Monday, December 31, 2012

Seasoned Crackers

This would be great for New Years Eve with dips, soups, or just to snack on!


1 – 1 1/4 cup canola oil (you decide how much you want to use, I used 3/4c)
1 packet Ranch dressing mix
2-3 Tbs. red pepper flakes (I used close to 3…a little warm)

4 sleeves of Saltine crackers (give or take…however many you can fit in your mixing bowl)
 
1) Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl for a good long while (5-10 minutes), to really get the crackers coated.
2) Lay them out on a cookie sheet and drizzle the yummy, ranchy, peppery oil that’s in the bottom of the bowl, over the top of the crackers.  Bake at 250 degrees for 15-20 minutes, stirring them around about halfway through.
3) Let them cool and store in a big ol’ baggie. Or a few little baggies.

original link here.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Bethlehem Revisited

One of the best experiences I have had in years. In the little town of Keats, KS a church puts on an interactive "play" called Bethlehem Revisited. Its amazing, I honestly don't even have the words to describe how awesome it is! The entire time I am walking through this living museum/play I kept saying," Oh My Gosh, this is awesome!"

My blog post doesn't even begin to do this justice!

We had a guide, that started off by making us feel like we were back hundreds of years ago.
Our first stop was to meet Moses
Then onto David
These "prophets" were giving background information.
Then we went to see where the angel came to visit Mary.
 
Its amazing how these sets/structures were built in the middle of a farmers pasture. I would say this takes up at least one acre, and includes over 100 volunteers.
 
Onto Bethlehem.
Here the Roman Guard took a census ( I haven't heard how many people attended this year)
This was my favorite part.....While walking through the marketplace you felt a part of it, as if you were really there.
And finally.......
 
 
There were more parts that were absolutely amazing. I wish each and everyone of you could have been there! I was truly blessed by being able to attend this year.
 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

BANG BANG

A few months ago we were in Iowa and were craving some Asian food. I had seen an exit sign for place called "Bang Bang" and thought with a name like that it could be fun. We pulled off and had no idea what was in store, but lucky for us it was a Mongolian Grill style restaurant. Yummy and fit everyones style. They even had a nacho bar (didn't really fit in, but we got queso so it didn't matter) and a yogurt bar.

If you are ever near in Iowa (thats the only place they are now), give it a try.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Cheesecake and Red Velvet Poke Cake

Made this for my class Christmas Party. Would also make a great Valentines Day cake!
 
(Every year I have a Christmas Party with the girls from my HS graduating class. I love it! I am so happy to say that even though it has been years, we are still friends.)
 
Ingredients:

1 box Red Velvet cake mix

ingredients needed to make cake (eggs, oil & water)

2 (3.4 oz.) boxes instant Cheesecake-flavored pudding (have used White Chocolate as well, the possibilites are endless)

4 cups milk

1 (8 oz.) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

10 Oreo cookies, crushed (optional)

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Fiesta Bowl Gear~ GO CATS & Discount

Ok, well this post is a little plug for myself!

I make game day dresses and other accessories, which many of you know. Well, my Alma Mater for Undergrad-----Kansas State University---- is going to the Fiesta Bowl in a few weeks so I have listed on my Esty page some K-State items! Go check them out, I think they are pretty cute if I do say so myself :)

A little thank you to my blog readers.......Enter :BLOGKSU for a 15% discount. This discount is available till Dec 31.

You might not be a K-State fan, but if you know someone who is, I would appreciate you spreading the word!

Here is a sampling:

 



Monday, December 10, 2012

Pinterest Tested-Bubble Up Pizza

Tried this for lunch last week and everyone really like it. Super easy and quick to make!

2 cans (12oz) golden layer buttermilk biscuits
1 jar (15oz) pizza sauce  
2 cups mozzarella cheese
your favorite pizza toppings - cooked sausage, pepperoni, peppers, mushrooms
*cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cut biscuits into quarters and place in medium bowl.  Toss biscuits with pizza sauce.  Add pizza topping and half of the cheese.  Toss until well blended.  Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Pour biscuit mixture into pan and top with remaining cheese.  Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes, or until biscuits are done.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Monday, November 19, 2012

Defending for my Masters!

Yep, sounds crazy but thats what they call it. I am currently in Stillwater, OK and will be taking the final step to get that diploma. As many of you remember I "graduated" last May. Well, I had to execute my conference for women in agriculture, Dirt, Denim & Diamonds  and then present to my committee; how it went, what I learned, etc. THEN.... I will officially be done! I would have liked to have completed this process a little sooner, but you can't rush certain things. I am just happy to be spending a few days in Stillwater. I plan to mix in a bit of shopping!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

VOTE

I am so blessed to live in a country where I am free to vote. I thought about this as I drove down dirt roads to get to the small town, to cast my vote. I think it is very important to vote, I'm not going to go on, and on about voting, because I think we have all heard enough but I wanted to share a friend of mine's blog that talks about Voting for Agriculture, please check it out here.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Chocolate Chip Scones


Bottom of FormTHEThese

These are AMAZING!

