A Christmas story from a humbled, me....

I am a firm believer that God makes no mistakes, and that is why when I feel like He is at work, I try to listen.  

Tonight, The Reluctant Farmer called me while I was on my way home from work and asked me to pick up a can of chicken for a recipe she was making Christmas day.  I was was really put off by this request because she had already been to the grocery store earlier this morning AND who sends someone to the store on Christmas Eve?  Did she not understand what she was asking me to do?!

Normally, I would have gone to our small town grocery store, but for whatever reason, I decided I would take a back way home and I chose to stop at a Meijer's two towns over.  (Meijer's is a huge grocery/department store that is normally open 24 hours a day, and they are quite popular here in Ohio.)  

I grabbed a few last minute items to complete our Christmas shopping, including the can of chicken and made my way to the checkout line.  At this time it's 5:30 pm, and the store is set to close at 6 pm.  In front of me there was a couple arguing about something, and I was all about ignoring them until the husband looked at me and said:  "You can go in front of us.  She has lost our credit card, again!"  I graciously said thank you and jumped in front of them.  At this point there were 2 other people in front of me, so as I waited for my turn, I continued listening to the couple behind me and I could hear the woman say:  "I know it's here!  Just give me a minute!", as she dug through a purse the size of Montana.  "You make me so nervous!  I could find it if you would just stop pressuring me!"  At this point the gentleman turned his back to me and I read United States Army on the back of his jacket.  I could see him digging through a huge stack of paper and other unorganized chaos.  (We ladies, know the stack... This is the stack of papers that resides in the bottom of our purses.  Receipts, notes, old bills, etc...) when I heard him say:  "Jesus, how much stuff can you fit in this purse?!"  Silently, I thought to myself, "You haven't seen anything until you've seen my purse..."  

Then I eyed the grocery cart.  

I couldn't see exactly what was in the cart, but I could make out a turkey, some fruit, several pies, some soda and beer, plus some clothing.  After 10 minutes of them going back and forth over how much stuff was in her purse, and the fact she couldn't find her credit card "again," I could hear Jesus speaking to me.

I called The Reluctant Farmer and did the ol' famous:  "So, I need you to move more money to my checking account and I am not quite sure how much money I am going to need."  Never batting an eye, or asking me if I was in jail, she moved money over to my account, and I spun around to say:  "How about you let me buy whatever you have in your grocery cart."  

They both quickly refused:  "No!  No, thank you!  I mean the offer is very generous, but no."

I then rephrased the question:  "Would you please allow me to buy what you have in your grocery cart?"  

Very adamantly the man says: "No!"

I take a deep breath.  Clearly this man does not realize I don't take "no" for an answer.  I then replied:  "Look, it's 5:30 pm on Christmas Eve.  Clearly, she has misplaced her credit card somewhere in her purse, and from another woman's perspective, I know you could be here for a LONG while if her purse looks anything like my purse!  There has to be a way to get you, and your groceries out of this store, and if you won't let me buy them for you, then how about I pay for them and then you can write me a check for the money that I spend?"  

The woman says:  "That's the problem.  I don't think we actually have the money in our checking account to write you a check, that's why we are putting it on our credit card.  Thank you for the offer though."

I then ask:  "Were you in our military?"

The man states:  "Yes, I was in the Army.  I was deployed and came back a little over a year ago."

I said:  "Alright, let's compromise.  I know what it's like to be proud.  Why don't you put the clothes back, and allow me to purchase the rest of your groceries.  Consider it a thank you for the fact you fought for my freedom."

The man looked at me, thanked me, and left the line with the clothes in his hand.  

I looked at his wife, who was now crying.  She said:  "Thank you so much.  Seriously, you will never know how much your kind gesture means to me.  He came home with a lot of issues, one of them being PTSD.  He means well, but is quick to anger, and I'm sure that card is in my purse, but with him standing there, I just can't find it!"  

We exchanged hugs, commiserated over large purses full of junk, and before I knew it her husband had returned.  He wrapped me in a big "man hug," and with tears streaming down his face he said:  "Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that God blesses you greatly for your kindness."

I simply said "thank you".

What I wanted to say was:  "I want for nothing.  There is nothing I need.  My job is great, my stomach is full, my house is warm, and my family is healthy.  I have been blessed, that's why I am able to help you."

As I walked out of the store, I tipped my face up towards the sky and said:  "Well played God!  Well played!  Here while I am worrying over the measly difficulties of going to the grocery store, there are folks standing before me who are worried about how they are going to eat.  Message received!"  

