The ol' homestead

Bike rally and here come da police...

Good morning! I hope these long hot days are not slowing you down too much. Here on the homestead things are still moving along, but it sure is hot! We had some baby chicks hatch out and I am glad that the mommas are not sitting on eggs as hot as it is in the henhouse.

This week-end we rode up to the city on the motorcycle to the big bike rally they had at Bricktown. It was a long ride in the heat coming home but we sure met a lot of nice people and enjoyed seeing a lot of nice bikes too. I must say I did not expect the thousands of bikes that were there.

Little Miss and I have been going for our 2 mile walk at 8:30-9:00 in the evening. It helps not to have the sun bearing down on us and the dogs are now waiting on us on the porch as they have gotten used to what time we go.

Police Son now really is a police son as he got the news that he gets sworn in on Wednesday for the Pauls Valley police dept. and will be badge number 118. YAY ....... this has been a long hard uphill climb for him but he is actually there now!

Here he is on interview day.

Here he is trying on his uniform. (he is not crazy about the bulky bullet proof vest!)

Over the week-end my nephew got married. He and his bride (and their precious baby) had a sweet outside ceremony. It was hot but it was well worth it to see them take wedding vows.

Little Miss is so excited that next week she is going to camp! Yep, it is hard to believe as this is the one who goes nowhere without mom. Albeit, it is just a day camp and Cowgirl Cutie will be there as counciler, but she is going everyday without me. She is so excited as she will get to ride horses everyday. (I think I am being traded in for a horse!)

We are getting everything ready here for our upcoming river trip. We will leave on the 10th and get back on the 19th if all goes well. Frontier Man is so looking forward to a break. He is working out in this heat everyday and sometimes it is just a struggle to make it through one more day. I pray for his safety and his health and do the best I can to feed him well and make him rest when not at work -that is also a struggle most of the time because he sees so much that needs his attention round here. It is also so nice to get to see family too -hope to see you soon Sunshine!

Thursday is The Littles 1st birthday. I can't imagine him already turning one. The time sure goes by fast and our little ones sure remind of us that as they grow.

Happy Birthday Sweetie Pie!!!

Well, today is bread baking day so I better get to it. You all have a great day on your 'steads!

Chocolate Mint Cheesecake

Chocolate Mint Cheesecake

Servings: 8

1/2 cup (3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips                                                                                                      1 (14-ounce) can Eagle® Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (6-ounce) purchased chocolate flavored crumb pie crust
11 ounces cream cheese, softened*
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
Several drops green food coloring
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 F. In small saucepan, melt chips with 1/3 cup of the Eagle® Brand. Stir in vanilla. Spread on bottom of a crumb pie crust.

With mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy; gradually beat in remaining Eagle® Brand, mint extract and green food coloring. Add egg; beat on low speed just until combined. Place pie crust on baking sheet; place on oven rack. Carefully pour mint mixture over chocolate layer in pie crust.

Bake 25 minutes or until center is nearly set. Cool. Chill at least 3 hours. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Trailer Park 'rita

It's hot hot hot! So I thought I would share one of the things I love to cool down on those hot evenings with.  I whip up a nice fiesta salad and an ice cold pitcher of my favorite margarita recipe.  Now some of you don't drink, and I am very respectable of that, my sister being one (alchoholic father and all...) so I apologize in advance if this stirs your ire but I for one do not have a problem with a good glass of wine or a good margarita, and so here is the one I love.

Texas Cow Patties

Texas Cow Patties

Yield: 2 dozen

2 cups margarine, softened
2 cups sugar
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups cornflakes
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 (6-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels
2 cups chopped broken pecans

Cream margarine, sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add oats and cornflakes to creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly.

Sift flour, baking powder, and baking soda together. Gradually add to creamed mixture, beating slowly to mix. Stir in chocolate morsels and pecans.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake on top rack of oven at 325 F for 17 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

This weeks menu

MONDAY:

BBQ beef sloppy joes

Chips

TUESDAY:

Beefy Chinese Rice

Sliced cucumbers & tomatoes

WEDNESDAY:

Biscuit Beef Bake

Green beans

THURSDAY:

Cheesy Ham & Potatoes

Corn on the Cob

Butterhorn Rolls

FRIDAY:

Chicken a' la King

Ceasar salad

This weeks dessert:

Double chocolate mint cookies

Brownies

Swim time

This weeks menu

MONDAY:

Chili Con Carne

Crackers

TUESDAY:

Charbroiled Hamburgers

Sliced tomato and cucumber

WEDNESDAY:

Soup Toscana

THURSDAY:

Grilled steak

Baked Potato

Salad

FRIDAY:

Chef salad

Butterhorn rolls

This weeks dessert:(Fathers Day!)

Homemade chocolate pie

England, the German hairdo and chicken fajitas

Howdy! I thought I would post some random pictures as I have a bunch of odds and ends from the last few weeks. Hope you enjoy them.

This is Pippin -the pug (Big Miss dog)

English play money they brought back for Little Miss

Big Miss's Build-A-Bear from England

Making dollhouse pot holders

Here is the basic rundown on those dollhouse potholders that I told you about. I made 4 different designs and they turned out very cute!

First, cut the pieces

Sew your pieces together...

Then get some of this and cut out around your potholder...

Cut a backing the same size and make your own bias to match...

Attach your bias and iron out...

Then get to cookin'!

*I have answered each question individually about the heating batting but thought I would post this so everyone knows there is such a thing to use. It is a mylar batting called Insul-Bright, it keeps the potholder thin and light weight like regular cotton, Warm and Natural batting. Just FYI - the mylar batting is not safe in the microwave. I've never microwaved a hot pad, but you just never know. I only use one layer of the batting and I put the more shiny side facing the back.                 Super great huh? I bought mine at a local quilting shop, but I have heard you can get it at larger fabric chain stores.

"Our life is like the dial of a clock..."

"Our life is like the dial of a clock. The short hand is the hand of discipline, the long hand is the hand of mercy. Slowly but surely the hand of discipline must pass, and God speaks at every stroke. But, over and over again, passes the hand of mercy, showering forth sixty-fold of blessings for every stroke of discipline and trial, and both hands are fastened to the one secure pivot -the great unchanging heart of a God of love".