A BUSHEL OF ADVENTURE

When you are 5 years old and celebrating your first ever March Break, where better to head to then the MacDonald’s Fun House?   The place that never fails to provide a good time, the good time, of course, being relative to the parties involved and the part in which they assume.  As we entered the “Big M.” (As Grace calls it), and the pandemonium that was within, it was very clear that this would be no ordinary low key luncheon.  Children swung from every conceivable (and inconceivable) perch, swarming the play area like an over populated chimpanzee habitat, shrieking and gesticulating a type of feral communication only they could understand.  Their parents waiting in an endless line to find a table, appeared oblivious to the anarchy around them, evidently relieved for some semblance of a break, as they watched with unseeing eyes, their fingers twitching fervently over their various communication devices, heedlessly absorbed in ironic fashion by their virtual worlds.

I held both our girls by the hands, trying to make sense of the chaos, trying to think of an out.  Sucking back against the wall, awestruck and terrified, I was about to bolt when Grace broke free of my grasp and raced into the mob, casting a glance over her shoulder that let me know, like a captive animal released to the wild, she was home.  Bethany was quick to follow and I forced myself to relax and let them have their fun, my pride bubbled as I watched Grace “bum boosting” Bethany to the top of the Fun House so she too could enjoy the slides.  I could hear their voices drifting over the mayhem from time to time, and it was evident by Grace’s coaxing that Beth was a bit leery of this adventure. Therefore I was relieved to see them both land unscathed at the bottom of the slide and smiled my approval as they ran passed me, laughing together as Grace began the arduous task of hoisting her Mini Me back to the top.

It was there, at the very top, suspended in a giant bubble far above my reach, that Bethany’s good sense prevailed and she succumbed to her gut instinct, despite Grace’s valiant efforts, she would go no further.  I began to shout above the din, shrugging off the realization that I had rousted the interest of several previously glazed over parents, I tried to coax her into following her Big Sis, but no amount of pleading or tugging from Grace would budge her.  She began to howl.  With every fleeting moment Beth’s cries grew in frequency until the shrieking around her paled in comparison.  Instinctually I flew into Mommy Mode and began the ascent to save her, twisting and contorting myself with every new level, constantly aware of the stricken weeping above me, I hesitated only once to consider what type of disciplinary measures I would face for having forgotten my boots on, while the Chimps, oblivious to the magnitude of the situation, shoved and prodded me out of the way and continued their escapades.  As I reached the top and scooped up my rescue, who was sitting in a heap, arms clasped tightly around her knees, her howls by then had become wrenching sobs, I was vaguely aware of the enquiring voices below, discussing who such giant feet could belong to, and why they would be in the Fun House?    

With Beth tucked safely under one arm, the other acting as a shield against the frenzied inhabitants as we made our way down, the potential to continue on to the slides and truly experience the Fun House in its entirety was not lost on me.  Casting a quick glance in the direction from which we came, as I twisted my way back through the levels, folding a protesting Bethany at the waist with each new platform, I discovered that the bottom of the climbing area was in fact transparent mesh and hovered at perfect eye level, mere inches in front of a family of diners.  My Super Mommy façade waned somewhat as myself appointed “Hippo in glass slippers” description came to mind, and the idea of how this, as I folded and stuffed myself up like the Grinch in Cindy Lou’s chimney, must have greatly influenced their family dining experience.

GRACE RIDING A NEW FRIEND "DI" ON HER MARCH BREAK

 

Spring is finally breathing the life back into us and I can’t help but appreciate that we have made it to pasture once again.  The farm is running as it generally does with its usual share of small victories and losses.  Jamie spent several weeks on a Bus Driving course which presented me with the opportunity to get out and work in the barns.  It’s been a while since I’ve really “worked” in the barns and, as I rolled out round bales of straw for bedding and pulled frozen strings from the bales of hay, it quickly became apparent that I had become soft.  Muscles long since forgotten made their presence known and callouses long softened by bread dough and dishpan hands began to resurface along with a renewed appreciation for the hours Jamie puts in here.  A good deal of the work requires brute strength, yet there is a great amount of strategizing required as well, particularly being an Out Of Shape Girly Farmer, but at the end of each day was the sense of accomplishment that comes from putting body and mind to the test and achieving the day’s goals.

