'BOTW' Summer Fresh Orzo Salad with Pesto Dill

I end up finding the best fresh summer recipes in Bon Appetite.  I tend to be drawn to recipes that use fresh veggies that are in season and recipes that are simple to throw together.  Great taste and easy assembly.  So when I saw this Orzo, green bean and fennel salad with dill pesto, I knew it would be my 'Best of the Web' feature of the week and  it won't be long before I make a batch of it myself.  I love orzo.

Photo and recipe courtesy Bon Appetite

Pin It

Ready, Set, Fair Time

June is SUCH a crazy month around here.  One of our local fairs is coming up in just two short weeks and all the last minute details to fair projects need to be complete by next week.  

We're scrambling here.  Not enough time and too long of a to-do list.

Bryce and Paige both are involved with the woodworking and cooking projects through 4H and yesterday was ALL about woodworking.  Starting and finishing a flower planter box and painting some of their projects they've already completed were top priorities.

Each planter box required five cuts.  That's 10 between the both of them.  That's a whole lotta arm movement.  When they became tired and their little arms limp from sawing, I stepped in and helped.

Pin It

TT w/Linky: Easy Asian Chopped Cabbage Salad

I am So So thankful for this super simple chopped Asian cabbage salad recipe.  My friend, Cindy, makes it and I just recently asked her for the recipe.  It's made with good ole' Top Ramen noodles believe it or not!  It takes about 10 minutes to make, start to finish.  It's healthy, crunchy and very tasty.  Perfect for anything from a back yard BBQ to a simple week night meal.

Pin It

Barn Charmer

It's always been my desire to have a barn party and let me tell you, if I owned one like this I'd have every birthday party, end of school party, cocktail party or whatever party in it.

I pass this barn on the many times I head to my sister's house and I always stop to take in the charming scene.  I especially enjoy the scene past sunset when the globe lights happen to be on and the fire pit a flame.

I can visualize myself with a mason jar filled with a refreshing beverage, some good music playing and sitting near the bonfire for a relaxing evening.....

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!
 
Tweet

Pin It

Strip and Go Cougar

I know it's only Monday so it seems a little early in the week to be talking vodka, but I tried out some new martini recipes this past weekend with my fave....Cougar Juice Vodka.

Had to share.

If you like the taste of a classic vodka martini, you'll love the taste of Cougar Juice Vodka, stirred in ice and poured into a chilled martini glass.  A chocolate dipped, fresh raspberry is a semi-sweet addition and a perfect ending to the Strip and Go Cougar Martini.

Pin It

'BOTW': EASY Oreo Cheesecake for June Dairy Month

June is celebrated as national 'Dairy Month' and to kick off the month right, why not try this EASY Oreo Cheesecake recipe?!  

Oreos ARE milk's favorite cookie, right?

My 'Best of the Web' for this week features this easy to put together cheesecake, courtesy of Kraft!

Photo and recipe courtesy Kraft

1 pkg. (16.6 oz.) OREO Cookies, divided

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted

4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup Sour Cream

4 eggs

Preheat oven to 325°F if using a silver 9-inch springform pan (or to 300°F if using a dark nonstick 9-inch springform pan). Place 30 of the cookies in resealable plastic bag. Flatten bag to remove excess air, then seal bag. Finely crush cookies by rolling a rolling pin across the bag. Place in bowl. Add butter; mix well. Press firmly onto bottom of pan.


Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Chop or crush remaining cookies. Gently stir 1-1/2 cups of the chopped cookies into cream cheese batter. Pour over crust; sprinkle with the remaining chopped cookies.


Bake 1 hour and 10 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Cut into 16 pieces. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.  

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!
 
Tweet

Pin It

I Have a Secret

There are days when I just want to go along for the ride.  

No jumping off the tractor or out of the truck to be the 'gate person'.

No lifting.

No feeding.

No cleaning.

These are the days I wear my flip flops.  The days I say "Oh, I wasn't thinking and wore my flip flops.....I can't jump out to help in the corral, but I'll drive the tractor."

Pin It

TT w/Linky: May Barn Charmer

P.E. Day happens once a year at our rural one-room schools.  Our school, of nine students, visits another rural one-room school just a few miles away to complete their Presidential Physical Fitness Testing.  I drove five of the kids over in the morning and am so glad I did......thankful for the view on the way there.  

This barn, nestled among the trees has caught my eye every time I wind around this rural country route.....only twice a year, normally.  

This 'Thankful Thursday' I'm thankful for the gorgeous scenery only miles away in just about every direction.





Link up with anything you’re thankful for! And if you’re not a blogger, just let us know in the comment section what you happen to be thankful for on this day.
  <a border="0" href="http://thewifeofadairyman.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j395/TheWifeOfADairyman/ThankfulThursday.jpg"/></a>

 Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!
 
