Rock of ages?

The really cool thing about being able to dig around in your back yard is the "treasures" you can find there. We have dug up petrified wood and funky rocks with fossils embedded in them.

But this rock REALLY got me curious. My daughter's keen little eyes spotted this when we were picking out rocks from our rock pile to put around our new trees and fountain.

I think it looks like there are some hieroglyphs on it or something, although I have no idea what any of it would mean.

It's not very big; about the size of a golf ball. But it looks like something some early doodler would have doodled on.

Maybe some day, I'll ask somebody about our little rock of ages.

Dawn

Flower Friday: Petunia pump

 

I am  so excited!!! See this pump? We got it a few years ago and this summer, it is becoming part of an actual water feature in our yard. (I have wanted a water feature ever since I saw how beautiful the neighbors'  pond turned out several years ago!) 

The pond is behind the petunia and rocks, but since that part isn't ready yet, I thought I would feature the stuff that is done. I have planted a few more petunia and the columbine you see on the left side of the photo. But there will be more. I'll share a photo of the whole deal when it's done.

Dawn

Wordless Wednesday: Hosta takeover

It's a Hosta takeover at My Two Acres! (Okay, not very punny!)

When you need a beard...

Fun fur and an ability to crochet come in MIGHTY handy.

So the scenario went like this....(and I'm paraphrasing to MY advantage)!

"Mom, I need a cape and beard for tomorrow."

"What for?"

"We're doing a trailer for the Odyssey and I'm the old wise man. So I need a beard and a cape."

"No, son, I need a cape! Who do you think I am? SuperMom?"

(See I made that whole last part up, just now.)

I blubbered some stuff about Hobby Lobby but I wouldn't be able to find a sheet there, and where else can I go and what should I do. But finally I said, "I better run to Wal-Mart to see what I can find," and ran out the door.

Upon my arrival at Wal-Mart, I first went to the sheet area. It didn't take long to find a brown flat regular sheet that I figured I could use on a bed someday. (I like brown so this is NOT a stretch!)

Then it was off to the craft section.

I was figuring I would have to find some fake-looking fur and sew a beard, but as I was walking past the yarn area, I caught some fuzzy stuff out of the corner of my eye. Fun Fur! "Perfect for scarves, trims and beards," (Okay, I made the "and beards" part up.) it said beneath a picture of a lady with the stuff wrapped around her neck so that it actually looked like a head on a pile of fur!

"Hey!" I said to no one in particular. "I wonder if I can glue these pieces into some kind of a beard?"

I picked up the color that I thought was most appropriate for a wise old man beard and hurried home.

As I was explaining my gluing idea to my son, another thought hit me.

"Hey!" I said again to no one in particular. "I wonder if I can CROCHET a beard?"

So I did.

And this is how it looked when I was done. The little loops at either end are designed to hook over your ears. It was an ingenious little bit of double and single crochet without a pattern on my part, I must say!

If one side looks longer than the other it is because I used myself as a model while my son was at a scout meeting. I do not have even ears!

And, just so you know, this is what I will look like when I am an old, wise man! :)

Dawn

Hunk of Meat Monday: Flat meatloaf

I got this one off Pinterest from beefmagazine.com. I haven't made it yet. It's on tonight's menu. Think meat-square instead of meat-loaf.

I love meatloaf. And by changing the presentation a little, maybe my family will not be so quick to say "Not meatloaf again!" even though it has been several months since we had meatloaf. (It's amazing how long the "not again" food memory is! In fact, perhaps it's just a little on the skewed side!)

Anyway, here's the recipe...I don't see how you can go wrong with it!

2 lbs ground beef
1 cup loosely torn bread
1 cup milk
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp sage
1 egg

Topping: 1/3 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 T mustard, 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Garnish: Fresh grated parmesan

Directions:
Soak bread in milk - add onion, seasonings and egg. Combine well. Loosely incorporate ground beef - do not overmix or you will have dense meatloaf. In 9 x 13 or larger greased casserole gently pat meatloaf mixture into pan. Combine topping ingredients and spread on top. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Garnish with grated Parmesan.

Original recipe and picture at:
http://beefmagazine.com/meatloaf-squares

Dawn

Flower Friday: My black beauties

Black petunia. Pretty cool, eh?

Domino's get my dollars

I will be joining many who thank Domino's pizza this weekend for taking a position on animal care that  relies on experts, rather than extremists, by buying takeout from the restaurant. 

It all started out as a suggestion by an ag blogger, Chris Chinn, and it has really taken off.

I have heard a lot of people who will do the same, but one of my favorite stories is from a young North Dakota farmer who wrote the following on his Facebook page, which was then shared by another young North Dakota farmer on the Ag Pizza Party page:

"Figured I won't make it to Domino's this weekend to eat a pizza so I ordered a couple and sent them to the Ronald McDonald House with an explanation of why I was supporting Domino's."

