Why I Buy Used Shoes on Ebay...

My motto: Everything's a trade-off. My MIL reminded me yet again that the day may come when I will have to sell off those horses. And I pointed out to her, yet again, that I constantly trade off things in my life to be able to have the luxury of large, pooping mammals that require ongoing medical and footcare. I don't forget for one second that I am in a tiny, lucky segment of the population that is able to have several varieties of manure on my laundry...and I give up other things for that option.



Her response: "Oh, I know Netherfieldmom. I know it every time I look around this kitchen." ;)

State Fair Soliloquoy

We started off at the little trail where lil gals "learn about farming" and Mom and Dad say things like, "This is where you pick up your government subsidy check for producing ethanol," and "Obviously they don't know anything about chickens since they have 200 eggs under each hen." Then we feel sad for little city kids who think that you throw a (fake) seed into some sand and step across the way and pick up a veggie and then get paid at the end. But, the lil gals love it!



Here's #2 taking her first and last steps on and off a school bus. She pleaded with me, "Mom, I've never been on a bus." Yeah, yeah. Thank heavens for that #2.




Requisite picture with giant fake fish, where I remind #1 and #2 that there are really fish this big swimming in Lake Michigan; where they are going with grandparents.



We all love draft horses, although whenever I am around them, I can't help
but pull my toes back inside my shoes as I imagine what ungodly pain it must be to have one step on you...



This was without any doubt, the largest horse I have ever seen, EVER! I have seen a LOT of horses, but he took the cake, and ate it! I know the camera angle is pretty bad--people would not get/stay out of my way for one second. Handyman is 6'4", with Binks on his shoulders, easily makes them close to 7' and that horse wasn't on more than a couple of inches of shavings, if that. We did not see him put his head over the top of the stall, but I don't think it would have been a struggle. The yearling in the stall next to him was eating the edge of the easy-up tent in the aisle behind them...




Here's one of my favorites--look closely...a little "plumber's action" goin' on.

We've been wanting a truck--this is what Dave Ramsey is recommending for our current situation...




Look who's driving! (Another instance where complete strangers would not stay out of our pictures!)

I think everyone should have one of these shots...



Day's almost over...


End of the day...




What's a soliloquoy??

Finally...

I know, I know, it's been almost two weeks--but hey! I just found the camera in the purse I carried at the wedding and then I had to find new batteries to even get it going and today is #3's fifth birthday and I have made two trips to two ER's this month and Handyman is on location for ETERNITY and tomorrow I am hosting a princess birthday party for 7 and I can't find my mascara, okay???

Anyway, here's a glimpse...



More to come...if I survive the Princess-fest!

Okay, it looked so pretty, I wanted to add one more...



I can't decide who the prettiest girl is...


(Anyone who has made the chicken "drumsticks", please report in!)

I know, I know...

the summer is waning. Every day, a few more minutes "lost". I have pretended for several months now that I am not a homeschooler. Sure, I had these great intentions to do math and spelling and handwriting all summer. But, I quickly decided to forget it. I don't even remember the specific reasons. I'm sure I could dredge them up if I needed to, but I don't.

I believe the kids needed a break from me and I needed a break from them "educationally". So, for the summer, I've been a horse owner, a small business manager, a housekeeper, a 4H volunteer, a really bad gardener and a wife and mom. That's it.

In the back of my mind though, I knew it was coming around...so, here's a great post from a blog I found that resonates with me:

The Ten Habits of a Happy Homeschool

I wish this lady was my next door neighbor!

Oh and P.S. Got to visit another ER today! #3 crashed off the couch onto Handyman's cool new coffee table (an old hand truck covered with plexiglass) and gashed open her forehead, just two days before her birthday. I want some of that glue stuff they use, just to have around. So now all three girls have facial scars; what a heritage!

I can't believe I ate this...

My mother, the health nut, the woman who started buying raw milk out the back door of a dairy back in 1979; the woman who started a cheese co-op for her friends and had cheese delivered in a semi; the one who planted a garden that was larger than the footprint of her house; the one who made her own tooth powder in the '70's and has never lived it down; that same woman made supper for us the other day--and thank heavens! because we were getting hay...

ANYWAY!--she showed up at my house with a bowl of her amazing potato salad and a big ole pile of chicken legs. Next thing I know, after we returned the hay elevator to its rightful home and I drove across the county to pick up #1 and a neighbor at the living history museum; and then I picked up #2 at a friend's house and then we ran out of gas right before a major intersection and the friend's mom brought us gas and it didn't help and she then drove us home; and I took the neighbor boy home (and saw a Percheron being ridden down the road); the house smelled so good and there was a glorious pile of golden, crispy chicken legs on the table.

We proceeded to reduce the pile at a rapid rate with everyone commenting on the yumminess and crunchiness and how great these were AND they were done in the oven, Wow! They had parmesan cheese in the crust, I knew, because she had used all of mine. But the mystery ingredient...the mystery ingredient from Mrs. Healthfood-Before-Healthfood-Was-Cool...are you ready for this???

Crushed pork rinds.

'nuff said.

P.S. If anyone's interested I'll post the recipe--I'm sure we'll be having it again--although I have never bought pork rinds before, honest.

This recipe can be found in "Back to Protein". The Low Carb, No Carb, Meat Cookbook by Barbara Doyen.

Oven Fried Chicken w/variations

Trace or no carbs 4 or 5 servings

Seasoned Pork Rind Coating (see below)
1/2 cup melted butter (or olive oil) I have used Smart Balance and all was well
1 large chicken, cut up, Or two smaller chickens, with our without skin (I use all legs or strips)

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg or a convention oven to 325 deg.
2. (See below) Mix together the pork rinds, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Place in a small pie pan.
3. Melt the butter in the microwave for 30-40 seconds on high. Pour into another small pie pan.

4. Coat a rack in a baking pan or a foil-lined baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Or use a broiling pan, coated with vegetable oil spray.

5. Dip the chicken pieces in the butter, then in the pork rind mixture, and place the coated pieces on the rack or baking pan.

6. Leave the pan uncovered and bake for 75-90 minutes or convection bake for 60-75 minutes, or until well-done and serve.

OPTIONS:

Variation #1 If you want more spiciness use the barbecue variety
1 cup ground pork rinds (I just open the 5oz bag, hold closed loosely and smash with my fist or soup can or rolling pin)
1/3 grated Parmesan or Romano cheese or a combination of both
1 tablespoon parsley
½ to 1 teaspoon salt
¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper

Variation #2
Follow above recipe, except make the pork rind mixture as follows:
1 cup ground pork rind
1 teaspoon summer savory OR substitute 1 tsp garlic powder OR 1 tsp paprika for the summer savory
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Sooooooooooeeeeeey!