Tweet

Pin It

Packin' Silage

The rumbling up the drive, in the early morning hours on a sunny day in May, is once again here.  This rumbling only happens once a year, usually in May and lasting for only two to three days.  It feels as though I just wrote about this, but it's already been a year!

Pin It

Memorial Day ~ National Moment of Remembrance

'No Greater Love', a humanitarian organization based in Washington, D.C., and in 1996 conducted a survey on children asking them why they think there is a holiday on Memorial Day. It was heartbreaking to hear their remarks that were all associated with barbecues and extended weekend parties and celebration, while they hadn't the vaguest idea about the sacrifices of the soldiers in whose honor it is celebrated. One of the children was even quoted as saying that this was the day when swimming pools open!

The organization came up with the idea of 'National Moment of Remembrance' to remind and especially, let the future generations know about the real meaning of the holiday. The idea clicked with the President and Congress and since 1997, it became a standard American tradition. National Moment of Remembrance requires everybody to keep silent for a minute, exactly at 3.00 pm (local time) when 'Taps' is played and reflect on the glory of those who have shed blood for us. 

Pin It

'BOTW' Rhubarb Coffee Cake from Iowa

My 'Best of the Web' for this week is coming directly from Iowa!  Teresa, author of Homemade Iowa Life, submitted this fantastic looking recipe for Rhubarb Coffee Cake.  And to answer your question, Teresa, being a born and raised Californian, I have yet to try cooking/baking with Rhubarb.  But after looking at your delicious photo and recipe, I'm planning on it.....I even went out and bought some to try out.  Thank you!

Teresa says, "I found this recipe in an Iowa farm newspaper. Not sure if rhubarb is as popular in California, but Iowans love our backyard rhubarb.  Seriously, I bought our house just because it had four rhubarb plants growing in the yard!" 

Rhubarb Coffee Cake


        3 C. finely cut rhubarb
        2 C. sugar
        3/4 C. margarine
        1 egg
        1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
        2½ C. flour
        1 tsp. baking soda
        ½ tsp. salt
        1 C. buttermilk
        ¾ C. brown sugar
        ½ C. nuts
        ½ C. evaporated milk

Photo by Teresa at Homemade Iowa Life

Combine rhubarb and 1/2 C. sugar, and let stand. Cream
margarine and 1 C. sugar. Add egg and 1 tsp. vanilla to margarine-sugar
mixture. Add alternately to that: flour, baking soda, salt and
buttermilk. Blend in rhubarb-sugar mixture. Put into greased 9x13-inch
pan and top evenly with brown sugar and nuts.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees. While the cake is
baking, combine: ¼ C. margarine, ½ C. sugar and evaporated milk. Boil
exactly 3½ minutes. Remove from stove and add ½ tsp. vanilla and mix
well. When cake is baked, spoon the margarine-sugar-milk mixture over
the hot cake.

If you have a recipe you would like to feature here for my 'Best of the Web' series, email it to me with a photo and if it's featured, I'll link back to your blog.  If you don't have a blog, I'll let everyone know who and where it's from!

TheWifeOfADairyman {at} gmail {dot} com

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!
 
Tweet

Pin It

Workin' the American Graffiti Car Show

Every May, the kids don their 4-H attire and head over to the American Graffiti Car Show, held in downtown Petaluma, to sell popcorn to benefit their 4-H club. This is always a fun event to volunteer for.  This year it was Paige and I while Bryce played in his last baseball game of the season.  

Paige and I headed out early, knowing the parking situation was going to be an issue.  We lucked out and found a space right away and had some extra time before our shift began at the popcorn booth.

There are at least 450 cars entered in this car show.  If you're a muscle head, hot rod lover, this would be the car show for you.

After Paige found her two favorite vehicles and insisted on pictures, we headed over to the popcorn booth for our shift.

Pink......

Pin It

TT w/Linky: Only When You're Running Late

Never fails.  Running late, kids finally loaded in the car and I spy with my little eye...........

Pin It

WW: Five Year Old Attitude

Wordless Wednesday I have some five year old attitude.

I can go into many stories from just this one day, but I'll only subject you to one.

Pin It

Three Ticks & 200 Foxtails~Chloe Chronicles

My first experience with a tick took place seven or so years ago, here on the ranch.  Brushing my horse, Joey, while talking with my father-in-law, George, I came up on what looked like a skin tag on Joey's neck.  I asked George if he knew what it might be.

"Looks like a tick"

What!!?

"Pull it out" he says to me.

Um....NO!  How do you do it?!

He showed this wanna be country girl daughter in law of his just how it was done......grab as close to the buried head as possible and pull straight out.  GROSS!

