Feeding Marshmallows and Walking Pigs…

As summer is quickly approaching it is time for the hubby’s sister Rach to get the piggies in shape for the show ring. The nightly ritual for doing this is to get the ladies out and take them for a stroll and reward their good behavior with some yummy marshmallows. Yes I said marshmallows; they love the sweet little joys. It appears that Gabby would like some attention as well.

This lady doesn't seem to sure about her new treat.

There she goes she is warming up to the idea.

I just had to snap this picture during the walking because she seemed to be so sad that she wasn't the current center of attention.

Even FIL Stan is getting in on the action, I give him a 8.6 for his show qualities!

Mamma Linda’s Top Secret Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!!!!!!

Now normally you would have to either be born or married into the family to get a hold of this recipe, ML is pretty protective. But I managed to get her to agree to let me post it, I am now indebted to her for the remainder of my life. Hey no big deal I really wanted to share this with my readers. Now this is no ordinary cookie, trust me once you try them you will be addicted and find yourself craving them. We all have probably had a great oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, they are great but these bad boys have an added kick from the rice krispies. Yes I said rice krispies, they add an amazing unexpected crunch to the soft chewiness of the cookie. The hubby enjoys these sweets warm out of the oven with a big glass of milk!

1 Cup of Butter
1 Cup of Brown Sugar
1 Cup of Sugar
2 eggs
2 ½ Cups of Flour
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
½ Teaspoon of Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
1 Cup of Oatmeal
2 Cups of Rice Krispies
1 Bag of Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream Butter, Sugars, and Eggs until light and fluffy then add Vanilla. Mix Flour, Baking Soda, and Baking Powder add to the butter and egg mixture. Once well combined add Oatmeal and Rice Krispies, and then fold in Chocolate Chips. Drop from spoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Pig Sales Pig Sales!!!

Over the past few weeks we have been traveling quite extensively to market our little piggies. I am dedicating this post to the fact that we attended our last sale on Saturday. Each of the lovely dears had to go through a great deal of work before we could sell him/her. First we must select the correct set of pigs to go to the correct sale, then they must be loaded up and delivered to the point of sale, then a bit of clean up is necessary to ensure they will be the most presentable for potential buyers. Then the Hubby, PP and my Bro go to work in there sales and marketing techniques. And trust me these guys could sell refrigerators to Eskimos. Most of the little oinkers will be sold to a 4-H or FFA member for them to show all through the summer, and they all will surely be pampered and prepared for show day. Let’s not forget ML and all she brings to sale day, support, snacks, drinks, and love, oh and she keeps track of the cash that we are bringing in.

Take a look at PP, I think the showman made this girl bring even more!

These ladies are showing themselves off in hopes of someone great taking them home.

Gabby girl is giving kissing this guy to let him know that she loves him best so we won’t be selling him.

Good luck to all the buyers throughout the summer, we hope the best for each of you!

There is a celebrity among us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of the ladies from work and I decided that we needed a ladies night out. It was night of great fun for all who could attend. The highlight of the evening though was my DonDon seeing Leroy Van Dyke and having her picture taken with him. For those of you who may be out of the Van Dyke loop he happens to be a classic country artist who sang the auctioneer song.

It appears here that DonDon doesn't mind snuggling up next to him!

Thanks ladies for the lovely evening I had a ball!

Oh and by the way to everyone I hope you all have a very Happy Easter and get to spend some time with your families.

Parmesan Pork Chops and Pasta with a Mushroom Cream Sauce!

Every now and then my need for the Italian fare meets hubby’s need for a great pork chop. This lovely dinner seems to serve both needs perfectly. The pork chop is crispy from the coating and the cream sauce is slightly tangy from the sherry, oh yummy I can almost taste the deliciousness now. Oh and we have to have our green so I serve with some fresh asparagus.

Parmesan Pork Chops

4 pork chops (I prefer the rib chop)
1 package of Shake ‘n’ Bake Italian
1 cup of Parmesan Cheese
2 TBSP of Italian Season
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Egg
A Splash of Milk
8 TBSP of Olive Oil

Wisk egg and milk together in a pie plate season with salt and pepper. Mix Shake ‘n’ Bake, Cheese, and Italian Season in a separate pie plate. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet. Dab chops dry dip in egg mixture, then in the cheese mixture. Brown chops in the oil for 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness.

