Shower Time

Today I helped host a baby shower for two girls that I work with in the ag world. One of my jobs was to take care of the cake. So, I decided that I would feature some of the farm animals that we work with and around on a daily basis. Here they are!

We couldn't let them leave until they posed for a picture! Aren't they cute! Sarah is on the left and Meggie is on the right. You can find out more about Meggie at her blog, Hoosier Farm Babe Tell Tails.

Can't have a party without games! My favorite was the draw the baby on the paper plate while it is on your head game. I don't know if that is the formal name or not but it does describe what you have to do! I got a couple pictures of some of my other blogging buddies in action! Here is Gal in the Middle, look at that concentration!

And here is Hannah at Off the Cuff and INDYpendent

Yay for babies!

Beating the Heat!

That's the name of the game when it's 90 + degrees outside - right?!? We have had some really hot days for it only being June. So, I'm thinking that we might have a mild July?!? We can only hope... Actually - I'm one of those people that prefer the heat. I do. I like hot weather much better than cold weather. So, I don't mind the hot weather.

Anyway, we decided to beat the heat this weekend at home and get the pool out for the kids. Even though it's almost too small for all 3 - you can see that they still had a blast!

The little man had a great time!

The heat made me think about our other girls (the cows) at the farm. I was wondering how they were doing this weekend. You know, cows prefer cold weather (50 degrees or colder). So, when it's really hot outside, it can be tough on them. We went to the farm to check them and they were just fine. We have fans in the barns and water sprinklers. So, believe it or not - the freestall barns are the coolest place on the farm!

These big fans can REALLY move the air!

The cows enjoy the water misters.

So, here's to fans and water sprinklers this summer AND beating the heat like our cows do!!

 

Turning in to a little boy

Today my baby took a big step into "turning in to a little boy" - his FIRST hair cut!!! It was a little sad but also a very proud moment for mommy and daddy!

So, having two girls prior to my little man, I have not had to deal with this hair cut thing! I've heard horror stories from my friends about this though. So, I have to admit - I have put it off as long as I could! I was actually dreading the entire experience. Not only for the 'fit' that he might throw but also for the fact that it means he's growing up. Although he's already 19 months old - I'd just like to keep him as a baby a bit longer!

So, here is what I prepped to take with us. I thought that surely between the snacks, sucker, books and toys - we could get through the 10 minute ordeal!!

We arrived at Tracy Plaza Barber Shop (otherwise known as Ed's to the locals) and as you can see my little man was loving it! Not only did he have the sole attention of mommy AND daddy - we were also making this hair cut thing sound like so much fun! Isn't it funny how you can make anything sound fun when they are this young and may not even have a clue about what you are saying!!!

Daddy was also pretty excited to share in this experience because he had HIS first hair cut at this very same place many years ago! That's what I LOVE about small towns!!!

Anyway - here are a few shots of the hair cut...

Not too sure about this...

Actually - maybe this is OK. Look at me - I'm a KING - sitting in my big chair with a cape on!!!

Well, that wasn't so bad after all! Believe it or not - we didn't have to pull out any of our tricks! He did GREAT! And, check out his new do!

This was the best part - he got to enjoy his sucker!

And, back home again - in the comfort of his rocking horse!!!

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Maze Mania #2

We've been watching the corn grow here at the farm!!!  With the really warm temps we've been having here lately (90's) and the rain, the corn has literally grown over night. Here's a picture of the corn maze today...

This means that the time had come to start the next process! So, I started out early this AM to a field of corn just calling my name. Even though it was a scorcher here today (temp was around 93 and heat index over 100), I do love to be out in the maze. I can just imagine families enjoying it this fall when the sun is shining, a cool wind is blowing and the air smells like a fall campfire. You see, fall is my favorite time of the year. This is one of the reasons why I wanted to start this corn maze business. I can't imagine any better place than to be outside enjoying the fall weather every day in Oct.!!!! I love the colors, smells, pumpkins, rustling corn stalks, falling leaves... Ahh!!!

Oops - back to today -- so the project is to spray the corn along the outline of the maze to make the pattern become more visable in order to prepare it for mowing. Here are the steps:

1) Locate the twine that is tied between the flags. This was a little tricky today because some of the twine was packed in to the soil from all of the rain we've had lately. The corn was also a little on the tall side so the flags were even hard to locate. Needless to say - this took a little longer than I wanted it to!!

2) Strap on my handy-dandy sprayer and get to work! Now, I must admit that I had to have some help getting this thing up on my back! It's only a 4 gallon sprayer but let me tell you - it is heavy when it's full!!

3) So, as the corn that I sprayed starts to turn brown and shrivel, the path for the maze will become much easier to see. Then, we'll be ready for the first cutting or mowing! That is when the fun really begins!

Until next time on Maze Mania, stay cool!!!

German Chocolate Cupcakes

I can not believe that it is over half way through June and I haven't mentioned that it is June Dairy Month! Today is also the first day of summer!! Yippee! Obviously many reasons to celebrate! Here is a cake recipe that includes lots of dairy and is sure to be a party pleaser!

Original Baker's German Sweet Chocolate Cake

1 pkg (4 oz.) Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate

1/2 cup water

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover bottoms of 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with wax paper; grease sides of pans. Microwave chocolate and water in large microwavable bowl on high 1-1/2 to 2 min. Or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate melted.

Mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and the vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.

Beat egg whites in small bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently stir the batter. Pour evenly into prepared pans.

Bake 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Immediately run small metal spatula around cake layers. cool in pans 15 mins; remove layers from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Spread Coconut-Pecan Frosting between cake layers and onto top of cake.

Makes 16 servings

Substitute Tip: If you don't have buttermilk, just add 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk, let stand 10 min.

Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting

1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. (7 oz.) Coconut (about 2-1/3 cups)
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

Stir milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks and vanilla in large saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat 12 minutes or until thickened and golden brown. Remove from heat.

Stir in coconut and pecans. Cool to room temperature and of spreading consistency

Makes about 4-1/2 cups.