This month is/has/will be a busy one around the farm. If Mother Nature ever gets over her infatuation with winter, maybe we will plant some crops. My Farmer is hoping this is soon. All the usual things are going on that do this time of year. The show calves are spending time daily in the barn with the kids. This year all four of our kids can show. It will likely be interesting. We have a friend with four daughters and I used to tease her about it, say that they were a stand alone class at the cattle show.............guess who will be in those shoes now? ;)
Seth has a little heifer that was one that he bottle fed last summer, she was too young to show at fairs, born end of June, so she is going to be his heifer exhibit. That is really the only one that anyone has laid claim to at this point. We have several steer and heifer prospects and right now 'everyone' is fairly even, I would say as the kids start getting more time in the barn, the 'winners' will rise to the top.
In amongst all else that normally keeps us busy, we have two of our four kids 'graduating' Cody graduates from High School, next Sunday............wow typing those words take my breath away. It honest to goodness really feels like just yesterday, I took him into his Kindergarten classroom. I can remember conversations The Farmer and I had before he started school about what a evolution would take place in the 13 years spent in public school. We couldn't have been more wrong about somethings and hit others dead on, both good and bad things, but that is life.
Our other graduate is Sam, who graduates from grade school about 10 days after his brothers' graduation. Sam is so different from Cody in so many ways. Cody has always been very curious and wanted to soak it all up, as far as academics. Sam, on the other hand, while I believe just as smart, is there because well he has to be. At first he was willing to go to school, because we convinced him in order to be a farmer he had to go, this satisfied him for quite a while. Then he discovered sports, now that is enough incentive, he gladly goes, because that is means to the end. The end for him is on the football field or the wrestling mat. Whatever inspires them, right?
So look forward to planting pictures, if we ever get a break in the weather, graduation pics and stories and of course 'kids and black cows' as coming attractions on our blog. Wanted to share with you as well that I am working a series of 'history' posts. Besides more information on our farm, family farming history; I am working on a history of Tulip. I have read several other blogs lately that had posts on their heritage, so thought that might be something to share here as well. In brief, the land our farm sits on was once a small town. Only two buildings remain, the church and the 'block building' that once housed a blacksmith's shop. That's all the 'trailer' I have for tonight. Just mostly wanted to check in with our followers, haven't gotten to blog as much as I have wanted, but have thought about you all and future posts, so look forward to what's in store.
Posting while listening to it continue to rain, but glad that H&K Farms was NOT one of the places in Missouri that got snow on the 3rd of May,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Friday, May 3, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thankfulness Thursday---The Here and Now
As I sat supervising kids while they worked on assignments today while subbing at school, one of the things I do is brainstorm for blog ideas. I thought of so many things that I could write about, as we seem to perpetually be busy with a million things going on, so inspiration for postings, aren't too hard to come up with. I thought about today's writing prompt, thankfulness. I think about how quickly life passes us by, and then its just over and we think where did the time go? So I will attempt to ramble on and bring it all together. Here goes:
I hope my slightly random list offered a little insight to the feeling of blessedness that our family and farm bring to my soul everyday. With so many people in this world hurting, I feel blessed that today I wasn't one of them and I pray that their future hurts be few and hope that they can see the blessings and are thankful for the here and now.
Remembering my Aunt who taught me a lot about life and knowing she's celebrating her first birthday in Heaven today,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
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| Thankful for this kid (and my other 3) on the eve of some many endings, there are new beginnings for him and us, as parents we are about there with this one, soon we will move from management to consultant, looking forward to see what this one finds out in the world and how quickly he conquers it! BTW, that's his prom tux, we were seeing if it fit last night, they are ordering smaller pants, my Twig is a skinny one! |
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| One look and you have to wonder has she lost her da@# mind? Where's the thankfulness here? Well, this is about the view I have out my back window, this shed is less than 500 feet from my house and my house is untouched, we were blessed last week, it could have been so much worse. Also thought I would show that in between everything else they do, The Farmer and Uncle Honey are slowly but surely, getting it cleaned up. :) |
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| Bless to be a momma to farm kids. Where else in the world is a piece bale wrap and a puppy an afternoon's entertainment? Well here on the farm it can be. I worry sometimes that we maybe haven't given all we could have to our kids, but a free puppy, acres and acres to play on aren't the worst things that they could grow up with. |
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| Always thankful for COWS! Who would have thunk it, granted Sturgeon isn't 'big city' but I was a town kid, almost a quarter century ago, I probably didn't have cows on my thankfulness list. All these years later, I do, everyday. They are very much a part of our life. They provide income, diversity in our farming operation and many life lessons for our children, both happy and sad ones. Yeap the cows make my list! |
