Sugar Cookies are traditional and classic.  They are the softest and chewy cookie.  Ever. Sugar cookies have been around for a long time. July 9th is National Sugar Cookie Day. I imagine they have because it is a simple recipe with simple ingredients




You can dress up or down a sugar cookie, depending on your liking.  My mom has always added a simple powdered sugar icing on the top. This time I did the icing, kept some plain and rolled some dough in sprinkles.  




It was hard to keep the kids away when I was making the cookies!  

Nana's Sugar Cookies

PRINT RECIPE HERE

1. Mix powdered sugar, white sugar, oil, margarine, eggs, and vanilla together. 
2. Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda.  Add to mixture, a little bit at a time, and mix well.  
3. Cool dough in the refrigerator.
4. Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet.
5. Mash with a glass bottom that has sugar greased and dipped on it
6. Bake at 350 8-10 minutes
7. Ice or leave plain

We are beginners here.  This is our fourth year in 4-H, and at the end of every year we always say, "We won't do that again," or "Let's do that again!"  We look back and laugh at certain things, and sometimes we talk about favorite barrows the kids showed.  I know when we get to year ten, our list will be different!  Raising kids on the farm is very rewarding.  Raising kids on the farm gives them a first-hand experience of many life-lessons. Some lessons are rewarding, some are hard.  

I spent my summers growing up in the barn and at livestock shows.  My friends showed livestock, we worked together and hung out together.  In my first year of 4-H, I use to tuck my jeans in my boots. Not sure I would repeat that fashion statement today, but by my tenth year, I owned different colored jeans, like black, red and a pair of striped jeans. Jeans went over my boots by then. Things change.  One thing that hasn't faded is the memories I had of that week at the fair.  I remember where we stalled, the judges and the friends we made that week.

TOP 10 THINGS 4-H HAS TAUGHT OUR FAMILY

1. Hard Work Pays Off   This pertains to so many things. Practice makes perfect. It is very evident who has worked hard on a project on show day. It is noticeable as soon as the animal enters the ring.  If you want it bad enough, you will work for it.
   
   
   
2. Work Hard, Play Harder Fair time is a great time to kick back and relax and have a great time.  We always feel like we can relax the day after the show.  Then we enjoy watching the beef and dairy shows the end of the week.

   4-H Beginner Showmanship Winners

3. Deadlines Deadlines are very important. Register for 4-H, deadline to register your animals, record book deadlines, and state fair deadlines. One day, your kids will have deadlines with their jobs, and hopefully these skills will help them meet their deadlines.

Crock Pot Cowboy Chili is for the hard working cowboys who work up an appetite for a hearty meal! 




My youngest kid loves to dress up as a cowboy.  This weekend when I was making the Crock Pot Cowboy Chili, he was wearing his black cowboy hat, boots, plaid shirt, jeans, and a rope tied to the side of his jeans.  He definitely channels his inner cowboy at all times.  



I have pictures and many memories of all the kids in cowboy hats and boots.  My kids have always loved to wear boots since they were little. They wear them farming, in the barn, or just playing. My daughter grew up in love with a pair of pink boots, it was a challenge to always find the next size for her! 

So this Cowboy Chili is for the kids.


Just like any chili recipe, you have your favorite ingredients, and the kids have theirs.  The daughter still picks out the beans, but she really doesn't know what she is missing.  So take the recipe and amp it up any way you like, make it hot, or use your favorite meat.



I used one pound of ground hamburger and one pound of ground pork.  Both come from our local meat locker, they are delicious.


I added one small chopped onion, celery, dark chili beans, red beans, kidney beans, and white beans.  I also use my own canned stewed tomatoes for the juice. You can also use canned tomatoes.  I also added a chopped jalapeno. Add 2 if you want! 



This is my favorite chili seasoning, I received this last year from a friend, Chugwater chili seasoning. You can find it online here. This is where you control your heat of the the chili.  I also added a tsp of regular chili seasoning as well.




Mix everything in a 6 qt Cook and Carry Crock Pot and set on low for 6 hours, or high 3-4 hours.

Add your favorite topping, cheese, onions, corn chips, sour cream, or corn bread.

