Five...

Today is all about the number 5 today even thought it's November 9th! The number five holds a large significance today in my life. It was five years ago when Dustin and I became a exclusive couple after couple weeks prior to meeting each other at South Dakota State University, and more specifically at a rodeo dance.

This photo was taken the week after we met.

These past five years have been wonderful and on top of that we got married in June which this month will signify our 5 month anniversary. I know it sounds cheesy! But, being together for 5 years and recently getting married, we are continuing to learn more about each other each and every day!

And 5 years later, we are happily married!

So happy 5 today! I'm excited for the many years ahead as we continue to grow together!

Smellin' Good Kitchen...

I know my absence to my blog is no excuse. After putting out the first issue of The Cattle Business Weekly for November, I pondered on what happened to the month of October. It seemed like it came and went away so quickly. To start out the month right, I pledge to blog at least 5 times this month. I'm just hoping something exciting happens because I lead a rather dull life!

Recently, I have been baking quite a bit lately. The downfall of the whole baking thing, the piles of dishes. Which when Dustin and I become homeowners one day, we both agree that a dishwasher is a must have in our home.

Also, I have been doing some cooking too. There was a point the last couple weeks of October, I left the bag of chicken out to thaw (which shouldn't have been) and we had to use up roughly 12 chicken breast. I OD'd on chicken for the next week!

Once all the chicken was used up, there was a new recipe I really wanted to try though, so I thought last Friday was the perfect time to try it! I don't know why it was the perfect time, honestly. It was very easy and tasty. If you like chili cheese hot dogs, you might like this concision!

Here is the recipe:
Chili Cheese Corn Dog Casserole
From Pioneer's Women's Tasty Kitchen, adapted by WhiskTogether
Ingredients:
1 cup Cornmeal
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
2 whole Eggs
2 Tablespoons Honey
¼ cups Butter, Melted
1 cup Buttermilk
1 cup Green Bell Pepper, Diced
1 cup Onion, Diced
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
8 whole Hot Dogs, Cut In Bite-size Pieces
1 can Chili Beans, 15 Oz
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
½ teaspoons Chili Powder
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the dry ingredients: cornmeal, whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt together. Add eggs, honey, melted butter and buttermilk. Stir until just combined. Spread half of the batter into an 8″ or 9″ square pan. (Later, if you want to make 12 whole wheat cornmeal muffins, you can use this same recipe!)
2. Over medium heat, in a large skillet, saute the green bell pepper and onion in olive oil until the onions are translucent.
3. Add bite-sized hot dog pieces and stir and heat for 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in chili beans, brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder. Heat through.
5. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese. Spoon the entire mixture into the pan over the corn muffin batter.
6. Spoon the rest of the muffin batter on top of the chili beans mixture.
7. Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top. Bake another 3 minutes or just until the cheese begins to melt. Cool for a few minutes and serve.

And then you end up with this:

Yummy goodness!

On a different note, which I know more people are interested in than my baking or cooking stories is Jet. So here is your quick Jet update: he's spoiled, sleeps a lot, and continues to chew on things. In my opinion, he hasn't changed the last time I wrote about him! I will post a picture maybe as on of my 5 posts!