Making sacrifice is tough stuff for this momma!

I am fairly indecisive. Always have been. I have trouble deciding what restaurant to eat at, what furniture to buy, what to wear to work and what color to paint my nails. Though, I do like having options and I am always up for seeking assistance in making decisions.

Here's where you come in ...

Being a new mom, I make decisions for Baby RayRay everyday. And many times, those decisions affect my life, which is completely fine, though not always easy.

Here's the situation ...

I have lots of hobbies, lots of things I am involved in and that I love doing. I bet you can see where this is going ...

Since I have become a full-time working mommy, I have began to sift through some of those hobbies letting go of things I no longer feel I can dedicate my time to. Because for me, my priorities right now are my family, my full-time job and everything else.

Everything else includes my church, working out, my 4-H club, my horse, my cows, my blog, my Mary Kay business, my involvement with local and state farm groups and so on and so forth.

As for the horse, she is the one who comes into play here. I bought her in 2008 as a companion to my main horse - Jack (who I had owned since 1989). When my beloved Jack passed away in January of 2010 (I love him and miss him to this day!), Roxy became a lone wolf. During this time I was pregnant so she didn't get a whole lot of attention. Then when RayRay was born, she got even less attention.

You may remember I rode her for the first time (after 20 months of non-riding) just this past June. It was better than I could've imagined. Roxy was a total sweetheart and it was beyond wonderful to be "back in the saddle." Well that was June and I've probably ridden 4 or 5 times since then (now nearly October). In addition to that, since Big D tore down my rusty ole' horse barn, we had to move her to a stable. So now, we're paying to "board" her which is near the equivalent of having a second child at daycare. And it doesn't look like that situation is going to change in the near term (more on that later!).

As I begin to think about having another child someday, I can easily imagine even less amount of time that I will have to spend with her. And she totally deserves the time.

Also, something else I've been thinking about it ... is teaching RayRay how to ride. Of course, this is something I want to do. I learned to ride when I was about 4 and have been riding ever since. There are only a few things in life that I believe I am good at and this is one of them. I mean I don't mean to brag or boast, cause I'm not like that. But ya know while I wasn't athletic or super smart growing up, I sure could show my horse and win a few blue ribbons at the county fair.

However, Roxy is not a kid-safe kinda horse. In fact, she is a retired racehorse, a Thoroughbred. Though she is a sweetheart, I'm not about to put my child on a horse that I know can run at a supersonic rate of speed. I want an old, yet responsive horse, that knows what to do and how to take care of a novice rider.

So basically I'm thinking about selling Roxy (or trying to). This breaks my heart, because it means I won't own a horse (for the first time since 1989) anymore and how will I KNOW if she's going to a nice home. And will Big D allow me to get another horse someday, he says YES, but why do I tend not to believe him.

I want to know how did you make those big sacrifices for your family of something you truly loved, but just didn't have time for anymore?


And when your kids were older, did you resume your favorite pastime. 

I have "advertised" my horse as "for sale." Though, I'm not sure in my heart of hearts I want to sell her. People have asked me for info on her, but I really don't want to give them any.

But it's not about me as much any more - it's about RayRay. How can I make these kinds of decisions without compromising my role as an awesome momma or losing sight of my very unique self?

Roast Beef & Pepper Panini: Recipe #8 from Ready, Set, Eat!

I have to admit, I'm not super experimental in the kitchen. It may be because Big D is so super picky. And I tend to like to cook things that I'm confident I know everyone will love instead of cooking something questionable and being forced to give up and fix PB&Js. Well I went out on a limb here a little when I surprised Big D with these Roast Beef & Pepper Paninis. It wasn't grilled cheese or ham & cheese ... therefore it was subject to big time scrutiny. And I think ... he liked them ... because they were eaten so fast that I didn't get a chance to snap an after shot.

Slowly, but surely I'm making my way through 10 recipes of Gooseberry Patch's Ready, Set, Eat as part of the "In the Kitchen" series with the Real Farmwives of America. Thanks for being patient! As soon as I'm finished I'll be giving away my second copy of Ready, Set, Eat!