 

GUSSIED UP FOR MEETING

 

Grace has been contributing elements to her kindergarten class that only a Farm Kid can offer.  Particularly after a bizarre and unfortunate incident of a young cow (one of our nicer heifers, isn’t that always the way?) sustaining some type of injury to her spine/pelvis while being bred, resulting in her being paralyzed from her hips down.  Grace, who always takes an interest in any sick or injured animal, quizzed Jamie at length on what happened, and of course how.  Grace has often witnessed the cattle breeding process, and by her own accord has deduced that the bull likes to take “Piggy Back Rides”, we’ve not yet bothered to correct her, therefore, the best explanation Jamie could offer, was that the heifer got hurt while giving a Piggy Back Ride.  This was easily accepted with a simple “she should know better”, and not much more was said.  A couple days later Grace arrived home from school and told me how she explained to her teacher that we have a cow that “broke her back giving the bull a Piggy Back Ride”, mildly embarrassed and whole heartedly amused, I asked what her teacher said.  Grace looked slightly bewildered and replied “she just said, “Oh my, that’s not good”, then she laughed a little and told me to go tell the other teacher”.

 

It’s strange how our two girls can be so much alike and yet so different, Grace has been begging us to get her a “real pair of coveralls” for a while now, so the other day Jamie and I paid a visit to our local Agro Co-Op and made the purchase.  Because Bethany has become Grace’s shadow, we knew that she would not want to be left out and we managed to find a pair of Coveralls in her size as well.  After picking Beth up a couple of spring dresses we headed home, eager to present our surprises.  When she opened the shopping bag, Grace immediately screeched with delight, put her Coveralls on and proceeded to model them before us.  Jamie excited to see the two of them in their matching attire called to Beth to come and try on hers.  Beth, however, was not as pleased as we expected and protested greatly as he folded her into them, just as soon as he zipped them up, she unzipped them and grabbed the new dresses insisting that she try them on.  Grace however, refused to take hers off, and declared that she was wearing them to school because “her friends would love them”.

THE NEW COVERALLS

 With spring in the air, there are a lot more footprints in the house as the girls have taken to removing their coats and boots when they think I’m not watching, and are spending much more of their days playing outside with the neighbour kids.  Our yard is a buzz of dogs, kids and bubbles as they play in the yard and jump on the trampoline (or Dibidobaleme as Beth calls it).  Hiccup has been getting a good bit of attention lately as well as Grace and her friends have begun taking him in and leading and grooming him on their own.  This week I hope to do some early planting in the greenhouse for our garden, Grace plans to have her own garden this year and asked Jamie if he could dig her a lagoon to irrigate it.

DIGGING FOR WORMS IN THE RAIN ON THE FIRST DAY OF FISHING SEASON

 

 

RECIPE:

CEREAL BARS

2 ½ cups Rolled Oats

1 cup Corn Flakes

1 cup Rice Crispies

½ cup Bran Flakes

½ cup Coconut (I use unsweetened)

2/3 cup Brown Sugar

1/3 cup Butter (I use Coconut Oil……yummmmmJ)

1/3 cup Corn Syrup (I don’t typically use this, I add a bit more honey and a couple tbsp. of Molasses)

¼ cup Honey

¼ tsp Salt

Vanilla to taste

 

TOPPING

 ¼ cup Milk Chocolate Chips

1tbsp butter

 

Mix Brown Sugar, Butter, Corn Syrup and Honey in a pan, bring to a boil until frothy, appx 2 minutes, remove from heat for 1 minute, then pour in vanilla.  Pour and mix liquid into dry and press into a 9 x 13 greased pan.  Melt Chocolate and butter, drizzle over the top.

