Month: November 2022

Talkin’ Turkey

Posted on by Farmers Blogger

Hello Friends!

Happy Thanksgiving! I know it’s a day late, but I was in a food coma for a good portion of yesterday.
How was everyone’s Thanksgivings? Did you see family, or get to have a friendsgiving? Or if you don’t celebrate, how was your Thursday? Hope traffic wasn’t too bad.

Per usual, I had a crazy amount of people in my house for the holidays, although it was a little shorter than usual as there’s now lots of couples who need to split their time between houses. Honestly, as much as it was a little bittersweet to see them go, having my house cleaned up and put back together by midnight was a novel concept. Usually I look at it after everyone’s left and go, “eh? Tomorrow”.

Due to the fact that all my Thanksgiving Photos have family faces in them, please enjoy some artsy décor instead

We always potluck our Thanksgivings because there’s just too many people for one person to take on the brunt of the cooking. I got desserts this year so I made our usual Gork, a peach cobbler, and a whole host of pies (I did not scratch make the pies, I worked all week and didn’t have the time or the patience for that). Each family member picked a side or a few dishes to bring, and we always try to break it up so it’s easy, for example, since I am hosting I got desserts because there’s a lot of wiggle room in that job (whoever invented premade freezer pies deserves sainthood). Usually we make sure the new mamas don’t have to bring anything, or if they want to, we set them up to bring drinks and such. Easy peasy things that they can do without cooking. My uncle almost always does the turkey because he likes to fry it, and the rest is sorted out as it comes. A lot of times I’ll get a text beforehand asking me to preheat my oven, and someone will bring a hot dish that needs a little assembly, or stovetop fixings that can be made on site. It’s always so fun to be busy setting up and making food in the kitchen with my cousins, but also it’s super nice because ninety percent of it is done ahead of time so no one is majorly stressed out.

This year we had four youngsters and their dad with us, so they got to be a part of the festivities. I think their dad was a little confused about our non-traditional holiday, but he caught on quickly, and the younger kids thought it was great because they are the perfect ages to hang out with my little cousins. Honestly, it made me so happy to see them laughing and playing out in the yard (it was absolutely freezing, but sunny, and very little stops a little kid from playing in the sun). The older two slot in more with the teenagers, but obviously that’s a little more awkward, because everything is a little more awkward at that age. I was really hoping the oldest girl would find some fun in chatting with my cousins, and I think that might have happened, but everyone in that group is so painfully shy, the world may never know for sure.
The kiddos had the whole week off school for Thanksgiving, and at first I think they had planned to spend a good portion of it here with me while I was working. Thing is, I had a million things to do and I am not against chores for wee ones, so they had some light things to help me with (like sorting out the toys that needed repair, testing some of the lighting decorations, sweeping, nothing major, just little helps) and I think they realized it’s a lot more fun to go hang out with their Dad in town. Totally understandable, I would be the same way. 

My cousin Abby deserves a full knighthood after showing up at my house Wednesday morning while I was working, with mop and vacuum in hand. By the time I got off work my big brick fireplace and floors were cleaner than I’ve ever seen them, she is a wonder worker. I want to find a little something to get her as a thank you, I was thinking maybe a little gift card to a nail salon, or maybe to the coffee shop. She saved me hours of work when I signed off and I was able to get the pre baking done and dinner on the table with none of the pre Thanksgiving stress. She’s amazing!

Well, anyways, I’m going to go have Pumpkin Pie for breakfast and discuss christmas lighting plans with Christopher, as is tradition, so, I’ll talk to you next time.

Until we chat again my friend!

Rampin’ Up

Posted on by Farmers Blogger

Hello friends!

We are officially in the “i really should move to phoenix” time of year. I am trying to remind myself of all the good things about winter time, but I AM COLD and being unnecessarily dramatic about it. I’m currently under two blankets, with Watson hiding between them, in front of my heater, hugging a mug of warm tea, and hunting and pecking at my keyboard in an attempt to uncover as little from the blanket as possible. Cold. 

