Who says you can't go home

Home is where the heart is...

This summer has been full of events that have made me think of "home."  And not just where I live today, but where my heart has been over the years.

The summer started with a major focus on 4-H at this pigpen.  Big Sissy is a 4th generation 4-Her as this was her second year of 4-H.  With our county fair the last week of June, Big Sissy spent the majority of her time the month of June working on her many 4-H projects.  As I've said before, 4-H has always played a big part in the lives of The Farmer and me and it is such a joy to watch Big Sissy love 4-H.  Now I'm not quite sure how we will make it when all 3 kids are in 4-H, but we will find a way just like The Farmer and I's moms did.

 



Any way, Big Sissy had a pretty amazing second year of 4-H that will continue into the State Fair next week.  I'm so glad that she is enjoying carrying on this tradition that was started many years before her and is even seeing some success in the show ring like my mom did many years ago which was  lot of fun as my mom and Aunt S were there to share in the fun that night along with The Farmer's parents and Uncle K. 

 



I even got to visit my "home" county fair this year.  This was my youngest cousin's last year of 4-H.  He was the last of my generation to finish 4-H in our county.  There had been someone in 4-H in my home county since I started 4-H more years ago than I'd like to admit... 1987.  That is a lot of years of family picnics, traditions, and fun at the fair.  Hopefully next year, my niece will start 4-H and start the tradition of the next generation of 4-Hers in my home county. 

Some things have changed but many have stayed the same including many of the faces.  It was great to visit my home fair even if I do like my own recipe for Beef and Noodles better than theirs now, but this is where my love of Beef and Noodles started. 

This past weekend I really did get to go to one of my past "homes." 

 



Several of my sorority sisters and I converged on Purdue University for the weekend to relive our college years.

 



It was amazing to see so many women that had an impact on my life and to visit one of the houses that really built me. 

So I don't know who says you can't go home, because I've been going "home" all summer long. 

And although this summer has gone by in the blink of an eye and isn't officially over, the start of school is coming sooner rather than later at this pigpen as Big Sissy and Bubby head back to school on July 31st.  This just may or may not be the same day Big Sissy's pigs and muffins go to the State Fair for judging later in the week.  (No pressure on The Farmer or I.)  That being said hopefully we can still squeeze in a few trips "home" either down memory lane or making new memories with what is left of the summer of 2013. 


Thanks to Indiana's Family of Farmers for getting me to return to my "home" of blogging.  Although this is a sponsored post as I'm a Table Talk Contributor this month for Indiana's Family of Farmers, my love of my "homes" and the traditions and recipes of them are all my own opinions and thoughts. That being said, be sure to check out Indiana's Family of Farmers on Facebook, Twitter, or their blog as they have a lot of fun stuff happening especially with the upcoming Indiana State Fair. 

Our State Fair

Last week at this time, Big Sissy, Bubby, and I were having a blast at the  Indiana State Fair thanks to the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Year of the Soybeans, Indiana Pork, Indiana's Family of Farmers and the American Dairy Association of Indiana.

Bubby and Big Sissy with Bennie the Bean

Bubby and Big Sissy trying some mozzarella sticks fried in Plenish

Looks like it is a hit

Bubby wishes this was a real steer but this will work for now

Bubby and Big Sissy with Pork Chop

Bubby and Big Sissy with Buttercup

Big Sissy and Bubby with Miss Indiana State Fair 2011

Miss Amy from a Latte' with Ott, A teaching the kids about wool

Enjoying our snow cones with our buddies from Beyer Beware

Even though he is a pig farmer, Bubby loves him some cows

One week later the State Fair is recovering from an absolutely, unbelievable tragedy that happened Saturday night.  As I watch the news coverage of the stage rigging collapse at the grandstand, it just seems so surreal.

I have so many memories of watching great concerts there with my mom.  It used to be one of our traditions after we were done showing our livestock at the fair.  It just seems unbelievable that something like that could happen at a place I know like the back of my hand.  There truly are no words to describe it.

The only thing we know to do at this pigpen is to continue to pray for all of those impacted and to head back to the Indiana State Fair to show our support because we truly are lucky to have such a great State Fair.

