#69 He likes Hip Hop

Some people say that opposites attract.  However, others hold the opinion that it isn't healthy for two people in love to not share many common interests.  For example, when hubby and I began dating he informed me that according to his uncle's standards, we would not last as a couple.  There was one important aspect about the two members of a relationship that his uncle felt would stand the test of time.

Music choices.  

My husband was, and still is, musically persuaded by the sounds of hip hop and popular songs played on today's radio stations.  I've always leaned towards classical, jazz, and oldies of the 50s-80s.

I guess after ten years together we've beaten the odds.

That said, music isn't the only difference about hubby and me.  He likes sports.  I hate them.  I play instruments.  He won't even try to learn.  He likes historical and political conversations.  I enjoy them in small doses.  I like my home styled towards country living, with trinkets everywhere.  He wants modern style, with lots of empty spaces.

I could go on, but for sake of you worrying that we are not a perfect match I'll stop with this one:

I love farms.  I love farm fairs.  He has absolutely no interest in either and would rather just stay home (in our country styled abode).  However, last year he was a saint and took me to the farm fair by our house.  I loved every single aspect of it and knew right then and there that I must one day have a farm of my very own.  (At the mention of such a thing, hubby instantly groaned and laughed, both as the same time).  

This year, he sent me off to the farm fair with my brothers and SIL and chose to stay home (blaring hip hop music the whole time, I'm sure).

We saw a lot of the same things as last year.

Like chickies hatching.  (I considered stealing a few, but figured they would start to chirp and give me away).

By the way, this picture is from last year.  The chickies this year looked much more new born.  (Much more new born, what a phrase!)

We saw sheep.  

We did not see sheep shearing.  I was a little sad about this.  But, we did get to pet two sheep that had been sheared.

Sheep had been sheared...another interesting word combo.

My brother, Jonathan, came to the farm fair only for the rides.  I came hoping to avoid them completely.

I'm not interested in rides at a standard theme park, so I am especially never interested in rides that travel from place to place getting built up and then taken down.  Something just seems very wrong and unsafe about that.  

Jonathan convinced Joel to go on rides with him.  Joel sure was a trooper.  He's just like me and gets pretty sick feeling after being thrown around and about in the air by a ride made to completely confuse and ruin at least three of your five senses.

I'm pretty sure there is nothing more adorable than this photo.

I felt pretty sick watching them.  Actually, very sick.  It might have been just as bad if I had gone on the rides myself.  So, I went and got the one thing that spells F-E-S-T-I-V-A-L for me.

Kettle corn!  Oh, kettle corn, how I love you, let me count the ways.  I love that you aren't regular popcorn, so boring and plain.  I love that you are sweet like candy, yet crunchy like potato chips.  I love that I could eat piece after piece and not gain a pound because you come from corn, so you're healthy and calorie free.

Ok, I'll stop now.

#21 He Loves Me In Spite of Me

Yesterday I made homemade mac and cheese and roasted corn salad. I've decided that after trying two or three different homemade mac and cheeses, mac and cheese was meant to be eaten from the box. It is easier and while it might contain artificial flavors and preservatives, I'm thinking it also might have less fat (considering I dump cupfuls of milk and bars of butter into my homemade mac and cheese).

But, the roasted corn salad was to die for. A lot in the prep work, but a delicious treat in the end. It is one of those foods that you can snack on at 2 in the afternoon and not feel completely guilty and then want to jump on the treadmill for hours on end, or until you crash, whichever comes first.

But today is not about my delicious food (although, it does look delicious, doesn't it?). It is about how despite experiencing my kitchen rage as he walked through the front door to a kitchen temping at around 95 degrees, a fire alarm going off as smoke from who knows where appeared, and a wife with that look of don't-you-dare-speak-to-me, my husband still chose to love me and take me somewhere I really wanted to go after the temp had gone down, the smoke had cleared, the wife was more pleasant, and the dinner had been devoured.

The Farm Fair.

My secret desire in life is to one day own a farm. Looking at me, you'd probably never know it. In fact, after my confessions about animals, you'd probably never even suspect it to be possible. But, there it is. Something about farms and farm animals is so fantastically exciting to me that I want to order a year subscription to the Progressive Farmer, browse through farm equipment, and wear plaid shirts all day long.

The farm fair recently was relocated to a mile down the road from my house, so clearly there was no excuse for me not to go.

While a lot of people from around the area come mainly to ride the colorful death traps, snack on $4 containers of fries and $15 mugs of soda, and then perhaps stroll over to look at the things that cause the fair to be labelled a "farm" fair, I head straight to those areas to walk around with my head in the clouds.

Should tractors not excite me this much?

This is going to be quite boring for those of you who could care less about farming, however, it might just be a little entertaining to follow along as I plot out my animal journey at the farm fair and discuss what aspects I want for my farm.

Chickens, first of all, are a must. In fact I am in the process of dreaming about building my very own backyard chicken coop at my present dwelling. I figure, if I can survive the chickens then I should be able to survive the farm. (A true farmer may find this to be complete nonsense).

My girl Amy sent me this link:

http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/outdoor-living/ultimate-chicken-coop-screened-pen#fbIndex1

and it is totally everything I want. (Admit it, looking at a chicken coop like this makes you want one too!)

However, one animal I decided after the farm fair that I do not want on my farm is sheep. Nothing against the fuzzy creatures, but I'm seeking animals with true food value. Plus, shearing the sheep seems like a heck of a job.

(This fella to the left has been almost completely sheared, yet has been standing in that contraption for a long while. His neck is probably killing him right now).

These poor little guys have no idea what's coming:

Lastly, what is a good farm without some cows and pigs? I was minutes away from watching a milking contest, but the tent was hot, the farmers clearly weren't in a rush,and the cows kept relieving themselves, that it was too much to bear at 9:15 pm with sweaty people crowding all around. (I do have to say, I don't think I've ever so much enjoyed the backside of a cow as when I thought I would get to see one be milked). A pasture of cows is absolutely necessary.

And pigs. Ah, pigs. Who could ask for more?

I sure couldn't.