I have since that time become very proficient in tick detection and removal, thankfully, because last week alone, I pulled FOUR....three from the Advantage Tick protected Chloe dog and one from five year old Paige.

If you follow me on Facebook, you then know that my dog, Chloe, took off and went missing for 4 1/2 hours a few days ago....VERY unlike her to be gone for so long.  Awful thoughts of someone picking her up near the road and keeping her for themselves, along with her, very possibly, becoming a coyote snack were weighing heavy on my mind.

After calling the Marin County Humane Society to find out if she had been found and turned in and.... she hadn't, I hopped on the 4-wheeler and searched the ranch in areas I thought she might have wandered.

No luck.  How was I gonna break this to the kids?!

Feeling really down, I wandered back outside to take my mind off it and low and behold here comes the Little Stinker trotting up the hill, tongue hanging out, panting like crazy, completely matted with foxtails and looking like she had been on quite an adventure.

If only dogs could speak.

An hour later, I had pulled at least 200 foxtails from her fur and the three digusting ticks you see in the photo above.

Not sure how or why my Advantage Tick protected Chloe ended up with three ticks on her, two of them engorged with her blood, but she did and I had the chore of pulling them.

If you've never encountered a tick, the photo above is a good visual.  The smallest tick had not yet buried its head in Chloe yet, the center tick had been in her for a bit and the third, largest tick, had been in there 'feasting' for what looks like quite a while.  They all start out looking like the little guy and as they draw blood from you, they grow bigger and bigger.

After her MIA morning, Chloe had a nice looong nap that afternoon.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!
 
Tweet

Pin It

'BOTW': Apricot Banana Bars

Betty Crocker's Apricot Banana Bars is my 'Best of the Web' recipe for this week.  Just a glance at the photo had me drooling.  I can't wait to try them out!

If you have a recipe you would like featured here, email it to me with a photo and if it's featured, I'll link back to your blog.  If you don't have a blog, I'll let everyone know who and where it's from!
TheWifeOfADairyman {at} gmail {dot} com

photo and recipe courtesy Betty Crocker

Pin It

Piercing a Five Year Old

When I first got my ears pierced, I was eight years old.  My Mom brought me down to Linch Jewelry in downtown Petaluma where I chose from either gold ball earrings or gold ball earrings....yes, the only choice.

Fast forward to many years later.

I always had in the back of my mind that when Paige asked to have her ears pierced, whatever her age, I would be okay with it.  When she decided she was ready, I would take her.

That age is/was "5 and 3/4".

The choice of earring selection has completely expanded from many years ago.  Somewhere around 40 to choose from.....I thought this was gonna take ALL afternoon.

After scanning her choices, my decisive 5 year old knew exactly what she wanted when she spotted the classic diamond {cz}.  My Katy Perry wannabe first asked for the biggest, blingy diamond that caught her eye but I had to nix that idea and scale it down to a smaller version.......can't have a 5 year old running around with 1/2  carat cz's in each ear.

After deciding, things got quiet......REAL quiet.  She was nervous.  But like her mama, she sat there, quietly waiting and ready for whatever was coming her way.

Thankfully, unlike many years ago, two people with sanitized, gloved hands pierced both of her ears at the very same time.

She only had to make this face once.

Phew!

Paige is very proud of her accomplishment.

She came straight home and changed into her 'biggest girl' outfit she could dig out of her closet.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!
 
Tweet

Pin It

TT: Big Date

It's a very rare occasion when I can have one on one time with my oldest, Bryce.  Older kids tend to have busier schedules, more homework and longer days than their younger siblings.....in this case, Paige.

Paige was invited to a play date at her teacher's house, staying until well after dinner.  Bryce LOVES his 'mommy time' without his "Annoying sister" around.......will he EVER think his little sister is not annoying?....I don't know.

To make the afternoon EXTRA special on this scorching, hot day, we headed straight for the ice cream shoppe.  Bryce selected one of his favorites, Rainbow Sherbet and I splurged with Pistachio Almond.....OH SO GOOD!

Pin It

WW: Goslings

Driving onto the ranch, there's a small walnut orchard to one side of the drive and making my way home from the gym early in the morning I came up on two families of geese who had staked claim in the orchard for their new offspring of adorable little goslings.

I'm not a huge fan of Canadian Geese....they tend to take over anywhere they land, eat all the oats from our planted hay and poop everywhere, in abundance......but this group was too cute.

Babies of any kind always make my day. 

Pin It

Wake Up Call

Saturday morning, no school lunches to prepare, no rushing to get the kids up and ready, just a leisure, peaceful morning at home....maybe even sleep in a little.

No.

Not so fortunate.

Twelve five month old calves have been recently {the day before} relocated to the little pasture directly beyond our front yard......ONE of them VERY vocal at 6 a.m.  A little less startling than an alarm clock but very loud just the same.

Pin It