Header Link Map

Image Map

Monday, May 30, 2011

Miscellany Monday...

This is my first time linking up with Carissa for Miscellany Monday, but I am feeling a bit random today.  For those of you that know me, that is nothing new.  Oh yeah, and I'm always up for a party.  A linky party that is!

1.  We were finally able to get back into the fields today and hopefully we can finish planting corn tomorrow.
Then on to beans!!

2. It was hot today.  Very hot.  And we haven't turned on our central air yet.  We like to tough it out for a while.  I remember we were at our county fair last year and one of our neighbors asked us if our air conditioning was broken.  We said no and asked her why.  She said, " Well, then why don't you use it?"
They don't have air conditioning and are envious of anyone who does and couldn't believe that we hadn't turned ours on yet.
I like having the windows open.  It helps me feel connected to the outside world.  I know.  I'm weird.

3.  I'm not a huge Brad Paisley fan, but I do like his new song "Old Alabama".

4. I am currently in the process of cleaning all the cabinets in my house.  Ugh!  After that I hope to start cleaning my windows.  I have been waiting for a break in the rain to start that project.  I am doing this without air conditioning which means I am sweating my patootie off!  Do you feel sorry for me?
No. 
That's OK.

5.  Thank you to those who have served or a currently serving our country!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Brown Bag Apple Pie...

This recipe came from my MIL.  Every one who has had it raves about it.  I have had the recipe in my recipe box for a while, but hadn't gotten around to making it until about a month ago.  I think I was a bit scared of the recipe.  Something about putting an apple pie in a brown bag then putting the brown bag into a hot oven just didn't seem right to me.
Finally one afternoon I did it!  Yes, I did text my MIL a few times for some reassurance that my house wasn't going to burn down.  She has been baking this pie for 25+ years and has never burnt her house down.  My last text message to her said "You really bake this at 425 degrees?"
Her reply, "Yes."
"Man that seems awfully hot when you consider that you are putting a brown bag in there, " I thought to myself.

But, I closed my eyes and just did it...and burnt my hand too because my eyes were closed.

Just kidding on that last part. 

I kept my eyes open the whole time.

If this baby was going up in flames, I wanted to see it!



Cut up the apples...
 Combine sugar, flour, and nutmeg and sprinkle over apples...
 Stir...
 Prepare your pie crust...
 (don't laugh at my crust forming ability)  I prefer PW's Perfect Pie Crust and I always make several at a time and freeze them so I always have one on hand.  But, you can use any crust recipe your heart chooses.


Spoon apples into shell...
 Drizzle with lemon juice...
 Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over apples.
(I forgot to take a picture of this step)  I was probably starting to sweat because of the next step.


Slide the pie into a brown paper bag. 
Fold open end over twice and secure with paper clips or staples.

Place on cookie sheet on lower oven rack.
 Bake at 425 degrees for 1 hour.
And say a prayer every 5 minutes.

The result is utter deliciousness...
Serve with ice cream and enjoy!!


Brown Bag Apple Pie

3-4 lg. baking apples ( I usually use Granny Smith)
1/2 C sugar
2 T flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 T lemon juice

Peel, quarter, and cut up apples into chunks.  About 7 cups. 
Combine sugar, flour, and nutmeg.  Sprinkle over apples and stir to coat.
Spoon apples into shell.
Drizzle with lemon juice.

Topping

1/2 C sugar
1/2 C to 3/4 C flour
1/2 C. margarine (softened NOT melted)

Combine above ingredients and sprinkle over apples. 
Slide into heavy brown paper bag large enough to cover pie loosely.
Fold open end twice and fasten with paperclip or staples.
Place on cookie sheet on lower oven rack.
Bake at 425 degrees for 1 hour.

Enjoy!

*My house did not burn down while making this delicious dessert, however I recommend watching it very closely.  I am not responsible for accidents.



Linking up to Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

A Golden Day...

Today is my birthday!!
My 26th birthday.
Therefore, this is my Golden Birthday because I am 26 on the 26th.

I don't really like to make a big deal out of my birthday anymore.
I don't like celebrating that I am another year older.
Once you turn 21, birthdays just aren't the same.  Don't you agree?

B, on the other hand, LOVES birthdays.
I mean, what 5 year old doesn't love birthdays?
When she was reminded by Brad that this was my birthday week, she started collecting random items from around the house and wrapping them in paper towel.  After lunch, she presented me with a shoebox full of paper towel wrapped treasures.  She gave me a collection of Wubbzy figurines and two baby bottles.  This is, and will probably be, the best gift I have received today.

So in honor of my birthday, I am posting some baby pictures.

My mom did not like this newborn picture AT ALL!
She still talks about it.
She said right when they snapped the picture, I either sneezed or yawned...I can't remember exactly and this was the result...

 Great first picture huh ?

My baptism...
 My brother, me, and sister...
 My sister and me...





 My First Communion with my grandma and grandpa C...
B also graduates from Preschool today.
I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

It's Wednesday already and that means it's time for...
 I'm loving the sunshine we are having at the moment.  There is talk of storms moving in late this afternoon though.  Ugh!...
 I'm loving these frozen treats...
 Although, I was a little shocked to see that you can enjoy them at "home or on the go"...
 When something says "enjoy on the go" I think of enjoying it in the car or office or something.  Of course, I would never do such a thing.  I'm sure they mean to pack in a cooler, place cooler in the trunk of your car and enjoy at your friend's house. However,  I think they should rethink their wording a bit.  Just sayin'.

I enjoyed a glass last night after the girls went to bed and while Brad was selling hogs...
 I'm loving goggle faces...