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| Hunter has figured out how to escape Macy! Thankful that he reminds me how we always adapt and evolve, regardless of the situation. When I think of the changes over the years, wow! Wouldn't do anything differently and have no interest in wishing away a single minute, so glad to be right where I am today and everyday. |
Remembering my Aunt who taught me a lot about life and knowing she's celebrating her first birthday in Heaven today,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Monday, April 22, 2013
Mondays in Missouri--Tornado Clean-up
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| As they held up sections to pull things out, and worked their way from one end to the other, the roof tipped farther and farther over. |
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| Our good friend, Tim Lewis, brought this machine (of course I don't know what its called) to help. Thanx Buddy! |
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| With the two machines lifting the trusses, slowly the equipment could be pulled out. |
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| This was an important thing to get out. Hooked onto the tractor is our feed grinder and we generally grind about a weeks' worth at a time, so that was going to be a needed item SOON! |
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| Brother in law 'scooped' the glass out of the seat before sitting down and driving the tractor out. |
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| Two guys in 'tractors' and another important set of eyes watching. The man pictured is The Farmer's 'second' dad. A close neighbor and friend, who was the Farmer's dads best friend. Advice from those with more experience, is a blessing when trying to figure out how get this job accomplished. We love Bill Harris! |
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| Aaron Kroeger literally rode on the back of the grinder, holding things out of the way as my brother in law slowly drove it from under the building. |
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| The Big Steiger has a exhaust pipe that will need to be replaced, to start with, the guys will go over all the equipment and figure out what repairs are needed. Not the job that they wanted to do, days before planting begins, but some of the equipment is needed for field work, so there's no other choice. |
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| The beginnings of a 'wood pile'. Can't imagine how large that will get before this project is complete. |
Blessed to have great neighbors and friends who have shown up to help with this big project,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Friday, April 19, 2013
On the Farm Friday--Is this Farmlife or a Roller Coaster?!?!?!
What a wild and crazy last several days around here we have had! Change is constant, which I find kind of an oxymoron, but so true at least at H&K Farms! Let me offer a little recap...............
A week ago last night, The Farmer and I were named 'Agricultural People of the Year' by our town's Chamber of Commerce. It was very neat to be honored, humbling and a feeling of being blessed. As a good friend introduced us, I was reminded of all the things I love about being in rural America. The blessings of community. Also lifelong friendships. In my mind the award was more about DH than myself, so as we listened to other recipients accept their awards, I looked at him and said, 'You're talking' Not that I couldn't have came up with plenty to say and likely would have gotten long winded, I felt like this was the perfect place to focus the emphasis on the man who is my Ag person of the year, EVERY YEAR!
Things 'quieted down' somewhat for a day or two............then along came the severe weather of this last Wednesday night. Let me set the stage. Good ol' Missouri and her unofficial motto, 'If you don't like the weather, wait a while, it'll change' It had been a blustery day and the Farmer came in the house about 5pm, which he generally doesn't do till dark and this time of year, it wasn't dark. They had put 'seeders' in heifers. (that is part of the process to get ready to breed them, in case you were wondering) I kind of gave him the what are you doing in here look and he said, its cold, and nasty and we decided to call it a day. Okay, fine with me, I was doing some computer work when...........
I don't know if the weather service will call it a tornado, but here at Tulip, we are going to call it one. About 5:30 this evening, we got a pounding rain and a little hail. I was doing office work and got this pressure in my ears, like when a plane takes off. About that time The Farmer went to our back door. He could barely open it, it faces to the east. We watched a large piece of tin come off the barn right behind our house. It's laying in the backyard. Moments maybe seconds after that The Farmer said, Oh God, it got the shed! We have a pole barn that houses some of our equipment. Right next to it is a nicer Morton bldg (it was untouched!). The Pole Barn is open to the East and South. It looks like the roof was picked up and possibly spun and then most of it landed back atop the shed. Of course its full of equipment so its resting on top of all of it. The most fragile item is our sprayer and it looks like it has some damage. Not sure about other things. A portion of the roof is quite a ways away from the shed and crumbled up like a piece of paper up in the fence line. We checked our livestock and besides being upset and stirred up, looks like everyone is fine. There was, however, another spot out in our pasture where a bunch of trees are shredded. Thinking it touched down there as well. Quite an evening, but blessed and thankful that all are okay. Thanks for all the words of support. ♥
That was our facebook status that evening................most widely viewed status we've ever shared.
Interesting how natural disaster makes everything else seem trivial. While I realize that there are bigger tragedies every day happening all over the world, this one was in my back yard, LITERALLY and now we have to pick up the pieces, also LITERALLY.
