The Big 5-0, On This The Last Day Of Our Pregnancy Week 32!

We only have 50 days (give or take) left until we meet our Lil Farmer Boy. Won't that be that exhilarating, for me? We are doing our best to properly prepare for his arrival. I thought best too air out my dirty laundry and reveal how we are progressing, with our Major projects.

1. The nursery is practically complete, and will be posting pictures of it shortly.
2. The homestead is now hopefully infant proof (haven't quite toddler proofed it yet, there is a difference they tell me).
3. Deck construction is complete (still barren, have yet to pick out furniture)
4. Horse Barn is 1/38947022-4 the way done, but we did add one more horse to the equation.
5. Garage is completely organized (in a organized chaos type of fashion).
6. The garden has grown nicely (yet we will remember for next year, that cucumbers show no mercy and will always play the dominant role amongst the other vegetables)
7. The basement is half organized, yet should be complete by this weekend.

Now I am exhausted and must go lay down. Oh Yeah, I don't have time for that!



It is now time to reveal the fourth letter in baby boy's middle name. So jot it down to memory. Don't forget or develop any sort of pneumonia between now and August 1, 2009. Remember you will now get one letter every week from this moment on. However, no guesses will be accepted until August 1st (that's my baby brothers birthday) at preciously 12:59 AM (the exact time I was born). Each person with the correct first and middle name of Baby Boy will be put into the drawing to win a Grand Gift Certificate of $50.00 from Pottery Barn.



Pictures are all courtesy of Alphabet Photography!

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Tomorrow, we will not speak of anything pregnancy, food, or northwoods related. Only heavy duty farm equipment driven by only masculine FB's (Farm Boy's) will be discussed!

Baby Boy's Northern Shower!

May I cordially invite you to attend the first Northern Baby Shower for our unborn son! To enter the establishment you must take a shot of either homemade Wisconsin Ale, or a delightful Leinenkugel's beverage, or even Milwaukee's Best, babe! Bottle's Up! Literally!

I joke, I joke! This was the bottle race, who could gulp the most H20 in the least amount of time. Can you guess who won? I will give you a hint, the little man on the right bit off the bottles suction cup.



It was so wonderful visiting with all of my family again, we don't get to see each other often enough.



Baby boy was super spoiled with numerous gifts and fabulous appetizers!



B-Man can Cheez with the best of them.....





My baby bro was guessing how much weight his older sister is going to gain throughout her pregnancy. NOT! Being the older, wiser sister, I would never allow such. Lets just say I have given a grown man a wedgey for less!

He was actually, secretly calculating the alignment of stars compared to the precise planet rotation to accurately determine a hypothesis as to when our baby boy will be born. He was enrolled at some prestigious Astrology University for 5 years, little bro is all about the moon and the stars.



My sister-in-law did an amazing job, organizing this impromptu baby shower. Did I mention that she put all this together in about a 2 week time frame, all while working a full time job and juggling young 2 kiddo's? She is a wonder woman in book!




This was the first time that my Daddy-O had seen me at the full blown preggo stage!

Grandma was as vibrant as ever! Always putting on the perfect finishing touches to every event!



Final preparations were being tended too before the celebration was to begin!




HH was supposed to measure my circumference, I believe that the measurement was exaggerated. Extremely inaccurate in my opinion.



The rocking horse was a huge hit with the munchkins, it provided hours of entertainment.



At approximately quarter till 12:00 (Tractor Pull started at noon), all of the men in the room began getting a tad rambunctious. I noticed all of them beginning to fidget with their baby bottles (the table decor) and discussing "The Pull" arrangements, realizing the scenario that was taking place I put the unwrapping into super overdrive.

All of the Tractor Pull fanatic's were able to leave with time to spare. Oh Happy Day!






Sincerely,
The Proud HH and FF

Crunchy Roasted Potatoes

There are certain foods and/or ingredients that I adore experimenting with. Panko Bread Crumbs is one of those delicacies! The light, airiness provides such a wonderful textured flavor combination. Once you begin cooking with Panko you will never go back to regular bread crumbs again. I first fell in love with using this ingredient when I made this classic chicken recipe.