Pasta with Mushroom Cream Sauce.

1 lb of Angle Hair Pasta
1 TBSP of olive oil
1 container of mushrooms slice thin (any type will work I prefer cremini’s or white button)
1 TBSP of Flour
1 Cup of Stock (use the appropriate type according to the type of meat you are serving)
A Splash of Sherry
A Splash of Cream (or Half and Half)
1 TBSP of Butter

While pasta cooks. Sautee mushrooms in oil, once they are soft sprinkle with flour and cook for a bit too brown flour. Add stock and cook until mixture is bubbling and thickened. Add sherry and cream. Finish sauce with pad of butter. Serve over pasta.

Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of days I have been a bit busy with work, but I truly have missed the blog.

Welcome our newest addition!!!

Every now and then a mistake happens and a sow doesn’t quite get bred as early as we would like and we end up with a late litter, just in time for Easter! Now the mistake isn’t great but the end result is the cutest thing ever.

This little guy was having a rough start to the world but ML (Mamma Linda), came to the rescue and was giving him a little jump start.

They all look as happy as can be snuggled up to their mamma!

A Little Break from the Daily Grind…

Every now and then you have to take a break from the everyday at work. Well we decided to do this before we become super swamped, with a little BBQ. We hired a master chef, and provided him with only the finest ingredients to create a five star meal.


He appears to be giving strong consideration as to how he is going to pull these delicacies off. He is even bringing reinforcements for consult.

Look at that spread!

It seems everyone is enjoying the BBQ, we will have to do this again real soon.

Thanks Dale for all your help I really appreciate it! The food was amazingly great!

Introducing Gabby!

Now let me tell you we have the smartest dog on the face of the earth! No I am not kidding, ok maybe exaggerating a little but doesn’t every mother love their children the most. Gabby is actually much more partial to the Hubby than me but, I can be proud as well. She was a birthday gift to Blaine from me several years ago; he says she was the best gift ever. Gabby loves to be apart of our hog operation, she lets the pigs know we love them by kissing their noses.

Isn’t she such a cutie, or maybe that is her irony look?

PP’s Spicy Jambalaya!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now PP isn’t the regular cook in my parents’ house, (ML is pretty amazing in the kitchen by the way) but occasionally he will grace us with some amazing Cajun creations. PP being originally from the state of Florida and having a love for the spice has found away to bring a little of both to his cooking. Most of his cooking skills were developed from watching his Granny and ML create in the kitchen. This recipe is great for a crowd the pan is full. Let me tell you this stuff is scrumptious the layers of flavor are amazing. When you take your first bite you get the creaminess from the rice and the freshness from the veggies, especially the tomatoes, sweetness from the shrimp and you get that final bit of heat from the sausage and spice. Next time you have the desire to visit New Orleans and can’t quite make it give this recipe a try. PP really knew what he was doing with this one! Thanks PP for the amazing supper!

Look at these chopping skills!

Stir baby stir!

1lb raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1lb Jimmy Dean hot sausage
2 cups yellow rice
1 stick butter
2 medium onions (chopped)
½ large green bell pepper (chopped)
½ large red bell pepper (chopped)
½ cup celery (chopped)
3-4 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 box of white button mushrooms (chopped)
1 box beef stock
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 cup of water
Salt and pepper to taste
Cajun seasoning to taste (we like it spicy)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place rice uncooked in the bottom of a large pan (a dutch oven or roaster) with a lid, sit aside. Melt stick of butter in a heavy bottom skillet, sauté onions, peppers, celery, garlic, and mushrooms until onions are translucent, season to taste. Add the sausage and cook until no longer pink, do not drain, add shrimp cook until pink. Remove from heat and add stock, tomatoes, and water stir until well combined. Pour mixture over the rice in the roaster. Cook mixture in oven for 30 minutes uncovered, then for another 30 minutes covered.

Enjoy with some yummy cornbread or a buttery biscuit!