But I have very, very exciting news. My trailer is back! It was living temporarily with a gentleman across the river while he built a custom ramp so Nellie Belle could have an easier time getting in and out. He did a fantastic job, I’m so so so pleased!

Isn’t it nice? It’s a little dirty here because I was standing out in some very severe winds. It was freezing but I was excited!

Currently there is one small, teeny, itsy bitsy little problem to resolve before it’s absolutely perfect. It weighs more than me and as such, I can lower it down, but it’s unwieldy enough that I can’t quite get it back up on my own. I kinda think it’s as simple as adding a second grappling point so I’m not trying to lift it straight from the ground to eye level, instead I can maybe swap to a better hand position half way through. But Dad thinks for safety it might be better to have a little bit of an assist. I tend to agree since in my last determined attempt I dropped it on my leg and I have some pretty serious bruises. But it’s a fixable issue, I’m wondering about a pulley assist or maybe something spring-y? We just haven’t puzzled it through yet, but the trailer is still very much work in progress and as we are getting colder I’m not in a huge hurry. (If anyone has cool trailer ramp lift assist ideas, I wanna know, share please!)

But overall I can not overstate how truly happy I am with this ramp, it’s so nice. The guy put a really nice non-skid mat on it for Nellie and the angle is perfect and he reworked the door handles and latch system so everything lays flat when it’s all closed up and it’s so perfect! I cannot even express to you my excitement. 

I have a couple more metal works projects I’ve been putting off on the farm so I fully intend to ask my “trailer guy” to help me out again (that’s the designation next to his name in my phone, does anyone else do that? I have “Name McName (New Farrier)” and “So and So (Grandma’s Friend with the Peaches)” for example). He was such a gentleman, first of all, which I really appreciated. While I consider myself a pretty independent human, I’ve taken to bringing my dad or brother with me when meeting with new people, especially guys, because so many don’t take a girl seriously (or worse, but we don’t need to have that conversation today). Around here it’s incredibly common for me to call a service professional only to hear “sure, but can I please speak to the man of the house?”. I hate that but I’ve also learned to roll with it a little more in order to get things done. My dad, for the record, is a total legend about that and when they ignore me to talk to him he just puts his hands up and says “talk to the boss, she’s in charge”, and refuses to answer the questions. I was a little more understanding when I was a fresh faced 20 year old trying to get stuff done, but uh, I’ve got some patina on me now, no one’s accused me of skipping class or truancy in a very long time.

We’re going to paint it for rust proofing, but I didn’t have the correct paint on hand yet. It’s on the list!

But anyways, got off topic, my trailer guy is such a polite human, and absolutely went out of his way to help me out. He even delivered the trailer for me when he was done because he felt bad it took a while, even though we had decided it was no rush whatsoever (because he was doing a big job for one of the GIANT ranches around here and that’s the kinda job you want callbacks and referrals from). I really wanna get him some cookies or a coffee card or something to show some extra gratitude (I’ve mentioned before on this blog how important it is to be friendly with your favorite tradespeople, they truly make this world go ’round and can do things this girl can only dream of) but I’m worried about stepping on boundaries since he’s new and not used to my loud personality. Maybe I’ll just wait until I call him for the next project and give him something then. 

Anyways, I’m off to go stare at my pretty trailer again, shout if you need me.

Until we chat again my friends!

Okay Google, How Do I…

Posted on by Farmers Blogger

Hello friends!

It’s officially pumpkin bread season, as I have been reminded by my brother repeatedly. I haven’t made much this year yet because everyone was on and off sick for so long and frankly, it’s a lot of work if no one’s going to feel good enough to enjoy it. It’s literally the only recipe I sift flour for, I do not know if it helps, but it’s my grandma’s recipe and I don’t want to disrespect it so, we sift.

It’s also soup season, and while usually I have to beg, plead, and be sneaky about soups for dinner this time of year (I’m pretty much the only soup lover, my moms ambivalent, and the guys are generally more against it) this year the family has surprised me and have been asking for my soups more. This is doubly surprising since the weather is still absolutely lovely. Colder yes, but even in the afternoons it’s been totally livable outside. I’m not complaining though, soups and warm weather? I’m being absolutely spoiled over here. 