Crunchy Roasted Potatoes

4 Medium Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 2lbs)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Cloves of Garlic Minced
2/3 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs (Japanese Bread Crumbs)
8 oz Pepper Jack Cheese; Shredded (about 2 cups)
Salt & Pepper to taste, your preference

In a large bowl, combine potatoes, olive oil garlic, salt, and pepper; toss to coat. Add Panko; toss until combined. Spread potato mixture in single layer on foil lined 11 x 17 inch jellyroll pan that has been lightly coated with no-stick cooking spray. Roast in 425 degree oven until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time. If desired, sprinkle cheese over potatoes. Bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Or......Combine all all of the above ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place concoction in a greased tin foil pan (can purchase at your local grocery store). I added about 3-4 tablespoons of dolloped butter on the top. And grill at approximately 350 degrees for 1 hour. Oh how I do enjoy the grilled flavor that marinates into the potatoes.

Recipe is courtesy of Burnstads' Market.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Northern Baby Shower pictures will be posted tomorrow.

Tractor Pull Time

During the last weekend of June, HH and I mosied up north to visit my kin folk, in the state where there was no humidity. It just so happened that one of the nations largest tractor pulls was occurring (Can you guess who scheduled this visit?).



Notice how close HH was to the track. He originally was seated in the nose bleed section, until he decided that he was willing to sell his body for V.I.P. passes. HH was then able to go behind the scenes and chat with the most elite "Pullers".



If you click on the pictures, you will be able to see the tractors up close and personal.



Check out all of the black smoke that is being released from these "Bad Boy's"! Now close your eye's and imagine the roaring screams of the engines. On second thought I take that back, I wouldn't want you to blow an ear drum.



The sight below is of the weight that the tractors pull. Peer closely at the picture on the weight, it is a JD Tractor pulling a planter. It is the only of its kind in the entire USA!



One of the tractors had called it quits, and some nice gentleman were kindly pushing it off of the track (I think?). Those northerners are so hospitable!



The relevance behind this picture is unknown! I believe it may have some sentimental significantly, maybe! Or maybe not? In fact, this is a random picture of a 5020 Pulling Tractor.



The below image is of a 6 engine Mod. Yes, it really does exist!



Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Boy O Boy, It's Time To Reveal The Sixth Letter In Lil Boy's Middle Name!

Last night I had a horrible dream! I woke up in a complete panic, sweat trickling out of my pores, pulse racing, and my heart pounding. I had dreamt that I was preparing a bottle for our baby boy (unfortunately I couldn't see his precious face), and when I went to grab the baby bottle, their were electric screw drivers in the area were our bottle was supposed to be kept. As a first time mother, I knew I had to feed my child, but the bottles had all been switch out with farm tools. I frantically began opening every drawer, cabinet, nook, and cranny trying to find my baby a suitable suckling. The helpless feeling was unbearable to beyond belief.

So at approximately 2:24 AM, I awoke HH (who was extremely willing to hear all about my baby trauma, wait maybe I was dreaming that too?), and proceeded to go into grave detail about the traumatic stress that I had just endured. We agreed that this was indeed a "sign" from the stork gods, indicting that we must begin organizing around the homestead. No more cookie cutter in the junk draw or any farm tools mixed in with any cooking utensils would be acceptable. So we are all about the becoming more organized sustaining order only around this humble adode (weather or not this will last more then a day or two is still undetermined?)!

Enough about me, lets talk about our little bundle of joy. The above picture is the sixth letter in his middle name. Go grab your writing stick and add it to your on-going list of letters that are already written in the sand! But remember, no guessing until August or I will banish you from any July 4th festivities for the rest of eternity! After all, you are going to be winning a hefty $50.oo gift card from Pottery Barn. Who wouldn't love that?

Have a Lovely Holiday Weekend,
Farming Fabulously

Did I Mention That We Attended A Baptism Too?

While in the North Country we were fortunate enough to attend our niece's Baptism! Doesn't the above picture just scream Holiness? It just makes me want to lift my hands in the air and bellow out an *insert a high squeal* "AAAAAHHHHH" or even a "Hallelujah Sweet Baby Jesus"!



Yet B-Man couldn't quite figure out what all of hype was about over little sister. "Why is everyone looking at Khloe? Cause she has chubby cheeks (that her favorite auntie FF loves)?" Big Bro considered all of the festivities surrounding his baby sister to be extremely impractical, solely believing that we all should have been seated in a semi-circle playing with Lightning McQueen.



"Did someone say pose?" FF and her fabulous cousin are not shy when a camera is in their face! Pregnancy bod and all (I simply told myself I looked like a beaming ray of excessive sunshine), I will still cheez-it on command. Bring on the Paparazzi!