Is that great or what?

I am so proud to know great farmers like these.

Dawn

Wordless Wednesday: Does this dog need a walk or something?

A shoe in his mouth, a flip-flop on his foot. Is my Springer trying to tell me something?

My heart says it's time

My mother-in-law says you should never plant anything before Memorial Day weekend.

The calendar may not quite indicate it, but my heart is telling me it's time to start planting. We planted a couple of trees a few weeks ago, and to be honest, I'm tired of empty flower pots. I told my daughter, I would much rather see some greenery rather than all this brownery. (I still had dried up stalks of flower left in several pots.)

So I took the plunge and planted flowers in nine pots. I have 18 or 19 pots to go. And that doesn't include all the flower beds that need some "annual" color. I even found a black petunia. It is in a special pot on the front porch. Pretty cool.

Am I a little obsessed?

Probably. But I think it's a good obsession to have. The positive effects of warm sun, pretty flowers and a cup of coffee are grossly underrated.

For instance, on Saturday, my daughter and I just sat down by the newly planted clump birch and watched the clouds and the butterflies (cup of coffee sitting nearby, of course) and I could feel the stress of the world sinking into the ground below me.

And isn't that what a hobby is supposed to do?

Now, if only the calendar was in agreement with my heart!

Dawn

Flower Friday: A flower for my mom

A ray of sunshine. A beacon of light. A should to cry on, through the darkest night.
Thank you, mom, for all you do and have done for me. You are the best! -- Dawn

Wordless Wednesday: Moth or butterfly?

Moth or butterfly? Location: Backdoor window, approximately 7:45 a.m.

Hunk of Meat Monday: Beef Stroganoff

I. LOVE. BEEF STROGANOFF.But I always found it to be slightly labor intensive for how much I wanted to have it.

When I found the "in the box" kind, I kind of went overboard, and made it just about every week, until my family protested.

So I have backed stroganoff (A little bad stroganoff humor! Sorry!) on how often I make it. I have decided that Beef Stroganoff should be an event, made by hand and with extra loving care.

Imagine, then, how tickled I was when I found a web site devoted to Beef Stroganoff. Not kidding. Find it at beefstroganoff.net. Wonder where Beef Stroganoff came from? Beefstroganoff.net has the answers.

It also has Beef Stroganoff recipes categorized in "Best" "Authentic" "Ground Beef" "Quick Easy" "Crock Pot" and "Slow Cooker" variations! It's a Beef Stroganoff extravaganza!

And I'm pumped.

Once I've tried all the varieties, I'll have to let you know which ones I think are the tastiest.

Of course, since I overdid the 'noff with my family, it may take a year to decide the best of the best. But hey, it's Stroganoff, and definitely worth the wait!

Happy 'noffing!

Dawn

Flower Friday: Lily after a shower

This photo of my lilies is from last summer, right after a rain shower. This year's crop is just
a couple of inches tall, but looking good. I can hardly wait until they flower! 

Wordless Wednesday: Puppy eyes

Would you look at these puppy eyes? A boy and his dog. 

She had me at "My grandma..."

Confessions of a Farm Wife posted a blog today that really got me thinking. And that's because her grandma is 97 and my grandma is 99, and what this blogger says about her grandma really resonated with me.

I think Emily really hit the nail on the head with this post about what is wrong. The short answer? Trust. Or lack, thereof.

A recent study by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance showed that people's best guess as to "corporate ag" and "family owned ag" is 70% owned or controlled by big corporations, and only 30% family owned.

The reality is much different, (like 98% family owned, even if those families are corporations) but as they say, perception IS reality.

The research goes on to state that farming and ranching is viewed by non-farmers and ranchers strictly as a business, so when it comes to the bottom line, they suspect farmers will cut corners for the bottom line, even when it's not safe.

That's sad because I know a lot of farmers and ranchers and I trust them. I know they would never do anything that they didn't think was safe. Maybe that's because I know them personally. I know how hard they work. I know they also have families and worry about all the things people who aren't connected to agriculture worry about.

So even though lots of people don't have trust, I still have lots of trust in the farmers and ranchers who are out there each and every day, working their butts off. Because I know they love what they do, and anyone who loves what they do, does it well. That's a truth that I think has been forgotten in our cynical, if-I-shout-louder-than-you-I-must-be-right world.

Thank you, Emily, and Val and all the other farm bloggers who are putting themselves out there for the world to know, and unfortunately, sometimes take pot-shots at. Your strength and willingness to share yourselves is something that I think should still matter.

Dawn