whats cooking in my kitchen

So you remember a while back I said I wanted to share a recipe with you? I kinda teased you with it. Well then come time to post it I had deleted the pics before I put them on my computer? Yes? No. It was the Blueberry Puff Pastry. Jog your memory a bit?
Well my SIL came over today and I told her I would make it for her. This time I took the pic off the camera and put them on the computer!
Here they be

 Get yerself a box of puff pastry's at the store. Unless you feel ambitious and make the pastry yourself. I would be, but this time I was no ambitious, it's too hot.

 Then get some cream cheese, I mean who can live without cream cheese? I for one can not. Put some almond extract in it, and sugar. Then beat the snot out of it.

 Smear it on the raw pastry.

 Get some blueberries. I used frozen, that is all I had. Fresh would be amazing this time of year. And dump them on.

 Cut the other pastry into 10 slices and weave it on the top. I didn't this time, but it looks pretty when you take the time to do that. Then cook it.

Then tada!! All done and wonderful to eat. It's sweet, but not super sweet. Nice and light too, not a heavy pastry. Mmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmm.
Here's the recipe it ya want

1 box Puff Pastry sheets (2 in box)
 Filling:
1 8oz cream cheese softened
1/3 C sugar
1/2 t almond extract

11/2 C blueberries
Lay one sheet on your pan.
Beat cream cheese, almond, and sugar until well blended. Top with blueberries. Cut the second pastry into 10 slices, and weave them on the top.
Bale 375 25-30 min until golden brown

Frosting: If you want it (for this one I didn't put it on b/c I forgot)
1 C powdered sugar
3 T cream
1 t almond extract
Mix, and drizzle on top of pastry.

That's it.
Easy peasy.
Have a great night all!

this little piggie

cried weee weeee weee all the way home!
We got our pigs yesterday! My husband greeted me when he got out of the car, he oinked at me and said "I like pigs," With a smile on his handsome face. I laughed and kissed him. 
 I didn't get any pics yesterday, I was too busy doing chores so my husband could fix their pig pen, and then we were off to a birthday party. They are in T.O's stall and it needed some holes fixed that a pig could get out, but not a horse. I'm so happy to have them here. This is the first time we have pigs ON our farm!! We've had them before, but over at my in-laws, and I rarely went to see them, the pigs not my in-laws! We will be keeping strict records on them too, basically how much they eat. In a few weeks they will be going outside once they are settled and know that the barn is home. I really don't want to have to chase pigs, but I might end up doing just that. I'll post it if I do, because I'm sure it would be funny. It's OK I can laugh at myself. I do it so often ya know.
But this am I took a couple pics. "Here piggy piggy!!"

 The kiddos want to play ball with them. Aren't they cute?! Three boys and one girl, I think.  I like pigs. I can't get attached to them though. I plan on eating one of them this winter, and the rest are sold. I can give them the best life a pig could want though. Room to play, water, grain, scraps, milk, shelter, and some affection.

Here they are eating their breakfast this morning. We need a bigger bucket. And I quickly moved the bucket away from the wall. They tend to push and shove each other and are all over the place while eating. SO the wall is not ideal to put the food bucket. Lesson one learned real fast for me this am. First time I've fed pigs!
Have a great day all. I've got a gazzllion things to do today and need to get at it!!

good quote

"A mistake is simply another way of doing things"
Katherine Graham

"A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the open sea."
Honore de Balzac

brooklyn s'mores

I have a friend that lives in Brooklyn New York. They came to the farm for a visit. I had really wanted a fire pit that night and make s'mores and chat, well it was way too windy, and fire would have blown all of the place. Not cool. The kiddos had heard the word s'mores and didn't let up. So my friend showed me how they do it in Brooklyn! Then the other night we had my SIL and family over for s'mores. But it got rained out. I had it in my head that nothing but s'mores would taste good. SO we did it Brooklyn style!
Here's how you do it!

 The brown marshmallows have coconut on them.

So next time your fire pit gets rained out and you have a hankerin for s'mores just turn on your gas stove, and make 'em! Also Reese's PB cups are amazing on them if you didn't already know!!!
Have a great day!!!

saturday snapshot

Alright, so this was my view of the thunder head and sunset last night. Just simply beautiful! I had to share the art work of God!

Have a great night all!

and then...

this is what we do...

 load up the poo and...

spread it on the field.
And when I say we, I really mean my husband. He does that. I've never had the chance... We have lots of poo on a farm, but I don't need to tell you farmers that! It's really a wonderful thing!
And you thought this post was gonna be about haying! ha! Tricked ya!
 Oh and I have to show you this...