 I'm loving my irises that are adding a splash of color to the dreary weather...
 I'm loving that I got to meet some of these fabulous ladies on Monday...
 I'm loving the dual wallflower from Bath & Body Works.  It is perfect for my living room....
 I'm loving this scent for my Wallflowers...
 My friend has this scent all throughout her house and it smells absolutely divine.  It is supposed to relieve stress.  Maybe that is why I am always stress free when I am at her house....or maybe it is the alcohol I am usually enjoying when I am there.

No.  I think it is the air freshener.  For sure.


I'm loving that I received this bloggy award this weekend...
Happy Wednesday everyone!

What are you loving today?

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

My First Award...

I have been given my first award by the wonderful Darcie over at My Modern Country!!!!!



The rules are to thank the person who awarded it to you and link back to their blog.  Thank you very much Darcie.  Go check out her blog!!!  You will love it!


Then you have to reveal seven things about yourself.  So here goes!

1.   Most of my life I wanted to go to school for cosmetology.  I have always loved doing hair and make-up.  I cut Brad's hair (which isn't hard because it's just a buzz cut), my brother's hair, and my twin nephews' hair.  I occasionally trim the girls hair also.  In high school I worked at a salon as the receptionist.  I LOVED it.  When I graduated high school, I was given a job opportunity  to work for a medical provider in Indy and couldn't pass it up.  I still dream of going back to school for cosmetology and working in a salon, but we'll see.  Right now I am perfectly content with staying at home!

2. I am a very quiet person.  Unless, I really get to know you then watch out!!;0)

3. We are very fortunate because we live close to Brad's parents and my parents.  We live about a mile away from Brad's parents and 4 miles away from my folks.

4. I love Big Macs.  Yum!  Just typing the word "Big Mac" makes me crave one.  I don't eat at McDonald's very often, but when I do, that's normally what I order.  I don't feel guilty about it either.

5. I am a "neat freak" and a "germophobe".  I like to keep a tidy house, but that is difficult with two little kids.  So, if you walked in my house right now, you probably wouldn't think of me as a "neat freak" but, trust me, I am!

6. I am NOT a morning person.  I am definitely a night owl.  I would stay up until 2 :00 every morning and sleep in if I could.

7. I love to garden and can.  I feel like canning is becoming a thing of the past, but I like to do it.

I am passing this award on to these other fantastic and deserving bloggers!

Life On a Real California Dairy Farm

Walking the Off-Beaten Path

Sweet and Lovely Crafts

The Wife of a Dairyman

Prairie Mother

Congratulations everyone.  Go visit their blogs.  You will love 'em!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

A Constant Gamble...

He just takes the tractor another round....
 And pulls the plow across the ground...
 And sends up another prayer.
He says, "Lord, I never complain.  I never ask why."....
 "Please don't let my dreams run dry....
 underneath this Amarillo sky."
Yes, I know that is a planter and not a plow.  My original goal was to actually snap a few pix of Brad plowing, but we don't plow much anymore so capturing that is few and far between.  I think he plowed for one day and I wasn't able to get any pictures of it.  So, after watching the Jason Aldean video, I thought a planter would suffice.  I don't think there is a single plow in that video.  Although, I could be mistaken.

I currently have this song set as my ringtone for Brad.  I seriously get chills every time I hear it.  I even watched the video a few minutes ago and that doubled my chill level.  This song is so true.

Farming is a constant gamble.  Brad has said before, "I don't have to go to the casino to gamble.   I gamble every day."

Farmers gamble with the livestock market.
They gamble with the grain market.
Most importantly, they gamble with the weather.

Last summer was VERY dry here in Indiana which resulted in an early harvest.
This year it has been the complete opposite.  We are experiencing a VERY late spring as a result of all the rain we have been having.

I know a lot of farmers are becoming frustrated and impatient.  I was at a meeting recently and someone asked everyone to "please pray for her to have patience".
 Another lady said, "You shouldn't pray for patience because you won't like how God will answer that prayer.  Trust me.  I have prayed for patience and he just added more things to my plate until I learned to be patient."  
 Brad said that farmers experienced similar springs in 1981 and 1983, however Brad wasn't old enough to experience and I, well, I wasn't even born yet.  So when all the crops are finally in the ground, I'm sure a lot of farmers will sleep much better and Brad and I can add this to the list of gambles that we have won.


Best of luck to all the farmers out there!  You can view the Jason Aldean video "Amarillo Sky" by clicking here.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

After taking a few weeks off from WILW, I decided it was time to get back in the saddle.
I like to switch things up a bit and keep it interesting.
So here is what I'm loving this week!
 I'm loving this movie...
 So good!  It is a great family movie too!

I'm loving this book...

I have been following Matt's blog for a while and when I found out he was writing a book I had to get it.  You can find out more of his story by going to his blog.




 I'm loving the giant rock piles behind our house.
They keep the girls entertained for hours...




 I'm loving the new Apple Pie soap from Bath and Body Works.  It matches the Americana decor in my kitchen perfectly...


I'm loving the new Into the Wild scent also from B&B Works...



I'm loving Reggae Red wine from Easley Winery....
 I was just on their website and they recommend pairing this wine with a juicy hamburger fresh from the grill.  Yummy!  I will have to try this.  I also saw that they have a blueberry wine.  Hopefully one of the local retail stores will start carrying that kind.  I would love to try it!
I'm loving that the new shop is almost finished...
More on that topic later.

I'm loving the Recipe Girl...
Sooo many good recipes to pick from on her site.  I am making one right now!  Go check it out!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

What are you loving today?
Web Statistics