He Thinks We’re Just Siding

Posted on August 15, 2011 by wagfarms

Imagine Trace Adkins song, “She Thinks We’re Just Fishing,” but use the words, “He thinks we’re just siding.” That’s what I’ve had in my head all day.

Yeah, I’ve been working on my parents’ house again. This time, we’re putting on a rock-type finish and new siding on the south and west sides…as well as six new windows.

West side of south porch...Saturday's project!

We finished the most of the porch on Saturday. My sister and her family were down to help. It went well and we had a lot of laughs!

Trim work...how many hands can you get in there???

But today…well, today was just me and Dad. And although there were times that we missed the extra hands, it was pretty cool.

But it wasn’t just siding. It was laughing, learning, and loving every minute of it.

It was joking about a broken hammer, laughing over a broken level, teasing over pinched fingers and blaming each other for the recurring rain storms. And it was fun. We didn’t get as much accomplished as we had hoped…but we accomplished more than I could dream. I have memories stored away, for those days that I need them.

I have pearls of wisdom, that only dad’s can give.

I have a feeling of accomplishment, every time he lets me know that I did something right.

I can look at that house, and always know that it was our sweat, our blood and our tears that made the latest improvements. And with every neighbor, friend and passer-by that stops and gives a compliment, it’s a sense of pride over a job well done.

But most of all, it’s time with my Dad.

And he thinks we’re just siding.

My Dad, Roger...he's even figured out a cell phone! 😉

One year

Posted on August 11, 2011 by wagfarms

August 11, 2010, was a Wednesday.

I know that. I will always know that. And I will remember that everything started the Friday before, when I received a phone call from my grandmother’s “friend,” Bernie. It was simple, short, and changed my life forever. “Call the ambulance. Your grandma needs one.” Click.

It wasn’t the first time I’d received a phone call like that. Bernie would frequently call me when something was up with Grandma. Usually it was nothing serious, but this time was different. I live 15 minutes from town, so I called my mom and asked if she could drive over right away and check things out. She called me back shortly after, telling me that Grandma was on the floor, alive, but not responding. The ambulance was on its way.

I packed up the kids, made arrangements for their care, and left for town. My sister was on her way back to Fargo, so I called her to let her know that she needed to meet us in Oakes. When I got there, they told us the news. Grandma had had a stroke…a bad one. The damage was mainly to her right side of her body, but they didn’t think it was something she would survive. She could have a few minutes, or a few days. Had she been younger than her 89 years and 11 months, they could try some different things, but Grandma had made her wishes well known for years now. There was to be no heroic efforts to extend her life. But she was awake, and could communicate.

Grandma and I always had a special bond. When my Grandpa passed away, I lived with her for a little over a year. We would spend all hours laughing and reminiscing and looking at pictures. We would play card games and bingo and drink coffee. We would go shopping and talk about what we would do if we won the big lottery. In the last few years, I would buy her lunch, her new clothes, her groceries when needed, and she would always ask, “What do I owe you?” My answer was usually, “$700.” She would laugh, and I would tell her, “Well, you’re not going to pay me anyway, so I might as well make myself feel rich for a minute!”

She had impeccable taste. She never went out without looking her best. Her earrings matched her outfit, which matched her shoes, which matched her purse. She wore stylish things, not what she called, “old lady wear.” For her 80th birthday, she asked for a pair of leather pants. I obliged. Although it wasn’t easy finding leather pants and vest to fit an 80-year-old. She wore them with pride.

Just about every morning I would call Grandma and talk about the day’s activities, or whatever may be. She was my sounding board, my confidant, and in many ways, my best friend. Her memory had been slipping these last few years. And I teased her that I didn’t mind one bit, because then I knew my secrets were safe.

And here I was, forced to say goodbye. I wasn’t ready. Even though she was 89-years-old. I wasn’t ready. But I tried to pretend it was OK. I spent time with her, just holding her hand. Telling her that I loved her. She slipped into a coma that night. We had to make a decision not to extend extreme life saving measures. We had to prepare to let her go.

On Monday evening, I went to the hospital with my older brother. To our surprise, Grandma was more alert and responsive than she had been since being brought in to the hospital. When we were getting ready to leave, I thought for sure that she was making a rally. Perhaps she was going to be OK after all. I gave her a kiss and asked if I would see her the next day…she shook her head no.

And that’s when I knew. I had been given a gift. A gift of one last moment.

