Break

It is cloudy this morning and we had a heavy dew last night so the beans are not ready to combine yet today. Whew...time for a little break and I really should be catching up on housework but I thought I would try to get around and check up on everyone. We got one barn of pigs in on Wednesday night (1050 pigs) so we have been trying to harvest and work on getting the barns ready for the pigs to come in...I am totally worn out today and really do NOT feel like doing housework during this short break.

Soybean Harvest Pictures

Quite a few of you requested pictures so I hauled my camera to the field with me yesterday. By the way, my hubby thought I was pretty weird....oh the things we do for our blogger buddies! No really, it did help pass the time yesterday some as there is some idle time sitting in the tractor I drive during soybean harvest....now corn harvest is a different story and I will post pics and tell you more about that when we get to it. My father-in-law (Al) runs the combine...here he is rollin' along in the soybean field. He usually goes about 2.8-3.5 mph. I know, it sounds slow but we have a pretty good sized head on(the thing in front with the reel ) so he can take out quite a bit on a round.
Here is Al in the combine dumping soybeans into the grain cart that I am driving down the field.
Here I am in the tractor and grain cart dumping the beans onto the semi.
Just a different view of the soybeans going into the semi. Hubby had to take the last 3 pictures....now you see why he thinks this was weird.
Here's hubby (Chad) in the one of the semi's that he lives in during harvest. He either hauls the beans to town to dump or dumps them into a bin for storage. Notice he is on the phone...one if the things he does best...haha.

I took more pictures yesterday of random things and will haul my camera along today too so BEWARE....more pictures to come.

Coffee anybody?

Do you ever have a morning where you just want to pour the whole pot of coffee down your throat at one time to wake yourself up?

I'm awake but I'm not feeling very awake....Will somebody please wake me up??!!

Attention Bulldog Fans

Hey, for all you Madison Bulldog Fans....the Hamlin Chargers volleyball team will be in town on Thursday night!

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Our team is really struggling right now...haven't won a game in awhile.

We were in Redfield last night....go to Sisseton tonight and on to Madison on Thursday night.....BUSY WEEK! There are going to be some pretty tired girls (and parents) at the end of the week.