BETH HELPING ME CHURN THE BUTTER

 

GRACE AND HER FRIEND CALLING THE HORSES IN

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

A LITTLE PECK OF KARMA

It was a rare occasion, a moment of peace and solitude, as I sat silently congratulating myself on having accomplished the formidable task of having both girls in bed by 7:30.  Not quite believing my luck, I tried to remain completely silent in fear that a floorboard squeaking would be enough to shatter my transient sanctuary.  After about a half an hour I allowed myself a physiological pat on the back (a physical one may well have blown my cover), not having heard a word from either since they had retreated to their respective dens when abruptly my solitude crumbled with the declaration of  Mooooommmm!  I finally got my tooth out!!!” erupted from deep inside what we call Grace’s cave.  Realizing that I’d been enjoying a false sense of security, I banished all prior warm and fuzzy notions of little girls happily lost in a sunshiney dreamland for the reality that Grace had been executing her own tooth extraction all the while.  Momentarily Deer in the Headlights, I gripped tightly to one more millisecond of peace, then, chastising myself for being so selfish, and also for having actually believed bedtime would go smoothly, I went to offer my congratulations and bring Grace a drink of water and a hug.

Having delivered a Kleenex, glass of water, and the hug, we packaged the tooth up and placed it under Grace’s pillow to await the Tooth Fairy.  Reassuming my post, sitting silent and still, so as not to wake the bears,  I was just about to allow myself the privilege of exhaling when once again a voice sounded from the cave, and it was calling my name.  Resolved to the fact that my prior conception of an uneventful evening was moot, I slunk back to inquire as to the nature of her issue “this time”.  Sitting cheerily atop her loft bed, obviously more fresh and energized then I, and more so still, then I care to see her at this time of night, she cordially asked “So Mom, when are you going to get this tooth out of here and leave me my money?”  

A couple of weeks ago we had a severe deep freeze here in Eastern Canada, this presents many challenges on the farm, and most particularly, the ever freezing water lines to the animals and our own home.  Our latest adventure began around 2:00A.M a few of weeks ago, when we were wrenched from our sleep by the resounding splatter that can only be produced by vomit hitting the floor at a five foot drop.  Gripped by the revolting knowledge that Grace was sick and had missed the provided garbage can which sits on her dresser for such emergencies, I threw on my housecoat and flew up the hall just as she began yelling in panic for back-up.  Opening her door I was quickly reminded that I had not gathered her stuffed animals off the floor that day, nor fixed the 2 drawers of her dresser that frequently break and hang open.  As I silently cursed myself and gathered sopping Teddies and clothes from the askew drawers, I tried to reassure Grace that all was well, while, having taken a moment to regain her composure, she proudly brings my attention to the fact that she had managed to “get a bit in the bucket”.  Momentarily impressed, as it was a first for sure, I congratulated her on her improving aim, and then turned my attention back to the messy task, as Jamie scrubbed the floors beneath her loft bed. 

WHAT BARN DOGS DO IN THE COLD
 

As I stumbled out of bed the next morning, trying to shake the cobwebs caused by the previous night’s activities, and decide if vision was really worth the effort, I groped for the life restoring coffee pot and held it under the tap.  Not hearing the water filling the pot, I prayed that my other senses had failed me and the water really was pouring freely,  prying my eyes open confirmed my suspicions….it was not, there would be no coffee.  Apparently the  -40 degree temperatures  (with the wind chill) had frozen the water, which in itself is not uncommon, our well provides water for two households and four barns, typically if the water freezes it’s a simple matter of pouring hot water onto exposed pipe and the problem is solved.  Not so this time.  Taking a moment to give thanks for the fact that we had water to clean up the mess from the night before, I broke the news to Jamie who suited up and headed out to find the source of the problem.  He was gone for an hour or so when he came in and reported that the lines were actually frozen down about 9 feet of cement foundation in our old Dairy Barn, fortunately his parent’s water had not frozen, so we were able to get water for our house and also to use to thaw the pipes from them.  Jamie and his father spent the day running hot water down the lines and finally by evening the water line had let go.  After a brief moment to exhale after the long cold day, Jamie came to the house to make sure that we had water, we didn’t.  Back out to the barn, he discovered the line had frozen in another spot further down, which meant that neither our house nor the livestock had access to water.  By 3:00am he managed to get this section of pipe thawed which provided water to the cattle, however, our house still had none.  Accepting defeat for the rest of the night, Jamie was up bright and early the next morning to thaw more lines, this time he discovered the line under the new cement in our horse barn had frozen, and so the day was spent busting cement (my new, shiny and long awaited for cement) and pouring hot water in the line.  By around 4:00pm victory was again his and he raced into the house to find, there was still no water, this time however the problem was in the pipes in our house and after a brief session of warming some exposed pipes the final battle was finished and the war was won.

