Fall...


I think Fall is my favorite season of the four. I love watching the leaves turn color. I love decorating my home with fall items to make it more cozy. I love the cool nights that allow me to cuddle up on the sofa and watch my favorite sitcom. Most importantly, I love fall baking because it leads me right in to Christmas baking! There are more reasons why I love this season, but I think I will just stop right where I am at.

Last night, my husband and I were able to do something together for the first time as a married couple. Carve pumpkins. I haven't carved a pumpkin in ages. I did kind of cheat this year because I purchased a carving set and outlines at Hobby Lobby over the weekend. Dustin made a scary pumpkin. I honestly don't know what you call the guy and I carved an alien. Let's just say, Dustin won the pumpkin carving contest.


Ta Da, Dustin's masterpiece!

My alien creation!

Since we didn't have actual candles, Dustin improvised and used our dining room light to get the full effect. All together now, Ohhh, Ahhh!

Once we got our pumpkins all done, I baked our pumpkins seeds thanks to Food Network for an easy recipe in this month's magazine.


I would like to mention about this past weekend too. I was able to have a girls day and we sure went all out! My coworker Codi, her dear friend Mary and I went to a concert. It just wasn't a concert, the main performer-well I like everything about her-she's amazing...Miranda Lambert! So here is what you missed:

The Randy Rogers Band opened for Miranda Lambert. A very good group I must say.

Justin Moore was there too!

Oh wait, look who I ran into. My other coworker and dear friend Mary!

Oh yes, she's the real deal! My dream is to play a pink guitar like her!

And she even brought the Pistol Annies-a new group and they are amazing!

And we all I had a great time! Thanks for the ladies day, gals!

So there you have it! This weekend, I will be sure to have some more exciting things to tell you about as Dustin and I are heading to SuFu (short for Sioux Falls) to see my family-since its been long overdue! We are going to be taking in a Augustana Football (my sister-in-law's brother starts for them) and it will be exciting to see everyone again.

Satisfaction...

Does anyone know the definition of side track? If you do please let me know. For many weeks now, the word blogging has haunted me in my sleep and continued to be on my mind.

While after taking Jet and Bella for a walk tonight, they convinced me that tonight was the night to sit down a write something. I'm even nervous to look through the camera of the pictures that I have taken to be blogged about.

So I think if I shared them with you at the same time while I look through them, I won't be as shocked!

Oh man, I was going blog something about this. This happened at the beginning of August. I submitted these ice cream cake cones in the 4-H Sweet Treats auction. These were my favorite when growing up. My mom would make these for my birthday most of the time.

Yes, my favorite salad of all times now! I found this recipe because I need to use up some sweet corn and canned black beans. Let's just say, hook me up to an IV-I could live off of this.

Then, I made this yummy dessert. A Pumpkin Spice bundt cake! I believe I devoured this within a week! Plus, a dollop of whipped cream on top makes it so much better.

In the past couple weeks, I have made this dish a few times on the weekend. I think they are Dustin's favorite-breakfast burritos. I believe when I was making this, Dustin came home upset because Jet had an accident in the pickup while going a joy ride. These are definitely a way to a man's heart!

How did this get on here? Long story short, they love each other!

The only conclusion that I could gather by these pictures is that I like food. I don't think there is nothing wrong with that. I embrace my love handles each and every day. On a healthy note, I would just like to say I finally accomplished something healthy for my body.

Today was my last day of the Arbonne 7-day cleanse. If you haven't heard of this at all, it helps cleanse and detoxify the system and support the GI tract. Trust me, it's not harmful and works!
Well since I think I finally caught you up and myself, I think I'm going to eat a Apple Caramel Cheesecake bars. I made them this past weekend I think there are only 6 bars left. I'm sorry that they are delicious! I'll blog the recipe later. Later gator!

Jet's Favorites...

I can't believe that its almost been a month since I last posted. Time has sure gotten away from me once again! I have done a lot in the past couple weeks but it just doesn't seem like I have enough time to just sit down and let you know what's happening. I just need to start making time. It sounds so simple doesn't it! Since I'm just in a lull of what to write that I thought I would feature our adorable and loving yet trouble-making dog Jet!

This is a rug that laid in our bathroom. It was nice and cozy when we would step out of the bathtub. But several weeks ago, it got a new use!



It now belongs to Jet. And this is how the short story goes:
Dustin needed a haircut and I threw the rug out into the hall. Shortly into the hair job, he became Jet's property! The end!


He drags it around the house like it's a prize possession of his. He has shredded it and I'm still surprise that it has been intact for this long.

But don't let this innocent face fool you! This household items destruction spree has a long history. Two more items have taken a beating from the jaws of Jet-plastic bottles and working gloves.


So that's all I have now. I'll keep you updated with which household item falls next to Jet's mouth!

How the West do it...

Yes, this will be my 3rd blog post in a week! Just don't get use to it. Admittedly, I thoroughly enjoy being home because I have time to do this. It seems like every summer I'm running around and I have too much on my platter than I can take. But enough with the chit chat, something amazing happened today in Philip and I got to be there to capture it.

There was a cattle drive! I was able to contact a local rancher who stills drive his cattle from his pasture to the local sale barn. Now in MN, people don't do that. I was smitten to be able to take pictures for our publication, which I think will be in this week's issue!

So let me show you how the west do it...




There you have it folks!

In the Kitchen...Cheesy BBQ Noodle Casserole

Today, Dustin and I are going to have our post-wedding garage sale. We don't have much but we needed to have a sale to get rid of all our older stuff to make room for our wonderful wedding gifts!

Since its Saturday, I thought I would share a recipe since I haven't done that for such a long time! I'm honestly going to try to get better at posting tasty recipes that we've tried! So here we go!

