Monday, July 29, 2013

My baby is back!!!!

OK...a little dramatic. I admit it. My laptop was getting worked on. Nothing like having 5 trojans on it! Mike picked it up on Friday and brought it back this evening. Mike is an awesome computer guru and an incredible friend. He fixed the laptop and then put in a couple of hours fixing the desktop that is PB's main source for doing her games, learning formats and checking out Beauty and the Beast on YouTube. He charged $10. Seriously awesome dude. I wanted to do my breakdown on last week's Farm Kings but Princess Bear is rocking a bad stomach ache and its after 11pm. I'm predicting a long night. SO I'm going to take care of my baby girl and Farm King it tomorrow. Have a good one!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Farm Kings Season 2 Episode 6

Wow! I'm sure there is some back story that we don't know about but why in the world is Dan always getting kicked about by his older brothers??!!!?? I still think that Dan should have returned to Polyface. Joel Salatin still had loads to teach him. The way the boys react when Dan tells them how something is done at Polyface is so wrong too. At this point it would be nice if they gave Dan at least the courtesy of listening to him. They are right in that it's Freedom Farms and not Polyface. That said they've also mentioned that Polyface is the example that they are shooting for. The idea of making Dan CEO for the week was kind of fun to watch. Thankfully it didn't backfire on Dan! If the worse thing he did was order to much flour so be it. It gave Dan empathy for what Joe goes through and that's all fine and dandy but that's the role that Joe has chosen for himself. So while I'm glad it gave Dan a chance to prove himself but not messing up and doing the commercial it didn't seem to open up the family's eyes about Dan. Honestly it seems like he is a man of many strengths and can excel at almost anything when given the opportunity. I loved that he spoke up about not knowing about the trip that Tim & Sam went on and the Taste of whatever that Lisa, Bitty and Dale (?) were participating in. I think if Joe had been out of the loop that he would have raised hell. Now on to the Taste of ???? and the competition. Good G-d! Lisa might have the most competitive streak I've ever seen. I'm sure it has helped in throughout life but it also makes you think that she could get ruthless if need be. The sense of competition was fun to watch. It was great for Freedom Farms since they featured so many of the Farms products. Hey Bitty! Can you share that recipe for the meatballs? If you don't want to give away the whole recipe how about just the meatball part? We're mushroom junkies in this house and that would go over so well! The trip that Tim and Sam took was interesting to see in that I want to get more berries in the backyard so it was a bit of a learning experience for me. It was also interesting watching Sam struggle with the decision to to to college or stay and work on the farm. The fact that they have so much trust and respect for him is awesome. Also since he didn't have a clear idea of what he'd like to do with his life other than farming it was a good choice to not spend big money on college. I do think that with college being as expensive as it is and kids of 18 being as immature as they are (and should be at that age) going away is just asking for trouble and winds up blowing money. I did love the way Sam acknowledged that helping his brother grow the business was something special. Again the love, respect and work ethic Lisa instilled in her kids shines through. The commercial in and of itself was probably a great idea. The money aspect of it was something to be considered but it was out of the box for Freedom Farms and a great way to spread the word on when the home market was opening. A few problems though. I get that it was Dan's idea and he was CEO for the week. He should have not featured himself as the CEO and focused more on the family. It was a great idea of showing them cleaning and getting ready to open up for the season but perhaps they could have verbalized it better. The last thing is where in the world did they get that producer??????????????? Ok, he's Polish at least that's what I gathered from the accent and his jacket. As a fellow Pollock he kind of made me cringe but that could just be me. SO- all in all Dan did a great job. I'm sure he'll get no real credit for it and they won't be giving him more respect any time soon. Still nice to see that Dan can handle whatever is thrown his way. It will be interesting to see what niche Dan fills in this year and how Sam does with the fruit production.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Farm Kings in Farm & Ranch Living!

Just open the new issue (August/September 2013) of Farm & Ranch Living. Who is featured on page 12? None other than the Farm Kings! It's pretty much the same as other write ups they've done and no new pics but still publicity is publicity, right? So run out and grab an issue!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Farm Kings Season 2 Episode 5- FINALLY

Why FINALLY you ask?  Hmmm, because I'm finally getting around to the post?  Perhaps.  Definitely because that little hiatus was a KILLER!!!  What was that all about GAC????  I'm wondering how far they will go with episodes this time.  Fall festival again?  Still no mention of Tim's upcoming November 2nd wedding either.  Hmmmm.