Scones

·         2 3/4 cups  All-Purpose Flour

·         1/3 cup sugar

·         3/4 teaspoon salt

·         1 tablespoon baking powder

·         1/2 cup cold butter, cut in pats

·         1 cup to 2 cups mini chocolate chips, or finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate( I added white chips...YUMMY!)

·         2 large eggs

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract or the flavoring of your choice

·         1/2 cup to 2/3 cup half and half or milk

Glaze

·         3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

·         7 tablespoons water, enough to make a thin glaze

·         1 teaspoon vanilla, optional




Glaze



ections

1) In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients.

2) Work in the butter just until the mixture is unevenly crumbly; it's OK for some larger chunks of butter to remain unincorporated.

3) Stir in the chips or finely chopped chocolate.

4) In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla or other flavor, and 1/2 cup half and half or milk.

5) Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until all is moistened and holds together. Stir in additional milk or half and half if the dough seems dry, and doesn't come together.

6) Scrape the dough onto a well-floured work surface. Pat/roll it into an 8" to 8 1/2" square, a scant 3/4" thick. Make sure the surface underneath the dough is very well floured. If necessary, use a giant spatula to lift the square, and sprinkle more flour underneath.

7) Cut the square into 2" squares; you'll have a total of 16 small squares. Now, cut each square in half diagonally, to make 32 small triangles. This is all easily accomplished with a rolling pizza wheel; if you're working on a silicone mat, be very careful not to press down too hard as you cut.

8) Transfer the scones to a parchment-lined or well-greased baking sheet. They can be set fairly close together; you should be able to crowd them all onto an 18" x 13" half-sheet pan.

9) For best texture and highest rise, place the pan of scones in the freezer for 30 minutes, uncovered. While the scones are chilling, preheat the oven to 425°F.

10) Bake the scones for 19 to 20 minutes, or until they're golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven, and allow the scones to cool right on the pan. When they're cool, cut each scone in half once again, to make a total of 64 tiny triangles. Don't be too particular here; in fact, if the scones are already a size you like, don't bother to cut them again. But if you decide to cut, don't stress about making them all the same size, or perfect triangles; trust us, no one but you will care once they're glazed and on the table.

11) Make the glaze by stirring together the sugar, water, and vanilla. If the sugar seems particularly lumpy, sift it first, for an extra-smooth glaze.

12) Now you're going to coat each scone with glaze. You can dip each one individually, which is quite time-consuming. Or line a baking sheet (with sides) with parchment, and pour about half the glaze atop the parchment. Set the scones atop the glaze, swirling them around a bit to coat their bottoms. Then drizzle the remaining glaze over the top. Use a pastry brush to brush the glaze over each scone, to coat it entirely. The glaze is very thin, so this is easily done.

13) Transfer the scones to a rack set over parchment, to catch any drips. As you pick each scone up, run its sides over the glaze in the bottom of the pan, both to use up some of the extra glaze, and to make sure all sides are coated.

14) Allow the glaze to set before serving the scones.

Yield: about 64 small (2") scones.
Scones










Glaze




Scones







Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Making a comeback!

I really, really can't believe it has been almost 2 months since I blogged last. Where has the time gone?!  I was reading another blogger who posted that she felt almost nervous trying to write her first post in 3 months. I agree completely, I wanted to make it a meaningful post, but then I didn't know what to say, but that has been my excuse for weeks now.

Even though I have been MIA I have been taking pictures and gathering blog ideas the whole time. It seems like, as  this other blogger said, " The longer you are away, the harder it is to get back into it. "

Well, I am back! I have actually missed you all, your recipes, craft projects, and stories of rodeos and ranch life!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Dirt, Denim & Diamonds...on Twitter

Can't make it to my conference this weekend? We'll keep the Facebook wall updated & post on twitter #3DAG2012

Thursday, July 26, 2012

High Plains Journal

I wanted to share with you all an article that came out in the 7/16 Western Edition of the HPJ about  Dirt, Denim & Diamonds. You can read it here:
http://www.hpj.com/archives/2012/jul12/jul16/0706DirtDenimDiamondssr.cfm.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Prairie School Farms..... Does it again

I can't say enough good things about Prairie School Farms!
 Kansas Agri-Women toured their alpaca farm last October and I posted about it here.

Then she posted about my hand made jewelry, here

They have done it again, they posted about Dirt, Denim & Diamonds! Hop over there and read about it, here.

I will say, she forgot one exciting bit of news, she will be the main speaker at the conference on Saturday Aug 11!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Grass & Grain

Our local(goes all over KS though) ag newspaper did a story on me and my conference Dirt, Denim & Diamonds. You can check it out here http://www.grassandgrain.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2310

Monday, July 16, 2012

Buffalo Chicken Bread Roll

*Pinterest Tested
Reminds me of the Pizza Rolls at Old Chicago. Recipe is from Finding A New Life Through Food.
It turned out really well and the fam wants me to keep the recipe around!