Roast Beef & Pepper Panini

Ingredients

8 slices of Italian bread

8 slices of roast beef

4 slices of mozzarella cheese

8 oz jar of roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

2 T green olives

1 T olive oil

Directions

Top 4 slices of bread with roast beef, cheese, peppers and olives (I actually omitted these since I didn't have any in my pantry.  Brush oil over both sides. Heat in large skillet until golden and cheese is melted. Your favorite sandwich shop couldn't make them any tastier. And no sandwich press is necessary, but if you have one that's a bonus!

Lash Love Giveaway!!!

Have you dreamed of long, lovely, romantic lashes?

Ok ... so you probably haven't dreamed about it, but I bet it's been on your mind as you peruse the beauty aisle at your local convenience store looking for a mascara that won't clump, dry out or get icky black stuff all over your eyes.

Whelp, Mary Kay has launched a great new lash definer that will blow you away. I'm serious it's amazing! And this is coming from a girl who doesn't have those naturally, long, sexy lashes. I need all the help I can get and I'm in love with MK Lash Love! It's super easy to apply, doesn't leave a mess and your lashes look absolutely fabulous without all the hassle of glued on fake lashes.

So - how about a chance to win some Lash Love in I heart Black or I heart Brown! You can earn entries in  this fun little fab giveaway I'm hosting by .... 

• Leaving a comment here telling me if you love your lashes in sexy black or sassy brown! 
• Following Hoosier Farm Babe through Google Friend Connect
• Following @MegFoster on Twitter
• Becoming a Fan of Hoosier Farm Babe on Facebook
• Tweeting a link to this giveaway on Twitter
  
  *Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.
  
  The Lash Love giveaway will end on Monday, Oct. 3 at midnight. I will announce a winner on Tuesday, Oct. 4!
  Good luck lovelys!

Love for Leontien!

We sent men to the moon in 1969, we've got computers about the size of post-its and we can even make biodiesel out of algae, but we still don't have a cure for cancer. 

Unbelievable.  

Well you know what, screw cancer, screw cancer for taking lives too soon, causing heartache and pain and for just being plain difficult.

Whatever it takes WE WILL FIND A CURE, cancer ... so you might as well give up. In fact, I've got a friend, she's a dairy gal too, who is about ready to KICK YOUR BUTT (again), cancer! 

Miss Leontien at Four Leaf Clover Tales is battling the evil that is cancer for the second time. 

Today is Leontien's day. She needs your prayers and all the lovin' and support we can send her way. The Real Farmwives of America have created a Facebook page called "Love for Leontien" so please "like" her page - give her any encouragement you can. I bet you know someone who has battled cancer and won - I know I do.


And Leontien - I want nothing else but for you to join that group of survivors by kicking the crap out of cancer!

I'm sending some big time prayers up to Him, Miss Leontien for you today and everyday until I know you're Ok. Here are some passages that I hope give you some extra strength as you battle forward and take comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4 


Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6

What it's really like to be married to a farmer

Or maybe I should say "What it's really like to be married to MY farmer." Because as we know - he is my crazy-pig-farmer-hubby and my experience is probably at least a little unique.

You are alone a lot
In the spring and the fall - I am basically a single mom since he is out in the field getting the crops planted, sprayed, ground worked or crops harvested. In addition to that, 365 days a year, 52 weeks a year, 7 days a week, 10-12 hours a day - he is taking care of our hogs and managing the farm. Meaning, we can't always go to events I want to go to, vacations and getaways have to be well-timed and generally, I do all the planning. And sometimes things happen and our plans are cancelled and it can be heart-breaking. Since I grew up on a farm, I sorta knew what I was getting myself into when I married a farmer - but that doesn't always make it easy. I don't always like to go shopping alone, to my parents house alone, my in-laws house alone, to dinners alone and events alone - but I do - and I understand. And my daughter - she essentially goes everywhere with me (besides work) - because Big D isn't necessarily in the house in the evenings - he can't always play babysitter when I'm out and about. So she goes on errands with me - she goes to the mailbox with me - she goes to evening meetings with me - hair appointments - you name it - she is probably with me. It's tiring at times - but I just can't stand to sit in the house and not go out and do things. And when Big D can join us - it's amazing - I love our time as a FAMILY - I cherish it. If it's something I really, really want to do as a family - he will plan his day - and join us. He makes the effort and I appreciate that.