(Warning: This kick might have a little kick-I mean my mouth of on fire!)

Ingredients:
3 cups
Macaroni Pasta noodles

1 pound
Ground Beef

1 whole
Medium Onion, Diced

¼ cups
Fresh Parsley, Chopped

1 cup
Milk

2 cups
Of Your Favorite BBQ Sauce
(Our favorite BBQ sauce recipe follows directions)
1 cup
Mozzarella Cheese

2 cups
Monterey Jack Cheese

BBQ Sauce As Garnish


Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350F. Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray. (I used my Pampered Chef round baker.)
2. Cook and drain pasta according to package directions.

3. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes until beef is brown, drain grease. Stir pasta, 3 Tablespoons of parsley, milk, BBQ sauce, mozzerella cheese and 1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese into beef in skillet. Stir well.

4. Spoon mixture into casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese and parsley, plus a swirl of BBQ sauce across the entire surface.

5. Bake uncovered 30-40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Enjoy!

Our Favorite BBQ Sauce: Jack's Best Pals Master BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:

1/2 cups of ketchup
2 tablespoons of worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons of tabasco (We don’t put this in)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon of cumin

1 tablespoon of garlic powder

1 tablespoon of pepper flakes

1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper (We put a small dash)

1 tablespoon of garlic powder

2 tablespoons of celery salt

1/4 cup dark molasses

1/4 cup Jack Daniels

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup apple juice


Directions:
Combine all ingredients, except the Jack Daniels, in a saucepan and heat slowly until the mixture turns ruby red about 10 min. Take off heat and add the Jack Daniels. Stir and enjoy over ribs or steak, basically anything on meat!

Bella...

Good morning everyone! I hope your day has started out well. This morning, I started out my day with a phone call to my G'pa! He has been concerned since last week when a storm ripped through the central part of the state. And, for this girl, I have been pretty busy. But, it was good to hear how things were going at the home front.

Anyways, this blog post isn't about me. I just wanted write a blog about Jet's lady friend. Yes, he does have a girlfriend and I think they are in love! This week, Dustin and I are watching our neighbor's basset, Bella since she has given birth to her daughter.

Jet was eager this morning to get over to see Bella for the 4th day in a row. What a handsome fella he is! He has been able to run around in our neighbor's backyard with Bella, drink out of the swimming pool, and try to eat Bella's food but she puts him in his place!

Without further a due, meet Bella!

Bella says hello! She howls every time we arrive at the back gate but I don't know if she's excited that Jet is back or excited to see me! I think she has mixed feelings. A little background on Bella: she's much, much older than Jet. She's already a momma to two litter of pups, but don't let her rollie pollies fool you, she loves her walks!

This is what my mornings consist of...getting drug across the street by Jet due to his excitement of playing with Bella for the day!

And they play!

Then they look at each other with love!

After of a minute of Jet prancing on Bella, they part ways. Bella munches on her food.
On the other hand, Jet...

Drinks out of the swimming pool! You gotta love him!

I don't know what they do for the rest of the day because Dustin and I need to work so we can feed his body! But, I hope he isn't destroying anything! I know we are going to have to replace a few things. Like while we were off on our honeymoon, he destroyed our neighbor's swing cushion. Oh brother! Anyways, hope you all have a great rest of the day!

County Fair...

It's county fair time! I think I'm going to be going on my third year of not attending the Meeker County Fair, but don't quote me. Meeker County is home for me and living on an agricultural operation, the local county fair was my favorite summer activity of all time. I was a proud 4-H member for 10 years and FFA member for 6 years.


I started showing cattle when I was in 3rd grade and several years later, I picked up another specie–sheep and then after that I showed hogs for a couple years. The only specie of animals that I didn't show was dairy, chicken, rabbits, and goats–only because my mom freight over the thought of them on our operation.

Before I continue to ramble on, all I have to say is thank you to my big brother for instilling some hardcore work ethic into me. I wouldn't be the person that I am today if he would of just sat back and let me slack off on my projects.

Since I finally got that off my chest, I have created some amazing memories with my brother. Do you know how many hours youth put in a day working on their livestock projects? It's a lot! They are up before the rooster crows to get them into the barn before the blazing heat strikes. After a nice bath and coat drying, they brush and brush and brush till their animal's coat is nice and shiny. Now with lambs, its a different story because you have to give them a slick haircut and practice setting up their legs and making sure they brace. (Bracing helps them define their muscle conformation, which is a plus in market lambs.) You have the same concept with beef animals but you hold onto a halter and position their feet with a show stick.

This process is what my brother did very well. He made sure that I was out in the barn brushing my animals for at least an hour and that my animal was well cared for. Leading up to a cattle event, I cleaned the livestock trailer and we loaded up all the supplies–showbox, chute, fans, hair blower, hose, and chairs.

As I grew out of 4-H and FFA, my family and I have been blessed to mentor a couple of youth that lived in town and wanted an agriculture experience. They were able to try all species but down the road they found their niche.

This is Karin (aka, my little sister not by birth). Her and her brother were our first ones to join us on the farm!

It's been a blessing to be able to watch these youth that you've mentored grow up. It reminds me when I first started and the first thing learned was patience. It takes time and hard work. (Key words that I wouldn't of learned if it wasn't for my brother.) And, the county fair is the place to showcase all the hard work that you have put in over the summer!

This year, we have to young girls showing pigs and I wish them the best of luck as I won't be there to root them!

Alyssa

Autumn
(Photos taken their first year showing pigs in 4-H. I use to babysit them when they first moved out to the country. Their parents wanted them to be involved in something and enjoyed being out on our farm!)