Wordless Wednesday

 

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Curing of the HAM

The 4-H county fair is here again and this year is no different from last year...we country cured a ham. It is amazing to think that our grandparents had no choice but to cure hams (that is if they didn't want them to spoil) but we now only do it by choice. We truly have come a long way but despite all that I believe that curing hams is still a valuable skill and a great reminder of how good we have it.

Kylee worked hard on her hams.

She trimmed them with loving care.

And smoothed down fat with a smile.

Adding the cure it is always her favorite part. She needed a little help from our friends over at 4 Quarters Perry Locker but once she saw Kristen do it she remembered how to stuff a hock.

And stuff she did.

She enjoys stuffing the hock a little too much but that's just my opinion.

After a good trim, a lot of cure, and some pretty wrapping paper the ham is ready for hanging...at least 5 months of hanging.

It is amazing how this bloody, fatty, hunk of meat turns into...

This blue ribbon deliciously smokey country cured ham.

It smells so good she can hardly contain herself...goofy girl!

Tonight is the big sale. Wish Miss Kylee luck. Hopefully her ham sells well.

Garden Harvest

Gardening, like farming, is a family affair. We all get involved and enjoy every minute of it. We've been harvesting our treasures for weeks and it is time to share some of the bounty with you.

The radishes, though fully picked and no longer in the garden, came in droves and we nearly couldn't keep up with them.

Green is one of our families favorite colors. Not only is it the best color for a tractor but it is esthetically pleasing on food, as well.

This zucchini was a mammoth. It was as long as my forearm and hand and every bit as big around. We immediately breaded and fried it and it was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. We have another one every bit as big and it will get the same treatment. Fried zucchini is one of the best foods on earth. If you've never had it, you are missing out.

Green beans. Big, thick, beautiful, juicy, delicious green beans.

Miss Kylee helps in the garden and does a wonderful job picking the green beans. She has saved my back pain and discomfort many a times and I love her for it.

Mr Waylon helped me snap beans. We had great fun throwing the bean ends at Mina and watching them stick to her fur. She ate the ones that didn't stick. Mina loves green beans.

She also loves Waylon and gave him a kiss for all the yummy beans thrown her way.

Just think, this was only one patch of green beans. Good gravy, we're going to have a whole lot of beans.

The carrots are almost ready. A few more days and this little beauties brothers and sisters will double in size. Can't wait! Loves me some fresh garden carrots. Yum!

Finally, we have Kylee's pumpkins. This is one of many and she is looking forward to selling them once they are big, bright, and orange. Looking forward to it myself.

I love gardening. How about you?

Lazy Days on the Farm

While my husband slaves away on the farm the kiddos and I have the pleasure of enjoying the nice days out in the open air. The tire swing is a favorite but just swinging on it isn't good enough for these two. 

They have to jump........

and fall.

Still too lame......

They have to find something higher to jump off. 

 Mina just watches the insanity and possible injury unfolding before her eyes.

After a day of jumping, falling, and only minor injuries curable via a bandage, another day begins.

Waylon discovered a new pastime.

If he shoots it, she will fetch it.

Even that gets old and the kids poop out....

And whine about being bored.

 There's no pleasing these two.

Then there is this.........



I know it's wrong and I apologize for my behavior. Forgive my weirdness.

Favorite Pics Round Two: Kid Pics

Okay, so she isn't one of my actual "human" kids but she is just too cute not to include in my kid pics. Besides, she is part of the family too.

Miss Mina is becoming such a little lady. It's hard to believe she is a year old now.Here's my little man learning to drive the CA. He is so big...sniff...sniff.

 

 Of course my little girl isn't very little anymore either. She likes to remind me every chance she gets that she is now taller than me...hardy har har...she thinks it's so funny.

And I can't show kid pics without showing kids with pig pics too.

This one isn't mine, she is my adorable niece...I just love those boots, they're so tiny.

I have to show my little man with his big man gun. He just loves to shoot and aspires to be on Top Shots one day...we have to record the series so he doesn't miss a single gun slinging, action packed episode. He has one more year until he is old enough to compete in 4-H--we're prepping the boy.

I'll end with a couple of fun shots reminiscent of summer days gone by. Oh how I long for the the sun to once again grace Missouri with its warming golden light. Unfortunately, this slip-n-slide is no longer with us. It tussled with a wind storm and lost the fight, it will be missed...but only until we replace it.