French Toast Bake.....

During my college years, I worked for a local Bed & Breakfast in the area to make some extra spending money. I did all of the odds and end jobs that was required to successfully maintain this business. I learned some wonderful skills that have helped me throughout my adult years such as: How to properly starch and iron bed sheets and napkins, how to thoroughly clean a shower to perfection, the joys of having a herb garden, and most importantly, how to cook this French Toast Bake!

Brenda, the "House Hostess" would serve this dish to all of spectators that would frequent the area. It was such a crowd pleaser, everyone would rave about it. Little did they know how extremely easy it was to put together.

French Toast Bake

1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
1 1/2 sticks of Butter
1 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
5 Peeled Apples of your choice
Good Quality Buttermilk Bread

Combine in a sauce pan, cook over low heat until syrupy level is reached. Apples should be tender. Then pour into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. Place two layers of buttermilk bread on top of apple mixture.

5 eggs
1 1/2 Cups Milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Stir together all of the above ingredients and pour over bread. Let sit for several hours or over night in the refrigerator.

Bake at 350 degrees for aprox. 45 minutes. Top with powdered sugar and a mint leaf.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Help, My Cheeks Have Fallen And They Can't Get UP!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. I know we are still stumbling around the house complaining that we ate to much. Why is it that whenever a holiday rolls around we consider it to be guilt free, by consuming as many calories in one serving that is humanly possible; Can that really be justifiable? My waist line bags to differ!

Ahhh, Black Friday is upon us! The day were we splurge on all of the "must haves" for this season's Christmas list. I love to shop, but this year I thought it best to stay at my humble abode and do some on-line thriving at my own pace.

However, HH was pleading with me to go into our local metropolis to find him some much needed zinc (best not to ask why..). So I wondered my way north to fetch a bottle of cure all elixir for HH. Now my intentions were solely to retrieve this one item and scurry home to play with my munchkin. I promptly found the bottle and rushed over to the check out counter, now as you all know, today is Black Friday so every isle was plum full of eager shoppers. I skimmed over the crowd and decided upon the isle I thought would move the fastest. There was a young lady ahead of me probably around my age, she was purchasing all of your basic motherly necessities; Diapers, wipes, formula, ect.. As the check out gal was ringing this new mother (she was buying newborn diapers) up, I could see she grabbed for her allotted amount of money in her paper envelope that she had to spend. The clerk told her the amount that was due. Unfortunately this mother could not afford to buy all of the necessities that were on her list. My heart literally sank, I felt so bad for her. You could see the sheer embarrassment that rose up in her cheeks. So slowly she began to take each item out of her bags until she reached the desired amount that she could pay for. She gave the clerk the money and shimmed out of the check out line as fast as possible. In the mean time, I was not going to let this young lady leave without all of her desired necessities. Needless to say, I have given out my first Christmas present of the season and I wouldn't have it any other way.

With the holiday season in full swing, it is time now more then ever to help those in need. Not necessarily of monetary valve persay, but friendly greetings are always welcomed, or even holding the door open for a complete stranger. Always remember kindness is extremely repetitious!

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Lots of recipes still to come!

Happy Turkey Day!!!!!

This has been an incredible year here at the farmstead! We have so much to be thankful for, but there is one thing imparticular that stands out above all of the rest. Baby D came to join our family! We feel so blessed to have such a happy, healthy, baby boy in our lives. So this holiday season we reflect upon our little "Sunshine", he has brought so much joy to everyone at the farmstead.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Farming Fabulously

Baby D Is Thankful For.......

During this holiday season it is time to reflect on what you are most fortunate for. This Thanksgiving I am very thankful for my Grandma's and Grandpa's. They fill me full of so much joy and happiness. Not to mention, they are so fun to play with.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,
Baby D

Farming Wrap UP!

If you recall, I chatted earlier last week about all of those old pictures I have laying around that desperately need to be posted. Well these are some of those photos!



They were taken near the end of our harvest season. At this point the FB's (Farm Boy's), could see the light at the end of the tunnel. And considering it was such a wet fall again, we considered ourselves extremely fortunate that we were able to get all of the commodities out of fields.