But like all rides, this one comes back around again..............this afternoon we go to watch our first born receive, not one, but two awards. It's our Missouri State FFA Convention this week. This afternoon, along with about 40 other kids who are in a roundabout way part of our extended State Fair family, he receives the 'Youth In Agriculture' Scholarship. This is awarded to kids who are exhibitors of the Missouri State Fair, which he has been since he was 8 yrs old and who plan to continue their educate at a Missouri University, majoring in Agriculture, which he's going to do! The other award is the next rung in the ladder in FFA. He is getting his State Farmer Degree. Its the culmination of the last few years of FFA work and activity involvement.
So I am charging up the camera batteries, and packing some klennex while The Farmer is feeding the cows and seeing that all things are as they should be so that we can go watch the next generation prepare to take their turn on this exciting ride called Agriculture.
Blessed to be on the Farm,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
A week ago last night, The Farmer and I were named 'Agricultural People of the Year' by our town's Chamber of Commerce. It was very neat to be honored, humbling and a feeling of being blessed. As a good friend introduced us, I was reminded of all the things I love about being in rural America. The blessings of community. Also lifelong friendships. In my mind the award was more about DH than myself, so as we listened to other recipients accept their awards, I looked at him and said, 'You're talking' Not that I couldn't have came up with plenty to say and likely would have gotten long winded, I felt like this was the perfect place to focus the emphasis on the man who is my Ag person of the year, EVERY YEAR!
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| David accepting the award very eloquently! |
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| The group of winners, teachers, business people, etc. |
I don't know if the weather service will call it a tornado, but here at Tulip, we are going to call it one. About 5:30 this evening, we got a pounding rain and a little hail. I was doing office work and got this pressure in my ears, like when a plane takes off. About that time The Farmer went to our back door. He could barely open it, it faces to the east. We watched a large piece of tin come off the barn right behind our house. It's laying in the backyard. Moments maybe seconds after that The Farmer said, Oh God, it got the shed! We have a pole barn that houses some of our equipment. Right next to it is a nicer Morton bldg (it was untouched!). The Pole Barn is open to the East and South. It looks like the roof was picked up and possibly spun and then most of it landed back atop the shed. Of course its full of equipment so its resting on top of all of it. The most fragile item is our sprayer and it looks like it has some damage. Not sure about other things. A portion of the roof is quite a ways away from the shed and crumbled up like a piece of paper up in the fence line. We checked our livestock and besides being upset and stirred up, looks like everyone is fine. There was, however, another spot out in our pasture where a bunch of trees are shredded. Thinking it touched down there as well. Quite an evening, but blessed and thankful that all are okay. Thanks for all the words of support. ♥
That was our facebook status that evening................most widely viewed status we've ever shared.
Interesting how natural disaster makes everything else seem trivial. While I realize that there are bigger tragedies every day happening all over the world, this one was in my back yard, LITERALLY and now we have to pick up the pieces, also LITERALLY.
But like all rides, this one comes back around again..............this afternoon we go to watch our first born receive, not one, but two awards. It's our Missouri State FFA Convention this week. This afternoon, along with about 40 other kids who are in a roundabout way part of our extended State Fair family, he receives the 'Youth In Agriculture' Scholarship. This is awarded to kids who are exhibitors of the Missouri State Fair, which he has been since he was 8 yrs old and who plan to continue their educate at a Missouri University, majoring in Agriculture, which he's going to do! The other award is the next rung in the ladder in FFA. He is getting his State Farmer Degree. Its the culmination of the last few years of FFA work and activity involvement.
So I am charging up the camera batteries, and packing some klennex while The Farmer is feeding the cows and seeing that all things are as they should be so that we can go watch the next generation prepare to take their turn on this exciting ride called Agriculture.
Blessed to be on the Farm,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
W4DW--Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
So now that wrestling season is over at our house, at least for a few months, I can go back to baking! So this weeks' recipe is a cookie recipe. It's not my original recipe, but I am more than happy to give credit where it's due. I use the recipe that comes with Crisco Sticks.
Here's the link as well............ The recipe
The only things that I do differently is this, I bake mine slightly under 11 minutes and let them sit on the pan another minute or so. I don't get to put raisins or walnuts in mine, as my family doesn't care for the 'extras'
I baked a batch yesterday, here are a few pictures. :)
Some tools I won't bake cookies without are............the ancient old metal spatula for taking them off the cookie sheet, a double cookie sheet I got over at the Amish last fall, I can still bake a double batch, start to finish in less than 45 minutes with that big guy; and the Pampered Chef Medium Scoop I like the consistent size of the cookies and they are thicker and remain chewy and moist..............not that they last long enough to dry out here anyway.
