Holidays always make you reminiscent.  Certain food and desserts can take you back to your childhood.  When I remember Easter dinner at Grandma Patty's I remember Cherry Delight.  While that wasn't the only dessert served, it was one of my favorites. I always wondered if she made it again, I didn't see it displayed with the rest of the food.  She would magically bring it out from the refrigerator in the garage when it was time to serve dessert.


Not only have I been reminiscing about food, but family.  My cousin and his wife just welcomed their second child into the world, and named him after our Grandfather Charles.  I knew they were going to name him Conner, but when they made the announcement of Charles Connor it was a nice suprise.


It may seem like there are plenty of steps to this recipe, but it was very simple, and Macie helped me with the crust.  Rolling pin, baggie full of graham crackers, best project for kids.  She finished the project by pressing the crust mixture into to pan.  I won't let the kids handle pans in and out of the oven yet, but she also helped with the filling and spreading the cherry pie filling on top.

• 2 cups crushed graham crackers
• ½ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup white sugar

• 1 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 large can of cherry pie filling

Meal Plan Monday

As we celebrated National Agriculture Day this week, it made me think back to a trip I made to Washington D.C. in 2010.  

Touring Washington D.C. can be a great lesson on US History, if you take the time to take in the sites.  We attended a USDA lockup in the Department of Agriculture building.  There were older pictures hanging up in the Department of Agriculture building that have always stuck with me. I love this picture! At that time, the area seemed more of a swamp area, and cattle around, with the Nation's Capital in the back ground.  I bet it would be hard to find pasture in those areas today.  

The first masonic stone for the US Capital was laid on September 1793 by President George Washington. It was a large building to complete, and it passed through a few architect hands.   The US Capital building was opened on November 17, 1800.



Not only do we celebrate National Agriculture Day this week, but also St. Patrick's Day.  Even if you are not Irish, you have to at least appreciate the food that is served on this day as a tradition.  The first thing that comes to mind is Corned Beef and Cabbage.  We decided to make a special meal for the guys at work.  We did cook the cabbage separately, because cabbage was not a crowd favorite around here.  They were told they had to eat cabbage to get dessert, still didn't sway them to try the cabbage.


The corned beef was cooked all morning long on the stove.


The carrots and potatoes were cooked separately.


And of course, the cabbage was boiled in a separate pot.  We try to keep everyone happy.

Happy National Agriculture Day 2016!

Make sure to thank a farmer today!  Spring will be here before we know it, and planters will be back in the field.  Everyone have a safe spring! 

 

Markets have been moving slowly.  By the end of February, farmers are looking at the grain markets scratching their heads, wondering when the market will move in their favor.  Cash grain prices in Central Indiana have not changed much since fall delivery prices.

By the end of Friday, March 4, grains were higher.  Brazil had heavy rains towards the end of the week delaying their harvest progress. Political news in Brazil is also weighing in the markets. Their former president is under investigation.

A strong job report was reported this week. US employers added 242,000 workers in February, higher than then 200,000 expected.  US unemployment rate held steady at 4.9% in February.

Next week we are looking towards the USDA S&D report that will be released Wednesday, March 9 at 12 Eastern time.  I don't think we will see numbers change that much, bigger report will be on Thursday, March 31st for the USDA Prospective Plantings Report.

How did you spend your snow day? 





We made cupcakes, and they didn't last long!


The boys played outside while helping dad make chocolate ice cream!

Ice fishing in Indiana.  It sometimes looks like the picture above.  Even though I do not know anyone in that picture, we know weather in Indiana changes everyday.  Sometimes you are the only guy left out there ice fishing. If it's warm enough to go without your shirt, you probably shouldn't be on the ice!

As a mom, ice fishing makes me nervous.  So does any other activity! If you are a mom, you understand! 

Back on the ice....


Look, hun. Everything is going fine!


Line is in, everyone is happy.


The boy has found his favorite spot.


Nothing is better than fresh bluegill dinner.  Macie even went out one evening to go catch a few with dad.



Fresh Bluegill Dinner 

1 box Shore Lunch Dinner Original Mix
2 cups milk
3 cups Crisco Vegetable Oil


We recommend soaking your fish in water after you have skinned the fish.  The night before you are ready to fry the fish, drain the water, and cover the fish with milk.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees to keep you fish warm while frying all your fish.

