Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Lesson learned today.  When mowing the tall weeds out by the grain bins and hitting a large piece of iron it will do $120 worth of damage to your mower.  So with that being said I thought I would share this recipe that has nothing to do with mowing.

1 head cauliflower chopped

3 heads  broccoli chopped

1/2 cup chopped purple onion

1/2 lb bacon fried and crumbled

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1 1/4 cups mayo

1/4 cup sugar

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Salt & Pepper to taste

Combine cauliflower, brocoli, onion, bacon, and sunflower seeds in a large bowl.  For the dressing mix the mayo, sugar, and vinegar together and pour over the top of the vegetable mixture.  Toss until vegetables are evenly coated. 

Enjoy!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

The Farmer's Wife

I'm a Mother of a T~E~E~N~A~G~E Daughter today!!!!!!!!!

So my oldest child is 13 today!!!!!!!!  We officially have a teenager daughter in our house......WAAAHHHH...she is growing up too fast........WAAAHHHHHH!!!!  Where is my baby girl!!!!!

Well, my baby girl is turning into a young woman.  She takes forever to get ready {half hour showers take up most of the time}, wants to wear make-up,   fashion is a priority {and picking out clothes also takes a lot of time}, she over does it on perfume {remember ladies when you were young and 1 squirt wasn't enough}, and has a little attitude once in awhile {she is really a good kid 99.9% of the time}.  I see her more grown up everyday and she is becoming quite an individual.  Oh, did I mention boys?!?!  Yeah, they seem to be a priority lately.

She is a country girl to the core.  She is most often found outside, on her horse, in a pair of tattered wranglers and cowboy boots.  If she has a chance to take a 10 hour trip in a purple Peterbilt  to pick up some farm machinery she is all over it {she has nicknamed the purple Peterbilt the Double P}.  She doesn't miss a chance to go to the farm and she wants to learn how to run the swather this summer so she can help out Dad {and this would get her out of cleaning house or babysitting her siblings}.  When she cranks up her ipod playlist you will hear mostly classic country.....Kenny Rogers {her favorite}, George Jones, Dan Seals, Crystal Gayle, Conway Twitty, and the King of Country George Strait!!!

For her birthday she asked for roping reins and new pair of WORK boots!!!  She is such a low maintenance kid and I am thankful for that!!!  She goes with the flow and does what she is told {most of the time}.  She is a tremendous helper and has a fantastic sense of humor.  I love her!!!!!!!!

So with all that being said I couldn't resist sharing this video.

Now I think that sums it up!!!

Happy Birthday to our teenager!!!!!!!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}
The Farmer's Wife

Farm Tour

Today I went to the farm to see how the crops were progressing.  Really, I wanted to check on how the sweet corn was coming along, but with the substantial rain the last few days I couldn't make it back to where it is planted.  I can't wait for the sweet corn to be ready.  One of the best parts of summer is eating BLT's, watermelon, and sweet corn that we raise ourselves.

While I was gallivanting around the farm I saw two snakes which I ran over with my vehicle....OOPS!!!  I do not like snakes one bit!!  They were obviously on a suicide mission crossing the road right in front of me.

Anyhow, since I was at the farm I thought I would give you a little tour of things.

Remember when I told you about my hubs planting seeds?  This is what those seeds are becoming.

The corn plants are growing everyday.

This tree is in our pasture.  I love it because it has character and it stands alone.  We have a pasture gate that sits at an angle and when you pull up to the gate the tree is perfectly framed in the gate {maybe that is my photographer's eye....not that I am a photographer, but it is a hobby I enjoy}.  I will get a picture of it someday.  Anyhow, this tree has made a great come back from a terrible storm we had a few years back.  You can still see some limbs laying on the ground.

This is our pasture swimming pool!!!  Gorgeous huh!!!

It is hard to see, but there is a mama cow taking in some rays by the pasture pond.

Our pasture is full of these NOXIOUS weeds also known as a Yucca plant.  A YUCK-A plant is right!!!!  I can't believe people would buy these.  I am going to have a sale on them so please stop by anytime.  It will be a buy one for FREE and get three more for FREE.  You have to dig them up yourself, but with that great price who cares!!!

Moving on....here is one of our hay fields.  Technical term for this plant is alfalfa.  We will start swathing and baling soon.

Here is one of the wheat fields.