Enjoying the freedom of post wrestling season and getting my list of to-do's that have been put off checked off,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
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| yes it lives taped inside my cabinet door, although, I have made them often enough, I rarely look closely |
 15 min 12 min 4 dozen
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Here's the link as well............ The recipe
The only things that I do differently is this, I bake mine slightly under 11 minutes and let them sit on the pan another minute or so. I don't get to put raisins or walnuts in mine, as my family doesn't care for the 'extras'
I baked a batch yesterday, here are a few pictures. :)
Some tools I won't bake cookies without are............the ancient old metal spatula for taking them off the cookie sheet, a double cookie sheet I got over at the Amish last fall, I can still bake a double batch, start to finish in less than 45 minutes with that big guy; and the Pampered Chef Medium Scoop I like the consistent size of the cookies and they are thicker and remain chewy and moist..............not that they last long enough to dry out here anyway.
Enjoying the freedom of post wrestling season and getting my list of to-do's that have been put off checked off,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Monday, April 1, 2013
Mondays in Missouri--Budweiser Clydesdales
Clydesdale Ranch Opens for Tours | KOMU.com | Columbia, MO |
About 40 miles from home is a new 'attraction' that many may not know of. There is a breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdales in Cooper County Missouri. Many will remember the new baby in the Budweiser Super Bowl commercial. Her name is Hope, she lives there with her momma, along with the first male baby born this year who was named Stan, after Stan 'The Man' Musial. You can go on tours and see these beautiful animals. It's officially open today.
Thinking that Jenna and I will have to go on a 'field trip' soon and see them. We will report back when we do!
Enjoying the sunny day, wishing it was a little warmer and thinking its about time to plant some garden,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
About 40 miles from home is a new 'attraction' that many may not know of. There is a breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdales in Cooper County Missouri. Many will remember the new baby in the Budweiser Super Bowl commercial. Her name is Hope, she lives there with her momma, along with the first male baby born this year who was named Stan, after Stan 'The Man' Musial. You can go on tours and see these beautiful animals. It's officially open today.
Thinking that Jenna and I will have to go on a 'field trip' soon and see them. We will report back when we do!
Enjoying the sunny day, wishing it was a little warmer and thinking its about time to plant some garden,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Silent Sunday--Wrestling and Easter
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| Opening Ceremony, State Wrestling |
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| First Win! |
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| I love to catch the ref slapping the mat as Sam pins a kid! |
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| Another Pin! |
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| 190# bracket, medal winners on the podium! |
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| Sam and Seth after the medal ceremony |
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| 6 little Easter Egg hunters this afternoon |
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Thankfulness Thursday--Our Wrestling Family
Today begins the Grand Finale of my middle son's youth/club wrestling career. Tonight is the weigh-in's and tomorrow and Saturday is the State Wrestling Tournament. When I think back to his first year as a 1st grader, I can't believe what a ride it has been. We went from knowing NOTHING about wrestling. The boys convinced me that this would be a great sport to participate in since it wasn't over summer. They never really got to participate in Little League Baseball as it competed with their other summer love, cattle showing. At the time, the only other thing that they did was 4-H, so I thought okay. We had a pretty good set-up, our neighbors, the Schmidts were in charge of it, so that helped with rides. Two other neighbor boys joined the same year, so we did lots of carpooling.
I will admit I spent the first few years missing my winter love--basketball. But how does that song go, if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with................Well 8 years later, that is certainly the case, my family loves our wrestling family very much. Not sure I can describe it, but you all know me and of course I am going to ramble on and attempt to!
For Youth Club Wrestling, endurance is the name of the game. The season begins in the fall, just as football is winding up. Practices at least twice a week throughout the season gets long, especially for moms who are drives back and forth, 20 miles round trip for each practice, and of course that's saying that I stay in town for the practice, sometimes in order to maintain civil obedience at home there was a mad dash bad home to finish up supper, progress homework supervision, whatever was the fire to be put out that night and that was just in the last few years. When the big boys first started wrestling our little kids were basically babies........... that as some of the younger moms in our club can attest has its own set of obstacles to overcome just to get kids to practice.
The next point on endurance would be that there aren't many schools around that offer wrestling, we only have one or two tournaments a year that are closer than a hours' drive away. But let me put that in context, for most tournaments, which are held on Saturdays throughout December, January and February, we had to be on the school campus usually around 7am, so with your math skills, add in that hour drive, probably around another hour of getting ready, getting kids up, packing the cooler, etc.......... to say we are wild party animals on a night before a tournament would probably be a SLIGHT exxageration! Bedtime is strictly enforced, mostly so mom can get enough rest to make it all happen the next morning.