He doesn't do yard work
Sometimes I joke with friends that I wonder what it would be like if Big D worked an 8-5 job. My guy does NOT work 8-5 and he does not work 5 days a week and have 15 days of vacation. Oftentimes, he gets home after dark and works every weekend, with essentially ZERO vacation days unless I plan them in - which I do. He really doesn't have TIME for yard work - so if I want it done - I better just roll up my sleeves and plan on doing it myself!

The laundry is BAD
When Big D comes in the house - his clothes smell, his hat smells and his boots - oh my! - are sometimes so disgusting that I make him turn around and put them right back outside even if it's means them getting rained on. I don't have a new fancy front-loader washing machine - mine is actually pretty old - but it does the trick amazingly of washing his dirty work-wear and not necessarily helping it smell good, but at least it won't smell like pig poo anymore.

The honey-do list gets done slowly
I have had items on the honey-do list from 6 years ago that still haven't been finished. I have outlets in our bedroom that the man still hasn't installed. Why ... you might've guessed it, because he doesn't have time. And when he does - I want the guy to relax, take it easy and enjoy spending time with his family as opposed to giving him a list of tasks to tackle. I think that makes me a nice wifey, don't you?

The house is dirty
Since we live right on the farm and my husband's occupation is farming - particles from the farm are constantly making there way into our home. The dust, at times, seems unmanagable. The dirt needs swept up daily. Grass, mud, manure, straw, hay, corn, soybeans, bugs and cobwebs are just a few of the joys I clean up on a daily basis. I can't even imagine managing the dirt situation once RayRay is trotting back and forth across the farm and then in the house ...

But there are advantages too ...

Having an in-house handy-man
He can plumb, he can paint, he can fix electrical issues, he is a carpenter, he can assemble stuff, he can fix problems - he is an amazing handy-man and has a tool for just about anything! And that my friends, is absolutely priceless!

He comes to my rescue
I have ran out of gas on the interstate, gotten myself in desperate situations, near-death accidents, locked my keys in my car, forgotten my keys, forgotten my purse, ran out of money, and been crying so uncontrollably that I couldn't drive myself home and the farmer always comes to my rescue. He is my favorite superhero always saving me!

He works hard
You probably already caught that by now. He works hard everyday to support our family - he has a tremendous work ethic and takes pride in owning and operating his own business. He is ambitious, sets goals and dreams big. In the end, everything that he does is to ensure a better future for our children - that if they wish to return to the farm one-day it will be there to help support their families. I love that about my farmer.

He cleans up real good
One minute he is covered in dirt and the next he is looking like a Banana Republic model. The man cleans up real good, but for some reason - I find him at his sexiest when he's got his boots on.

Being married to a farmer certainly isn't glamorous, as you can see. But I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. But more than that I love MY farmer - dirty laundry and all - he is a great husband, partner, best friend and father to Baby RayRay.

 For my fellow Real Farmwives of America, what's REALLY like to be married to YOUR farmer?

Wordless Wednesday: Best Buds

Whenever Grace is laying on her doggie bed, Baby RayRay comes running over and HAS to lay with her. She cozies up to our sweet and mostly patient Lab, smiles and then starts giggling uncontrollably. It is THE. CUTEST. THING. EVER!

Best buds!

Linked to the following Wordless Wednesday parties:

Pinke Post

live and love...outloud

Dagmar*s momsense

Project Alicia

Slow-Cooker Lasagna

As a busy full-time workin' momma, with many times, too much on my plate - I rely on my trusty crock pot for simple, wholesome meals without the hassle of actually physically being in the kitchen. I like it when someone else does all the work once and while.