It took me a minute to reflect on the fact that of all the hundreds of people in Meijer tonight, God put those people right in front of me, and do you know why?!  Because God doesn't make mistakes!  Those folks me and I needed to be reminded about how blessed I truly am.

Merry Christmas friends!  May the wonder and spirit of the season shine upon you and yours this holiday season!  xo    

Crashing news! Literally....

This morning I was going through our local McDonald's drive-thru, running late to work in a usual Monday morning fashion, when I happened to glance to my left and there peering out of the newspaper stand was an article titled: A New Library in Tipp.  It took my brain a millisecond to realize that the picture under the heading was of me!  Naturally, I had to back up and look again, just to make sure my eyes were not playing tricks on me in the early morning hours.  Unfortunately, I did not notice the small black car with it's headlights off behind me.....

Bump!

I get out of my car, assess the very minor damage to both cars, apologize to the woman I bumped into, and start rambling on about how sorry I was while I try to explain what I was doing.

"Oh my gosh!  I am so sorry!  I did not see you there.  I was just looking over at that news stand, backed up for a better look at myself and BAM!  There you were."

She looked at me as if she was already having a bad morning that had just gotten worse, and said:  "Were you trying to see yourself in the reflection of the glass?  Were you trying to fix your hair?"

"No, I wear my hair like this all the time!"  I exclaim.  "See there?," as I point to the news stand.  "That's me!  How cool is it that I'm in the newspaper this morning, and look that that font size!  It is HUGE!"

I can see she is not impressed.  Quietly I give her my insurance information, apologize once more and we part ways.

I knew my next call was going to be to the Reluctant Farmer.  I had to call her for two reasons.  First, I needed to have her drive to McDonald's to buy a copy of the newspaper because I had no cash on me.  (Priorities!)  Second, I needed to explain to her why our car insurance premiums were going to increase.  Sadly, she was not impressed with the latter half of the conversation, therefor she was really not impressed with the first half of the conversation either.

My good mood was not going to be derailed though, even when she later texted me a picture of the article with a message that read:  "Hooray for slow news days!"

I think someone is bitter about my font size.....

Buyer's Remorse and A Budget

Several weeks ago I went to one of my favorite antique stores downtown, and was warned by The Reluctant Farmer that I was NOT to buy anything that I could not carry home, because I didn't need anymore "stuff" and we were on a budget.

She gave me this warning with a snarky attitude which I think I was to take as gospel.  Instead I viewed her passive aggression as a challenge.  

Now, I realize I didn't really need to purchase anything, and probably would have come out of the store empty handed, but as I was puttering around the store looking at a barrage of antique awesomeness, I glanced over at the shop keeper, and above her head was a mirage! 

I fell in love with the same speed and intensity of a middle schooler, and immediately asked the shop keeper, "How much is that?!"

She cheerfully exclaimed:  "It's ONLY $40.00!"

I was blinded by cheap love and an competitive attitude:  "Really?!  Only $40.00?!  I'll take it!"

I knew this painting was meant to be mine, otherwise why would the universe have aligned at this exact moment, providing me with:

- An obnoxiously large painting of a dog for only $40.00!

- A way to challenge The Reluctant Farmer's passive aggressive warning that I didn't need more "stuff".

- And a seemingly obvious win, because I could most certainly carry this home!  

So, I hiked home with an obvious prize, and realized one tragic piece upon arrival.  In my haste to win a silent competition with The Reluctant Farmer, I failed to measure the wall where I planned on hanging the painting.  

Did The Reluctant Farmer gloat?  No, that is not her style.....

Instead, she took down another painting that is near and dear to my heart, and replaced it with "the dalmatian on steroids" painting, promising she would rehang my other painting soon.  The other painting has yet to be hung, and after walking past that dalmatian 500 times a day, do you know what I have realized?  

I have a terrible case of buyer's remorse, and if we're going to be completely honest with each other I don't even like that painting...  (Ouch, that hurt to admit!)  But we can't get rid of the painting now because The Reluctant Farmer says it is a waste of money to take it to the Goodwill.  Guess this will be a lesson in budgeting for me, because I will be reminded of this mistake until I find a buyer for the painting.  How about it friends, know anyone that wants a 4'x4' painting of a dalmatian?