Let me introduce to you the tiny tot of the day, Miss Khloe! She was a sensational baby, never even making the slightest peep when the minister dumped 15 degree H20 on her noggin.



The Great-Grandparents were all in attendance with bells on! Looking as stunning as ever, I must say! I am very proud to have such radiant genes, thanks grandpa's and grandma's!



At the Baptism, each of us was given a set of instructions to carry out. Cousin-Manda was incharge of watching B-Man, I think she had missed placed him approximately 2 minutes and 34 seconds after her shift began. This is just moments before she had decided to notify church security.



B-Man was later found playing "Cars" with Grandpa-Buck.



I absolutely adore this little munchkin! I have always been excited for the arrival of our baby boy, yet after seeing this little angel my urge to meet our whippersnapper is now stronger then ever.



Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Next letter in Baby Boy's name will be revealed tomorrow!

Broiled Tilapia Parmesan

Well my blogging buddies, I am going to give it to straight! I still have not had an opportunity to download all of my Wisconsin photo's. So I have decided to use a stalling technique by posting more spectacular recipes. I plan on not procrastinating tonight and simply forcing myself to get all of our northern ventures fully uploaded. Because I know that my dedicated 3 readers are anxiously awaiting pictures of tractors spiting fire, and baby girls in frilly dresses, and all of our jubilant relatives , and not to mention the new Burnstads' Store Renovation.

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Have a Lovely Day,
Farming Fabulously

Grilled Honey Basamic Chicken, Yummy

The farmstead crew has successfully made it back from Wisconsin! We had an incredible leave of farm time absence. I have tons of pictures to share with you from the wonderful Baby Shower, the ever so noisy Tomah Tractor Pull, and even the periodic family pictures. I am still catching up on laundry, rearranging the house, and attempting to get a horse settled in to his new home. I will be posting all of our escapades eventually.

Oh, how I do enjoy grilling season! Especially when the weather has decided to cool down to typical June temperatures. HH and I adore settling in on the deck, putting our feet up and relish in the fabulous smells of the grill. We could bast out there for hours on end! So we are always delighted to experiment with new grilling recipes. Hence, the delicious main coarse!

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

The Fourth Letter In Baby Boy's First Name Is.....

The post picture below is the fourth letter in Baby Boy's First Name. I think some of you are starting to piece together his name already. Kudos too you! I am very impressed, with your imaginative name skills.

I can't wait to see who wins the $50.00 gift certificate to Pottery Barn. You will be one lucky dude or dudette.

Yet remember, no guesses will be accepted until August 1, 2009. So keep mum until then. This only helps you slim out the competition, I know that we have some real competitors out there.

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously


Program Note: This is my 30 week picture. Baby Boy is approximately 3.3 pounds this week, and is extremely rambunctious. I have came to the conclusion that he is no longer going to be a soccer boy but instead, a professional Lacrosse Player. I believe that his upper body strength has increased greatly!

FF is now off to the land of no humidity, but plans to return next week with plenty of pictures from our trip!

Can You Handle Another Letter?

This is a letter in Baby Boy's first name! Which letter you ask? Well I will disclose that information this afternoon. I have a torte that needs to be garnished, empty suitcases that need to be filled, presents for need to be loaded (I love to spoil my precious nephew and niece), cows that need to be worked, horses that need to be sprayed, the list goes on; by tomorrow at 6:00 in the AM.

Chatting will commence at approx 3:00 this afternoon, when I will reveal where in the world this above letter fits into Baby Boy's first name.

Alphabet Photography is courtesy of the above picture.

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: On the right hand column, I put a new "Widget" (which so happens to be my alumni, Viking Colors). You can place your guess as too when our first born child will arrive into this world and at what weight and length. This is a free guessing pool, you will win absolutely nothing but bragging rights! And the opportunity for myself to boost your ego on one post. Best of Luck!

News Flash: Heat Advisory Restricts All Pregnant Woman To The Confines Of Their Humble Abode!

With the heat index increasing daily, HH and I have decided to flee this wonderful state that is currently full of humidity and head to the north country. You see, I am trying to escape the inevitably dreaded Cankle (pictured above). Now I have only experienced the wide leg syndrome once this year, and that was the day before the baby shower (the hostesses force feed me gallons of olives, or did I ingest them under my own free will? Doesn't matter).

