Monday, May 30, 2011

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

Sunday, May 29, 2011

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

Thursday, May 26, 2011

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

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

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