The Indiana State Fair runs through this Sunday and I hope those of you within driving distance will be able to visit. I know we will be there.

So from the words of Rodgers and Hammerstein just remember, "Our state fair is a great state fair.  Don't miss it.  Don't even be late."

Farmer Fridays - What does the county fair mean to you?

Our county fair started today which is always a favorite time of year at this pigpen.  As you know 4-H and the county and state fair played a big role in mine and The Farmer's lives growing up and continue to do so today.

I saw a status update on Facebook today complaining about the midway/carnival rides at our county fair this year (long story short, our old vendor recently filed bankruptcy and the fair board had to scramble at the last minute to find something for the midway so I will be the first to admit it is less than desirable this year) which got me thinking the midway never has been and never will be why my family goes to the fair.

Now don't get me wrong, I've been known to ride a ride or two in my past at the county fair, but the county fair is so much more to me.

Growing up, it was where my family was a family.  The Farmer and I are both third generation 4-Hers so our families each have many traditions and memories around the county fair.  Going to the county fair is about seeing our friends from all over the county that we may of may not see that much throughout the year.  It is about showcasing the 4-H projects that the 4-Hers have worked hard on during the year and weeks and days leading up to the fair.  It is about the livestock that the 4-Hers and their families have raised with the dream of winning that purple ribbon.  Truthfully, it is a way of life for many of us that are proud former 4-Hers because 4-H helped make us the people we are today.

So I realize you may not have all of these deeply rooted reasons for going to the fair and it may just be about the fair food and midway which is OK, but just remember, the fair is about so much more.

Our Bucket List for the Summer

Even though I'm a full-time, off-farm working momma that still has to go to work 5 days a week despite the fact that the kids are on summer break , I've tried to craft a pretty good bucket list for our summer.  This will be our last summer for many years that no one at this pigpen is in 4-H.  Big Sissy will be a first year 4-H member next year and in Indiana you can be a 4-H member for 10 years.  So needless to say our summers are going to get real busy after this year.

So that being said, I'm trying to squeeze in as much as my work schedule will allow as summer is about spending time with the family and letting the kids truly be kids.

Swimming lessons, vacation bible school, 4th of July with my family, the county fair, the State Fair, and soccer camp have been on our list the last couple years; although, this will be the first year Bubby can attend soccer camp.  (It is just a one week program for 1 1/2 hours each night about 5 minutes from our house.)

This year we also have a pretty exciting family vacation planned; however, The Farmer and I have only told the kids that we are going on vacation.  They don't know where or when, but let me just say we may or may not be visiting a mouse and his friends.

So, I'm pretty pumped about this year's bucket list which is why I was excited we started working on one of our items today.  Another one of our annual summer bucket list items is our county library's summer reading program.  Growing up I loved the summer reading program and I have tried to instill this love of the library and in particular the summer reading program with Big Sissy, Bubby, and Little Sissy.

Today we made the first of many trips this summer, I hope, to the library to officially sign up for the summer reading program and enjoy the library.

Big Sissy hit the computers.

Bubby loves looking for books and movies about farming, building, and trains.

Little Sissy lined up the dinosaurs.

So here's to reading this summer and enjoying our summer bucket list.

What's on your summer bucket list?

Survival is the name of the game at this pig pen

Well its been a long time since I last blogged ... almost 3 weeks ago.  The last time I blogged, Big Sissy, Bubby, and I had just spent the entire day at the Indiana State Fair thanks to the Indiana Soybean Alliance. It was an extremely hot day, but we sure had a blast.  

 

 

 

Little did I know as we were spending the day meeting the amazing 2010 Indiana State Fair Queen Denae Pyle, eating Hawaiian Shaved Ice, wearing pig noses as it was the Year of Pigs, and checking out the God Bless American sculpture depicting the American Gothic painting at the State Fair that survival would soon be the name of the game at this pig pen. 

When we went to the State Fair, I knew we had exactly one week before Big Sissy started second grade.   What I didn't know is that I would soon find head lice in her hair.  This changed every plan we had for the week before school started.  Although it appears life is now returning to normal ,whatever normal is at this pig pen, life has been anything but normal the last few weeks.  

