Time Flies.

We all say it at one point in our lives. Time Flies.  It could be said regarding having fun, talking about our kids, a relationship, or a milestone that is quickly approaching. We have all most certainly said it, at least once!
Never before has this saying rang more true for me than in the last 18 months.

With the birth of our daughter

 

                 and our son starting pre-school just a few months later, my life started to fly by.

 Long gone were the lazy, spontaneous (do those things even go together?)  days of an     unscheduled life.

Before I knew it, I was attending my son's Pre-School Graduation and looking forward to a whole summer of those lazy days.

Well, guess what? I know it was a whole summers worth of time and fun (just ask my neglected house). Not to mention all the photos and memories we have to prove it was a good time, but I think I blinked.

How are we we headed off to our first day of kindergarten?

OY!

I can only blame it on Facebook & #TBT, throw back Thursday. As I was checking all that happened while I was asleep, I saw the hashtag. That's when it dawned on me! I have a #TBT of my very own.

 

So I posted this.

 My baby girl! The oxygen tube? That was a very long week and another blog post.

I posted this today because today was the day 

my baby girl had her 18 month pictures taken.

 

Hug your babies, tell those you love that you love them, and stop to smell the roses.

Wow! Time Flies!

See you soon & thanks for sharing my special moments

~Amy G.

 

 

 

 

 

We Invite You to Join Us!

In my post yesterday I mentioned that there were exciting things to come. That time has finally come! I am very honored & humbled, as a contributor,  to invite you all to meet the Real Housewives of Rural America! You can find myself and eight other fabulous farm wives from across the country at http://ruralhousewives.com/! You can LIKE us on facebook at Real Housewives of Rural America.
Together we will share our stories about agriculture, our farm wife life trials and tribulations, recipes and/or just plain chat. All of us have a different perspective, making this the perfect forum for our readers to contribute their stories, ask questions or share concerns. Let's not forget support for each other! This is the best and most challenging role I have ever played. It sure is nice to know that I am not alone on this crazy ride.
Please follow our journey and share with your friends.  After all, you never know when you might find a fun new topic to talk about around your "water cooler".
If your not involved in agriculture directly, meaning you eat, come on over. We would love to have you join us!
Come on in! How about a cup of coffee? Maybe even a guest spot...you know you want to.
Looking forward to seeing you!
www.ruralhousewives.com

So here we are again.

I guess I am not so good at this blogging thing. I must apologize. After another very long blogging hiatus, I have been "gently nudged" by a few friends to pick up where I started. I have also been inspired by a social media friend whose very awesome, spot-on blog post just went viral! Check out http://jldphotographblog.com/2013/10/07/10-ways-marrying-a-farmer-will-change-your-life/.

I suppose I am worried that what I have to share won't be of interest to you all. I guess, in the end I should just say whoever wants to read will and the rest doesn't matter! So here we go again.

There's some very exciting stuff in the works for this countrified city girl. Stay tuned until Tomorrow.
In the meantime, lets say a prayer for our hard working, tired farmers. Harvest has been a rough one this year. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Here's a shot of what one part of rice harvest looks like. This is the combine emptying into the bankout. The bankout then takes the rice to the trailers. This process allows the combine to keep moving!

 

Until next time friends!

 

To Fry or Steam, that is the question

As I was perusing recipes earlier today (ok, just before dinner) I got to thinking, So many recipes, so many variations, so much deliciousness, but one difference I just don't understand. Why is it that some say saute the onions, peppers, garlic before adding the meat while other brown the meat then add the onions etc?

So, why the difference?  Please remember we are talking same recipe's here. Is it taste, personal preference, or just technique?   I love to play in the kitchen just as much as the next person but just don't understand why so many great chefs/cooks are split on the order in which they do things. I have my own ideas on why this is, but I'd love to know your opinions on the subject. Do you steam or do your saute?

I have no fancy or mouth watering pictures to post here. Just plain and simple, what do you all think? How and when do you what you do?  I would really love your feedback.

Oh, and if you have a great eggplant recipe i'd love to know that too!!!!!

As always, thanks for coming,
~ Amy G

It's been way too long!

Where do I start. I suppose I should start with an apology. I started this blog an embarrassingly long time ago and did an extremely poor job of following through with what I started.  That goes without saying.

So, here I am again. So many wonderful things have happened in the last 18 or so months I figure it's high time I get to getting and start blogging again. This time with an intent to keep it going.

Without writing a short novel on all that I have not kept you up to date on, I will just highlight the biggest and the best.  Ready, here you go.

 

• Last September we found out that we were expecting baby Gore #2!

• Last December we moved into a beautiful new home in a fabulous little community
• In April our beautiful baby girl surprised us 3 1/2 weeks early.
• Most recently, Jonathon started Pre-School last week! A very bittersweet day for this mommy. Can't believe he's already 4 years old.

 

 

That's all I have for now. Until next time, which I promise it won't be 18+ months.
Thanks for stopping in.
                                ~Amy G.

Time with Dad.

Unlike most 9-5 jobs, farmers don't/can't always have a set working schedule. Some times of year simply include daily chores and making sure all is well. However, there two times of year, harvest and spring work, when a farmer and his family just know that their beloved family member will simply not be around. It is during these times when you have to take the family to the field to get some daddy time. Admittedly, this was one of the hardest adjustments for me as I tried to settle into my new marriage and then mommy life. Yesterday, was one of those go find daddy days, bring him some lunch, and take a tractor ride

Not sure what he was more excited about. Seeing daddy or the tractor. Either way

it was just one of those "all is right with the world" feelings.

After the tractor ride we found a nice shady spot under an almond tree to enjoy some lunch.

It was a great way to spend some time with dad.

Wordless Wednesday- Summer goodies.

Well, summer has finally arrived here in Northern California. After a period of what seemed like forever filled with rain and gloomy skies the sun has finally found us. With our second beautiful day in a row and no specific plans I sent my son out to play and took some time to preserve an early summer favorite...Cherries!
Thanks to my mom's neighbor sharing!

I washed and pitted (until my fingers were stained, note to self maybe some gloves next time)

Chopped, I cheated and used my fun new manual food processor.

Processing!

And Done! I love the "Pop" of the lid!

I have never done cherries so I followed this recipe http://www.pickyourown.org/cherry_preserves.htm.

I did sample the final product directly out of the pot and I have to say...YUMMY!

I love being able to preserve, share and eat fresh fruits and veggies all year long. What's one of your favorite Summer things?