Wordless Wednesday

Farm Show

When February rolls around Valentine's Day is not on every farmers mind it's The National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY. The show falls around Valentine's Day each year. We just drag out celebrating and I get my flowers and date after the show is over. This year we went out with a group from the Kentucky Soybean Board for Valentine's. The show lasts for 4 days and last year drew over 300,000 people in attendance. So yes it's crowded and I keep the boys in the stroller most of the time. It can easily become a sea of people. This year was the 49th year of the event with over 850 agriculture exhibits. Big C has gone every year of this life and the Little C's are working on keeping the record for themselves. I'm on my 4th year. Since this show is just an hour north of us this is an easy record to keep. Little C1 remembered last year and was very excited this year to climb on the tractors.

I'm not sure how to best explain this event to someone who hasn't attended. It's basically lots of tractor dealerships of all colors next to each other as well as every implement to pull behind a tractor. The newest, latest, and greatest equipment is there to be climbed on my young and old. It's a place to network and talk with organizations and companies for farming supplies. This event is a mix of work and play.

 

 

The boys checking out the show.

 

All three boys on the Kinze planter. This is the brand planter we use to plant our corn and soybeans.



 

 

Winter on the Farm

 

The view of my back yard. The snow is pretty and this week it has stayed around. There is also some ice mixed in there too. I knew very little about this winter precipitation before I moved to Kentucky. Growing up in Florida we didn't see anything like this. Although this year some of this winter mess has dipped down into my home state. I quickly learned that ice was no fun after my first winter here. We had a pretty bad ice storm and were without power for 13 days but were able to bunk in with gracious in-laws. I also learned that work doesn't stop on the farm when the weather is tough. Quite the opposite, more work is done to make sure pipes don't freeze and animals are fed and warm. Our pigs are inside and don't have to worry about outside elements; but we have to make sure they have food and water. When others are huddled by the fire Big C is out checking on the pigs. Also working in the fields while the ground is frozen and temps are below freezing to prepare for the coming planting season. The boys and I also get out in these cold temps to deliver meals, supplies and transportation while Big C is out working.

These pictures were taken a week or so ago when we were in the teens all day. It was too cold to snow.

 Little C1 and Little C2 liked running around the house to watch Daddy out the window. Don't mind the crazy blonde hair; they had just woken from naps.

 

Beating the cold!

I would think its safe to say everyone is over this winter. I was recently shopping and was excited to see Plant City, Florida strawberries in the produce section. I forgot it was strawberry season. Then I thought a strawberry pie would help beat these winter blues. I thought I would share some pictures and the recipe. My boys love it.

 

Start with a box of strawberries. Wash.

Combine:

 1 cup sugar

1 cup water

4 Tbsp. cornstarch

4 Tbsp. Raspberry jello

Bring to boil.



The original recipe called for Strawberry Jello we think it tastes better using Raspberry. This was discovered when Strawberry Jello was sold out.

While the mix is heating I cut my strawberries and layer until the graham cracker crust is full.

 The Jello mixture should be thick; it doesn't take long to thicken after it boils.

Let cool; then pour over strawberries. 

Chill the pie for a few hours until firm usually 4 hours.

 

Finished product topped with Cool Whip. Very yummy!

Starting again

I've been at this farmer's wife thing for over 5 years now. I'm going to give this blog another chance. Now with 2 kids I'm not sure I have more time but would like to share our farm life with you all. Keep checking for updates. It may be slow going to keep at this thing but I'm going to give it a shot. I will try to share some day to day activities, pictures and recipes that use pork and other good stuff about the farm. We are heading into the holiday season and still busy with harvest but I'll try to keep some updates posted. The picture below is what we've been doing the past two months...harvesting soybean and corn. Soybean are in the picture.

Fall Fun

Corn maze...only took us an hour and it was hot.

C.C.R. likes his swing

Bryan College Homecoming...dinner with "old" friends

Family picture with a Bryan Lion.

C.C.R. first visit to see the pigs. He liked it. I didn't really like him touching the pig.

5 months