Okay it's 7:05am, your son made weight, is happily eating his biscuits and gravy from the concession stand................now let's get ready to rumble! No? Oh yeah the tournament has 47 scratches and has to rework over half the brackets, will we start on time, probably not. Okay, say we did start on time, most of these tournaments hosted a few hundred, yes I said a FEW HUNDRED wrestlers............so we have to take our turn. Everyone gets some mat time. After the local talent shares the National anthem hopefully sometime shortly after 9am, they do get ready to rumble! They start with the little guys, approximately 40 pound 6 year olds and so on until they get to guys like Sam, 190 pound 14 year olds. Every wrestler works his way through his bracket every Saturday. Sometimes he's in a 4 man round robin or he might be in a 16 man double elimination bracket, you really never know for sure what you will get. You might get bumped a weight class, I have even seen kids get bumped an age class just so everyone has someone to wrestle.
By the time say 300 boys wrestle an average of 4 times, taking their turn on a huge mat that covers the entire gym floor, around 8 matches going on at a time, if the hosting club is organized and keeps things rolling, if you've done the math and I didn't this time, because I know the approximate answer................you are there ALL DAY....... average time to leave a tournament is about 3pm, if you have an older boy, likely its later. I have said this next phrase so many times, those who have heard it over and over are probably tired of it, but most of you blog followers may not have heard, so here goes, I describe those tournaments as '9 hours of sitting for 9 minutes of wrestling...............and if your son is having a good year, sometimes not even 9 minutes'
For Youth Wrestling we have our very own March Madness and that's our District, Regional and State Tournament Series. This weekend is the finale of that series, Missouri wrestlers from all over the state will head to St. Louis for our biggest tournament. For some kids it will be their first trip, for others, like our family, its our last trip. Not every kid gets this far. We have been lucky enough that Sam has qualified three times. It takes a lot of planning and organizing to get there, but what a neat end to the season.
I have shared most of this post from the eyes of a parent, what I have to do to make this happen for my kid, and this post is certainly not about me. There are some very important people that after I get my wrestler to practice, take over and are a very important part of his season and really his life. That would be the coaches. Some are the dads of kids wrestling, some are older boys who have recently 'retired' their headgear...............all of them volunteer their time to make my son the best wrestler he can be. For that, I am not sure that I can thank them each and everyone enough. There are no words. When you see your son have that relationship with another adult, one who can teach them things that you can't its heartwarming.
There's Mike Vitale who could stop Sam's bloody noses in record time, besides his nursing skills, he's a great technique coach as well and always has a funny story to share. There's Tim Gilbert who among the many wrestling skills he taught the boys is a great example for them to follow about how to grow up to be a responsible community member who gives back. There's Bryan Schmidt who has probably forgot more about wrestling than the rest of us will ever know. He can find that switch in every kid that makes them take off and do their very best. Gale Adams and Pete Schmersahl, some of the greatest conditioning coaches the boys ever had, they both say that. Pete Anders, who my oldest always said no matter how loud it was, he could always hear Pete.
Kevin Jennings, what 6 foot plus guy is involved in wrestling? A guy who would do anything for his kids and mine, I think he probably gets the perfect attendance award, can't remember too many tournaments that he ever missed, especially if we were sure to tell him some one was bringing Mt Dew. Eric Logsdon will tell you, he doesn't know a thing about wrestling, but what he does know is that he is behind these boys and supports them 100%, and that to a mom is about as important as the skills taught, they need to know someone is on their side.
As we progressed through the years, with younger wrestlers beginning, we got to know more coaches. Casey Gallegos, girl coach extraordinaire.........better not call her a girl or she will show you just how tough a woman has to be to be a part of the wrestling world. Two other coaches that come to mind are two that aren't just coaches to us, they are good family friends, which make them even more effective coaches for our son, Jason Cooley and Dwain Shelton, they know what Sam can do on and off the mat, because they see him both places and they can play to those strengths and get so much out of him.
This last year, there have been three of Sam's "older brothers" around, Marc and Mitch Schmidt and Austin McBride. They can work with Sam in ways that the adults can't as they used to wrestle with him, just a few years older, they remember the mat quite vividly and can still be his wrestling partner at practice and have gave him so many more skills. There's one other person that no I haven't forgot to mention, but they say save the best for last and that's got to be without a doubt, John Gramke. John not only has the skills to teach the boys, he finds a way to teach each one of them, in the way that works best for that kid. This last year, he hasn't been at the youth tournaments since his kids are all older, but every time, Sam always says did you text John? He still values his opinion and I think always will. He's another one of those guys who besides teaching the kids a sport he has taught them many life lessons as well.