All of our toys and clothing, which when you have 3 young children is essentially every possession you have, have been bagged up in trash bags. I have done more loads of laundry in the last few weeks than I have ever done in that period of time and every load of laundry has been done with hot water and dried on the hottest temperature on my dryer.  So far, I have only shrunk our brand new shower curtain as I didn't know it was dry clean only.  I limited everyone, including myself, to 5 outfits and one pair of pajamas that we washed everyday along with every one's sheets to help keep this under control.

The Farmer thought I was absolutely crazy, but I knew this was the only way to do it.  Thankfully, my mother was able to spend a few days with us as I would have completely lost my sanity through all of this if she had not been able to help me.  Let's face it .... no matter how old you get, there are some things only a mom can help make better. 

I keep telling myself that the positive of all of this is that our house has now been cleaned completely from top to bottom several times and we even had our curtains and drapes dry cleaned; however, I would not wish head lice on anyone.  We also have not allowed anyone to touch the toys that have been bagged up for the last few weeks as I am in no rush to add clutter back into this pig pen.  I have told the kids that we will only go through the bags one at a time and if we can't find a place for the toy, we will donate it to Goodwill.  

The other positive is that we were able to keep it contained to just Big Sissy as no one else in our house ever got it, knock on wood and Praise the Lord. 

I hate to jinx myself, but this is most definitely the worst thing I have been through as a parent.  (I know it could have been much worse and still could be; however, it is definitely very mentally and physically draining for a short period of time.)  From experience, I would guess that just reading this post is making your head itch ... Welcome to my world.  

Needless to say, it has been a few crazy weeks at this pig pen and to make matters worse I had to go on a 4 day business trip 2 days after Big Sissy started school.  Thankfully, we have survived and I did get to eat some real Maine lobster on my business trip and even brought some home for my family.  

 

So I hope the start of this school year is not a sign of things to come as the last few weeks have been enough for me for awhile ... quite awhile. 

My 2nd Grader, Big Sissy

Somebody is going to the Indiana State Fair

Somebody is going to the Indiana State Fair thanks to the Indiana Soybean Alliance just like I did yesterday with GOODEness Gracious 'N Friends.  With the use of Random. org, Holly will be receiving 4 tickets for the 2010 Indiana State Fair.  (Holly, please email me at proudporkmom (at) gmail (dot) com with your full name and address and your tickets will be on their way.)

Yesterday, thanks to the Indiana Soybean Alliance, Big Sissy, Bubby, and I spent the day at the Indiana State Fair and when I say the day, I mean the entire day.  We arrived at the fairgrounds around 9:30am and pulled out of our parking space at 9:00pm last night.  I think Bubby was asleep within 5 minutes. 

We had a blast and got to do a lot of different things so you will have to check back in with the pig pen to see what all we did..  We also were fed quite well thanks to the American Dairy Association of Indiana and Indiana Pork. 

So if you haven't been to the Indiana State Fair yet, don't worry.  The State Fair runs until the 22nd so there is still plenty of time to enjoy The Year of Pigs at the Indiana State Fair.

Farmer Fridays - The end is approaching, but hopefully not too soon

I truly don't know where the summer has gone.  It seems like just yesterday it was April and we were planting the corn field around our house.  Now, Big Sissy will start 2nd grade in a little over a week and the corn around our house is maturing faster than it should be due to the extremely hot weather we have been experiencing in addition to the lack of rain. 

 
 

The Farmer predicts that our corn is about 2 weeks ahead of schedule which could mean an earlier than normal harvest which would not be a good thing.  An earlier than normal harvest would mean that our corn has matured too early and the kernels did not get as big in size as they normally would. 

 (The corn plant should not be starting to turn in color this early.)

Mother Nature has not been the best to us this year, but it isn't too late yet.  Rain in the coming days would be greatly appreciated and would help the kernels gain weight; however, this is a critical time period.  If we do not receive adequate rain in the next 2 weeks, it will be too late. 

(The husk should not be brown this early.  It should still be green and covering the entire ear.)

