My BABY is turning 5!!!

I can't believe that my baby will be 5 in a few weeks!!!  Time just goes to darn fast and my babies aren't babies anymore.  My son can't wait for February 13th to arrive so he will officially be FIVE!!!  He is still my baby....even if he is five!!

I wanted to start documenting my kids on their birthday so in years to come we can go back and see how they have changed.  I don't know why I didn't start this sooner.....like 13 years ago when my oldest daughter was born.  Anyhow, on with it from here on out.

When I "interviewed" my son this morning I was surprised to learn his favorite color is brown.  Usually, it is green or yellow {something about tractors...} and a BULL RIDER...this mama doesn't think so!!!!  When I asked him who his role model was he responded "what is a role model?".  I explained what a role model is and he had the perfect answer to the perfect role model....his Daddy..awe!!!

Such a handsome lil' guy!!!

{HUGS}}}

Cappuccino Muffins

Three of the many food groups in my life in no particular order are coffee, chocolate, and cream cheese.  Some days it is chocolate, coffee, and cream cheese.  Other days it is cream cheese, coffee, and chocolate.  Oh, these are not a food group???  In my own little world they are food group...if that matters...lol!!

Quick story first before I share the goodness of these muffins.  My mother in law is an awesome cook.  She and I are a lot alike when it comes to cooking.  We look at cooking as a way to relax and find it therapeutic if you will.  I was sooooo excited to give her one of her Christmas presents this year because it was something she didn't mention she wanted or needed, but I knew she would love.  I got her the butter lovin' lady from the south Miss Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible.  Maybe I was a little selfish in getting her this cookbook that I would thumb through while at her house, but I knew she would love it just as much as I would.  When she opened her gift she chuckled and told me she just bought the cookbook a few days prior.  WHAT!!! Great minds think alike!!!!!!  She got me the Taste of Home Baking Book for Christmas PLUS she gave me the "extra" Paula Deen cookbook.  SCORE!!!!

Needless to say, I have been rummaging through these cookbooks and found the recipe for the Cappuccino Muffins in the Taste of Home cookbook and couldn't wait to make them.  Moist coffee flavored muffins with chocolate chips and a delicious coffee flavored cream cheese spread just speaks to my soul....like deep down....I don't care it is 10:30 at night I must make these NOW kind of deep!!!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Espresso Spread:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp instant coffee granules
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

In a food processor or blender chop the chocolate chips up till fine.  Add remaining ingredients and process until well blended.  Transfer to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until serving.

Muffins:
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 tbsp instant ground coffee granules
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  In a small bowl, stir milk and coffee granules until granules are dissolved.  Add butter, egg and vanilla; mix well.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill greases or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.  Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.  Serve with espresso spread.  Makes approx 14 muffins.

Enjoy!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Chocolate Chip Scones

These scones are incredibly easy to make and you could easily substitute blueberries, cranberries, apples, or raisins for the chocolate chips.

Here's what you need to whoop these babies up:

1 cup all purpose flour
3 tbsp white sugar
1½ tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp cold butter
1 egg
3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup chocolate chips

In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Cut in butter until crumbly.  In a small bowl, combine egg and cream; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in chocolate chips.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead gently 6-8 times.  Pat into a 10 inch circle.  Cut dough into six wedges.  Separate wedges and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from pan to a wire rack.  Serve warm.

I like to add a little powdered sugar glaze to mine....you know just to add a few more calories that I desperately need.

For the glaze:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1½ tbsp milk

Add milk to powdered sugar and whisk until smooth.  If you would like it thicker add more powdered sugar, if you would like it thinner add more milk.  

Now, go have a glass of milk and a chocolate chip scone!!

Enjoy!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

The Farmer's Wife Year End Review

It is hard to believe that 2011 is coming to close already.  Time goes so fast anymore...I can hardly keep up.  I don't know whether to look forward to 2012 or be scared for another bad year.  2010 and 2011 were not the best years and I remember saying I don't think we could have a worse year than 2010 and then unfortunately 2011 was worse.  2011 left us saying goodbye to my father-in-law when he lost his battle with cancer.  Last week, we had to say goodbye to my grandma after she was so courageous in choosing to amputate her legs in hopes to gain a few more years of life, but the good Lord was eager for her to come home.  I do have peace knowing that our loved ones had great faith and will spend eternity with Savior and that I will one day get to see them again.

The end of this year also marks the one year anniversary of The Farmer's Wife Blog.  I have truly enjoyed my blog.  I wanted to start a blog to ramble on about the happenings in my life and I thank everyone of you who take the time to read my ramblings!!!  I thought I would highlight the popular posts from the year.

When it comes to projects, printing on burlap takes the top spot.

As far as recipes go, the caramel mocha frappe seems to be the big hit here at The Farmer's Wife.  It is one of my favorites too!!

If you like to keep up on our life at the farm you probably remember when things got a little hot.

Here are my favorite posts from my blog in the categories:

Farm Life  This is my Valentine's day post.  I know I would not live the life I have without my hubs and I am so thankful for him everyday.  Plus, without him I wouldn't have these four precious individuals.

Projects   This is my ladder project and it was a close second to the printing on burlap.  I love it!!!

Recipes   This is my recipe for spicey sirloin kabobs.  I could eat them for every meal!!!!!!  You must try this recipe!!!!!!!


So there you have it, the year end review from The Farmer's Wife.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time from your busy life to read a little about mine.

{{{HUGS}}}

Broccoli Cheese Soup

When it is cold and snowy outside I love to make soup.  It just hits the spot when your tootsies are cold and you want to spend the day cuddled up under a blanket.  I made this soup the other day in the midst of a winter storm which dumped about 9 inches of snow on us.

1 stick butter
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 potatoes, diced
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. flour
8 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
12 oz. velveeta cheese, cubed
Salt & Pepper to taste

Melt butter over medium-high heat, add carrots, broccoli, and onion.  Saute about 6 minutes and then add garlic and continue to saute 2 more minutes.  Reduce heat to low and add flour and whisk until well blended.  Remove from heat.  Place chicken broth in stock pot and vegetable mixture, potatoes, and salt and pepper.  Cook on low-medium heat until the potatoes are done, add milk and cheese and simmer until cheese is melted.  I sometimes add a little cornstarch mixed with cold water (3 tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water, mix) to make the soup a little thicker.  Enjoy!!!

{{{HUGS}}}