Delightfully Disarrayed Summer Ends In Blogger Blowout

This little post has been waiting to get published for two weeks.  When Kasse asked me to "guest post" for ruralwomenrock.blogspot.com, I put it aside.  But, by golly, I'm not wasting it...remember, I don't waste anything. So here it is...

Fickle blogging has taken a toll on my site hits. Somewhere between this summer's drought, and life's interesting and unexpected little curves, bumps and multiple blessings, my attention to social media has waned a bit.

I was totally blindsided by the fact that grandkids (10 of them!) could utterly-completely capture your heart, absorb your time and thoughts, and unselfishly rearrange your priorities.

I've continued to write--- constantly---in my head. I’ve just had a problem finding time to get it on paper or computer.

Last month a tweet from Monsanto Blogger, Janice Person ended my dry-spell when she extended an invitation to Jeff Pulver's Small Town 140 Conference in Hutchinson, Kansas. Janice and I became friends last year in Chicago at Ag Chat 101.

After some begging, daughter Kasse agreed to jump in. She made some last minute business arrangements to leave her flower shop, Miss Duffy's Floral and Gifts, for a day and we were off.

Jeff Pulver, founder of Vonage, is an amazing individual whose touching story reveals the reasons for his graciousness and concern for the success of others. Jeff's co-host was Becky McCray city administrator, small business owner, and a nonprofit executive. hailing from neighboring, Hopeton, Oklahoma. Jeff and Becky’s awareness of the huge technological shift happening around us along with their serendipitous encounter created the Small Town 140 Conference. 40 plus speakers were given 10 minutes each to tell how social media had changed their lives. Take a look at one of these great speakers, Kevin Honeycutt. Kevin gave us a glimpse of the seriousness of staying globally competitive.  Others shared impacting stories including saved lives, changed lives, saved businesses, urban renewal and improved public education to name just a few. This trip not only gave me a kick in the pants to start writing again, but it set a huge fire under Kasse who has now started the blog, http://ruralwomenrock.blogspot.com a site dedicated to consolidating the voices of rural women through social media and teaching other rural women to blog.

The energy was contagious. When we returned home, Lenne, our youngest daughter- farm wife and mother of 4 started her blog http://nevernap.blogspot.com/. Daughter-in-law, Cara at vintage183 blogspot.com jumped in and we’re nudging Mandy- oldest son’s wife, and nieces, Amber and Kim to get their feet wet.
One of them asked "Why would anyone want to know what I'm doing?"  If you take a look at the Small Town 140 Conference site the message is clear, a changing world wants to know.

Are You My Mother?

Baby Bottle Calves

Are

 

ALWAYS HUNGRY!

We usually lose a "Mama Cow" or two during the winter-early spring calving months and that leaves  hungry mouths to bottle feed.  This year my grandaughter, Olivia, has taken on feeding two oprhans.  They think everyone who gets in the pen with them is their MOM!
They are usually fed two- three times a day using a milk replacement from a 1/2 gallon baby bottle.  The formula is increased as the calve grows 

Back From Sabbatical!

Sorry for the Two Month Absence.

 My Excuse for  Paltry Postings?
EEEKKK!
A Whirlwind Ride on a Human Hamster Wheel!

Between...


Stock Shows

 Wheat and Canola Harvest



Gardening



Graduations

 

Tornado Escapes

                                                                             

Two D.C. Visits
The first trip was with a group called "The Ranchers", we spoke with congressmen, senators and representatives urging them to keep our Ag Industry at the top of their agendas. The next trip was to attend the Animal Agriculture Alliance Summit where those attending gathered a ton of knowledge from many great speakers on how to secure Ag's future. 

Soccer Games

                                                                 

Family Gatherings



and...

My Dad's Induction Into The Hall of Great Westerners
(which was much like preparing for a wedding!)


I Just Haven't Had Time!

I will try to do better.

                                                    

Seven Rules From God

 If you're like me I need continual nudgings, taps on the shoulder, swift kicks in the rear from the Lord, nearly everyday. Today I found this piece in some of my old files and the Lord urged me to share it!

Sunset On The Ranch
photo courtesy of Darla Chain, my mom, who's an excellent photographer, artist...and Mother!

                                       

1. WAKE UP!

Decide to have a good day


“Today is the day the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad in it.”


Pslams 118:24


2. DRESS UP!


The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.


A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.


“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at, but the Lord


Looks at the heart.”


1 Samuel 16:7

 

3. SHUT UP!


Say nice things and learn to listen.