This was however during our "Crunch Time" of the season, when the FB's were working round the clock. Putting in 23 hour days, allowing themselves only only a brief one hour cat nap daily.



Oh the joys of the farming world! Baby D has so much to look forward too!



Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Brunch recipes to be posted soon!

Game Day: All In One Meal!

As you all know, I have a meat and potatoes man. So I try to change up the usual dish as often as possible. This is a twist on your chicken wing and tradition hashbrown casserole. With the wonderful expectation that it is all in one dish! Fabulous! This would be a wonderful entree to bring to a football sing-dig. The crowd will go wild!



Buffalo Chicken and Potato Bake

1 1/4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch strips
1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
6 cups frozen southern style brown potatoes (or good ol' hashbrowns like I used)
1 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 can condensed cream of celery soup
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together chicken strips and wing sauce. In a large bowl, stir together potatoes, dressing, cheese and soup. Soon into baking dish. Place chicken strips over potato mixture. In a small bowl, stir together crumbs and butter. Sprinkle in baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 20 - 25 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of the thickest pieces are cut. Sprinkle with green onions.

Recipe is courtesy of Betty Crocker...

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: HH has requested this dish weekly.

What They Don't Tell You In Any Parenting Handbook.

SHOTS HURT! After Baby D was born, we immediately made an appointment to meet his physician. As new parents we were so proud toting our precious baby around amongst all of the other doting mommy and daddy's. He slept like an angle the whole time in the waiting room. When it was our turn in line, the nurse promptly cradle our bundle of joy: Weighing, measuring and checking to make sure all of his joints were properly aligned. The whole process with flawless!

So naturally two months later, I presumed that today would be much the same (reality check..1..2..1..2), after all he is a big boy now. We entered the hospital much the same as before sleeping soundly, not a care in the world. After taking the basic medical 411 information as needed at each visit, we sat and waited....

Now I realize that shots are a vividly painful experience for everyone. And I completely understand the fact that my baby boy was not going to sit there willing without a fight. And I knew that he was probably going scream like "when he is going to get his first tractor stuck". But what I wasn't prepared for was the aftermath....

Unfortunately Baby D is not in his happy place right now. No twittering birds singing, no floral smells elevating, very bad day. So tonight when you are kneeling next to your bedside talking to big man upstairs, please say afew extra words for Baby D.

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Mommy 101: I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now!

I would like to start off by apologizing for my extended leave of absence. My pictures have been piling up, so I will be double posting the next few days in order to keep all of my three readers you informed of the happenings here at the farmstead.

Despite my pleads, Baby D has decided recently that he needs to evolve into a big boy. This growth spurt has taken me by surprise! You see, two weeks ago he was wearing 3 month old clothes then BAM, he took it upon himself to elongate into his 6 month old wardrobe. Normally I would not object to such a change but, for the last year I have been strategically organizing a Christmas wardrobe for him. Planning each and every outfit down to the stockings, wanting him to look his best for his first holiday season. Too say the least, Baby D turns 3 months old December 3 (on this special day, I will reflect on my 17 hours of sheer drugged out bliss. aka labor), so needless to say I assumed that he would be wearing 3-6 month old clothes when he would encounter Santa Claus for the first time.

All of a sudden I began to notice Baby D's increase in size, so casually yesterday afternoon, I thought I would see if he would fit into his Christmas attire. As I began carefully shoving his bulging arms and legs into the lovely red and green ensembles, I realized that he was not looking very comfortable. As much as I wanted those buttons to hold securely around his legs without popping off, it just was not going to happen. This farm mommy pulled and tugged on the fabric attempting to stretch out the material (hey it always worked for my jeans around the holiday season), it was not going to give. Baby D had to breath!

Even with my pleads, "Come on Baby D, take one for the team" "Suck it in for mommy" and "You sometimes have to make sacrifices to look good", he wasn't buying it. So now I am going to have to scour the Internet, hunting for cheerful holiday ensembles for Baby D in a big boy size 6-9 months. Who knew?

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Zucchini Crust Pizza Bake, Yum!