Ingredients

2 boneless chicken breasts
1 tsp. olive oil
1 pizza dough (I used the tube ones, like the biscuits)
8 oz. of shredded mozzarella cheese
3 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of Franks Wing Sauce
1/3 cup of ranch or blue cheese dressing

Directions
Cut chicken into cubes. Season with salt and pepper. Heat teaspoon of olive oil in skillet and add chicken when hot. Cook chicken completely and then add 1/4 cup of wing sauce. Stir to coat chicken and let simmer for a minute or two. Take chicken off heat and let cool.

Pre-heat oven to 425°F.
On a well floured surface, spread pizza dough into a long rectangle shape.

Add ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (depending on your preference!) and remaining 1/4 cup of wing sauce. Spread across the dough. Add chicken and then top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. You can also add a bit more of the wing sauce on top of the cheese if you want it to be a little bit spicier.

Roll the dough like a pinwheel until you reach the end. Make sure to tuck the ends of the dough in so the middle doesn’t ‘ooze’ out when baking.

Spray baking sheet with light coat of non-stick cooking spray. Place garbage bread on the pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Let sit for five minutes and cut into and enjoy!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Breaking News.....over at Circle the Wagons

Thanks to Elizabeth at Circle the Wagons for her promotion of my upcoming conference. You can check the story out here.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Photo Contest

Hey all, I'm asking for a little personal favor.........
Kansas Department of Agriculture is having a photo contest. The winning photos will be used in brochures, promo items- promoting agriculture accross the US and the world, websites, posters, etc

The voting is taking place on Facebook so visit KDA's Facebook page and like these photos. (some of you might recognize them from blog posts)

Thursday, July 5, 2012

No Nicaragua

Where have you been?- some might be asking.

I was supposed to be in Nicaragua today. My flight was planned to leave OKC at 5:30am, but I had an emergency root canal. Long story...they said I needed it pulled ASAP, then they said they would try to save it, so a root canal it was. Well, that didn't go as smoothly as they had hoped, yadda yadda..... Flying was against doctors orders so here I am still in Kansas.

This too partially explains my lack of blogging. The other is that I have been super busy with other things in life. One of those being planning of a womens conference called Dirt, Denim & Diamonds. Check it out!

My new goal is to at least blog once a week this summer....thank goodness this week is taken care of now :)

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Country N' Classy

 Yesterday, I rode with CP while haying. This wasn't a planned ride, I just stopped by on my way out of town. While in the tractor I looked down and this is what I saw:
At this moment, I realized you can be Country N'Classy! Well, I knew it before...but this time I had proof, french pedicure and all!


This year they are ahead of schedule on haying. Usually, they start around July 4, however this year it was June 6 or so.
Raking the mowed grass.
The rake can combine 2 of the mowed rows,since it is 36ft wide. Definitely helps speed up the process.
I mentioned to CP how did people do this years ago, agriculture has progressed so much and the technology has made it more convenient and COMFORTABLE for many.





Thursday, June 7, 2012

Wedding Blocks-Semi-tutorial

A friend of mine got married this past Saturday, it was beautiful.

As most of my friends know, I love giving handmade gifts, so check out my gift to her.

My mom is in the process of redoing the old farmhouse from 1901.
The spindles for the front porch were too long we we had to cut about 1-2in off the ends. Here are the blocks I was left with:
I then painted 2 of the faces of the block a light cream. One side I painted the letters of the bride and grooms last name:
The other side I did a fun "math problem"(thats an oxymoron)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tasty Tuesday-Cherokee Strip BBQ, Stillwater, OK

I wanted to share with you a great BBQ place in Stillwater, OK.....
For my graduation we ate here. This was the first restaurant I had even eaten at in Stillwater, so I thought it was only fitting to have a little graduation get together there.

I ordered the 3 meat platter and split it with my grandpa.
Reasonably priced and included 2 sides.
Top is brisket, then turkey, and middle bottom is pork loin.


Stop by if you are ever in Stillwater. The food is great and the people who work there are great!

The lady( I believe was the owner) congratulated me about 10 times on graduation and told me
" Don't forget, the world is out there waiting for you!" she encouraged me to follow my dreams and have fun.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Menu Monday-No cooking=Trappers Restraunt

Since I am terribly behind with blogging instead of sharing a recipe, I'm going to share some of my favorite eats from my travels.

Today is Trappers in OKC.
Appetizers of Fried PICKLED Green Beans
AND Alligator!
Blackened and fried

Salad- has fried onions and a spicy horseradish salad dressing(house dressing)

Main Courses:
SWORDFISH!!!!! and mashed taters-
 
                  Pecan Crusted Rainbow Trout(my mom's dish):

           Salmon and "something else Pasta", (can't remember, dad's dish)

Everything was great. The decor was lodge/outdoorsy/fishing......
Check out what was in their "fish tank"
If you are ever in OKC, stop for a meal at Trappers, I think you will enjoy it!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Traveling Tuesday- where have you been?!

It's been ages since I have blogged, I'm sure you all have been sitting on the edges of you seats waiting for my return-ha! Well, I've been in Oklahoma,Kansas,Arizona,etc. I will be posting alot, and a lot of random posts NOT following my weekly themes. There are a few people wanting me to catch up on posting, especially topics they want to hear about or relate to them. This week I am helping everyday with the Kansas state FFA convention, but hold on, cuz next week will be blogging overload!