Grandma slipped back into a coma, and passed away Wednesday morning.

August 11, 2010.

Valerie Lynn Brandenburger and Vivian Lorraine Brandenburger - peas in a pod.

Project – complete

Posted on August 5, 2011 by wagfarms

All week I’ve been working on putting new vinyl siding on the east side of my parents’ house…and last night we finished.

It was an entertaining week of work, with temps in the 100’s, help from various small children, a beehive, two different years and size of siding, etc. But we persevered, didn’t give up, and now we are done.

Just in time for Dad to decide to do the south side now. *sigh* Oh well, I’m just glad that I’m around to help!

Here’s my photo essay on siding a house:

Ripped off the steel siding, down to the original. Plus, replaced a window

Second window replaced, more steel removed.

Bees don't like having siding removed. Bees also don't like foam sealant. Exterminator called!

My Dad's solution to bee problem: shop vac. Just don't lift the lid.

Why am I the one on the roof? I'm the one afraid of heights!

Just down to the last few sheets...can't wait to be done!

Finished!

All that's left is soffitt work and clean up!

Time to Get Cooking

Posted on August 3, 2011 by wagfarms

As some of you know, I am part of a group of women called The Real Farmwives of America. I’m not sure how I was blessed to be asked to join such an amazing group, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. And now it’s time for me to ask all of you to help with something…

The Real Farmwives of America are in the kitchen this summer with Gooseberry Patch, and it all adds up to a giveaway! So head on over to the RFOA site and vote for which cookbook I should cook from. I will share 10 recipes from that cookbook, and when I’m done with those 10 recipes, I’ll give away a cookbook!!! So cool, right?

So head on over, right now, and help pick which cookbook I should share with you. I promise, no matter which book you pick, there will be GREAT recipes in there!

Slight delay

Posted on August 2, 2011 by wagfarms

I’m gonna be a little quiet for part of this week. My Dad decided to finish up siding part of his house, and well, I”m part of the crew. But since the heat index has been in the 110* range, then we work as early as possible, come inside during the afternoon (when I work on dishes, laundry, etc.) and then go back out about 7 p.m. and work until it’s either a) too dark to see or b) mosquitoes take our hammers and chase us with them.

I’ll try to post more…and pictures!…this afternoon.

Take care, stay safe, and drink plenty of fluids! 🙂

King Arthur Flour meets Grandma Vivian’s Dumplings

Posted on July 22, 2011 by wagfarms

I’ve joined a party…and am creating history all at once!

As part of A Latte with Ott, A’s King Arthur flour Iron Chef Challenge, I decided that I would make Brandenburger family history…I would use my Grandma Vivian’s Dumpling recipe. (Mind you, this recipe has never been written down [to my knowledge] and for certain isn’t on the internet.)

This recipe isn’t something you just “throw” together for a quick lunch, but it’s a wonderfully delicious authentically German dish that is requested time and time again at my house. Especially at family gatherings!!!

First of all, you need bread dough…and this is where the King Arthur flour comes in. For those that have been reading my blog for a while, you know that our youngest son has OTC, which limits his protein intake to 10-12 grams per day. Well, it just so happens that King Arthur flour has a product that is lower in protein! Woohoo!!! And I used this flour for our bread dough (although it’s labeled for wonderfully, delicious and super light pastries, pies, etc.). It worked beautifully!

Anyway, on with the recipe:

Grandma Vivian’s Dumplings

Ingredients –

3 cups flour (I used King Arthur Perfect Pastry flour – only 3 grams of protein per 1/4 cup!)

1 1/2 TBSP. butter

1 cup water

1/4 cup milk

1 package instant dry yeast

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 TBSP. sugar

1 qt. chicken broth (liquid)

potatoes

2 cups heavy whipping cream (pic shows half and half, which is what I used…but Grandma always used heavy whipping cream…half and half tasted just as good!)

Everything you need!

First, we need a simple loaf of white bread dough. This is a simple, easy loaf recipe…and trust me, if I can make it, anyone can!

Mix together 2 1/2 cups flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Set aside. Then mix together water, milk and butter, heat until hot to touch, but not boiling. (I microwaved for 40 seconds.)

When making this dough, mix together dry ingredients, then mix and heat wet ingredients before combining.

Then, pour your wet ingredients into the dry and mix until a dough-ball is formed. Take the 1/2 cup flour that’s left-over and add as needed to make a smooth dough-ball that doesn’t stick to the sides of the bowl. (I ended up using just about all of the flour this time, but it will vary, depending on your humidity, etc.)

