Husband update

I just don't know how time gets away from me so fast. Seems like just yesterday I had posted. Anyhow, after many doctor visits, squeezing and cutting, stuffing and un-stuffing we have finally been told that the infection is gone! You just don't know how relieved I am to hear this. This is the best news I have heard in a long while. Although, this is not over now we have the healing to get through. I'm hoping that it fills in properly and don't leave much scar tissue. The last time he had this it left a large dark purplish scar on the inside of his arm.

We have been trying to figure out where he has contracted this again. I would assume it was at work since he is a diesel mechanic. I'm thinking about taking some bleach and antibacterial whips to his work and clean all his tools and tool box. Anything that I can soak in bleach water I will, anything that is electrical I'll just whip down. I think I will also buy the whips and leave them at work for him to whip down as he puts everything away each night. I don't know I'm just trying to safe guard him a little. This has been an expensive venture and I don't care to repeat it over and over.

Anyhow, with everything that has gone on good news from all the doctors for the three very important men in my life.

Remember me talking about my daddy. Well he had surgery in October to remove his big toe due to gangrene. It has healed beautifully. He had surgery on his heal November 18 to remove part of it and then skin graphs to repair it. They also took skin cancer off his nose and skin graphed it. His nose has healed good and is about done healing. His heal is doing great. Dr said he is about 80% healed.

Now my son had total ACL replacement and meniscus removal. He has done excellent. He returned back to high school right after thanksgiving break. He has been in therapy since Thanksgiving break and is doing well. They are so surprised how well he is doing. I guess being 16 has a lot to do with it.

So all great news to end a crazy 2013!

Hope all is doing well with you and yours!

FarmgirlPin It

Rushing the New Year

Hurry up 2013, get over and bring me a new and refreshed 2014. We are having the worst year ever here in our household. Between my father, my son and my husband they are all wearing me out. My father lost his toe and part of heal due to a bad infection. He also had to have his nose done due to skin cancer. He's lucky to be here, another 48 hours and we would of been planning his final arrangements way to early. He's got a great team of doctors, being stern with his is the only way to get him to come around and get things done in the best interest of his health.

My son had a football accident back in September then again in October with resulted in a total ACL replacement and meniscus removal in November. He just got released to go back to work this past weekend. But, he still has some healing to do.

Now for my husband he had a bad infection of MRSA back in September. He got rid of it pretty quickly with the proper meds and down time. Unfortunately, he has gotten it again but worse. He has it on his arm, in his knee and on his neck. Today, was his second Dr. appointment which they changed his meds. We go back tomorrow to see if they can draw some of the infection out that is if he makes it through the night. He's in a lot of pain due to the swelling.

These are some of the reasons why I haven't posted more to the blog. I would love to post more but I'm just exhausted here lately from all the running and not to mention my job takes a lot out of me when I have to travel with my husband back and forth. When we both work the same days we travel together since its an hour to both of our jobs. That makes my day start at 5:30 am and we don't get back home till after 11:30 pm.

Our daughter has been handling most everything here on the farm here lately. So I really haven't had much to post. All I can say is 2014 has to be better than 2013 and I'm welcoming it with wide open arms.

Hope everyone is doing well.

FarmgirlPin It

Pineapple Ham Loaf

A great change from the regular meatloaf. This very tender and very yummy loaf is a crowd pleaser. Great for taking to pot lucks or church gatherings.

2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound cooked ham, ground (about 4 cups)
1 pound ground pork
1 (20 ounce) can sliced pineapple
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon mustard, salt and pepper. Add ham and pork mix well.

Shape into eight oval patties, set aside.

Drain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup of juice. Place pineapple slice between each ham patty. (Refrigerate remaining pineapple and juice for another use.) Carefully place in an ungreased 9 inx 5 in x 3 in loaf pan.

Pat patties around pineapple to form a loaf. Combine brown sugar, remaining ground mustard and reserved juice; pour a small amount over loaf. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 1/4 hours or until lightly browned and meat thermometer reads 160 degrees, basting occasionally with remaining  juice mixture.

Original recipe from The Best of Country Cooking 2002Pin It

Crock Pot Harvest Stoup

This soup captures many flavors of fall. A nice way to warm up on a cold winters night. It's not a soup and not a stew just some good ole "stoup" as Rachel Ray would say. 

1 pound lean ground turkey or 1 pound chicken, browned
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
3 red potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 acorn squash, peeled and chopped
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies (rotel)
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon clove
1/4 teaspoon allspice
salt and pepper

Peel and chop all of the vegetables, and add it to the crock pot. Break up the ground meat with your fingers and add it. Dump in the kidney beans and the can of tomatoes and chilies. Add the broth and the seasonings. Stir well. It will look like there isn't enough liquid, but more will be made from the vegetables and meat. I promise.

Cook on low for 7 to 9 hours. Mine usually takes about 9 hours because of the age of my crockpot. Yours make take less time.


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Korean Style Short Ribs

Another great crock pot meal. I would advise to double the sauce especially if you are serving it over rice or noodles. Very heavy but it rocks! 

photo by camenskitchen

Korean Style Short Ribs

Prep Time 5 Minutes
Cook Time 6 Hours

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1.2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
5 lbs beef short ribs or 5 lbs pork ribs
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1-1/2 cups shredded carrots
3 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
3 cups cooked white rice

Blend soy sauce, sugar,oil, vinegar, ginger, garlic and red pepper in a bowl.

Place ribs in 5 quart slow cooker, add sauce. Cover and cook on High for 6 hours or low for 9 hours, until meat is tender.

Transfer ribs to a platter. Skim and discard excess fat from liquid. Combine cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of water, blend with liquid in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until thickened. Stir in carrots. Top ribs with sauce, scallions and sesame seeds.

Serve over cooked rice.

Original recipe from Family Circle MagazinePin It