With some of the hay we left at the farm the kiddos built a little "hay fort." How's that for imagination?! They played there for hours!

And just because she's so dang cute, and getting so dang big...

Dandie.

Have a great day all!

more haying

You guys are gonna get sick of reading about haying!
Yesterday was in the 90's and the three H's. Hazy, hot and humid. We had more hay to get done. So that is what we did later in the day. I threw bales on the wagon while my husband finished baling, my FIL brought over his jeep to pull the hay wagon and drove that. Then I had to stack the hay I threw on the wagon. I'm not the best stacker in the world. But I'm better then I was last year. I didn't loose any bales! It was hot. I was covered in sweat and hay chafe, and my jeans and tank top were sticking to me. Don't ever do hay in shorts. Yikes, that hurts! Done it once the first time I ever hayed, back when I was a teen. My legs were scared and full of hay splinters. OUCH. Anyways... Once my husband was done baling he got on the wagon and stacked. I threw the bales up to him. It's a better workout then any gym. My arms are stronger now then ever. I've got milking, cleaning stalls, throwing hay, and lugging water, under my belt. Plus all winter I worked out at home. Had to keep in shape for the summer and give me something to do. I slept really well last night too. My husband told me I snored!! OMW! I must have been tired. I don't snore. Neither does he, unless he's really tired! I'm so glad!
We have over 300 bales of hay in the barn now. We are well on our way to having enough for the winter. I think we need 600. One field is done, and now growing for second crop. We like to feed the cows second crop. We have another field to do, but may have to hire to have it cut. It's thicker then the one we did. I'm so happy to get this done. It's earlier then last year. And the hay looks so good!
See

 Hard to tell how green it is. The glare of the sun was bad, and I couldn't see what I was looking at. I just pointed and shot. But it's nice and green!

We don't have a "hopper" as my son calls it. So we do it the hard way and drop it on the ground and then go around and pick it up. I throw it! Hard work.

 My man getting ready to jump off the wagon. I tried to get him stacking, but didn't. I needed pictures and he wanted to get it done!

My boys.

Have a great day all!

projects

So this is the new baby blanket I'm working on. It's for a friend who's having a girl. I love the color. It's Melon, and it really looks like the inside of a cantaloupe. I took this one to the beach with me and knitted while I was soaking up the sun!!

The pattern is easy. It looks like popcorn to me. I also have a boarder on the edges. I have done that on most all of the blankets. It keeps it from rolling. But some I've let roll, I like it depending on the pattern.
Well that's all. It's gonna be a hazy, hot and humid day here! Gotta keep all the critters water filled today for sure! Have a good one!

haying and such

So my weekend was filled with haying. Saturday is a blurr and I don't remember what I did. We had plans to visit Dad's on Father's Day, but when the sun is shining and hot and you have hay down and it is dry and needs to get in the barn, that is what you do. Get it in the barn. Farming doesn't care what day it is. So after church while my husband raked, I replanted one of the gardens. Then while my husband baled I mowed the lawn. Then we loaded it up and took it to the barn. Then yesterday we did more haying. I got to rake this time!
See, me on the tractor. "He thinks my tractor's sexy!!"

Why yes that is a two horse drawn rake. Thanks for noticing. Yes that is a tractor pulling it. BUT it's paid for and it works. Currently very slowly, and is the slowest thing for haying. But for now it works, and we are looking for a different rake... later.
Then while my husband baled, I was getting clothes off the line and yada yada. When it came time for getting it in the barn my BIL, and FIL, came over and I didn't have to do that. I got to cook supper with my SIL. We had to feed the hungry men and children!
We got some more hay down with the JD tractor.
See

 Sure does smell good, and look how pretty it is! Currently drying in the sun!