Dough - finished but not raised.

Cover the dough with a cloth for 10 minutes, to let it rest. Then shape into a ball again and let it raise for 1 hour.

Fluffy, yummy dough ball!

Now, we’re ready to make dumplings! Peel and cut your potatoes, enough to fill the bottom of your kettle (4 or 5 quart kettle or dutch oven works wonderfully!).

Enough potatoes to fill the bottom of a kettle, or maybe even a little more!

Add the chicken broth. (I use chicken broth instead of water to boil my potatoes. It adds great flavor!) You can flavor your potatoes if you’d like, with salt, pepper, onions, etc. Whatever you would normally do for boiling potatoes. You won’t be draining any of the liquid.

I use chicken broth instead of water with my potatoes. Yummy!

Heat the potatoes to a boil.

Potatoes are boiling!

Remove the kettle from heat. Punch down the dough. Tear off about quarter-sized bits of dough and layer across the kettle, on top of the water and potatoes.

Pull apart the dough, enough to fill one layer across the potatoes in the kettle.

Dough, completely covering potatoes and ready to cook!

The next part is very important: Place lid on kettle, put it back on medium heat. DO NOT REMOVE THE LID!!! In fact, if your lid does not seal well, or isn’t a very heavy lid, place something on top of your lid…such as:

If your lid isn't heavy enough to make sure there's a seal, set something heavy on top of the lid! Be creative!

Why is this important? The steam from the potatoes and water is cooking the dumplings. If the liquid in the kettle evaporates too quickly, your dough will fall and will be more solid, than light and fluffy. (Grandma would call them “klutzy” when that would happen.) Once you can hear the potatoes boiling again, turn the temp down a bit and simmer. Cook for 30-45 minutes or until the “dumplings start talking to you.” (Grandma’s terms) In cooking terms, this means to listen to the kettle and the dumplings are done when you can hear them starting to fry a little bit.

And then lift off the lid and pray…just kidding…it should look something like this:

Dumplings are done!

Next, stir up the dumplings, mixing the dough, the potatoes and whatever liquid is left. Then pour the cream on top of the dumplings and stir.

Add cream to the finished dumplings.

And finished product, all mixed up...yum!

And that, my friends, is my Grandma Vivian’s Dumplings…actually wrote down and save for all of posterity. She would have been proud of me! She was my best friend, and has been gone for almost a year now. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of her, and wish that I would have just one more day with her. She taught me so many things about life, but the thing she cherished most was laughter…and good German food! 😉

These are authentic German dumplings...made from scratch! (And low protein!)

Grandma would normally serve this with chicken, but it goes well with any protein item of your choice: beef, lamb, pork, etc. (Not sure it would go well with fish, but go ahead and try! Life is made for rules to be broken, right???) With this particular meal, my sister and I ate these dumplings all by themselves. Just because we could.

Enjoy!

King Arthur did provide me with flour to use for this recipe contest however the opinions listed here are my own.

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Not a Mommy Blogger

Posted on July 19, 2011 by wagfarms

Now, before you go off, accusing me of lying and thinking that I’m discounting a HUGE portion of the blog-o-sphere…let me explain. I’m not sure Mommy Bloggers exist.

What?!?

Yeah, that’s right…there’s no such thing as a Mommy Blogger. That term ranks up there with Big Foot, Toothfairy and Santa (just don’t tell my boys!). Why? Well, it’s simple. When you’re a mom, there’s no way you’re writing just about the cutesy-precious things your children do…and there’s no way you’re just writing about how many diapers you change. Being a Mom is so much more than that.

Last week, I had an online conversation with a friend of mine. She’s actually partially responsible for the creation of this blog in the first place! Let’s just say that she gave me that final push to get this blog started.

Anyway, we were talking blog stuff and the Mommy Blogger title came up. And again, I’m not sure such a thing exists. You see, when you’re a mom and you’re writing about your kids, it’s not just your kids that you’re writing about. Do I have you confused yet?

You write about society, you write about coping skills, you write about recipes. You share cleaning tips, you ask for advice and you share humor and entertainment. You write about education, you write about the future, you write about the past. You explain the simplest of life’s lessons, you share photos of the world and you pass on travel tips. There isn’t a piece of the pie that you don’t touch at some point in time. And all of that information can be translated into different realms.