Case in point - this weekend.

My sweet Baby RayRay was diagnosed with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Sounds pretty scary - well the poor girl - looked terrible ... red rash all over her pretty face, stomach, hands, legs, feet and butt. We took her into the doc on Friday and she gave us a prescription for ointment to zap that ugly rash right off of her cute butt. So because of all of that - we decided to stay home on Saturday - as opposed to infecting other innocent children out in public. And I wanted to focus 100 percent of my attention on Baby RayRay and not in the kitchen! She is sooo much better today (by the way) - thank goodness!

Anyways, I've seen tons of crock pot recipes floating around the blogosphere lately - so I decided to post at least one of my own. This Slow-Cooker Lasagna recipe I actually picked up from Farm World Newspaper. And for those of you who don't know me outside of my Hoosier Farm Babe bloggyness - Farm World is where I pick up my bacon. Let me restate that ... I bring home the bacon from Farm World. It's where I've worked as associate editor for nearly 5 years. Holy smoke - time flies! Over the years of workdom, I've picked up some great recipes from our Home and Family section and this is just one example. Hope you enjoy it! One thing I liked about this Slow-Cooker Lasagna recipe is there is no layering!

Without further ado, the recipe ....

Slow-Cooker Lasagna
Makes six servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 4-6 hours
1 pound Italian Sausage
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles, broken into 2-inch pieces (9 ounces)
12 ounces ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (12 ounces)
2 jars pasta sauce (26 ounces each)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
Spray interior of slow cooker with non-stick vegetable spray. In medium skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage until brown. Place in slow cooker.
Add noodles, ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, pasta sauce and parsley. Stir gently to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Five minutes before serving, top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover to melt cheese.
Ingredients:
Makes six servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 4-6 hours
1 pound Italian Sausage
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles, broken into 2-inch pieces (9 ounces)
12 ounces ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 jars pasta sauce
1 tablespoon dried parsley

Directions:

 Cook sausage

 Spray crock pot with no-stick spray ... or if you have one ... use one of those nifty liners!

 Break noodles into 2-inch pieces.  Add sausage and noodles to pot.

 Add two cups of cheese.

 Add ricotta.

 Add sauce and parsley.

Cook for 4-6 hours. Top with remaining cheese. Serves 6!

Speedy Sausage with Black-Eye Peas: Recipe #7 from Ready, Set, Eat!

This recipe from Gooseberry Patch's Ready, Set, Eat! cookbook is way out of the norm of things I usually like to cook, but much to my surprise I really liked it. It definitely gave me the feeling of authentic German fare ... mmm I do love me some schnitzel and sauerkraut!

I rounded out this super speedy, EASY, meaty meal with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was yum all the way around!

Ingredients:
1 pound pork sausage
1 can of black-eye peas, drained
4 oz. can of diced jalapenos, drained
1/2 cup chopped onion

Directions:

 Cook sausage, onion and jalapenos over medium heat.

 Add black-eye peas, heat and that's it! Dinner is served in a super jiffy!



What I Wore Wednesday!

Have you ever been in a fashion rut when everything in your closet just looks boring, dull, old and just plain un-fun? Girl, I know ... we've all been there!

What's a gal to do ... go shopping, of course! I picked up this cute polka-dot top with ruffles at Kohl's recently for under $20 and paired it with a cute cardigan with velvet trim that I bought at a Forever 21 outlet store last fall for $12, jeggings (I seriously LOVE jeggings, by the way!) from Gap, black Steve Madden flats and a black drape necklace.

Everything except the polka-dot top, I was able to scrounge up in my closet. Sometimes all it takes is one new item to make a fabulous new outfit! If I'm feeling super fab next time, maybe I'll go with my black knee-high stilleto boots and black cropped leather jacket. Ow-ow!

Linked to What I Wore Wednesday