Like so many other youth activities there are many people volunteering many hours to make it all happen. As parents we appreciate your labor of love and we love each and everyone of you for it.
I could go on and on about my love of wrestling and likely there will be a few more posts in the next few days on this theme but its about my turn in the at the motel in the shower,
NOT From Tulip (from STL)~
KH
:)
PS--I probably missed several people, but know even if I didn't get everyone named, the sentiment is the same to all of you!
 |
| Win at Camdenton, this year. |
For Youth Club Wrestling, endurance is the name of the game. The season begins in the fall, just as football is winding up. Practices at least twice a week throughout the season gets long, especially for moms who are drives back and forth, 20 miles round trip for each practice, and of course that's saying that I stay in town for the practice, sometimes in order to maintain civil obedience at home there was a mad dash bad home to finish up supper, progress homework supervision, whatever was the fire to be put out that night and that was just in the last few years. When the big boys first started wrestling our little kids were basically babies........... that as some of the younger moms in our club can attest has its own set of obstacles to overcome just to get kids to practice.
The next point on endurance would be that there aren't many schools around that offer wrestling, we only have one or two tournaments a year that are closer than a hours' drive away. But let me put that in context, for most tournaments, which are held on Saturdays throughout December, January and February, we had to be on the school campus usually around 7am, so with your math skills, add in that hour drive, probably around another hour of getting ready, getting kids up, packing the cooler, etc.......... to say we are wild party animals on a night before a tournament would probably be a SLIGHT exxageration! Bedtime is strictly enforced, mostly so mom can get enough rest to make it all happen the next morning.
Okay it's 7:05am, your son made weight, is happily eating his biscuits and gravy from the concession stand................now let's get ready to rumble! No? Oh yeah the tournament has 47 scratches and has to rework over half the brackets, will we start on time, probably not. Okay, say we did start on time, most of these tournaments hosted a few hundred, yes I said a FEW HUNDRED wrestlers............so we have to take our turn. Everyone gets some mat time. After the local talent shares the National anthem hopefully sometime shortly after 9am, they do get ready to rumble! They start with the little guys, approximately 40 pound 6 year olds and so on until they get to guys like Sam, 190 pound 14 year olds. Every wrestler works his way through his bracket every Saturday. Sometimes he's in a 4 man round robin or he might be in a 16 man double elimination bracket, you really never know for sure what you will get. You might get bumped a weight class, I have even seen kids get bumped an age class just so everyone has someone to wrestle.
By the time say 300 boys wrestle an average of 4 times, taking their turn on a huge mat that covers the entire gym floor, around 8 matches going on at a time, if the hosting club is organized and keeps things rolling, if you've done the math and I didn't this time, because I know the approximate answer................you are there ALL DAY....... average time to leave a tournament is about 3pm, if you have an older boy, likely its later. I have said this next phrase so many times, those who have heard it over and over are probably tired of it, but most of you blog followers may not have heard, so here goes, I describe those tournaments as '9 hours of sitting for 9 minutes of wrestling...............and if your son is having a good year, sometimes not even 9 minutes'
For Youth Wrestling we have our very own March Madness and that's our District, Regional and State Tournament Series. This weekend is the finale of that series, Missouri wrestlers from all over the state will head to St. Louis for our biggest tournament. For some kids it will be their first trip, for others, like our family, its our last trip. Not every kid gets this far. We have been lucky enough that Sam has qualified three times. It takes a lot of planning and organizing to get there, but what a neat end to the season.
I have shared most of this post from the eyes of a parent, what I have to do to make this happen for my kid, and this post is certainly not about me. There are some very important people that after I get my wrestler to practice, take over and are a very important part of his season and really his life. That would be the coaches. Some are the dads of kids wrestling, some are older boys who have recently 'retired' their headgear...............all of them volunteer their time to make my son the best wrestler he can be. For that, I am not sure that I can thank them each and everyone enough. There are no words. When you see your son have that relationship with another adult, one who can teach them things that you can't its heartwarming.
There's Mike Vitale who could stop Sam's bloody noses in record time, besides his nursing skills, he's a great technique coach as well and always has a funny story to share. There's Tim Gilbert who among the many wrestling skills he taught the boys is a great example for them to follow about how to grow up to be a responsible community member who gives back. There's Bryan Schmidt who has probably forgot more about wrestling than the rest of us will ever know. He can find that switch in every kid that makes them take off and do their very best. Gale Adams and Pete Schmersahl, some of the greatest conditioning coaches the boys ever had, they both say that. Pete Anders, who my oldest always said no matter how loud it was, he could always hear Pete.