Reluctant Farmer's Basic Tomato Sauce Recipe

After what has possibly been the coldest summer I have ever witnessed, we have finally been inundated with tomatoes and The Reluctant Farmer has been hard at work perfecting the tomato sauce recipe that we are using for the 2013 garden season.  I think she has perfected the simple sauce recipe this year folks! This is such a nice, basic recipe that even the most novice canner will be successful at preserving their own homegrown deliciousness!

The Reluctant Farmer's Basic Tomato Sauce Recipe

Tomatoes, cored and peeled
Bottled lemon juice
Salt
Dried Herbs (Dried Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, or whatever your family prefers...)

Quarter tomatoes and place them in a large stainless steel saucepan.  Bring to boil over high heat, while crushing the tomatoes and stirring constantly.  (We used a potato masher for this step...)  Continue to boil while you stir and crush the tomatoes for 10 minutes or until the volume is reduced by at least one-third.

Add 1 Tbsp bottled lemon juice, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of dried herbs to your already prepared pint jar and then ladle in hot sauce, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.  Wipe rim, center lid on jar and tighten to fingertip-tightness.  Process jars in water bath canner for 35 minutes.

This recipe makes a thin tomato sauce, that creates a killer tomato bruschetta or spaghetti sauce!  

Enjoy!

Gourd of Horror

Last year before planting our garden, we started seeds in our little greenhouse and nurtured them along the way, until a wind storm took out our greenhouse and the only 2 plants that survived were one tomato plant and a mystery vine type plant that we hoped to be a cucumber. It was not a cucumber, it was a bottle gourd.  I don't know if you have ever grown birdhouse gourds, but beware this plant took over it's little space at the community garden and started working on the neighbor's space as well! (Our neighboring gardener had to put up a fence to keep the gourd out.)  This was really a trial plant since we had never grown them before.

What do you mean your electric and cable are not working....

This is the only big gourd we could find so far

So this year I planted 10 plants on the hill next to our garden, and figured this would be plenty of space for them to grow and not bother anything or anyone. (Sorry community garden neighbor...) Well I have since decided that someone should write a horror story about this plant. They are EVERYWHERE, and the vines are much like strawberry vines in that they put down roots on their off shoots. They are climbing up trees, bushes, and into my watermelon. I even had to pull it off the electric pole!  I'm not sure it would have climbed all the way up to the wire, but I'm sure the neighbors would love us if the power went out because of my crazy gourds. I think we should have a bumper crop of birdhouses to paint next spring if the gourd doesn't attack us first!

It was nice knowing you tree.

Don't get to close it may climb you next.

Hope our neighbor didn't like this fence

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Sharon Springs: The Pregnant Roller Skate

The Reluctant Farmer and I usually rent a car for vacations in order to keep extra miles off of our everyday vehicles.  However in order to stay within our budget this trip we had decided that we would just drive my SUV to Sharon Springs.  Or so I thought we had agreed....

The Reluctant Farmer called me at work on Thursday and let me know that she got a rental car for a steal, and when we picked it up I thought she had lost her mind.  The Reluctant Farmer didn't rent us a car, she rented us a pregnant roller skate!  We drove this bright red beast for 12 hours, all the way from Ohio and I can tell you that I have never ridden in a car like this!  I felt every bump, rumble strip (Which I swear she hit on purpose just to scare me...), and bug that hit our windshield, but it is safe to say that I have never traveled that far on $48.00 either!

Sharon Springs Garden Party: Part One

Several months ago I was reading the Beekman Boy's blog, and noticed that they were again hosting the annual Sharon Springs Garden Party and giving tours of their farm.  Well, this was an immediate no brainer for me.  Upstate New York, gardens, and a chance to see the Beekman Boys?!  I was in!  

We purchased our tickets, got our vacation days approved, and then we decided that due to our new budget, we shouldn't go.  In my head I could hear all of the excuses:  We should be saving money.  We have our own gardens at home that need tending right now.  We should stay home and clean the house.  The list of reasons why we shouldn't go went on and on.  Neither one of us was happy with this decision though.  So, at the last minute (yesterday morning) we decided that we would indeed head to Sharon Springs and the trip would be funded mostly by our recent plant sales.  This was the best decision we have made in a long time!  

We left home last night at 11:30 pm and drove straight through to Sharon Springs, arriving here 12 hours later, and we hit the town for some shopping and history, as soon as we arrived.  (Tomorrow this town is supposed to host over 30,000 people and I wanted to make sure that I got my shopping in without fighting the crowd!)  Our first stop in Sharon Springs was The Cobbler & Co.  The Cobbler & Co. is an absolutely charming little store with more unique merchandise than should legally be allowed.  I could have spent serious amounts of money here.  I wanted one of everything!  