God gave us two ears and one mouth, so


He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.


“He who guards his lips guards his soul.”


Proverbs 13:3

 4. STAND UP!


For what you believe in.


Stand for something or you will fall for anything.


“Let us not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time,


we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good.”




5. LOOK UP!

 To the Lord.


“ I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”


Philippians 4:13



6. REACH UP!


For something higher.


“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”


Proverbs 3: 5-6



7. LIFT UP!


Your prayers.


“Do not worry about anything; instead Pray About Everthing.”


Philippians 4:6

1. 

My Swashbuckling Cowboy

You never know what unexpected problems you’ll encounter on a ranch. Today we straightened a listing  cake bin. This 30 ton cake bin holds cattle cubes that are fed to the cattle during the winter months.  A semi load holds 24 tons which we will fill about 4 or 5 times a year.  

Brad's addiction to “fearlessness” keeps my life interesting. I have always been the by-standing, nail-biting, naysayer of negativity while he has ALWAYS been my Swashbuckling Cowboy.

                                                                                  TODAY

WE CAME

AND HE CONQUERED!

                                                         

Esther Learns To Iron

Hope DHS doesn't come knocking at my door. I confess, I let my 4 year old granddaughter iron and yes, she burned her finger. 

Feeling Empowered and Moving A Little Too Fast

The truth is when I was Esther's age my mom gave me an iron and a sprinkle bottle (a pop bottle  filled with water and topped with a metal  stopper covered with tiny holes big enough to allow water to sprinkle from)  I tried my hand at hankies and pillow cases. I've pretty much hated to iron ever since.  Maybe I've found a solution to my high dry cleaning bill.

After Numerous Warnings...The Inevitable

But What's A Little Burn?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Have A Job To Do!

 

Mama Mia That's A Spicy Bologna Sauce!

I "Thank God I'm a Country Girl" but there are times I do yearn for fine fare. To get a grasp of just how rural we are...our nearest Wal Mart is almost an hour away.  The "good grub" selection in our area is limited to chicken strips, cheese burgers, chicken fries and chili dogs.

 So this past month when long time hunters visitng from New York City let us in on some of their Italian cooking secrets, I was on the front row taking notes. Tony who operates his own restaurant, Piazza Italia, shared his recipes for Bologna Meat Sauce, Bruschetta and Chicken Parmigiana. He also brought authentic hard salami, sweet salami, Pecorino Romano sheep milk cheese and brick oven baked bread. 

Some Italian Cooking Tips...

Most Important-A Sharp Knife, Good Olive Oil and Fresh Ingredients.  Tony said we have most of the ingredients around here, it's all in the way we prepare them. 

Chicken Parmigiana--- On a good chopping board pound the chicken breast 1/4 inch thin or thinner, dip in egg, then roll in  Progresso Bread Crumbs and fry, set aside.  Spread a layer of thin fresh tomato sauce (pureed and cooked down) in the bottom of a casserole dish, then start layering the chicken planks topped with fresh mozzarella (the little round type, not the shredded) on each plank, more sauce then top with more mozzarella and fresh grated Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes or so until cheeses are melted.  When I made it for our family I used pork chops pounded out thin, it was even better than chicken.

For Bruschetta finely (I mean really fine without loosing a finger) chop Roma tomatoes, purple onions, fresh basil and oregano, olive oil ( A LOT), green pepper, salt and pepper and a dash of lemon juice ( I added this to mine) Tony didn't.  Prior to preparing the tomato mixture toast small slices of French bread until light and hollow.  Top the bread slices with the tomato mixture, serve while you are preparing the other dishes.  I believe the Italians prepare meals and eat much of the day.  The time Tony spent preparing these dishes was probably 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  

For the Bologna Sauce brown ground beef, add Progresso (his favorite) tomato sauce, 1 stalk of finely chopped celery, parsley, basil, clove of garlic minced.  Simmer til thick.  Prepare pasta.

Tony's recommend pasta was De Cecco Linguine.

After allowing guest to munch on Bruschetta everyone sat down to a bowl of linguine smothered in Bologna Sauce along with Chicken Parmigiana.

I "replicated" (sort of ) Tony's meal and served it to around 25 family and friends. It was such a hit that we've decided to make it a monthly event.

Tomorrow night, an Irish theme complete with Sherpherd's Pie, Cabbage and Corned Beef, Irish Chicken Stew and Dumplings and for dessert, Blarney Stones.  No Irish hunters in the vicintiy so guess I'll be on my "Bloody" own.