Kevin Jennings, what 6 foot plus guy is involved in wrestling? A guy who would do anything for his kids and mine, I think he probably gets the perfect attendance award, can't remember too many tournaments that he ever missed, especially if we were sure to tell him some one was bringing Mt Dew. Eric Logsdon will tell you, he doesn't know a thing about wrestling, but what he does know is that he is behind these boys and supports them 100%, and that to a mom is about as important as the skills taught, they need to know someone is on their side.
As we progressed through the years, with younger wrestlers beginning, we got to know more coaches. Casey Gallegos, girl coach extraordinaire.........better not call her a girl or she will show you just how tough a woman has to be to be a part of the wrestling world. Two other coaches that come to mind are two that aren't just coaches to us, they are good family friends, which make them even more effective coaches for our son, Jason Cooley and Dwain Shelton, they know what Sam can do on and off the mat, because they see him both places and they can play to those strengths and get so much out of him.
This last year, there have been three of Sam's "older brothers" around, Marc and Mitch Schmidt and Austin McBride. They can work with Sam in ways that the adults can't as they used to wrestle with him, just a few years older, they remember the mat quite vividly and can still be his wrestling partner at practice and have gave him so many more skills. There's one other person that no I haven't forgot to mention, but they say save the best for last and that's got to be without a doubt, John Gramke. John not only has the skills to teach the boys, he finds a way to teach each one of them, in the way that works best for that kid. This last year, he hasn't been at the youth tournaments since his kids are all older, but every time, Sam always says did you text John? He still values his opinion and I think always will. He's another one of those guys who besides teaching the kids a sport he has taught them many life lessons as well.
Like so many other youth activities there are many people volunteering many hours to make it all happen. As parents we appreciate your labor of love and we love each and everyone of you for it.
I could go on and on about my love of wrestling and likely there will be a few more posts in the next few days on this theme but its about my turn in the at the motel in the shower,
NOT From Tulip (from STL)~
KH
:)
PS--I probably missed several people, but know even if I didn't get everyone named, the sentiment is the same to all of you!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
What's for Dinner Wednesday--Coconut Cream Pie (not faking it, all from scratch!)
Well last night as I ate a less than wonderful new recipe that I had planned to share today, I wondered, what will I post for What's for Dinner Wednesday? Throughout the week, there are two days I try to never miss, today and Saturday (or sometimes Sunday, whichever one) that is 'Silent' (just pictures and captions) These are the two easiest ones for me to come up with and since I cook 15 to 20 meals a week, finding something to write about is usually simple as well. While working around the house I threw together the items for a crockpot dish that I had ran across that LOOKED mouthwatering............. when we had it last night, eh, not so much. So that was the basis of my dilemma...
As I lay in bed last night, for some reason the time change still seems to be affecting me, I lay in bed at night and can't go to sleep, then drag around in the mornings......... Finally I came up with the recipe to share. For me, it isn't totally so much about the recipe, it's partly that I wouldn't have a picture of just anything to share..........which I realize shouldn't matter. Case in point, the recipe I had tried that LOOKED pretty and didn't deliver from supper.
This last weekend our church had their annual Pie Auction. This year we raised money for the Relay for life, as we have a team within the church this year. Normally I steer pretty clear of pie baking. My mother in law is a master and her pies are known for miles and miles (I am not exaggerating, they rock!) Since she does a great job, I just generally don't try to compete. But, this event is about the auction. While I sometimes just go with what I know and bake a batch of cookies. Cookies ARE my thing, I would put mine up against anyone.
I sucked it up this year and got to work Saturday afternoon. First the crust, and here's The Farmer's mothers recipe: 3cups flour, 1 cup shortening (or LARD, she always uses it, if she has it on hand, but I can't bring myself to so mine is usually good ol' Crisco) 3/4 cup water, and 1 tsp salt.
Cut the shortening into the flour/salt mixture, then mix in water. She says you can get 3 bottoms, 2 tops out of this recipe, I do good to get 2 and 2............but alas, I am not pie baker. ;)
For the Coconut Cream pie, you need a baked pie crust, which I baked mine about 15 minutes at 375. While it was baking, I made the filling and meringue.
For Meringue, 4 egg whites, beat until frothy. Then add 6 tablespoons of sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
For filling, in a small bowl, beat 4 egg yolks and sit aside. In a medium sized saucepan cook 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 cups of milk. Cook over medium high heat until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly. Continue to to boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Add about 1/4 of the hot mixture to the beaten eggs and combine well, then add back to the sauce pan. Cook and stir over medium heat for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and quickly add in 2 Tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 cup of flaked coconut. Pour into pie shell.
Add the meringue to the top, making sure to seal it to the edges of the pie crust. Sprinkle a little more of the coconut and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the meringue and coconut are toasted.
