Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread

Another recipe from my Survivor Party. I found this on Pinterest some where.

INGREDIENTS

       * 8oz low fat cream cheese

• ½ cup low fat sour cream
• 150g fresh pineapple, finely chopped
• ¼ orange bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 celery rib, finely chopped
• ¼ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• 1 tsp old style mustard
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 75-100 perfect pecan halves (to make the pine cone effect)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut the top off your pineapple and cut it in half lengthwise. Keep that in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
2. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (an electric mixer would also work), whip cream cheese and sour cream on medium speed until well incorporated, smooth and creamy in texture, about 2-3 minutes. It might help to have the cream cheese at room temperature before you start.
3. Squeeze the juice out of the pineapple and incorporate to the cheese mixture, along with the rest of the ingredients. Continue mixing on low speed until well combined, about 30-45 seconds.
4. Turn onto final serving plate and shape into a barrel. Make sure that your plate is big enough to accommodate pineapple top, but don’t place it just now. Cover with a plastic film and, ideally, refrigerate until the next day. This will allow flavours to fully develop.
5. You might want to wait until the last minute to cover with pecans to avoid them going soft on you. Also, you might want to take your barrel shaped creamcheese mixture out of the fridge about an hour or two before you are ready to start laying the pecans so it softens up a bit. Pecans will stick better to cheese that is closer to room temperature.
6. Place pineapple top at the top of your barrel shaped cheese, then start layering the pecan halves, starting at the bottom, and keep shingling until you get to the top. Make sure you keep your pecans nice and tight and use the best pecans you can find.

What Not to Wear...The North Face

I know its been awhile since I've had a Fashion Friday, nothing really jumped out at me until this past weekend. CP and I headed to Oklahoma for the Express Bull Sale. It was cool and windy and he went to put his North Face jacket on and mentioned to me that he heard North Face donated to PETA, HSUS or something like that. Was it true, he asked. I wasn't really sure, but as we sat through the auction I looked around and saw quite a few NF jackets. I decided to do some research on this when I got home.

I did a little searching and ran onto this article in the BEEF Magazine, stating the The North Face supports HSUS!

Did those beef producers know that they were wearing a jacket and supporting a company that goes against their livelihood?

 Now what to do with CP's jacket, rip out the embroidery? Cover it with a Eat Beef patch?

National Agriculture Day

You, I and 142 other people ate today because of one American farmer. We officially recognize our farmers and all they do to make our lives better on March 8, National Ag Day. Farmers not only produce food, fiber and fuel, they contribute to a strong economy. In fact, the total impact of agriculture and agribusinesses account for 20 percent of the state’s economy, according to Kansas Inc.

The role of farmers will become even more critical with the exploding world population. We reached 7 billion people in 2011. The United Nations forecasts that world population will reach 9 billion by 2050 – and that farmers will have to produce 70 percent more food than they do today.

Be part of  agriculture, if even just for one day. Take a drive in the country with your family, for instance. There’s no prettier green than winter wheat fields waking from winter dormancy. And, wave if you see a farmer. I guarantee they’ll wave back.

Happy Ag Day.

Words of Wisdom-Patience

THE Bull Sale of all Bull Sales!

Express Ranches-Yukon, OK

This past Friday was the Express Ranches Bull Sale-558 Angus for sale
We left KS at 5am and drove straight to Yukon. Upon arrival we went straight to the pens and had to check out the bulls that CP was interested in. After a deciding that quite a few, "would work" we headed inside to get a buyer number (826) You can check out the catalog here.
We watched bulls sell from $3,000 to the top seller that went for $129,000! The complimentary lunch was awesome. Salad with every type of topping, green beans, roasted potatoes, and a  brisket carving station. Dessert options were cookies, cake, apple cobbler, mixed berry cobbler and ice cream! YUM!

There were 3 auctioneers and 6 spotters. Express prides themselves on bringing each bull through the ring. After the purchase of #308 we called it a day.We didn't watch the last 250 sell.  About 3:00pm they put out hot dogs, chips, brownies, and other dessert bars....With TO-GO BOXES!! I refrained from going crazy, I stayed calm and acted like I go to these places everyday...HA!

Then we went out to see his purchase. Not to shabby, eh?

Check out Bob's house in the background!

If I ever have my dreams come true and have my own huge sale, or become and event planner for large ranches  I'm gonna model it after EX!

Cake Batter Puppy Chow

I'd seen this floating around Pinterest and decided to give it a whirl.It's from So Very Blessed.
WARNING: Super sugary. I almost couldn't handle it, so after I tried it I gave it to the guys.

• 5 cups Chex cereal (I prefer the Rice Chex)
• 10 oz (5 squares) vanilla flavored Almond Bark
• 1 1/2 cups yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• vegetable shortening, optional

1. Melt Almond Bark according to the package directions, adding vegetable shortening to thin if desired.

2. Pour the cereal, cake mix, and powdered sugar into a paper bag or container with a lid.

3. Drizzle melted Almond Bark over the cereal and fold down the top of the paper bag or put the lid on the container.

4. Shake bag or container until the cereal is evenly coated.

Thrifty Hospitality

I want to share a picture of my room at the "B&B" I joke, because this is actually the spare room at my good friends parent's house. They always have about 5 different fancy flavored creamers(just for me) and a pot of coffee on all day. See what I mean about a "B&B"?!

When I walked in I thought it looked perfect and I even had a gift basket.This is where the "Thrifty Thursday" comes in. Pam always hits the after Christmas sales and picks up those ready made gift baskets to have on hand. What a great idea! My mom had decided thatshe is going to start doing the same thing.

Many times those sets are under $5 and can also be found after other holidays such as Valentines, Mother's Day, and Easter.

What a thrifty way to make a guest feel welcomed.