May Instagram & More

I am seriously slacking!  I thought I had more than three pictures on Instagram this month!  I guess I have been too busy to try and remember to break out the camera.

My mom and dad came out May 1-3 to visit.  She handed me a box and said it was from Travis...  I definitely was not expecting this!  Samples of dishwasher detergent that he got at an appliance repair class he went to.  This should last me 2 years!  2 years of not having to buy dishwasher detergent?  I'll take it!

A little tip that I wanted to pass along.  When picking out a watermelon, forget the knocking thing.  Look for a yellow belly and lots of "trail" marks.  These markings come from bees and other insects that can tell which melons are the best.  This has worked for me every time since I learned this trick!

We have been having quite a bit of storms in our area.  This was the sky right after a thunderstorm.  It was so beautiful... as if to say "I'm sorry I just dumped another 3 inches of rain on you... I know you still haven't planted your soybeans and now you will have to replant your corn.  Please forgive me!"  God sure knows how to paint the sky, doesn't He?

The rest of May was filled up with a wedding in Chicago for Jacob's cousin, visiting some awesome friends in Illinois, birthday party, crafts... I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Ma & Pa

Jacob's mom is going through closets and getting rid of stuff.  One night we came over for supper and went through all their childhood toys and games to see if their was anything they wanted.

I've still been running when I get the chance.  I saw this quote somewhere and text it to Jacob.  His response made me feel so loved.

We went mudding, on accident one evening.  We are working on putting in a spring development in one of our pastures and got stuck.

I've been working on stocking up my card stash.  This one made its way to Gavin for his birthday.

Here was his cake.  So impressed!  How cute is that?  The fishing pole is one of those fire lighters.

I made this light house for a themed going away party for a friend who's co-worker was moving.

That about sums up my May.  June is looking like its going to be another full one.  Hopefully we will be able to get some more field work done, have a Knapp family vacation in a couple weeks, our 7th anniversary, helping my bro paint in his new house, and just keeping up with everything on the home front.  So, that means, I should probably do a better job this month on the blog since I will have plenty to blog about! 

Cookie Baking

I have been wanting to try making cookies using royal icing.  Have you all seen those fun videos floating around that makes it look so easy?  Well... Let me just say it's going to take me lots more practice to get better.

I tried the brush method.  I used the smallest icing tip that I had to draw my flower shape, then used a small paint brush to drag the edges.  

It is really fun if you have time and enjoy this kind of thing!  Needless to say, only about 15 of my 50 cookies had flowers... The rest remained plain!  I just didn't have the patience that day!

April Instagrams

If you don't currently follow me on Instagram here's your chance to find out what's been going on!  If you do, sorry for the repeats!

Chow time! #farmerswife

Someone's a little scared... Can't say that I blame her.  I wouldn't want to ride with me in a stick shift either.

Looking forward to having everyone here for Easter!  Hallelujah!  He is risen!

Burning pasture.  First time helping... only because everyone else is busy! #kansasfarmwife #farmerswife

Dear Jacob, I hope you were serious when I asked you what you wanted for breakfast!  I know I was! #greeneggsandham

I saved the best for last to send through the chute.  #farmwife #workingcattle

Date night last night was fishing.  Me- 5 Hubby- 0.  Mostly because he spent the entire time teaching me how to cast properly and untangling my line.

We are having fish sticks for supper.

 "Just how bad IS your breath?" -Jacob

P.S.  I seriously didn't mean to grab that many as I was walking by.  #bighandproblems

I have been waiting for this moment!  #favoritefruit  #watermelonfanatic  #summeriscoming

25 Random Things About Me

I've been seeing these random facts on other blogs that I follow and really enjoy them!  I feel like I get to know the blogger behind the screen a little better so I thought I would share mine.  And again... this is total randomness :)

1.  I absolutely hate wet socks.  They are repulsive to me.  If my socks get wet when I am helping Jacob outside in the rain, I am finished.  I have to always remember to bring an extra pair just in case.