TILLY COMING HOME FROM THE WATER HOLE

FUSE COMING HOME

HICCUP HAVING A PLAY

 

The next day (Saturday) Grace told me that she was feeling a bit tired and went to lie down.  This, coming from a kid that does not sleep, has never slept and dives off the deep end anytime a nap is suggested, raised some red flags, but apart from being a bit lazy, she had no other symptoms.  By Sunday A.M her fever spiked and she informed me that she thought her throat may “blow up”, so we kept her home from meeting to rest, much to her dismay as she was planning to go sledding later that afternoon.  It was quite clear throughout the day that she was certainly lethargic, but working very hard to stay upbeat, so that by the time we were considering going sledding, she felt “100% better” and most definitely up to going.  It was obvious however, as she lay at the bottom of the hill in a heap of tears and demanding we tow her back to the top that we’d been had, and she really was under the weather.  The next morning brought fever and chills to both girls and Grace stayed home from school.  As it turned out, she remained home for the entire week battling fever, chills, incredibly sore throat, a hacking cough and pink eye.  Miss Bethany shared many of the same symptoms therefore our home was quarantined. 

By mid-week Jamie’s throat began to flare up and the chills set in.  Listening to his seemingly dramatic account of the battle raging within his body, then witnessing him go to bed at 8:00pm, when he, like Grace, does not sleep, reminded me of the Nyquil commercial and prompted me to sound the alarms to warn anyone that would listen that we had a “Man Cold” in our home.  This generated an unforgettable lesson in Karma as I felt the small tickle in my throat grow, and the pain in my joints flare to create my most prominent symptom, acute and shameless wining.  The encouragement I received as I watched Jamie return to his normal self after just a couple of days, was short lived, as I was left in a heap on the couch, with the girls frequently reminding me (now that they were better) how boring I was.  They were forced to entertain each other and themselves, and I was left to consider (between fits of coughing and bouts of vomiting) how peculiar it was that I could contract a Man Cold.   On my day 3 Bethany relapsed, her fever soared, and she could keep absolutely nothing down, so after a couple sleepless nights spent trying to comfort her I brought her to the ER. She threw up several times in the car and then sat crying and pointing down her throat for the 4 hour wait.  Having had laryngitis set into my chest, I whispered my way through the consultation to the kind doctor who spoke only broken English then informed me that there was nothing to be done and to take her home and keep an eye on her.   Back to the car in the freezing air, bare under her jacket because her shirt was soaked from throwing up, Beth again threw up on the way home and suffered through a quick stop at the drug store.  Elated to see our driveway come into view I hefted Beth in one arm and my plastic bag of goodies in the other, proceeded to walk down the steep mountainous slope that is our lane and promptly fell on my backside and slid down a portion of the hill.  Silently cursing Man Colds everywhere, I hefted us into the house, bathed Beth, put her to bed and reassumed my post on the couch to wallow in my own misery and self- pity, and be sure that Jamie would be able to see me.  Finally after about 6 days Bethany and I took a definite turn for the better and opted to choose life, being left however with the pride less notion that Man Colds are called Man Colds because men are the only ones that can handle them…..lesson learned.

THE BARN YARD

Our winter has not been a bad one, we definitely had a few busy weeks but all in all, we’ve had a great winter.  Until recently the animals have stayed healthy in the barns, and the girls and I have spent a great deal of time enjoying the snow.  Grace has taken up Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing with a youth group after school and is also Step Dancing, which she is really having a great time at.  Bethany is an ever changing and evolving creature, who perpetually keeps us giggling (or scratching our heads) and has become an accomplished mimic, copying whatever, and whoever, strikes her interest in dramatic displays of gesticulation and garble that only a Chosen Few are fortunate enough to understand.   Grace shifts by the moment between fits of laughter at her little sister, and shear annoyance for times when Bethany uses her own ammo (such as sticking out her tongue, or grabbing toys and screaming for Grace to stay away) against her.  It’s been a slow lesson in leading by example.