Fill oil in your Fry Daddy Deep Fryer to the fill line. Plug in and preheat.  Prepare your fish.  Remove fish from milk, set on paper towels.  You can use the baggie supplied in the Shore lunch mix, or use a gallon size zip loc bag and put in one pouch of mix.   Add a couple pieces of fish at at time and shake.  Add to separate plate to get ready to fry.  When  your oil is hot, start adding a couple pieces of fish to the fryer.  Keep a good eye on it, and when it's golden brown, remove and let rest on a pyrex pan with paper towels.  You can add the pan to the oven if you desire to keep the fish warm if you have a big batch. 


PRINT RECIPE HERE

Dave asked me yesterday if I remember Valentine's Day 15 years ago.  

I don't.  

I really don't remember a Valentine's Day before Dave.  I remember Valentine's Day 14 years ago.  There were no surprises that day at work.  It was a Thursday, and we had made plans to have dinner on Friday.  I had to wait until the 15th. 

14 years ago he asked me to marry him at Lake Bloomington.  He took me there after work. I don't remember any snow on the ground but it was a chilly afternoon. Engaged in February and married in December. 

 

Some Valentine's Day we go to dinner, sometimes I get roses.  It is never the same with Dave.











 This year it was Valentine's Day dinner with the whole family. 



 Our family is complete, and now we have our own home. So many projects in store for us this spring/summer.

Have you tried their milk? It is heavenly! Chocolate is my favorite!  So delicious. It is totally worth it.Vanilla is good, but I have always preferred chocolate milk. Let's take a look at the nutritional values of both fairlife and Dean's milk. 



Both servings shown are a cup.  Protein in fairlife is 13g, 8g for Deans. Sodium and carbs are the same.  So if you want to increase your proteins in your diet, and decrease sugars, fairlife might be something  you want to try.   I like the idea of fairlife milk because this milk is being "made" a few miles from my house.  It's  not hard to find in stores around here.

Now, let's head to the store. Let's talk about price.  It's our job as moms to be price conscious when we are figuring out our monthly budget.  What is more valuable? Better price or healthier?

December 2015 I participated in the Christmas in the County blogger exchange for the second time.  


Christmas in the the country is a huge undertaking for the other bloggers who put on this exchange. The girls who work hard to get bloggers matched up, and make sure they were not matched in the previous years exchange. 
 
15009 Farmhouse
This Uncharted Rhoade
My Other More Exciting Self

It is a great way to meet other bloggers in a different state.  

I sent my package to  Rebekah Gustafson in Wisconsin, check out her blog.


I received a box from a very special Naomi Loomis from Nebraska.  


Naomi was very thoughtful and included everything in the package for everyone in the family! There is one thing missing in this picture. It is a horse necklace for my daughter, but she took that for herself!  The boys have lassoes, and my youngest really loves playing cowboy! Perfect gift. The camo knife is for my husband, and he really appreciated it!

CROCKPOT ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES

1.5 lb.  rump roast
1 16 oz jar of Mezzetta Pepperoncini Peppers
1 48 oz jar of Swanson Beef Broth

Use a roaster and set rump roast in roaster. Add salt and pepper and 48 ounces of beef broth.  Cook until done. Remove from roaster and wait until it's cool enough to shred.  Set into a  Crock-Pot and add peppers.  Set on low for 2 more hours.  Serve on sandwich buns, top with mozzarella cheese if desired.

Print Recipe

I am bringing out this Champion Beginner Microwave cooking recipe Macie exhibited at the 2014 Jasper County Fair.  Payday Chex Mix is a fast snack to make for kid's lunches or for the husband to throw in his lunchbox to snack on while spending time in the tractor this fall.




Harvest is going by so fast.  There have been no rain delays yet.  I haven't had much time to spend in the kitchen.  Most time in the kitchen is spent at the kitchen in the office.  Meals at home are far and few between. Last weekend Ryan spent some time with his dad in the field.


A snack like payday is enjoyed by everyone in the house, and simple enough the kids love helping make, and lick the bowls!


Payday Chex Mix
6 cup Chex Rice Cereal
1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Light Corn Syrup
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 cup Peanuts (optional)

Mix 1 cup Light Corn Syrup and 1 cup Sugar in microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 3 minutes.  Stir. Microwave for another 1.5 minutes.  Stir.   Add 1 cup Peanut Butter and 1 tsp Vanilla. Add peanuts if desired.  Pour over Chex Rice Cereal. Mix carefully, make sure cereal is completely covered.  Pour over wax paper to cool.  Cut into small pieces or tear off and enjoy!