Articles for Ag Women

Since my Masters research was done on the topic of women in agriculture I get kinda nerdy when it comes to articles about this subject. My colleagues now email me when they come across an article that might interest me.  I am by no means a feminist or a "women can do it just as good as guys" although there are quite a few things we can do as good as them :) But I appreciate people realizing that women are a vital part of agriculture.
 Here are a few links to articles that I wanted to share.

Empowering Women Landowners to Become Conservation Leaders

Old McDonald Might Be A Lady: More Women Take Up Farming

West Texas woman shows TCU students ladies can ranch as well as cowboys

Buttered Popcorn Ice Cream

And for our last Ice Cream recipe celebrating this month, is Buttered Popcorn!
Yep you heard it, just like the Jelly Belly's Buttered Popcorn Jelly Bean, but in ice cream form.

Its really good, again that sweet 'n salty mix.

Buttered Popcorn Ice Cream
Recipe Adapted from Almost Bourdain

2.5 cups whole milk

1.5 cups heavy cream (aka whipping cream)

1 cup sugar

1 tsp Vanilla extract

*for added flavor, use butter flavoring such as Watkins

2 heaping cups of buttered popcorn (your choice! Either microwave or air/stove popped tossed with butter and salt)

1. Combine milk, cream,  sugar , vanilla and the popcorn in a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Heat until almost boiling and then remove from heat. Let rest for 30 minutes to infuse the popcorn flavor

2. Using a cheese cloth or a fine mesh strainer strain out the popcorn and discard.

3. Chill in refrigerator, then place in ice cream maker and proceed as directed. 

Avocado earrings, sweaters, cars, kids.... AND Avocado Coconut Ice Cream

Since Subway made avocados all the rage right now, I thought this fit in perfectly. 

 I know this sounds a little funky, but it ended up being one of my families favorite. Super rich and creamy. Had a banana-ish flavor to it. Definitely worth trying!

This is the recipe I used and modified to our liking

Ingredients

1 ½ c. milk

1 c. coconut milk

½ c. sugar

2 avocados, peeled and pitted

¾ tsp lemon juice (I used lime, because I was out of lemon)

Directions:

Puree milk, coconut cream, sugar, avocados, and lemon juice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for several hours until cold. Freeze in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's directions.

Coffee Ice Cream

Another Homemade Ice Cream Recipe to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month!

This is not a recipe I found, this is developed by yours truly.

2 cups milk
1 cup cream
1 cup ice coffee ( I used the already made International House Iced Coffee)
1 T vanilla
2 T instant coffee grounds.(you can add more for a stronger coffee flavor)

Combine all,  place in mixer and you are ready to go!

Simple and tasty!

National Ice Cream Month~Bacon Recipe

Well, July is National Grilling, Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, AND Baked Beans month. So why not kinda combine all those and get a flavor like..........BACON!!!

This 4th of July I decided to make Bacon Ice Cream. I like those fun and different ice cream flavors, just ask my friends Kelsey & Alicia that traveled in Europe with me. 

The out come: most of the group thought it sounded weird, but were pleasantly surprised. Its that great Sweet N' Salty combo

Here is the recipe from Pork Be Inspired

Bacon Ice Cream

Ingredients
2 cups half & half
2 cups milk
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar, light, packed

Cooking Directions
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine bacon, half and half, milk, corn syrup, and sugar and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside to steep until a deep bacon flavor develops, 10 to 20 minutes. Strain through a medium-mesh strainer and set aside to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
Process according to your ice cream manufacturer’s instructions.
Yield: About 5 cups (serving size 1/2 cup)

Where did June go?

I can't let June get by with out at least ONE post. I have so much to catch up on, jobs, family, animals, agriculture, cooking, crafts, and the list goes on!

I guess the one little "announcement" is that I started a Facebook page for this blog. I am better at posting little random ag facts,  events announcement all country gals should know about, and much much more.

So check it out here! Like it if you feel so inclined to do so :)

61 and counting!

Today is my grandparents 61st wedding anniversary. They are truly God's example of love and what a marriage is intended to be like! I am blessed to have them as a shining example.  Since I was out of town for my grandpa's birthday this past Tuesday, we are celebrating big time tonight! Oh, and don't think they look or act their age! Grandpa still picks grandma wildflowers from the pasture while out checking cattle and grandma says she still gets butterflies every time she sees him ride up horseback. So sappy, but I love it!
Speaking of those flowers he gets her......As I drove into my mom's driveway this afternoon I saw these beauties blooming.

They were started by my great-great grandmother over 100 years ago and have been blooming on our family farm since then. It make me happy and proud every time I see them bloom.