Our cattle have been happy and healthy this year, until lately, it seems that we are slipping into the same sicknesses as we dealt with last year, having lost a calf just this evening that Jamie treated all last week, and we expect to likely lose another.  The one he is currently treating, and whom we have little hope for his recovery, was born breech and had a particularly difficult entrance into the world.  It is not typical that both Cow and Calf survive such a birth, however we’ve considered ourselves fortunate as both survived the ordeal, although the calf has been slow to get going, and unfortunately now is quite sick.  We currently have about 20 replacement heifers having their first calves, these are also the first 

calves to the Red Angus bull we purchased at last year’s Bull Sale.  We’ve been very pleased with the outcome thus far in our replacement breeding program, our calves are arriving reasonably small (a great thing for first time moms), and they seem to hit the ground running and grow very quickly.

 

It is hard to imagine, but winter is slipping away quite quickly (insert apology here for not updating the blog before thisJ), we are all looking quite happily in the direction of spring and all the promises for growth and adventure it holds for our little family.

 

RECIPE:

CANDIED NUTS

I just discovered this recipe today as I researched different ways to add nuts to finish the top of my pumpkin desert.  It was incredibly easy, and very, very yummy, my only issue is that I only had about a ¼ cup of nuts and once candied Bethany and I had a hard time to leave enough for the desert.  I will definitely be making them just for a snack.

Here’s what I used:

¼ cup Sliced Almonds and Pecans combined

4 tbsp. Water

4 tbsp. White Sugar

Place on medium heat and stir constantly until the liquids evaporate and the sugars turn golden brown (appx 10 minutes), turn out and spread on greased cookie sheet to cool and harden.  Once hard, break them apart and enjoy.  These would be excellent to add to deserts, homemade Ice Cream, a nice spring salad or just to eat on their own.  Trust me:-)

 

SOME OTHER FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

 

PHOTO SHOOT!

 

CRAZY HAIR DAY FOR WINTER CARNIVAL

 

"JAKE" FROM JAKE AND THE NEVERLAND PIRATES FOR CHARACTER DAY DURING WINTER CARNIVAL

 

A SAD GIRAFFE, WHO DOESN'T WANT TO DRESS LIKE A GIRAFFE JUST CAUSE THEY CAN?

GRACE DELIVERING HER VERSE AT THE CHILDRENS TREAT

 

BETHANY WATCHING BIG SIS

 

 

 

 

A PECK OF LEARNING

I was raised as an only child.  Like a Baboon raised in captivity, I was somewhat sheltered from the natural interaction and social functioning of, what some might consider, a typical family. Therefore over the last year and a half, Jamie (who is the second oldest of 4) has had to assure me, as I, in exasperation, peel one of our girls off the other, unwind ones fingers from the others hair, or have cause to explain how the laws of nature dictate that just because Bethany is holding a kitten by the neck, does not make it better to scream in her face and yank the kitten away from her by the rear legs, this is typical sibling behaviour. (Disclaimer:  No kittens were harmed in the making of this Blog).  I pray daily for patience and understanding, having found myself hurtled into a journey of self exploration that has turned up the rather embarassing realisation that, while I was not previously a yeller, nothing makes me want to bellow louder then when our girls are screaming at each other. Yet, somehow, when the voices have been toned down a decibel, or 12, and the House Issued Restraining orders have been lifted, I find my girls quietly and amicably in each others bubbles, even sharing a belly laugh or two, at jokes only they seem to understand, and the inclination of sibling love becomes apparent to me with the notion that this must be the proverbial "fun" in functional.

 

WALKING THE PLANK

 

OUR NEW KITTENS, "RUT", "TOOK" AND "LITTLE LADY"

 

Grace is loving school, it has opened up a whole world of new capabilities to her, she adores learning, and of course the social aspects that go along with Public School. I, on the other hand, am still adjusting to the change in authority, and after numerous notes and reprimands concerning various misdemeanours, from not having Grace's name on her coat to sending a forbidden Kinder Surprise in her lunch and walking in a "Parent Free" hallway of the school, I can say in earnest that I am glad the principal does not make home visits.  While I've found myself  anxiously sifting through Grace's school bag when she returns at the end of the day, searching for another dreaded note that will bring to light some other form of Policy Sabotage I've committed, Grace has taken to educating herself on the various rules I'm to adhere to, and has been able to intercept the potential for another wrap on the knuckles by informing me before I commit an offence.