So what happened and what did I think of this episode?  As usual I think that Dan is getting screwed 30 ways to Monday.  I was so proud of him for making the decision to go to Polyface and work with Joel Salatin.  Yes I understand that losing him for a summer would have been rough on Freedom Farms.  I also know that what Dan would have learned and brought back to Freedom Farms would greatly outweigh the inconvenience and stress of having him gone for the summer.  Alas we'll never know because Dan cut his time at Polyface short.  Let's backtrack a bit though.

The Freedom Farms Cafe is broken into.  This absolutely sucks and is an unbelievable tragedy for the King family.  No doubt about it.  It was best put by Lisa saying that whoever did it was stealing from her kids.  Personally I believe in karma and I hope it really b#$chslaps whoever decided to break in.  I don't think there is anyone that would deny that the King family is hard working, dedicated and determined.  The certainly did not deserve to have to go through something like this.  As they also found out the robbery extends much further than just that day.  There is a sense of being violated and fear that is left after an event like that.  Lisa was wonderful when she was talking to the employee and checked to see how she was.  It was a glowing example of mama bear meets business women and it meshing beautifully.  I also felt so bad for Joe when he talked about how he had to tell his brothers.  Joe is very much a typical first born and takes his responsibilities to family very seriously.  That said he wasn't responsible and I hope he doesn't beat himself up too badly over it. 

After the break in Lisa called Dan to fill him in.  He was worried about the family and employees.  After that there really wasn't much he could do from Virginia.  Why Lisa said that they needed him I'm not sure.  I'm willing to bet it had nothing to do with the robbery and everything with wanting Dan home.  So not cool.  He was learning so much and having so much fun that it wasn't cool whatever the reason.  It's not like he was going to catch whoever broke in or be able to help the situation in any way.  All she did was guilt him into coming home for no real reason.  I'm also wondering why she hadn't talked to Dan in awhile.  In this day and age when cell minutes are easy to come by especially on a family plan which I'm really hoping the Kings have there's no reason they couldn't have been talking on a regular basis. 

So Joe, Tim & Pete go about installing a new safe and upping the security around the Cafe.  I did love Tim's method of checking the safes sturdiness.  I also thought it was wonderful that Joe was opening the Cafe with the employees since they were nervous.  It was the right thing to do but that doesn't mean that many bosses would have done it.  It did but a lot of stress on him which sucked.  It was really awesome that Joe took everyone to the self defense class.  I mean if I had a daughter old enough to have a part time job I'd certainly feel safe if she worked for the Kings. 

Then we got to the point of Dan's return.  Joe's response was so completely shitty and not appropriate.  To say he was awful to Dan is an understatement.  I'm really hoping that it was a lot of editing and that Joe isn't that big an a$$hole.  Not holding my breath though from past things with Joe.  Dan came home because Lisa told him he was needed.  Complete BS and he walked into the lions den.  Now it did seem like there was a 2 week gap or so from the robbery and Lisa's call asking Dan to come home and his arrival.  Only way of catching that is if you follow the whole birth of the pigs thing.  For as much of an AH Joe was Pete was a complete mensch when Dan showed up.  He seemed genuinely happy to see him and the love was apparent. 

A side note if we're keeping track of the King boys that chew and it can be confirmed either from the show or pics its now Joe, Tim & Dan.  WTF guys?????  Lisa smack those boys of yours upside they head and use some of the mom guilt on this topic. 

At the end of the episode it seemed like Dan was not going to be returning to VA.  I really hoped he was just home for a visit and then would go back and continue to soak up that knowledge from Joel.  Not to be. 

So those are my thoughts and feelings on episode 5.  So glad it's back on and can't wait to see what else happens this season!  I wonder if Tim will talk about his fiancee at all or him he'll just show up in season 3 rocking a ring.  What do you think? 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

More posts coming soon!

No I haven't disappeared.  No I haven't stopped watching the Farm Kings *gasp*. Yes Princess Bear (PB) and I are fine.  It's summer which seems to be the busiest time of the year.  Between PB's tutor twice a week, art 3 times a week, speech therapy, horseback riding and piano it feels a bit crazy.  My parents have been having some health issues so we've been trying to pick up slack to help them out.  I'll try to write a post on the return of the Farm Kings tonight or tomorrow.  Until then why don't you discuss amongst yourselves what you think the color scheme for Tim & Maggies November 2nd wedding will be.  Browns, oranges and yellows?  Pink & brown?  What do you think?