Questions for the Farmer: "Are you or Aren't You?"

Living in the country and or Small Town USA is the best.  I can drive around, shop, and stop for a chat every time I head in to our small town of Fowler.  I have to stop and wonder, though, if Tall Guy and I are the topic of conversation because half the time I venture out, I am not wearing my wedding rings.  TG rarely wears his.  We will be at one of the girls' sporting events, church, or just out for a drive, and one will realize that we are "dating," not married, because of the missing rings.

I'm sure there are some folks out there wondering why we are not wearing our wedding rings.  Let me reassure everyone that our marriage is good, all is well here on the farm, but the farm is the reason we often leave our rings in the house.  Probably the biggest injury to farmers is the loss of fingers, and the reason is that a ring can get caught on several pieces of farm equipment, nails, screws, hooks or while we are climbing up/down something.

My Grandpa Bill lost part of his ring finger. His wedding ring got caught while climbing around on a grain wagon. TG has had a close call or two as well.  While helping TG put a box of bailing wire (one box weighs about 100 pounds) from the store cart to the truck bed, I almost smashed my finger, and the ring I had on my finger didn't help matters; it made a nice cut on my finger where it was pushed into the skin.  It's also not so pleasant to take an old toothbrush to your rings to scrub out organic material.

Nope, they were not on my finger here either!  Whew!

So if you see me out and about without my rings, never fear!  They are at home, safely placed for when I am out working around our farm.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Heart!

Tall Guy and I decided to get a jump start on Valentine's Day by going out last night to one of our favorite "Date Night" restaurants, McGraw's Steak House!  It's a lovely restaurant, situated right along the Wabash River, and it's only tricky to find in the dark because it sits off South River Road as you go out of West Lafayette.  I'm still loving the memory of our steaks and alone time....sigh........

Today, however, is another day.  Tink went to a friend's house to watch the younger sibs so that friend's parents go venture out tonight.  Bear has a friend over here, and I thought it would be fun to make them a heart-shaped pizza.  Toppings used can be whatever is your heart's desire, but TG loves this crust recipe, so I thought it fitting I should share it with you tonight.

For the dough, you will need:

1 pkg. dry yeast
1 C. lukewarm water
1 T. sugar
1 t. salt
2 T oil ( I use olive oil)
2 1/2 to 3 C. flour

This recipe makes two medium pizzas.

In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water.  Add sugar, salt, and oil.  Mix well.  Gradually add flour to form a stiff dough.  Knead on floured surface until smooth.  Place dough in a bowl, cover the lid with a damp towel and let rise until doubled.

Divide dough in half and roll to 1/4 inch thickness.  Put in a pizza pan or stone, cover with your toppings, and bake at 400 for about 15 minutes or until crust is golden.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Beauty

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting — a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. "

~Ralph Waldo Emerson