AFTER DISCOURAGING HER FROM BEING A BLUGENED ZOMBIE, SHE CHOOSES TO BE A PURPLE SPARKLY FAIRY

Jamie has finished up the Potato Season and is back on the farm and waiting impatiently to see his Soy Beans combined and hauled out of the fields.  We've experienced a number of set backs where this is concerned, being our first trial year with Soy Beans, we have decided to hire someone to do the combining for us to avoid making the significant investment in the machine to do it ourselves.  While our neighbour has graciously agreed to take on the task, his own combining, coupled with Hurricane Sandy's offerings has caused some set backs and left us a bit downhearted at the prospect of ever getting them out of the field.  The fall ploughing is also upon us and having our two main tractors laid up, one still awaiting an engine conversion and our beloved 4020 having issues above my wifely comprehension, has created many trips to retrieve various parts that will (with any luck) bring them back into working order.

 

 

Due to the weather, I've not gotten a lot of time on our horses this past week and a half, however, I am pleased with the progress Fuse has made lately in her journey to becoming a viable mount.   I've accomplished a great deal in her schooling and have all but completely mounted up, resigning to the fact that playing it safe and waiting for Jamie to be home before I officially swing my leg over her, would likely be the brightest idea in the event my notion that she is ready to ride is false.  I have been getting some time in the saddle with my own mare, Pixel, over the past bit, riding solely in the round pen, but accomplishing many of the goals that I have been waiting to meet with her.  However, with the incredible weather that Hurricane Sandy left in her wake, I enlisted Jamie's Mom's babysitting services and hit the trails for the first time in over a year.  A perfectly rejuvenating day that proved to be just what the doctor ordered for both myself and my Rusty Steed.  Feeling particularly fresh, Pixel provided me with the type of ride that caused me to question both of our sanity, and served to rekindle my slightly weathered Cowgirl spirit, returning home two hours later with screaming muscles, a few saddle sores, and a luminous smile.

ME AND PIXEL ON THE TRAIL

A QUICK TREK ON THE BEACH

AND THROUGH THE WOODS

 

OUR TRAVELLING COMPANION, "CINAMON" OUR NEIGHBOURS HORSE FOLLOWED US FROM THE INSIDE OF HER PASTURE

 

OUR SOY BEANS

 

MAX INVESTIGATING THE BEAVER DAM

 

A GOOD ROLE AFTER A GREAT RIDE

 

RECIPE:

Halloween is Jamie's birthday, so Grace and I made him a two layer cake by glorifying a Rainbow Cake mix (his fav.), this is how we make it.

 

 

First I used a total of two mixes for this cake, below I've listed the ingredients for one mix as I mixed them separately to create the two layers.

1 Rainbow (I think they are really called Confetti) cake mix
1 cup Oil
1/2 cup Milk
1 pkg Vanilla Pudding
1/2 cup Sour Cream
3 Eggs

Mix well and bake as directed on the box.  The cake will be very moist and rich with a hint of tang to add to the sweet:-)We chose to top it with a conventional Butter Cream Icing and serve it with Homemade Ice Cream, compliments of Isabels cream and Uncle Davids Ice Cream making skills.

A FACE FULL OF BLACK ICING

 

 

 

MORE OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

 

THE QUESTION

 

THE INTENTION

THE PURPOSE

A KISS FOR THE DAIRY QUEEN, WHO RECIPROCATED THE LOVE BY KNOCKING BETH DOWN WITH HER HEAD, BETH IS NO LONG ALLOWED TO KISS THE DAIRY QUEEN.

 

PUMPKIN PARTY.....AND SNACK TIME APPARENTLY

 

THE SECOND VOYAGE EVER DOWN THE HILL WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS.....THE FIRST VOYAGE PRODUCED HIGH PITCHED SCREECHES, FOLLOWED BY A WILD BOUNCE THROUGH THE ASPARAGUS PATCH WHICH CAUSED RESOUNDING, HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER, THAT PROMPTED GRACE TO ASK IF I WAS LAUGHING OR CRYING, TO WHICH I REALLY WASN'T SURE.

A NAP WHILE I MILK

 

GRACE WORKING AT LIBERTY WITH HICCUP

TEACHING HIM TO JOIN UP AND FOLLOW HER

A LITTLE REASURANCE

MORE SCENERY FROM MY TRAIL RIDE