Read about how a mother convinces a three-year-old that it’s their idea to take a nap. That same reasoning can be used to deal with the most difficult of customers in the retail world. Don’t think so? Trust me, I’ve done it.

Explain to a 7-year-old why our cows don’t make the milk that we drink, but they make the hamburger we eat. Then use that same conversation to base your ag education off of…trust me, a 7-year-old will ask you every hard-nosed question most reporters would think of!

Yes, in every essence of the term, I am a Mommy Blogger. Yet, I’m not. Actually, I’m more of a Farmmy Blogger.

When you come in to my blog, you will read about my children, my farm and my view points. You will learn about cattle, about crops and about life. You will hopefully laugh a lot, cry a little, but come back for more. And I will do the same.

Talk about a complicated answer to a simple question, eh?

Now ask me if I’m Republican or Democrat. 😉

Life of a Celebrity

Posted on July 18, 2011 by wagfarms

Something that happened to me on Friday had me thinking all weekend about how celebrities handle regular life.

Let me get you caught up: I’ve been feeling like doggy-doo for a few weeks now. At first I thought it was this mysterious rash that came and wouldn’t go away. Then that got better, but I still wasn’t feeling well. I was having other “issues” as well…but I put it all off, thinking that with time, everything would improve. After a month of misery, I finally made an appointment.

I called and they scheduled me for the “earliest” appointment available, which was the last week of July. *sigh* Oh well, I was going to suck it up until I could see MY doctor. Late last week, the doctor’s office called with bad news. Something had come up and my doctor was going to be unavailable for my appointment…could I reschedule? I was leery about what that would mean. I had already suffered through a month of misery, how much longer would it take?

Well, surprise, surprise…they wanted to reschedule for Friday! Yep, a rescheduled appointment that was actually going to take place almost two weeks prior to the original appointment. How sweet is that?!?

So, on Friday I went. I explained to the nurse my symptoms, went throught the pre-appointment gobble-dee-gook, weight, blood-pressure, pulse…and then waited for the doctor. Up until the point she came in, all was textbook. And then, the door opened…

The doctor came in, telling me how much she enjoys reading my articles, how entertaining they are and so true to life. And then she told me how the OB staff on third floor cuts out my columns and puts them up for a chuckle (apparently, once you’ve had four children, the OB nurses kinda think of you as family). She asked about my son and my brother and the rest of my family and after a bit, we got around to the appointment part.

I thought to myself, “How does J.K. Rowling handle this? Diane Sawyer?” Just kidding. But yet, it was a little awkward for me. I mean, after hearing about how she likes what I write, I really didn’t want to tell her that I wasn’t feeling well. I’d hate for the next time she read my column, all she could think about was, “Oh, this is the gal who couldn’t figure out why she felt like doggie-doo.”

Anyway, I got over my irrational thoughts and got down to the reason for the visit…and after some talking, and an ultrasound, it became obvious. No, I was not hitting menopause at 34. No, I was not hitting puberty. No, I am not expecting another child. But I do have a somewhat annoying cyst that is causing all of my problems, symptoms and misery (well, except those caused by the four children, mentioned previously). In six weeks I get to go back and have a recheck…and hopefully avoid any type of surgery.

But at least this time I’ll be better prepared. I’ll have my “handler” call for the appointment, I’ll use an assumed name and I’ll wear shades with a big floppy hat. That should keep it low-key, right? 😉

Something for the future

Posted on July 16, 2011 by wagfarms

I was reflecting on the past week, and something came to mind that I wanted to put down in my blog, so that someday Big Bro can look back and remember the impact that one little statement had on me.

As we were preparing for the Buy’N Show at the county fair (remember, the Reserve Champion ribbon that he didn’t want to compete for?), Big Bro had to fill out a form for the emcee to use to make a narrative for the Style Show part of the competition.

One question was: “Where would you like to go someday? Or where would you like to visit or vacation?”

His response caught me a bit off guard.

Big Bro asked if he could write, “Nowhere.” I asked, “Why?”

He replied, “I have everything I want right here…why would I need to go anywhere?”

Yeah, I had to wipe tears from my eyes, too.

The best gift that my son could give me...reminding me that everything I could ever want is still right here.

Wordless Wednesday – Storm Damage

Posted on July 13, 2011 by wagfarms

My last few posts have been just about our yard and things that are damaged pretty close to the house. Let me give you a little tour of the rest of the farm…we were truly blessed with no injuries throughout the area that was hit by Sunday’s storm.