Rain after the next 2 weeks will more than likely not help the kernels gain weight and will essentially be a hinderance on the corn being able to be harvested from the field as we need it to be dry to run the combines in the field and the corn needs to be dry in order for us to store it on the farm.   

So we are back to crossing our fingers and saying lots of prayers for Mother Nature to cooperate.  I'll keep you posted in future Farmer Fridays on if she does or not. 

On a more positive, but different note, the great Indiana State Fair started today and my give-a-way for tickets runs until Monday night so be sure to sign up if you live in the vacinity of the Indiana State Fair. 

 
  

This pig pen is headed to the Indiana State Fair with some GOODe friends

Are you ready for some State Fair fun???

I know that this pig pen is especially since it is Year of the Pigs.

Some GOODe friends and I are getting ready for Family Fair Days with GOODEness Gracious 'N Friends at the Indiana State Fair! We will be visiting the State Fair and giving you some behind the scenes looks at awesome State Fair activities sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance! Big Thanks go out to the Indiana Soybean Alliance!

So to kick things off today, the Indiana Soybean Alliance has given me and all of my friends each 4 Indiana State Fair tickets to giveaway on our blogs to our readers! How cool is that?!?

So here is how you enter to win 4 Indiana State Fair Tickets courtesy of the Indiana Soybean Alliance that will be chosen at random on August 10:

Each person is eligible for 2 entries:  1 for following my blog and 1 for commenting on this post.  Please leave a separate comment below for each entry. (If you are already a blog follower, please just post a separate comment letting me know.)

Now be sure to hop on over to all of the following blogs for multiple chances to win!

2 Maids a Milking

Alarm Clock Wars

A Latte with Ott, A

Beyer Beware

Fence Row to Fence Row

Frugalista Farmlife

Gal in the Middle

Going Jane

GOODEness Gracious

Life is a Highway and Mine’s Surrounded By Corn

Off the Cuff and Indypendent


Good luck!!!

Farmer Fridays - The Year of Pigs

Well I have failed again...  I didn't get my Farmer Fridays post done yesterday.  Believe it or not, it wasn't from lack of effort, but The Farmer and I are actually on a mini, mini vacation to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and our Internet connection at the hotel was a little less than desirable last night.  Any way, it is working much better this morning so I thought I go ahead an post this week's Farmer Fridays.

The 2010 Indiana State Fair starts this coming Friday, August 6th.  I have always loved the State Fair.  I have great memories of showing my pigs and sheep there as a 4-Her and can only wait for when my children will be able to show at the State Fair.  In fact, even though we didn't know each other then, The Farmer and I both showed pigs at the State Fair at the same time. 

This year's State Fair is even more exciting to me than most as the theme for the 2010 Indiana State Fair is The Year of Pigs presented by Indiana Pork Farmers.  As one of those Indiana pork farmers, who could be more excited about The Year of Pigs than me. 

In honor of The Year of Pigs, I thought I would share some interesting pork facts with you courtesy of Indiana Pork. 

• Indiana has over 3,000 pork farmers around the state
• 94% of Indiana's pork farms are family owned and operated
• Indiana is the fifth largest producer of pork in the United States
• Indiana's pork industry employs more than 13,000 people
• 
  
  Indiana's pork industry spends more than $600 million in local rural communities
• 
  
  Indiana's pork industry contributes more than $3 billion annually to Indiana’s economy
• 
  
  Indiana's pork industry is the leading consumer of Indiana grain—more than $300 million worth
• 
  
  Indiana marketed 8 million pigs last year
• 
  
  Indiana's pork farmers deliver the annual pork needs of every man, woman, and child in Indiana… plus 15 million more people in the U.S., plus 5 million more people around the world!

So if you happen to be in the Indianapolis area August 6th - 22nd, don't forget to check out the Indiana State Fair, The Year of Pigs, and the Garbage Burger. 

P.S.  In the coming days, I will be having my first give-a-way which will have something to do with the Indiana State Fair so stay tuned.

P.P.S.  Don't forget to check out the video my Goode friend and her family made for the special Year of Pigs YouTube contest.