If you like this Crock Pot Cowboy Chili, you should also try Crock Pot Cowboy Casserole.



www.chasing-saturdays.com

It doesn't matter what special time you spend with your kids, if it is at dance, ball practice, ball games, or in the barn doing chores.  It is quality time spent with kids.  Kids need our attention, they need our approval. Be present, and encourage them.
 

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.

Year #2 of the Jasper County Fair is in the books.  Congrats mom and dad! We survived and as we are preparing for State Fair we are already making a list of things do different next year. Things we need to buy, and other things we need to improve on.

2015 family picture

There are days when you are wondering why are we doing this? Why am I getting up early and staying up late to do chores? Who's project is this anyway? :)

Mason front and center for the beef show.

But the moment the kid head to the show ring for the first time, this mom gets a little teary-eyed, but don't tell the husband.

Ryan showing in mini 4-H swine show

Watching Macie improve her showmanship skills every time she went back into the ring was very rewarding. There are so many showmanship skills to work on!

Macie placed 2nd with Duroc gilt

I think she's growing up too fast!

I know the best part about 4-H is friends.  It's priceless and a forever bond.  Sure, there is some fun competition. These smiles, and the milkshakes, and the late nights make it all worth it!

This post is for my daughter.  For when it's her turn to have kids with busy schedules and they may decide they "want" be in 4-H, she will understand that history has a way of repeating itself, and things are going to get a little crazy. Maybe all the craziness is self-inflicted, but you get the idea!

Sorry, but this won't be easy. Taking on a new project that doesn't get completed. This will happen.

Throw in a few late nights and early mornings. (chores)  Moments like these don't compare if you plan to have livestock year round on your farm. It will be more work but it will be worth it.

A few (many) evenings dad was home cooking supper while mom was doing chores with the kids!

Mason had chores figured out! Juice and his chair! He asked me if dad was home sleeping!

If you need clean laundry, until fair is over, go look for it in the clean pile. Simple enough!

If you are thirsty, get a drink out of the hydrant.  If you hands get dirty in the barn, wash them at the hydrant. Dirt on your boots? Rinse them off at the hydrant!  Need a towel? Wipe them on your jeans.

If you need showmanship practice, take them showing!

Throw in a couple of general projects in the mix.

Your dad loves to help in the kitchen.  Meat and potatoes kind of guy.  He wouldn't mind a dessert afterwards as well.  A batch of chocolate chip cookie bars doesn't last long in our house.

This year food project  was baking a muffin that contained Vitamin A or Vitamin C.  Microwave cooking this year was microwave fudge.

The muffins were a family favorite.  I even brought to work, and they were a hit. They were delicious enough that she brought home A's on her muffins and fudge!

Hope next week goes smoothly too!

Berry & Jam Muffins

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup whipped butter
2 egg whites
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups oat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/2 cup raspberries
1/4 cup reduced-sugar strawberry preserves

This recipe makes 12 servings

Preheat oven to 350°F. Fill cups of a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
In a large bowl, mix sugar and spread. Add egg whites individually and mix well after adding each. Stir applesauce and vanilla into mixture. Add oat flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir until dry ingredients are just combined, but do not over-mix. Fold in strawberries and raspberries.
Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter and spoon a teaspoon of preserves into the center of each. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until muffin tops are lightly browned and a toothpick can be cleanly inserted and removed from their centers.
Turn muffins out on a wire rack to cool. At room temperature, store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

I didn't get a Mother's Day picture with the kids this year.   I went through some archived pictures to find something to use. I wanted Dave to take a picture of the kids and me on the front porch of our house because I know it will be the last Mother's Day at this house.  Maybe we can take that picture when all my flowers are actually in the flower pots on the front porch??

But, I came back to this picture. We aren't wearing our Sunday clothes but the kids look cute, Ryan isn't wearing his tie, and Mason is  not wearing his "church pants".  It's out of focus and I really debated using this, but it doesn't have to be in focus.  Our life is not at a stand-still at all.  Very busy and on the go.  In this picture we are standing were our new front porch will be and to me that brings me hope that things are finally moving forward for us. 

I am very thankful for my kids, and the joy and stress they bring to my life.  Much Love!!