Here is one load of hay to go to the barn. Feels good to know that we are well on our way to having hay to feed the critters this winter.  And that we did it ourselves. Yuck, don't want to thing about snow today though!
Have a great day all!

fun at the ocean

We went to the beach. No let me re-state that. We went to the ocean! Ahhhhhhhhh I just love the ocean! The smell, the sounds, even the gulls flying over head. First time this summer. It was nice for us to get away from the farm for a day...or so
 Now let me fill you in on our adventure! (Long post and some pics are headed your way! Go get some coffee, and a cookie, I'll wait.)
My husband had to work and couldn't come. My mom came and picked up the kiddos and I. One of my sisters takes a vacation down to the ocean every year for a week. So she invited us down for the day. The motel she stays at has a pool, hot tub, sauna, and like 5 grills, a patio, play area, and best of all is about 500 feet from the ocean! The kiddos were up at 6am, I think they were a little excited, 9am didn't come fast enough for them. I brought my knitting and worked on that on the drive. It was a beautiful day, full sun with just a light breeze. We get to the beach and the kiddos took off for the water. Once they hit the water they let out a little yelp. The Atlantic Ocean is never warm. It was cold! It was low tide when we got there and could go way out.  They had boogie boards to ride the waves and all! Ahhh just a day of fun, and laying in the sun! Just what we needed. Time just is not an issue on your day off, and you get home whenever you get there! The kiddos thoroughly enjoyed playing, as did I!
Here is what we listened to...

Us in the ocean!!
We had a picnic on the hotel patio late in the day. While I was grilling the kiddos played in the pool, heated you know. It was nice for them to go in because they were chilly after the ocean. They liked the hot tub too! I got hot in the sun grilling so I ran and jumped in the pool. I did a cannon ball in the water and came up on the kiddos. They thought that was funny. I felt better and went and finished grilling. More fun on the beach after lunch.

 My view most of the day. Unless I was in the water playing with the kiddos. Not a lot of people there either!

The waves! Ahhhhhhhhh so beautiful!

Well later that evening when we were getting ready to leave, someone in the hotel asked us when we came up from the beach if had the silver van. Yes, was our response. We were told we had a flat tire. Very flat. (No pics, had put the camera in the motel room, or I'd have 100000000 pictures.  I have lots more, but won't put them on.) No problem. Just dig out the spare and head on out. The kiddos went up to the motel and went in the pool. They didn't care, it just meant more time in water with their cousins! Well it took us a few minutes to find the spare. Some "genius" that designed this newer van decided the back is not a good place for a spare. No they put in in the front between the driver and passenger seat underneath. Because that's SUPER convenient to get out let me tell you. NOT. Well we get that out and low and behold again some genius had a donut for the spare!! (For those of you who don't know, a donut is a much smaller tire, and not ideal for long travels to drive on, and you can only go 50mph on them). My parents had recently bought this van too, so they had no idea this was the case. OK, not so cool for a long drive on the highway ... now what. Well we took the flat tire off and found not 1 but 2 screws in it! OMW! We were so thankful that this happened in the safety of the parking lot and not on the highway! We put the donut on and thought what would be our best move. You know there are some folks who always have an opinion and are rather loud and free with their advice, well we had one of those, but choose not to go with it. We did have some help from the motel manager, he was helpful. Well, we sent my sister to the store to get a new tire mounted and balanced. That sounded like a good idea. She called a while later. My mom, other sister and the kiddos were fixing up a late supper for the sleepy, hungry kiddos when she called. Walmart told her they would only sell her 4 new tires, but they closed in 10 minutes. We were about 20 or so minutes away. Not gonna work, and we only needed 1 tire, not 4! Then she went to VIP. They said sure, we can do that, tomorrow at 1:30. SOoooooooooooo Mom and I decided at that point (it was late and no one else was open) we would just stay the night and go to VIP the next day. We called our husbands and told them. Then got our room. My sister had to leave and do chores at her farm and couldn't stay and play. My other sister was staying until the next day anyways so we were gonna party! We got showers and settled in and got an extra cot for the room. Snacks and some TV on the beds, and a very late night for all of us. All and all it was fine!
The next morning we walked down to the pier and got some DD coffee near the ocean. Mmmmmmmmmm iced coffee after a long late night was a must have.

 My babies foot print in the sand.

My kiddos walking down to the pier with the ocean lapping their feet. When we got back we had to check out of the motel, and sat on the beach for an hour or so. We still needed to kill time and the kiddos didn't like just looking at the ocean. We had no place for a bathroom, changing or block from the sun. Everything was packed. So we went shopping for a while, had a "tailgate" party in the parking lot for lunch, then packed up and headed to VIP to get the new tire. We get there and they said it would be a hour, but maybe two hours before they could get it done. This was now 1:30 when they said it could be done. Now what?! We parked in the shade, got some chairs and blankets out. Then walked down to the DD that was right down the road and my mom treated the kiddos to a coolatta, my sister and I got iced coffee, and mom got tea, unsweetened. Then walked back to VIP and hung out there for over two hours. We had an adventure, and the kiddos were great! We had food, water and shade, and some grass for them to play in. We all wished we could have gone back to the beach, but didn't have enough room in my sisters little car. I was very glad I brought my knitting. I'm working on a new baby blanket for a friend. Nope not to get paid for it, but a gift! I'll show you that soon too. When the van was fixed we left for home. It was 4pm when we left. The ride home was uneventful, thankfully! All and all the whole thing was great fun! An adventure I think the kiddos will remember for a very long time!
We got home for chores, late chores. The cows were waiting for us, my husband wasn't home, and the kiddos needed to eat...I did also notice that my husband had put down some hay. That's what we will be doing this weekend...my day of relaxing at the beach seems like it was a long time ago!
Have a great weekend all. I'll have some pics of haying to share soon I'm sure!