And more wheat.  It is starting to head out.

And here is another corn field.....you can't farm in Nebraska and not raise corn!!!!  Thanks for coming along!!!

{{{HUGS}}}
The Farmer's Wife

Strawberry Walnut Salad

If you love salads you HAVE to try this recipe.  It is DE-LISH!!!!!!

Here's what you need.

1 package ramen noodles

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp soy sauce

1 cucumber

6 cups torn romaine lettuce

2 cups fresh spinach

1/2 cup chopped green onion

2 cups sliced strawberries

Baby carrots to garnish

Break the ramen noodles up {don't use the seasoning packet...save it for a casserole or another dish}.  Melt butter over medium heat, add noodles and walnuts and cook for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from heat and set aside.  

Toss lettuce, spinach, and green onion together.  Also add the cucumber if you chop it.  You can make a bowl by thinly slicing your cucumber lengthwise.  I used 2 slices to make the bowl and used a toothpick to hold it together.

For the dressing whisk together the sugar, canola oil, red wine vinegar, and the soy sauce until well blended.  Let set for a few minutes and whisk again.

Fill your bowl OR your plate with the greens.  Top greens with noodle and walnut mixture.  Then top with strawberries and add a few carrots.  Drizzle with dressing.

Enjoy!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

The Farmer's Wife

Blended Caramel Mocha Frappe

While I am on my coffee kick I thought I would share this recipe I stumbled upon the other day for this frozen coffee drink.  It is simple to make and delicious to drink.  What could be better!!!

For the Drink

¼ cup frozen coffee

1 cup milk

4 tsp chocolate syrup

¾ cup crushed ice

For the Topping

¼ of a plain Hershey bar

whipped cream

caramel syrup

chocolate syrup

Add frozen coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, and ice together in a blender and pulse until well blended.  Use caramel syrup and squirt the inside of the serving glass while turning the glass.  Do the same for the chocolate syrup.  This gives it a little character.  Then pour in the drink mixture.

Then top with whipped cream.  Drizzle some caramel and chocolate syrup over the whipped cream.  Shave some Hershey bar over the top until you get as much as you want {here is my formula....shave one square, eat on square and save one square to poke into the whipped cream....which you will also get to eat}.  

Here is what I do with my leftover coffee {which doesn't happen often} from our morning coffee routine.  I put ¼ cup in each container and freeze it so I can make this Frappe anytime.  You can use instant coffee too.

Enjoy!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

The Farmer's Wife

Linked up to: Little Lucy Lu , Tatortots & Jello, The Creative Crate, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors

I'm a Coffee Lover....

I love coffee!!!  Actually, I am addicted to it.  I really hate to be around myself if I don't get at least 4 cups of coffee every morning.  I can't function without it {and I get a headache.....also pronounced "headgate" at our house}. 

I am perfectly happy with regular old coffee.....Classic Roast Folgers to be exact.  I am thankful I live in the sticks because it is over an hour away to the nearest Starbucks {too far to make the trip everyday}.  Plus my budget wouldn't allow me to stop everyday if I did live close to one.  Most days I drink my coffee black, but I do love creamer.  I gave up creamer {most of the time} because I realized how many calories I was consuming with my brewed cup(s) of heaven every morning.  I imagine my preferred drink of choice at Starbucks packs some serious calories too.  

So recently I have discovered Starbucks Frappaccino that happens to be available at every gas station around.  These have probably been around for years, but I have managed to pass by them.  I now have a problem......I LOVE them too!!!!  I can't pass them up!!!!  They are about 300 calories of pure coffee goodness and also cost some serious smack!!!  I wonder if they sell these in a six pack?!?  Hi, my name is The Farmer's Wife and I am a Starbucks Frappaccino addict.

  

Dang you Starbucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}
The Farmer's Wife

Washing Machine

I know I talk about laundry too much, but it is really a full time job for me at this house.  With four kids who think they need to change clothes several times a day and one farmer who plays in grease most days {and one little farmer boy who follows in his dads footsteps and tries to get as in much grease as his dad} it is about all I can do to keep up.  If you want to catch up on my laundry saga you can click here or here or here.

