Saturday, June 15, 2013

Ranch Date :-)


The kids have been at camp this week,
and the day before we drove out to pick them up,
Mr. H. and I decided to head out to the ranch to spend the night.

Right past the gate on the way to the cabin and barn
we came across a fallen tree blocking the road.



Mr. H. hopped out of the truck and headed to the pump house to get the chain.



He tied it around the tree and pulled it as far as he could with the truck.



Then he drug it the rest of the way with brute strength. ;-)


And then,


we were


on our way!


Meanwhile the cows had heard the commotion,


and came over to say hello.


No, really they were just coming to see if we were going to feed them. ;-)


My in-laws had told us that there was a new (unexpected!) baby at the ranch.


Poor 'ol Rosie, who is entirely too old to be having a baby :-(
had a meet up with one of our neighboring rancher's cows and
 this sweet little calf was the result.
They both seem to be doing okay.


After checking on all the cows,
we headed down to the shooting range
to get a little target practice in.



I finally got to use my new "eyes" and "ears" that Mr. H. gave me for Christmas.
The custom gun and magazine holsters were hand made by Mr. H. :-)


I try to be a good student and listen to Mr. H.'s shooting tips.


I need to get better shooting the Glock.


But, I love to shoot the .22.  I feel like Annie Oakly, haha! ;-)


As the sun was setting, 
we headed back to the ranch cabin
to chow down on the bbq we brought with us 
and the yummy banana pudding I had made.


I also had big mason jars full of ice cold lemonade for each of us!

We enjoyed supper, watched a movie we brought with us 
and fell asleep listening to a tree frog serenade. 

Ranch dates are the best. :-)

Friday, June 14, 2013

Banana Pudding to go!


You'll need -

1 small box french vanilla instant pudding
2 cups milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 small container cool whip, divided
3 bananas
1 package Pepperidge Farms chessmen cookies


Combine instant pudding and milk according to package directions. 
Add condensed milk and blend until smooth.
Add 1/2 container cool whip and mix well.
Slice bananas.

In mason jars layer -

cookies
banana slices
pudding mix
cool whip

Repeat layers until jars are full.
Place jars into a cooler on ice and you're ready to go! 

These are perfect for picnics, camping, or road trips. :-)



Thursday, June 13, 2013

"BLT" Salad


A "BLT" salad - bacon, lettuce and tomato. :-)
The dressing absolutely makes this salad!
It is so de-li-cious! 


Recipe adapted from Williams Sonoma -
makes 4 family size servings or 2 dinner portions 

1/2 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 cup red cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 cup croutons
8 slices of bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled into bite sized pieces

~toss together~

juice of one lemon
1/2 cup sour cream
1 garlic clove, chopped finely
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

~combine thoroughly and pour over salad~

enjoy :-)


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Mandarin Chicken Salad with a Sweet and Sour Vinaigrette


This was tasty! 


Lettuce, red bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, edamame, peanuts, 
mandarins, sesame seeds, cilantro, green onions, 
chicken seared with sweet chili thai sauce and a yummy dressing.


Recipe from Munchin with Munchkin.

In the garden this morning...


Another crook neck squash almost ready.


A big 'ol tomato ripening!


First cucumber!


First green bean!


More and more tomatoes.


More zinnias.


Need to cut some to bring inside,


but just can't bring myself to do it. :-)


And an FYI...


Chickens


love


watermelon!!!


Today's bounty. :-)

~knitted cap~


I usually don't knit much in the summertime,
but it's been so long since I've had any time to knit
that it's made me just itch to get to some projects.


This cap only took a few days to stitch up.
It's a big step for me since everything else I 
have ever knitted has been a flat piece.


I thought it turned out really well.
I know I will enjoy wearing it this winter -
it is very warm!


The cap only used maybe 1/4 of the skein of yarn,
so I decided to make a matching cowl out of the rest.


I am knitting it in a ribbed seed stitch and I am loving the texture.


So happy to be knitting again! :-)

Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie


Oh wow!  This was SO yummy!  Eat it with a spoon. :-)

In a blender place -

1 banana, frozen
1/4 cup almond milk
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon raisins
1 teaspoon cinnamon

~blend~

Enjoy!