So I know it is way to early to start digging in my freezer and beginning to consume all of those delicious vegetables that I froze from my garden. But I couldn't resist trying this recipe after it aired last week. What a wonderfully healthy bite size alternative to pizza. You can dress up these "Pizza's" to your families liking. We preferred, sauteed onion, garlic and tomato pizza.

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Another Mile Stone Met!

Before I start chatting about Baby D's accomplishment, I would like to take a moment to thank all of the Veterans and armed forces. We can not begin to thank each and every one of you enough for everything that you have done for our country. It's because of you, we have all of the joyous freedoms that we know and love. A deep set of gratitude is felt by us all. Thank you!

And on this day of reflection, I am proud to announce that our son has SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! He has been so close for some time snoozing from 9:30 till 3:00 in morning and then from 3:00 to 5:00. Well today we slept right on through until 5 AM. How delightful is that? Of coarse, mommy was by his bedside about every half hour making sure he was still breathing. But my lack of sleep was irrelevant, compared such elaborate sleep progress on Baby D's behalf. Maybe oneday we could even sleep till 5:30, wishful thinking perhaps.

Proud Momma,
Farming Fabulously

Tis The Season For Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Every year about this time, I get a craving for all things pumpkin! So naturally I seek out recipes that have this spectacular ingredient in them. This recipe is one of my old reliables, I make it every year. Each cookie is so moist and flavorful, that I have a hard time eating just one. Fortunately for me I am the only one at the farmstead that considers pumpkin to be a delicacy, so I have a tendency to over indulge abit with this cookie. But they are so worth it!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 Cup Cooked Pumpkin or you can use canned
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 Egg
2 Cups Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda dissolved in 1 tsp Milk
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1 tsp Chopped Nuts (Optional)

Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, and egg. Shift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add to pumpkin mixture along with dissolved soda. Mix well. Stir in chips, nuts (optional), and vanilla. Drop by the teaspoonful (dainty cookies more preferred here), on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake @ 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Baby D Is No Longer The Youngest!

The title is not a typo! Baby D is no longer the youngest cousin any more. We will have a new baby in the family next July! Is that exciting news or what? I have already began planning everything that I think that this newborn baby has to have in his/her life. You know auntie FF will do everything in her power to spoil the little munchkin rotten. That is after all what aunties do best!

Huge Congratulations to the new mommy and daddy to be!

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Please excuse my goo goo gaa gaa voice, as that is the only way I can get Baby D to respond accordingly.

November Is Warmer Then October?

It is absolutely gorgeous here at the farmstead today! So Baby D and I have decided to take a stroll around the countryside to get some much needed fresh air. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend.

Sincerely,
Farming Fabulously

Bonding With Baby D!

Baby D is the apple our eye! A treasured little munchkin that is loved by all. He is really beginning to develop a personality, so we enjoy our daily chats. That's right, our bundle of joy is cooing and smiling like crazy. Thank heavens, because mommy was beginning to worry the poor child had some sort of complex. Which I am sure has nothing to do with the fact that mommy dresses him up in less then complementary clothes.



Gaining approximately .4 lbs a day is tough work! It requires numerous feedings, in which family members are always willing chime in and help. Sometimes Baby D spits up, this particular time it was on Uncle B's MIZZOU shirt. I had to have a discussion about that with our infant, "No spitting on Black and Gold Honey".



Grandpa is always the first in line for feedings. He tells Baby D, all about tractors, combines, and fast trucks. Explaining that if he is a good boy, he might get to ride in the combine during harvest season. When Baby D hears this, he always improves his posture, coo's softer, and giggles; Hoping to encourage grandpa to take him out into the fields.



Have a Wonderful Day,
Farming Fabulously

Pondering What To Do With All Of Your Kiddo's Halloween Candy?

By now your thinking to yourself, what on earth am I going to do with all of the pounds of Halloween candy that my kiddo's collected last Saturday? Well, this is my suggestion to you. Make some bark baby!

Back in the day when I was a mere lad in High School, I worked in a candy department. I was fortunate enough to apprentice with some of the finest "Candy Connoisseurs" in all of Wisconsin and they taught me alot. