Gertie our most recent purchase…

I have decided that the biggest difference between men in women in shopping is that men can actually go shopping for one thing and actually only get that one thing. Where as we women just love to have a reason to go and shop, may it be a need for a new shirt or purse, chances are we aren’t going to come home with just one item. Because seriously what fun is only bringing one thing home? Well I digress, this weekend while hubby was on his pig shopping expedition east, he had the plan to come home with one possibly two new ladies for the farm. He came home with this charming dear, who I have given the lovely name Gertie to. She is quite a lady I do believe the other women of the farm will welcome her nicely. Now can you really imagine going shopping and coming home with less than intended?

Welcome Gertie, I hope you love your new home!

Cold Wintery Spring Day = Mean Green Chicken Tortilla Soup

Look at the nastiness outside, BRRRRR and ridiculous are my words for it, it is March I am ready for the warm weather to stay around. But since it was so cold outside and Blaine was gone pig shopping (his favorite type) I decided to make some warm and comforting soup. This soup happens to be Blaine and my favorite; it is very warm and hearty yet spicy and refreshing all at the same time. I didn’t want to enjoy all this goodness by myself so I loaded up all the ingredients and headed out to my parents house (ML=Momma Linda & PP= Pappy Paul). Later in the week PP will be making this cooking debut.

The lineup:


1 package chicken breasts (cubed)
1 onion (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and chopped)
1 bag frozen corn
2 tsp cumin (I add a bit more for extra spice)
1 jar tomatillo salsa
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
4 TBSP of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
10 corn tortillas (cut in thin strips)
3 limes (use zest and juice)
1 handful of fresh parsley or cilantro
2 cups pepper jack cheese
3 avocados (sliced)

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Place corn tortillas strips on baking sheet and spray with cooking spray bake for ten minutes or until crispy. When strips come out of the oven sprinkle salt and the zest of one lime.

Coat the bottom of a dutch oven with 1 TBSP of EVOO, brown the chicken for 7-8 minutes then remove. In the same pan add remaining olive oil, and sauté onion, garlic, jalapeno, corn, and cumin for 3-4 minutes. Add chicken, salsa, chicken stock, and water. Allow the mixture to simmer covered anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. Just before serving add lime zest and juice, and parsley

To serve grab a bowl and place your desired amount tortilla strips, pepper jack cheese, and a few slices of avocados in the bottom.

Then ladle on the goodness.

Enjoy and have a great day!

Nuts....and Bolts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With my busy time at work quickly approaching, ok who am I kidding it is already here; soon we will be in the fields and working super long hours. So I decided that we needed some yummy snacks that would help refuel us and get us through the day. What was the solution.... Nuts and Bolts of course! This comes from my good friend Marva, it is a top secret family recipe, but I managed to wrestle it out of her with little trouble. And now I share it with you!

Nuts and Bolts...

1 Bag of Stick Pretzels

1 Box of Plain Cheeroies Cereal

1 Box of Kix Cereal

1 Box of Chex Rice Cereal

1 Stick of Butter

1 1/4 of Vegetable Oil

3 tsp of Worcestershire Sauce

2 tsp of Celery Salt

2 tsp of Garlic Salt

20 drops of Hot Sauce (I use a little more, because I like it spicy!)


Preheat oven 250 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients in a large pan. Melt Butter, Oil, Sauces, and Salts, pour over the dry ingredients. Bake all ingredients for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stir mixture every 15 minutes.

Here is a picture of some sneaky after a quick snack....

Snack happy and enjoy!

Let me introduce you to our crazy life!

Blaine and I have been married for almost four months now (wow what a long time!), in addition to being newlyweds we help our families raise registered show hogs. This is quite an adventure and comical at times. We both lead very busy work lives as well Blaine works for Monsanto and I work for Pioneer (rival companies;)!) Most of Blaine's spare time is spent with the piggies and when I am not helping him with that I look to be creative in the kitchen! The goal of this Blog for me is to give some insight into our pig life and for me to have a place to share my kitchen successes!