We’ve been digging egg drop soup around here lately because the mixins can make it an entirely different meal for each person. My moms a purist, she just likes the soup itself, sometimes with a little white rice. I like the soup itself a lot, but also I really like rice and some shredded seasoned chicken, a couple sprinkles of soy sauce and sesame oil. Dad’s favorite is whatever leftovers are in the fridge, so last time he added corned beef and some spaghetti noodles. For those who are freaking out, don’t worry, we keep our sauce and noodles separate for spaghetti, because yours truly can have lots of tomato based products, thanks to a latex allergy, and I usually make my own creamy Alfredo, so when I say he adds noodles, I just mean noodles. Christopher usually eats some combo of the above… or a pizza. He’s still my most stubborn soup holdout. But that’s fine, I appreciate that he tries every new weird thing I make, I don’t mind if it ends up not being his most favorite thing. 

My Egg Drop Rice Chicken … thing

Christopher has been asking for my loaded baked potato soup again though, and I haven’t made that in so long; I’m really hoping I wrote it down somewhere. I’m really bad at making something yummy and then totally forgetting how I made it. I’m slowly getting better at that. Since I got a newer phone with a pen it seems easier to just scribble notes because I don’t have to bring a notepad with me. Downside is my handwriting is even worse than usual on a screen so deciphering my notes afterward leaves a lot to be desired. But I’ve always liked the tactile feel of physically ink writing over typing or tapping on a keyboard so this is a nice compromise for me. Just don’t tell my boss his software engineer just said she’s not a big fan of typing on a keyboard, that might not go over well.

I’ve been seriously thinking again about writing a little book of things for the family, in the event I’m or someone else is not around for a period of time for some reason. I’ve often thought about making notes like “here’s how to make [a specific food that Mom’s super into right now]” and “here’s how to doctor a minor dog wound and when to go to the vet”, Dad could add things like “which breaker is the microwave on” and “what to check in the basement in a rainstorm”. Those kinda things, ya know? Because I’m always striving to be as reachable as possible, but let’s face it, rural connectivity just fights you for no reason sometimes. I’ve been sitting at my desk, literally waiting for a phone call, and still missed the call because my phone didn’t ring. I’ve heard similar complaints from the boys. I sometimes think that maybe having a house “manual”, that everyone contributes knowledge to, would be a solid plan. Could also be a place for emergency numbers and health notices, that kinda thing.

The idea is not particularly new. When I initially moved out I created “Amanda’s Big Book of Adulting” full of things like how to check my car’s fluids and laundry tips and tricks. It’s analog and grossly outdated now obviously, but during its heyday it was an absolute essential that just lived in my desk. When Mom first started having issues I realized just how much I hadn’t asked her and simply can’t now, and I started to debate making a “dear future children…” book that explains things like taxes and how to license your car. Thing is, as time has gone on, I’ve become less and less certain I intend to have kiddos, and taxes have changed a little too. So, I’ve scrapped that idea until I actually decide if kiddos are happening. I think that’s probably the best course of action. 

Maybe a “How to Take Long Nose Photos?” Section?

Regardless though, there’s data that needs recording, and a manual is the best option I can think of to make that work. I’m thinking it’ll live digitally, always growing and changing, with a physical binder bound back up, and then every so often we will print the changes and update the physical as needed.

Sounds like quite the project though, wish me luck.

Until we chat again my friends!

Nesting

Posted on by Farmers Blogger

Hello friends!

Well, it looks like everyone’s got the bug! Well, two bugs technically. 

That was a bad opening line, but look, sometimes we just need a little cheese in our lives.

Anyways, first bug: everyone sans yours truly has had some sort of cold. Poor Christopher suffered for a couple weeks with a pretty solid sinus infection. He was miserable, the poor kid, and had to take a little time off work. No shame in taking time off if you need it, but Christopher’s a lot like me, it’s only fun to take time off when you can enjoy it. Why waste sick leave on being sick, ya know?

