Bushel And A Peck: A PECK OF TRANQUILITY

I could hear it before I could feel it, a warm soft rain, falling without ever really landing, as though quietly announcing it's approach in the darkness of our 10:00 o'clock yard. Void of demands or requirements, an unassuming, cheerful presence of rejuvenation pattering around me on the deck, and for a little while, I only had to "be". Sitting wrapped in my favourite fuzzy blanket, sipping Black Licorice tea while Max bounded after June Bugs in great puppy gusto, it occurred to me that I couldn't remember the last time I took a minute to simply move air through my lungs, and appreciate all that God has placed around me. Precious stolen moments, that when you think about it, truly are all we have in a world of demands and responsibilities, seemingly never enough, and yet just enough, to cleanse the weary spirit and recharge the tired mind.

A MOMMA WHOM CALVED AT THE SAME TIME AS ANOTHER, THEY NOW SHARE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THEIR BABIES, BOTH CARING FOR, AND FEEDING THEM, RIGHT NOW IT'S THIS GALS TURN.

The past week has whizzed by in a blur of Birthday party activities, Church Conference preparations and attendance (which ='s a marathon toddler chasing extravaganza!), a two day visit at Mom's with the girls, and all the typical activities involved in keeping our household and farm afloat. Jamie is finishing up his "off the farm work" and preparing to plant our own crops and get the rest of the cattle on pasture, yesterday he and I ran appx 20 young feeders through the head gate for deworming, inoculations, inserting identification tags, and neutering of the bulls, which now has them ready for any potential buyers. After a temporary decline in the cattle markets, we are again on a slow incline, which is bringing buyers back to the farm to view our feeders. With the industry still recuperating after the 10 year slump due to the Mad Cow issues, it still takes very little to discourage the market and always makes a farmer hold their breath when prices back slide even slightly, since they are only now growing enough to cover the cost of production.

GUSSIED UP AT CONVERENCE

PARTY PANDAMONIUM

THE PRECIOUS BUTTERFLY CAKE (GRACE HELPED DECORATE)

NOAH'S ARK??

Grace's birthday party was a huge success, from the homemade butterfly cake and pinata to the treat bags and game prizes, all 12 of her friends seemed to have a great time. I couldn't help but feel for a new friend of Grace's who is accustomed to city type living, and who at just 4yrs old, is likely more a lady then I'll ever be. As she stepped, assisted by her father, elegantly out of her parents mini-van, pristinely adorned in a white summer dress trimmed in gold, and brilliantly matched gold slippers, she descended our hill to the yard and was immediately greeted, much to her terror, by our two farm dogs. Once rescued from our beasts, she glided across the lawn, around the corner of our house and as she began to climb the steps to enter our house, she was again dismayed to find the party commencing not only outside, but primarily in my riding ring, with 11 other screaming, running, playing, and very dirty kids. After some encouragement from her parents, and yet another rescue from our persistently social dogs, she picked her way to the edge of the lawn, then faced with appx 6 feet of bare clay, balked and refused to go further for fear of dirtying her golden shoes. Assisted again by her father, who lifted her over the dirt and onto the trampoline, she joined the party by way of bouncing the time away until we had to oust her off to play an obstacle course game which involved her place of refuge. After a couple of half hearted attempts at the games, and with some very hearty encouragement from her friends and parents, our young friend finally loosened up and played with the rest of the group. The whole experience was quite obviously a shock to her little system, but she left with a sugar rush and a smile on her face, to prove it wasn't all bad.

THANK YOU UNCLE JEREMY FOR ADDING 32 MORE FEET OF SLIPPING AND SLIDDING FUN!

Add caption

A Quick Summery Of The Day

The cakes been dismembered,
The nuggets all ate,
The Pinata whacked early
Cause they just couldn't wait.

Cake smooshed into the carpet
And punch on the floor,
Only eleven,
But it seemed like much more

Gummy's in tummy's
Of so many friends,
Mixed with more goodies
How will this day end?

The screeching and giggles
Proved a very fun stay,
Almost a dozen dirty faces
Means a happy 5th Birthday.

Eleven little friends,
All snug in their beds
With dreams only a Sugar Rush
Can bring to their heads.

RECIPE:

TWISTED LEFTOVER CASSEROLE

Being left with a little bit of this and a little bit of that after a chicken dinner, I decided to do a bit of experimenting and was impressed with the results:-)

Here's what I had left to use, but I am sure any steamed veggies will work.

1 cup Peas
1 cup Carrots
1 cup Corn
1 cup Green Beans
2 cups cooked Roast Chicken (cubed)
appx 3 cups Mashed Potatoes
1/2 cup Milk
1 Egg
1 tbsp Butter
1 can Cream Chicken Soup
1 1/2 cup leftover Gravy
1 cup Sour Cream

Mix everything but the potatoes in the bottom of a deep casserole dish, mix together the Soup, Gravy, and Sour Cream, add salt and pepper to taste then pour over veggies and chicken, stir to incorporate. In a separate bowl, mix Potatoes, Egg, Milk, Butter and salt and pepper to taste ( I find this works best when potatoes are warm, so if they are leftovers I heat them in the microwave for 2-3 minutes), then beat on high until very smooth and creamy. Spread potato mixture over top of casserole and bake at 400 degrees until bubbly and golden on top.