10 Commandments of a Farm Wife

10 COMMANDMENTS FOR THE FARMER'S WIFE

Rosa E. Borntreger, Riceville, IA



1. Thou shalt not chase cows with your hands in your pockets because husbands don't like that.

2. Thou shalt cook meals that can be served 30 minutes early or two hours late.

3. Thou shalt learn how to keep farm records.

4. Thou shalt love with thy whole heart the aroma of new mown hay and sweet smelling cows.

5. Thou shalt be inspired at seeing the sun rise and relieved to see it set, even if the sink is full of dirty dishes.

6. Thou shalt learn how to open gates, guard them carefully and close them again.

7. Thou shalt thrill at the sight of a newborn calf and rejoice after you have succeeded in teaching it to drink.

8. Thou shalt live closely to God with a true faith that exceeds that of those who don't know what it's like to live on a farm.

9. Thou shalt cherish your meals together and patiently endure long waits for the vet to arrive and take the time to make decisions as when to mow the grass.

10. Thou shalt love lunch together even though the smell of the farmer may be stronger than the food on the table.

Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef (lean)

1 cup Quaker Oats

1 envelope onion soup mix

2/3 cup milk

1/4 cup catsup

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 or 2 cups Shredded Velveeta Cheese (depending on your taste)

4 or 5 slices of bacon

Combine all ingredients in large bowl; mix thoroughly. Place in a 9x13 pan and shape into a loaf. Lay bacon on top of meatloaf. 

Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 1 hour 15 min.

Baby Chicks

I am so spoiled, my entire life has been spent on the farm.  I first was a farmers daughter, granddaughter and have been a farmwife for 30+ years.  Because of this lifestyle I have grown accustomed to several things, one includes homegrown farm fresh food.  In particular, I have a hard time eating any meat we purchase from the grocery store......well.....I won't buy beef, pork, or chicken at the grocery store, period.  If we don't have a supply of 'home-grown' we will purchase our meat from the local locker plant.   We just received our shipment of baby chicks, 11 Buff Orphingtons which will continue to lay eggs, even in the winter and 41 Rhode Island Reds, that we will butcher at the end of the summer.  There is nothing better than farm fresh eggs!   McMurray Hatchery also included with our order a 'special' chick.  I believe it is a Partridge Cochins.  For now we have them all settled in with a heat lamp, food, and water.  They have settled down over the past couple of days and so far we haven't lost any chicks. Praise the Lord!