2.  If I have something that needs to get done, I have to put it on a list.  And sometimes I will put things on my list that I already did, just so I can cross it off.

3.  I took piano lessons from 3rd grade to 8th grade.  I'm so glad I stuck with it now.  I enjoy sitting down and plunking out a tune when I get a chance.

4.  I despise packing lunches & dusting.  I hate dusting.  Which is a bad thing living on the farm in the country on a gravel road.  

5.  If I could afford to drink chocolate milk every morning for breakfast, I would.  

6.  If I wasn't so earth friendly I would use paper plates for every meal.  It seems like I can never keep up on the dishes and there are only 2 of us.

7.  I would wear flip-flops all year long if I lived somewhere warmer.

8. I can't remember the last time I threw up.  (I told you this was random)  I remember faking nausea when I was little so I could get 7-Up like everyone else.

9. I really wanted glasses when I was younger.  I always thought I would flunk the eye test at school, but then chickened out.  Now I do have glasses because I have one slightly near sighted eye and one slightly far sighted eye.  Nothing too bad... I just get headaches if I don't wear them when I'm reading or at a computer.

10. I can drive a tractor and am a pro on the skidsteer.

11. My favorite meal is fajitas.  I don't think I could ever get sick of them.

12.  My mom had my name, Krystal Brooke, picked out since she was in 7th grade.  She also claimed to have liked the name Denim Jean at one time.  Thanks for not picking that one mom!

13. I totally don't mind mornings.  I am the annoying one that is super energetic and happy in the morning.

14. My next vacation destination is going to be an Alaskan Cruise.

15. I get a serious emotional high by organizing and decluttering.

16. I have a black thumb when it comes to plants... they always die on my watch.

17.  I am the only girl of 8 children.  I have 7 brothers, 4 sister-in-laws, 3 brother-in-laws, 6 nieces, and 4 nephews.

18.  I have lived in 3 states.  I was born in Indiana.  I moved to Iowa when I was in first grade and Kansas when I got married at 21.

19. I detest awkward moments.  I will literally walk a wide circle around the room if I feel my awkward situation radar going off.

20. I pick vanilla ice cream over chocolate every time.  Which is weird because I LOVE chocolate.

21. I have more $$$ wrapped up in my craft room than I do my closet.

22.  If I eat Skittles or M & M's I have to make sure there is only 1 of each color left at the end.

23.  I am punctual.  To a fault according to my husband.  If we are not 10 minutes early, we are late.  Thank you, Father, for passing on this trait.

24. I really do enjoy running now.  It took me a long time to get there, but I do have more of a love relationship with it compared to the hate.

25.  I am allergic to mold and cats.  I had the hives for one whole year when I was in 7th grade before we figured out what we could use to treat it.  We tried everything!  Then a doctor at a specialty clinic put me in a group as a part of a study and that worked!

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Please comment and tell me one random fact about you!

March Instagrams

So ready for spring in this house!

 How I got woke up this morning... #houseofboys

 This is how you eat a drumstick... ice cream in one hand, cone in the other.

Trying to train her to be my running buddy... so far she only wants to bite at the bottom of my gauchos.

Trying to take a cow selfie... it's a lot harder than you think! #farmerswife #choretime

Isn't he so reassuring?  By the way... there HAS been lion sightings in the area.

P.S.  That should have read running around the section, not block... just want to give myself full credit here.

Tying my running shoes this way made my feet happy!  I can't believe how much of a difference it made!  #runningtip #runningtrick #tryitforyourself

Jordan Jr., Kyle Jr., Trevor Jr.  Seriously!  So cute!

My husband's idea of bringing me breakfast in bed.  #wheresmyspoon #itsthethoughtthatcounts

My ride today... My car is getting worked on and this is what they gave me as a loaner... Really?  There was a purple Jeep Grand Cherokee right next to it that would have worked just fine!

Happy National Puppy Day!  I like to break into the fireplace ash put and turn myself gray when no one is home to watch me!