I would never call myself a pie baker, but I would like to invite anyone to try this recipe, I think if I can make it, anyone can. The only thing I will say is that last Saturday, I only made HALF of the pie crust recipe and had some 'leftover' that got thrown away. (my kids were mad, Grandma usually bakes the extra and puts cinnamon and sugar on it for them, sigh) This recipe can made in about 1 hour, probably more like 45 minutes. So in my opinion, that qualifies it as a quick dessert and it certainly WOWS the crowd.
If you get time to try, please let me know how it turned out for you. And if you are a master pie baker like my MIL, please share any tips! :)
Looking forward to the end of wrestling season so I can go back to cooking and baking anything I want to and the guy watching his weight can eat whatever he likes as well,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
As I lay in bed last night, for some reason the time change still seems to be affecting me, I lay in bed at night and can't go to sleep, then drag around in the mornings......... Finally I came up with the recipe to share. For me, it isn't totally so much about the recipe, it's partly that I wouldn't have a picture of just anything to share..........which I realize shouldn't matter. Case in point, the recipe I had tried that LOOKED pretty and didn't deliver from supper.
This last weekend our church had their annual Pie Auction. This year we raised money for the Relay for life, as we have a team within the church this year. Normally I steer pretty clear of pie baking. My mother in law is a master and her pies are known for miles and miles (I am not exaggerating, they rock!) Since she does a great job, I just generally don't try to compete. But, this event is about the auction. While I sometimes just go with what I know and bake a batch of cookies. Cookies ARE my thing, I would put mine up against anyone.
I sucked it up this year and got to work Saturday afternoon. First the crust, and here's The Farmer's mothers recipe: 3cups flour, 1 cup shortening (or LARD, she always uses it, if she has it on hand, but I can't bring myself to so mine is usually good ol' Crisco) 3/4 cup water, and 1 tsp salt.
Cut the shortening into the flour/salt mixture, then mix in water. She says you can get 3 bottoms, 2 tops out of this recipe, I do good to get 2 and 2............but alas, I am not pie baker. ;)
For the Coconut Cream pie, you need a baked pie crust, which I baked mine about 15 minutes at 375. While it was baking, I made the filling and meringue.
For Meringue, 4 egg whites, beat until frothy. Then add 6 tablespoons of sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
For filling, in a small bowl, beat 4 egg yolks and sit aside. In a medium sized saucepan cook 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 cups of milk. Cook over medium high heat until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly. Continue to to boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Add about 1/4 of the hot mixture to the beaten eggs and combine well, then add back to the sauce pan. Cook and stir over medium heat for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and quickly add in 2 Tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 cup of flaked coconut. Pour into pie shell.
Add the meringue to the top, making sure to seal it to the edges of the pie crust. Sprinkle a little more of the coconut and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the meringue and coconut are toasted.
 |
| My finished pie ready for Auction |
If you get time to try, please let me know how it turned out for you. And if you are a master pie baker like my MIL, please share any tips! :)
Looking forward to the end of wrestling season so I can go back to cooking and baking anything I want to and the guy watching his weight can eat whatever he likes as well,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Tune in Tuesdays--In the Garden
So the other night we were watching the Alan Jackson 'Precious Memories' show on GAC. Now I love Alan Jackson for his country music, but this album was all gospel music. As we sat watching it, AJ started singing, 'In the Garden' I had noticed Sam perk up. I asked do you like this song, to which he answered, I guess. I went on to tell him that this was the song I used to sing to him when he was a baby rocking in my lap. His answer to that brought tears to my eyes, when he replied, "Then that must be why that song is always in my head, I never knew why I knew it so well." Thankfully he went back to playing his iPod and didn't ask anything else, as I sat there in tears, I wouldn't have been able to answer anything else.
As parents we wonder if we really have any influence in what our kids think, those words reassured me in that moment that my 'words/song' would always be in his head. It's been a rough time in my family with my Aunt who we all dearly love getting so close to the end of her life. Her mother, my Grandmother, loved the song, 'In the Garden' It was played at her funeral, and for years, I couldn't hear it without crying. And the song still makes me think of her. It makes me think of all those I love, now I can hear it and be reassured that the next generation knows love, HIS Love, and that he walks with us and talks with us, even if we don't know where the love came from, we can hear it in our heads.
For anyone who is interested in the Alan Jackson Gospel CD, it's available here. Also today he is releasing Precious Memories II here. I added CD links, but I believe both are available in other formats.
Adding this post while sitting here trying to keep my feet warm wearing my 14 yr olds slippers which are WAY to big for me and feeling blessed to have him in my life,
From Tulip~
KH
:)
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