So lately I have been noticing my washing machine doesn't always spin out correctly.  The clothes seem to be soaking wet.  I have had this trouble before and my wonderful husband fixed the problem {at least he seemed too}.  I mostly have this trouble with towels and jeans because of the weight when they are wet.  I removed half of the towels I put in and ran the washer again and it seemed to be fine.  I did the same with the jeans and had success.  However, when I bought my current washing machine they told me to put as much in as I could and as long as the door shut it should be fine.  So of course every load I do is large....duh!!!  Is it a problem that I have a few heavy cinder blocks propped up against the door to make sure it stays closed?!?....no I am just kidding I don't use cinder blocks I use a 5 gallon bucket full of laundry soap!!!  Okay, so I am kidding there too.  I don't think I am over loading the washing machine I think my washing machine is starting to clap out on me......again!!!

This leads me to dream look online at new washers and dryers.  I have found a couple sets that I think would suit me just fine.  I am just preparing for the day when my washer finally calls it quits!!!


This one is an Electrolux Washer that says it can wash in 18 minutes and they say the dryer can dry in 18 minutes as well!!!! I think this option could turn my full time job of laundry into a part-time job!!!!!!

FRONT LOAD WASHER WITH WAVE-TOUCH® CONTROLS FEATURING PERFECT STEAM™

Or there is this option from Whirlpool that claims it can hold three baskets/loads of laundry at once.  Which could also cut my full time job in half!!!!  I think I want a front loader because that is where I pile everything.  If I got this I would have to find another spot for all my laundry soap.

Whirlpool  4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer (Lunar Silver) ENERGY STAR

I have never had a matching set and I told my husband I am not buying a new washing machine until I can buy the matching dryer!!!  I think this would make laundry more enjoyable....don't you?

Anyone have any thoughts on washers and dryers that they would recommend?  I forgot to mention both of the above units have VERY HEFTY price tags.....ouch!!!!!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}
The Farmer's Wife

Happy Birthday to my Farmer!!!

Happy birthday to my hubs!!!!  He is once again four years older than me!!  Which happens to be two more years than my parents allowed me date way back when.  I guess my parents liked him because they let me marry him!!!!  He is officially pushing the 4-0 mark now!!!

My husband went and picked up a little something for himself a couple weeks ago.....

Does this qualify as a birthday gift???  I thought so too!!!  In all honesty {honestly I think the tractor is a great gift idea for any farmer} I think I will get him a reel for his air compressor hose.  This has nothing to do with the fact that I have had a flat tire every other day for the last couple weeks and I think it is inconvenient to manually wind the cord up and hang it on the hook.  I also think my husband needs all the help he can get to be more organized with it!  Oh, and it will be a wall mounted reel because I would hate for him to trip over it!!

I am not sure what to do for his birthday "party" this year.  I usually make a bunch of food and invite some friends over.  We hang out and play cards or just socialize.  However, this year our daughter has her 6th grade promotion at school.  There will be cake there so I thought about asking if they could add a "Happy 37th Birthday Farmer" to one of the cakes.  The entire school could sing Happy Birthday and we could all wear party hats.  Do you think I am being unreasonable??!!??

Happy Birthday Babe!!!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}
The Farmer's Wife

Our Brandin' 2011

We had our brandin' yesterday.  I was hoping for a gorgeous day since it was the middle of May, but instead we had a rather chilly windy day.  The "cooler" weather didn't stop us from having a great time with friends {and getting the cattle worked}.

 Our brand.

Heading out to round up the cattle.

Cattle are gathered and they are bringing them to the corral.

The future cowboys watch as they sort the cattle.

My middle daughter and her horse Cartoon!

Let the work begin.

My oldest daughter cutting a bull calf {and telling Weston he better behave or "else"}.

You gotta start em young!!!  Brenna is helping hold a calf.

Ropin' n dragging.

The crew at work and the little ones watching every minute of the action.

Six years old and Cauy caught 2 feet and is dragging the calf over to be worked.

Watch out those calves will kick you!!!!

So I guess we are done having kids..............

The last calf is worked and Kolton added a little fun to the finale!!

The Farmer in the dell and I.

After the work is done we head to the shop to eat and socialize...some more!!!

These peanut butter bars are always a hit.  I will share the recipe in a future post.

After everyone ate the kids got a game out.

And played some "shopball".

You must always wear the appropriate attire for shopball.....cowboy boots and chinks. 

Oh and there was some dancing too!!!

Good times, good times!!!!!  Thanks for stopping by!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

The Farmer's Wife