hooorha!! i have onions!!!

Yup I do. I just love onions too, even though my family tends to poo poo them. But I'm the cook so I put them in everything! Brwhahahah! Evil I tell you.  hehe
I've been busy cleaning my house. Gotta "catch" up after a long year of home schooling. So much to do. Organize, rearrange clothing now that summer seems to be here... I hope. Moving things around and my favorite part, purging!!! Oh how I love to get rid of stuff!! I hate stuff. Too many times that's all it is, just stuff, and it needs to get out of my space. I wonder where it comes from too, because I have no idea. We have a society of stuff. Gotta have stuff, when we really don't. It clogs up your life and your space. Space I would rather just have empty space. I mean look at all the self storage places, people have clogged up their space and need to rent more space. I'll get off my soapbox now.
Now what does all this have to do with onions? Well I needed a break from cleaning, and I went out to see my gardens! Apparently onions LOVE water. At one point they were literally under water, and I thought, well there goes that. We had lots of rain. Well now we've had some really nice weather and my goodness the onions have just taken off, even when they were under water. Just happy as could be. I was told by a friend of mine that onions do like water, and I would agree with that. Learn something new everyday.
See... I know kinda bleary, poor ole camera...

They are huge! The soil is still wet from the rain and kinda packed down. And the weeds are still alive too. They live no matter what!
I also have  about 10-11 bean plants that are up. hahaha, don't laugh! Not nearly enough. They don't like the water as much. My peppers and tomatoes wellllllllllllllllll we shall have to wait and see how they do. Gotta get some fish emulsion on them and hopefully they start to look better. Everything else is ok, but need to replant some things. Oh well. Everything is not a total loss and for that I'm thankful! There is still time. So need to get that done!
and the house work... Gah! 
Have a great day all!

what's cooking in my kitchen

OK, so this is the last of the cooking pictures for a while. Maybe... I've had three in a row, but wanted to share what I'd made recently. So this is what we had for supper one night.
PW's Parmesan Chicken. Very, very yummy!! Highly recommend it.
SO here 'tis

It's a bit time consuming to do all the steps. But..if you have time it's worth it!
First you pound down the breast meat, then bread and fry them.

 Cook down the sauce. It's more of a marinara sauce, then spaghetti sauce.

PW keeps it in the pan she fried the chicken in, but mine isn't big enough, so I had to bake it for a while. I think my breast's were still a bit thick, and took a little longer to cook.

Here's the Parmesan Chicken all cooked with the cheese on top. Make sure you put the cheese on when it's all cooked, or you'll burn it. I know because I've done that on other food I've cooked with cheese on top.
I didn't show the whole thing put together because I was too busy shoveling it in my mouth!!

Now because this day is so beautiful and I've been so productive on this sunny Monday I'm gonna make a cup of iced coffee and go sit in the sun and watch the kiddos play for a while!!
Have a great day all!!

what's cooking in my kitchen

I would like to caution you all right now. If you are on a diet, or trying to loose weight stop reading now.  But if your hungry keep reading!  You may gain weight just looking at the pictures...Unless you like to drool on your computer then feel free. Brwhahahaha
But on with the weight gain and drooling!!!
Trifles anyone? I just love a good trifle, and that said I have three I'm gonna share tonight.  Excited hu?!

 Here is number one. It's called Red White and Blueberry dessert. It's simply wonderful, oh and the easiest one to make too. (If you want to be fancy put it in a 9x13 pan and build a flag on top with the berries). I just threw it in the trifle bowl. I was in a hurry to get it done so I could eat it!!! hehehe
What's in it? Simple. 1t vanilla, 1 t almond extract, 2pkg cream cheese, 1/4 c sugar. Beat these together. In another bowl whip 2 C whipping cream. Fold into cream cheese mixture. 1 qt fresh strawberries cut into chunks, 1 qt blueberries. Layer in pan or bowl. Keep in fridge.

