Thursday, May 28, 2015

Jersey Cows

  

 
It's that time of the year!  The fields are getting lush and green!  We need our "lawnmowers" again for the annual trimming.


   We know a local farmer who needs extra fields for his cows to graze on grass from Spring to Fall.



 
   The cows are so nice and gentle.  Some of them have bells on that ring so we know where they are.  There are only 9 of them but they will clean up the fields.


 
  I personally think that it is very peaceful to sit on the porch and watch them when they are directly across from the house.

  

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad



 

 

   We are going to be going to Jeremiah's parents home on Sunday for a Memorial Day picnic.  I always have trouble deciding what dish to take.  Jeremiah always wants to take some meat to grill so I got some chicken for that but I needed another dish.  While I was shopping, I decided to make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad.  Madilynne and I worked together to put this dish together today because it always seems to taste better if it can be refrigerated for awhile before serving.  I made a large amount of salad but you can easily half this recipe.





Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

2 bunches of broccoli
2 heads of cauliflower
1 large red onion
1 lb. bacon
2 8 oz. packages of mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Dressing:
2 cups Miracle Whip- no substitutions
2 cups sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Clean and cut broccoli and cauliflower into small bite sized pieces.  Cut onion in to large diced pieces.  Cut bacon into small bits and cook until crispy.  Drain on a paper towel.  Mix the broccoli, cauliflower, onion and bacon bits in a large bowl.  Add shredded cheese.  Mix all the ingredients of the dressing in a mixing bowl.  Mix well.  Add to veggie mixture and mix well.  Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.





Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Car Trouble

   My car is old...like 2003 old.  I really like my car, I guess you can tell that since I have had it so many years! It is a Ford Taurus and I have put many miles on it- over 134,000 and it is starting to get rusty in spots.  Sometimes, I feel that the car would run forever and then there are days like yesterday that make me think, hum, this car is starting to act it's age.  It was sputtering and jerking and I had some steep inclines to go up to get home and my poor car would only go about 20 MPH. That isn't really unsafe since we live in a rural area and there weren't many other vehicles on the road. I had my father-in-law look at it and he drove it around today and the car didn't do a THING!!! Seriously!? Not a thing?  He told me to drive it tomorrow and go get groceries or something to see if it will act up again.  I am not really thrilled with that idea but at some point I really am going to have to get groceries...just how long can I hold out though? Not long with Ryder's hollow legs!  That boy can eat and I will have to replenish the shelves- sometime...
  Have you ever experienced car troubles?  Do you have a funny story about a car breakdown that might not have been so funny at the time but it is now? Do you drive an old car?
  
  

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Sweet Dinner Rolls

 

I thought that I would share a recipe today.  I enjoy cooking and baking and trying new recipes when I have a chance.  I have a bread machine that makes life much easier for me.  I am not gifted in making bread with my hands only.  I can, however, make tasty bread with some "mechanical" assistance. 

 
   I made Sweet Dinner Rolls for Mother's Day and they turned out delicious and soft.  I found a recipe years ago that I have tweaked a bit to make it better- in my opinion. If you are gifted with being able to make bread by hand, I am sure you could easily adjust the recipe, just don't ask me how to do that!  ~smile~




Sweet Dinner Rolls

Place these ingredients in your bread machine as listed:

1 cup water
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. melted butter
3 1/3 cups flour
2 tsp. yeast

Run the dough only cycle. When complete, take the dough out and form into 12 rolls.  Place rolls in greased 13 X 9 baking pan; cover and allow to rise 30-45 minutes.  Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Lilacs

  
 
   Lilacs are probably my number one favorite spring flower.
 



 I love their colors and scent.  We have a white lilac and a light purple lilac bush. The light purple is my favorite.



 
Yesterday, Jeremiah and I were in the yard and I decided to pick a bouquet of them. I brought them into the house and placed them in a pint mason jar. 
 


   The kitchen is filled with the light scent of lilacs.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Mother's Day 2015

   I am a very fortunate lady.  I am blessed to live close to both my mom and my mother-in-law. Today we celebrated the day together with a late lunch after church.  Jeremiah grilled some steak and kabobs, while I made some baked potatoes, a salad, cut up some fresh pineapple and made some rolls. My mom made a Strawberry Torte and the in-laws brought two pies, one strawberry and one apple.  After we ate, we played a card game, Skip Bo, and then decided to go for a walk. The temperatures have been soaring into the 80's and for us, that is hot!  We enjoyed visiting in front of the fan when we returned. 
   I am also blessed to be mom to two awesome kids and wife to an amazing man. I thank God that I have them.