 Surprise trip to IKEA.  My husband totally gets me!

Chow time!  #farmerswife

Someone's a little scared... Can't say that I blame her.  I wouldn't want to ride with me in a stick shift either!

Freezer Meals

 I spent my day off on President's Day doing some freezer meals.  I found all my recipes, made a list of ingredients and went shopping on Saturday.  I have done this a few times now and I have found out it works best for me to do it in the early spring.  That's when things start getting really busy around here and my organizational skills start lacking.  I love being able to grab something out of the freezer before I leave for work and being ready for supper when ever that may be.  It seems to be pretty random now that it stays light later and planting season is just around the corner.  And Jacob started a different job where he will be taking on farming for another person that also owns an implement dealership, so it will only get crazier on the farm!

This is the ONLY way to shred chicken.  I'm telling you, don't mess with anything else if you have a stand mixer.  I cooked the chicken and let it cool slightly before I put it in the mixer.  It literally took me 5 minutes tops to shred 20 lbs. of chicken.

Mound of chicken.  I did a lot of chicken recipes this time around because our beef is rather limited with the price these days.  I have a terrible time spending $5.00/lb for ground beef!

I then made labels for each of the meals that has cooking instructions on them so there is no need to find the recipe again.  This is just a picture of some of the meals.  I did Apple Cinnamon Baked French Toast, Crustless Quiche, Egg Muffin Melts, Breakfast Cookies, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, Cafe Rio Shredded Pork, Chicken Pot Pie, BBQ Spareribs, Chicken Spaghetti, and Meatballs.

Now that the freezer is stocked up, it's time to start spring cleaning!  When the weather starts to get warmer, I always get in that mood to organize and clean every room, closet, nook, & cranny.  I hope everyone else is getting warmer weather now!  We had 78 degrees yesterday :)

Bedroom Makeover

I'm starting you off with a few "BEFORE" pictures.  Yes.  I realize their is a roll of tp on our dresser.  No.  We do not have any Kleenex's in our house.  Yes.  It has been cold season here.  I hope that clears up the tp question for everyone.  If I would have noticed it before I took the pictures, I would have moved it.  If I would have noticed it before I uploaded this picture, I would have edited it out.  So there you have it.

And no.  I don't normally make my bed, but when I do... it looks much better than that.  I promise, Mom!

So our bedroom has been Lamb's Wool ever since Jacob moved in here.  In fact, when we got married, his whole house was this color.  I finally decided on what I wanted, but needed to wait until the paint police (aka my husband) was gone.  He went to a No-Till conference for a few days in January so I tackled the project then.  He was unaware of what was taking place back on the home front.

Trimming is done!  My least favorite part of painting.

Finished.  I used the color Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams.  It's kind of a light blueish/greenish.   It's hard to capture it with a camera.

My husband absolutely loves it when I pack his lunch.  Can you tell?  It is my least favorite thing to do at 6:00 in the morning, but this makes it a little easier.

Bedspread is Lauren Conrad from Kohl's

White vase and plant are both from IKEA.

Ruffle Pillow is also from IKEA.  I absolutely love this chest.  It is from a local dealer here in Kansas.

It has a bird-printed burlap on top that I think just ties this piece all together.

This is the color I used.  It looks more green here than the above pictures, but this is it!

So when said paint police arrived home, it was just after midnight.  He came into the bedroom and went to pull the covers back and noticed the bedspread was different.  He left the room to get a flashlight and at this point I am awake, pretending to be asleep.  I truly didn't think he would notice until in the morning when he got up, so I am now preparing myself for his anti-painting comments.  He comes back in with a flashlight to look at the bedspread and then started shining it around the room.  He claims he smelled fresh paint too.  At this point I am laughing silently to myself and he decides he didn't care if I was "asleep" and flips on the lights.  I couldn't pretend anymore.  He caught me.  He said he really does like it!  He just thinks I like to paint way too much and it drives him crazy.  That's part of my job right?  Driving him crazy.