Here is number two. The second easiest to make. I just made it up as I went along in my "planning" today actually. We had our family dinner with the in-laws.That's why I love trifles you can do just about anything you want to make one. It doesn't have a name, I just called it a Surprise Trifle. Basically because I was the one who made it up as I went.
 What's in it? Simple. Make a chocolate cake. Let it cool, and the cut into chunks. 1 large pkg of instant chocolate pudding and make it ahead, 1 C whipping cream. Fold whipped cream into choc pudding. Cut up a bunch of Reese's Peanut Butter bars. Layer in a bowl. Keep in fridge.

Here is number three. This one was the most time consuming because of what's in it. It's a Lemon Strawberry Trifle. But just as wonderful as the first two. If your into that sort of thing.
What's in it? This one was a little more involved, like I said. I made a homemade Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake. Yummy. Cool and cut into chunks. I only used half of the cake for this trifle and the other half is frozen. Then there is a homemade Lemon Curd. When that is cooled you add 2 C whipped cream. Cut up strawberries. I used a lot because I was asked by one of my kiddos to put extra in there, so I did! Layer in a bowl.  Keep in fridge.

I for one think they look great. I'm not tooting my own horn here, I've made tons of different trifles the past few years and found they are great for a pot luck, family get together or what have you. My trifle bowl is actually the Pampered Chef one. I earned it free at one of my parties a few years ago, and I have gotten plenty of use from it too!!  As you can see!
Have a great night all!!

what's cooking in my kitchen

OK, so something simple and easy. But they are so goooooooood. This was just part of the meal we had the other night. You'll have to come back and see what the main course was.
These bad boys

Garlic knots. MMmmmmmmmmmmmmm so good. A friend of mine had these and I just had to ask how to make them. Here is what I did!!
Now here is how to make them.

 Make pizza dough. I got this recipe from Pioneer Woman's first cook book. I love it, makes great pizza crust.

 Pinch off a piece after it's risen.

 Roll it out into a snake. Eeeewww or long dough string.

Tie it in a knot. Put in a pan and let rise. Make them a small or big as you want. Have fun with it!

I think I may have let them rise a bit more then I should have. Lost track of time. Imagine! Bake 350-400 until golden brown on the bottom, and no longer doughy.
Now for the yummy part.

Melt some butter, add some fresh garlic, E.V.O.O, parsley (or basil I didn't have parsley). Brush the butter mixture on the warm rolls. Shred some Parmesan cheese and sprinkle on top. Use your own judgement on how much of each for the topping. Like I said, have fun and make it like you like! Just a nice easy bread recipe that tastes great. Don't forget to come back and see what the main course was!
Have a great night all!

maggie's pedicure

This was not what I was going to post today, but I thought it was interesting, so here you go!
Well today we were able to get Maggie's hooves trimmed. I have never seen it done before, so I wanted to be around when it happened. It's not like I "go to work" I live at where I work, and usually am home. But I had some errands to run and drop my boy off so he could have a sleep over with his best friend/cousin for his birthday. His cousins, not my boy. Well I was rushing around town to get everything done. Thankfully it was early enough this morning and the stores were not busy. Phew. Shopping in the early morning or late at night is the time to go. Although the store is more stocked in the am. Anyhow...
Back at the farm. Maggie came right in when I called her. She only came part way for my husband, so I came to his rescue and she came right in!! Haha. I like to tease him about that. Well she got led out and put into this contraption.

 Aren't you glad you don't have to go in one of these to get your pedicure?! I'm assuming. I've never had one before! Hahahaha
Then

Then these belts go around her and give her a hug. No it doesn't hurt the cow in any way. Maggie looks like shes giving me the harry hawk eye saying "I'm so embarrassed, and how dare I take her picture of her like this."
Then this

He uses a cutter of some sort and off come the extra hoof that needs to be trimmed. I'm glad I had the camera in front of my face so the flying hoof didn't hit me in the face, one piece hit my forehead though.
Then

The back. Their legs get locked into the metal with a chain. That way they can't kick.
That's it. Then they are let down, and put back out in the pasture. Safe for everyone. Only took about 5 minutes. Dandie didn't get hers done, she's not big enough, and her hooves are fine.
Now aren't you glad you know how a cow gets a pedicure? I am. I thought it was cool to watch how it was done.  Makes me want a pedicure now!!! ;-)
Have a great day all.