Then Mom ended up with an ear infection and a sinus infection, plus pneumonia. It hit her really hard post stroke, because on top of just not being that strong normally, she just doesn’t have the wherewithal to take the basic steps to help herself, and being fiercely independent, she’s not a big fan of being babied. But she had a pretty nasty, very persistent fever which is never good for anyone, but especially not someone who’s been expressly told to not get too hot. One doctor’s appointment later and she’s one the mend.

Poor Dad has been a little under the weather now too, although he refuses to admit it. He’ll be okay though, I think his shakes out to a cold and caregivers fatigue. Hopefully some rest and peace and quiet will sort him out.

Me? I’m lysoling everything like my life depends on it, gloving up like I have surgery on the schedule, and making egg drop soup like I’m a bona-fide line cook. Side note, egg drop soup is great for colds, because it’s basically broth with lots of protein. Aaaaannnd it’s great because you can make a bunch of white rice, some garlicky chicken, chop some scallions and set out the sesame oil and soy sauce, tada, a full on meal for the un-sick of the house. Just add whatever mixins you’re feeling that night. To be honest, it’s rapidly becoming one of my favorite meals so it’s no hardship to make it a couple times a week.

The second bug I was speaking to is the room reorganizing bug. See, in late July, I decided my birthday gift to myself was to start changing my room from “a place where my stuff lives” to “a place where I am happy and comfy to work and sleep and craft, etc”. I wrote about it then, and I’ve been slowly ticking off to-do list items since. It’s a slow process because I really wanna make intentional choices towards making it work the way I want, but I can say for certain putting my desk behind closet doors was the best decision for work life balance ever. Still lots to adjust and do but I’m terribly pleased with how it’s shaping up.

Current Desk Setup State
My latest rough sketch

And it seems it’s catching. Just about everyone in the house is thinking about how to readjust their personal spaces so they work better. In some cases, like with mine, the pieces I’m slowly gathering are relatively minor, so my “reno” is pretty inexpensive, mostly a case of rethinking how to better use what I have. In other cases, like my brother, he’s slowly realizing the furniture from his youth is all bite sized and it’s causing a bit more of an issue. The boy needs a full sized dresser, he has no room for socks. He needs room for socks, it’s as simple as that.

He also really needs some bookshelves, he’s quite the collector of vintage and current video gaming memorabilia and his collection is starting to outgrow his space. A beautiful way to display those things is just what the doctor ordered.

Dad’s been redoing his den too. It’s sorta a den by accident, he started out in the front room, then got evicted from there when we needed the dining table back, then he worked at my grandmother’s antique desk in the master bedroom, but we recently decided that was the more accessible option to make into mom’s little craft corner (plus it weighs more than my horses so there’s no way it moves… probably ever again haha). We decided it was probably wise to get all his paperwork out of the bedroom anyway, so he wasn’t staring at it while trying to sleep. So now he’s down in the basement, which he’s made super cozy with lamps and memories. The wifi…. It almost sorta reaches, enough to check email and such if you’re patient, so it works for him, at least until we can get a reliable extender. He is slowly organizing it; we gifted him a set of shelves and a cute corner desk, and a fancy phone charger organizer thingy, so he’s feeling quite official. He’s also super excited he can have his music up as loud as he likes and we won’t complain (he listens to great music, he’s just losing his hearing so… ya know).

Watson likes the new desk space too!
Since I can’t exactly show you the other office spaces since they are private to my family members, here’s Joe trying to convince me to blow off work

And, of course, you know what’s next: mom’s slowly making her little craft corner. I don’t think she has a plan quite yet, but the teacher in her is happy to be collecting her pens and stationary, and her yarn craft supplies all together. When she sorta works out what she needs, I promised a trip to the office supply store. She’s quite excited.

I’m pretty sure most of this is a natural response to the colder weather. We’re all just nesting so we have a cozy space to hide out in the winter. Won’t stop us from slowly going crazy with cabin fever by February, but we can try haha.

Until we chat again my friends!