Thursday, December 31, 2009

Magazine Life

After years of publishing the photoblog I made the decision to start this spin-off blog. I was itching to say more than was posssible in connection with the photos, and so "At Home With the Farmer's Wife" was born.

Very early on I reached a place where a decision had to be made. Was this going to be a blog describing a magazine life, where laundry is always done and cakes never fail, or would it be a true life blog where I paddle around the house in socks sruggle to keep up with the laundry?

You know the answer. Magazine life is unattainable, at least in my world.

It's been ages since my sewing room looked this inviting.

Photobucket

What brought on this discussion? I'm going to bake my buttermilk pound cake in one of those $30 cake pans. This one.

Photobucket

Two years ago I made this cake. I had planned to publish the beautiful photos online.

Photobucket

The only problem was that it was a spectacular failure. The tops of the trees stuck in the cake pan and the whole thing tumbled out in a mass that resembled pale yellow and brown boulders.

Photobucket

I was tired. It was late as I walked to the fridge for butter to start the whole process again.

Bake another cake, that was the plan. Bake a perfect cake and photograph it to represent the perfect magazine life. The only problem was that I was too tired to bake another cake and besides the truth is sometimes more interesting than perfection. There was more to be learned from the failure, a chance to get creative with the jumbled mass. It's important that we share our imperfections so that others know they're not alone. No, you're not the only one that has baking disasters or laundry disasters.

We're all in this together. We all need to cut ourselves some slack. The next time you see someone who's life is too good to be true, it probably is.

Now, wish me luck with this cake because I'd rather take it to the Corn Drop celebration in all it's glory than to repurpose it into a trifle.

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I did somehow manage to get the battery door closed on the point-and-click camera. The only problem is that it's missing a memory card so I'm off today to locate one. I've got to have something to record the Corn Drop festivities!!

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve everyone. Thanks for visiting with me today and stay safe and warm.

18 comments:

savvycityfarmer said...

that's life in a not- so- magazine- style!!

Happy New Year ... I like trifles, too

One Gray Hair At A Time said...

Thanks for being "real".

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Happy New Year, Suzanne. May the year 2010 bring lots of health and happiness to you and yours.

Thirkellgirl said...

Oh, phew, I thought you were going to say you were done blogging! Happy New Year to you, and thank you for the many happy hours you've given me this year!

Cindy said...

Thanks for sharing your "real" life. All that matters is that the cake tastes delicious, not how it looks. Kinda like life, don't you think? Have a Happy 2010!

Vee said...

Suzanne, I received that very cake pan for Christmas...I think it was all about the little train going around the bottom. I went immediately to the manufacturer's web site and watched the video. I can tell already that you've done one thing right...the cake pan is not overfilled. I had to slice mine off, but everything else went very well and it was quite the hit when I served it. So pretty! I have pictures. Ha! I am so glad that you are doing a real-life blog. Life is so much more interesting than a magazine. Happy New Year!

Lisa D. said...

Real life is far more interesting and fulfilling (and fun) than "magazine life". Real friendships can't develop if we don't let people in to our real life.
Hope the cake turns out this time!

LDF said...

I like reading about real life better! I thought the way you started this post that you were going to say "adios" ... so glad that's not the case! Your enjoyable blog has become a regular part of my morning ... thank you!

Here's wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and safe but entertaining 2010!

PamKittyMorning said...

Happy Corn Drop!!! And happy New Year!!! xo

Leslie T. said...

Cheers to the "real" life! Having never even aspired to a "magazine" life myself, I can attest to the fact that real life is a stupendous place to be. I happen to be the Laundry Queen, so laundry is always done around here (this is what happens when one grows up with a mother who never does laundry -- one grows up to be compulsive about having clean clothes)but if anybody ever checked my furniture for dust, I would be busted bigtime. I would rather clean the toilet than dust furniture, so my house is sadly always in need of a bit of a run with the dust cloth. Yes, I loathe dusting. And please don't look under the bed -- you will be killed by a stampede of dust bunnies. I suspect that hardwood floors breed dust bunnies by some mysterious microbial system. One is born every 2.5 seconds.
Happy New Year to you, Suzanne! Here's to the "real" life and all the wonders it brings!
Stay warm and dry! I can't wait to hear all about the corn drop!!!

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Laura said...

I have what I call and constant fail cake. I've made it twice and both times it was a colossal failure. I'm going to attempt it again and this time I swear it will come out right! :)
Oh, I actually know someone who's home constantly looks like something out of a magazine. I always envy her when I see it. So beautiful! She is such a tidy soul, so her home reflects it.
Happy New Year!
blessings
~*~

Cherrie said...

Happy New Year Suzanne! Thanks for the many chuckles this year and dress warm for the corn drop....baby it's cold outside!

Karen Deborah said...

That is hilarious and so true. Trifle is a great solution.

Cottage Rose said...

Good luck with your cake,, I am sure it will turn out this time.. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.

Hugs;
Alaura

Michelle said...

Happy New Year to you, Suzanne! No magazine life going on here at our farm. Lots of dirt and manure, for sure. I enjoy your blog and hope you keep it going in 2010!

Anonymous said...

I thought of you during our dinner tonite.... I was slathering some yummy Duke's mayonnaise onto my hamburger bun and remembered how much you like the stuff. Will try to send you a jar of it in 2010. *giggles*

Happy New Year!
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

OneOldGoat said...

And I'm so thankful that you chose the format that you did. I don't comment often (except for today cuz I have time), but I love your blog and read it nearly everyday!

Beth aka oneoldgoat