Lessons Learned

Well .. I'm not sure where I should even begin for this week's post ... I guess I should start with what I learned.  First off, anything in life that SEEMS simply, quick, and easy most likely is complicated, time consuming, and difficult.  Once babies go mobile, they never go back! (Any Jeff Dunham and Peanut fans in the house?)  My wallet should take the entire month of December off, it would make January MUCH easier!  Oh ... one last one this week ... Grandma's + new baby in the family + first Christmas = one house full of every toy they make for his age and development from Christmas Day 2010 through Christmas Eve 2011 ... YIKES!  Good thing we are building a bigger house, I need room for all those toys, and a place to isolate the really annoying ones! ;)  Let's just say this has all been the highlights of my week.

SO, having started this blog, I had intended to post a few updates with recipes and photos etc. of my cooking and baking.  WELL ... that didn't go so well this week.  First off, I made Runza's (OLD family recipe) and yep ... popped 'em in the oven and sat down and looked across the table at my camera.  OK, so my first attempt at a blog photoshoot was a flop on my own mommy-brain.  Live and learn.  Next, I was whipping up some gingerbread cookie dough.  Let it chill for the required 4 hours.  Rolled it out, had a blast decorating and once it was all done, sat down at the table to admire my work, and yep, you guess it - sat there staring at my camera.  Strike two!  Third times a charm, right?  NOT ... whipped up some chicken tortolini soup for dinner the other night ... even took photos this time!  Served up a big bowl and realized that my pasta was utterly horrible!  I was quickly reminded why I make things from scratch :-). 

Alright, so taking some of my own advice ... I got back on the horse and tried, yet again, to have a successful photo blog.  Thank the good Lord, it worked!  Made a couple of super simple recipes for dinner last night and both turned out AMAZING! ... see my next post for recipes and photo how-tos!  Have a great week everybody and Happy Cooking!

Taking a Risk ...

WELCOME!!

I am mounting up for what is going to be quite the ride!  I hope that you will join me each week on my journey as I apply my Fire House background to my Farm House lifestyle.  We will explore together the peaks and valleys of life, marriage, parenthood (and the journey there!), homeschooling, life on the farm, and of course ... all those Fire House and Farm House FOOD favorites along the way!!

Have you ever heard the saying "the hardest part about riding a horse, is the ground"?  Oh boy do I know that all too well!  I think that can be applied to everything we do.  Let me explain ... If you enjoy riding horses, chances are at least once, your backside has met the ground a lot quicker than you'd probably care to admit.  BUT, you get back on and keep going because you love the ride.  Not an equestrian?  No Problem!  This applies to everybody - if you never take that first risk, you will never experience the amazing benefits that come from them.  If I had never went running into a burning building for the first time 10 years ago, I would have never known the rush and thrill it brings and I would have missed out on some of the greatest experiences of my life, including getting to know some of the most amazing people I will ever know (including my husband!!).  Now, enter with caution of course, the ground is quite hard and you can get burned!

So today, as I have many times before ... with a nervous gut, and an empty stomach ... I am taking a risk! (I love Iron Chef America if you couldn't tell!).  I am quickly feeling a bit overwhelmed with this whole blogging world I am entering but hey ... what a journey we are going on together!  So again ... WELCOME and let's get cooking!  :-)