Our second stop was The Beekman 1802 Mercantile.  The Mercantile was simply amazing and the highlight of the day was meeting Brent.  I know he was busy getting the store ready for tomorrow, but he was so kind and genuine.  He came out to talk with us, allowed us to take pictures with him, and thanked us for visiting.  He invited us back to visit again tomorrow, and we will be touring their farm which I am so excited about.  

After a few hours of shopping and wondering around Sharon Springs we needed to eat lunch, and the friendly young woman from Beekman 1802 recommended that we eat lunch at Black Cat Cafe.  We both had the turkey pesto panini and the Blaack and Mac macaroni and cheese made from Brent and Josh's goat cheese.  It was delicious, and the owner was so nice.  We sat on the patio, spoke with him for quite a while, and watched the people of Sharon Springs bustle about.  

It is easy to see why the people of Sharon Springs love their town so much.  It is quaint, quiet, and you instantly get the feeling that you have stepped back in time,  to when people were more genuine and friendly.   I can't wait to go back tomorrow!  

The Other Mother....

Around this house there is a force of nature that lurks around silently and rarely with complaint.  I would be lost without this force of nature, and today I would  like to say Happy Mother's Day to The Reluctant Farmer.  

To know The Reluctant Farmer, is to love her.  She is patient, kind, and everything I am not, but strive to be.   She is a silent force that never asks for much, and always gives more than she gets.  Sometimes I wonder why she sticks around here!  (Trust me when I say, it is not because I am easy to live with!)   

Here are a few of the reasons I love her:

1)  Without her we would have no clean underwear or socks to wear to work/school.

2)  We would be forced to eat cafeteria food at school and work, without her awesome lunches that she packs us everyday.

3)  She loves all of my dogs, tolerates my livestock, and frequently takes care of them for me when I am too busy doing whatever else it is that I am doing.

4)  She never says "This was not my idea..." when I take on a project that is way to big for me to undertake single handedly. 

5)  She honestly is the most Godly woman I know in her actions and attitude, and frequently is someone I could take lessons from in this department.

6)  Where she has no biological children, she loves my child just as much as I do, and for that I just have to say:  Happy Mother's Day.  You deserve this day just as much as I do, if not more.  We would be lost without you....

Restful night on the homestead

The Urban Farmer had to work tonight so I, The Relecant Farmer thought I would update you on tonight's happenings on the homestead. There is a forecast for snow tonight and it has already started.

More Snow for Us!

No Birds Right Now.


Larry has deiced to stay warm inside and is passing the time helping to plan the garden for the spring. He's found the  tomato's and potato's, but he's still looking for the steak plants. 

                                    

It's going to be a quiet night here with just me and the doggies. Hope you all stay cozy and warm!

From the Reluctant Farmer: The Strawberry Experiment

First off I love fresh strawberries.  I don't really care for the ones at the store, but right off the plant they are amazing. This year I decided I was going to plant my hanging baskets out front with strawberries instead of my normal flowers. I still planted flowers in my pots on the porch but wanted to do something with beauty and function. Happily the green house outlet down the street from us also had strawberries on sale so I was in luck.

Andrew is a bit camera shy but check out those feet.

Can you tell which side is the fertilized side?

Now the Urban Farmer once told me that rabbit poop is the best natural fertilizer there is, so I went out to Andrew Rabbit's cage and thanked him for his good work.  I think he said you are welcome as he wiggled his nose at me and hopped to the front of his living quarters. I took my bucket up to the front of the house and started planting my strawberries. Well, after I planted the first 2 baskets for the north side of the porch I realized I had forgotten to put the rabbit poo in and decided this was an excellent time to see if the Urban Farmer was really right.
 So I left the first two sans poop and put poop in the last two baskets.

In the beginning it really didn't seem to make a difference. Both sets of plants grew and had some berries all were delicious. Now 2 months later there is a very noticeable difference in size and, I have a ton of runners coming off the rabbit poop baskets and just a couple off the others.



Andrew's Baskets

Baskets without Andrew. :(

Who's ears you calling Big!?!

I'm just going to eat this food and make you more poop.

Sometimes the Urban Farmer is right but don't anyone tell her I said that okay!?!


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