I realize that I should just embrace this matter, because frankly it is all part of the pregnancy quest. Yet I see no fault in trying to avoid this fashion faux pas at all costs. Besides after a woman has increased in capacity by what feels like an extra 167 pounds, she needs to at least have her ankles in prime form (ask me in another week and I am sure I will have reevaluated my logic on Cankles, yet until then I stand firm on my case in point).



Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: If our dear friends Ole and Sven are reading this post, please have a package of freshly squeaky cheese curds ready for this hungry mama, A.

Program Note: Did mention, I will be posting another letter in baby boy's first name this week?

I Just Love Witnessing An Enduring Father-Daughter Relationship!

You know when you can just look at someone and automatically assume that "Oh yeah, she is definitely a daddy's girl"! Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, princess that could do no wrong, always wearing pink, daddy's girl.



Hence, a father-daughter connection is evidently indescribable to most. Only they truly know how special the bond is between them. Come hell or high water, this daddy would do anything for his little angel.



However, when you have to brake the news to your special little buttercup that she will be soon sharing the role of #1 with a new little brother, it doesn't always end well. To be quite honest, our queen canine was abit distraught to say the least.





Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Please forgive FF for not posting this AM. She is still analyzing the separation of Jon & Kate!

Farm Boy's Need Their Sweet Treats, Not Pregnant Women....

As you all know, I am currently a "Nesting Betty Homemaker". HH has even began referring to me as a lady named June. Yet I can't help my actions, preparation for the little one has turned our lives into a tidy, organized homestead. With soft baby blankets (Oh how I love cuddly baby blankets), swings, toys, and any/all infant necessities, neatly arranged throughout the homestead (I am guessing that our now "proper" abode will be cluttered in approx 39.43 minutes after baby boy arrives home, accurate?)

Back to the cookies, (my applogies, I get easily distracted anymore). I make one or two treats over the weekend for the FB's (Farm Boy's) to munch on throughout the week. Since the heat is unbelievably hot right now, they wanted something they could just grab easily out of their lunch coolers that wouldn't melt. Cookies were an obvious justification!



However HH and I had a difference in cookie opinion. I adore the CTP Cookies with the Toffee and Chocolate Chips, they were very yummy. I was half temped to crush up the cookies and mix them with some vanilla ice cream, doesn't that sound like a delicious summertime dessert? HH and My Favorite Red-Headed Iowagian however, could not quit gobbling down the CB Cookies. MFRHI enjoyed them so much that she took a batch of them out the rodeo kids during roping practice!

For more information regarding the Chocolate Toffee Pecan Cookies click HERE.

For more information regarding the Chewy Brownie Cookies click Here.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Happy Father/Padre/Vater/ Père Day!

"None of you can ever be proud enough of being the child of such a Father who has not his equal in this world - so great, so good, so faultless. Try, all of you, to follow in his footsteps and don't be discouraged, for to be really in everything like him none of you, I am sure, will ever be. Try, therefore, to be like him in some points, and you will have acquired a great deal." ~ Queen Victoria of England



Even the "Fathers-To-Be" need to be acknowledge today!


Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

May I Proudly Present To You: The Third Letter Of Baby Boy's Middle Name.

Our bouncing baby boy will be here in approximately 10 weeks, can you believe that? I am literally counting down the days until we get to meet him. HH and I will be a Daddy and a Mommy for the first time. I just hope that we will live up to our little munchkins expectations! Oh the pressure!

Well, I have babbled long enough. Now for the moment you have all been waiting for, the announcement of the Third Letter In Baby Boy's Middle Name (pictured above). Jot this one down on your Etch A Sketch my blogger friends. You will now get one letter every week from this moment on. However, no guesses will be accepted until August 1st (that's my baby brothers birthday) at preciously 12:59 AM (the exact time I was born). Each person with the correct first and middle name of Baby Boy will be put into the drawing to win a Grand Gift Certificate of $50.00 from Pottery Barn.

Best of Luck!


All of the letters are courtesy of Alphabet Photography. I *heart* all of the creative employees at Alphabet Photography.


Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: FF has decided to isolate herself within the comfort of the homestead, where a consistent flow of cool, refreshing, air conditioning is constantly circling. You see she has recently developed a complex: Due to the extensive humidity/heat in the mid-west, FF swears that every time she steps outside exposing her new lustrous baby physique to the intense mugginess, she has a tendency to swell up and turns into a Cabbage Patch Doll, thus automatically adding on an extra 2lbs of body mass to the preexisting weight gain. Oh My!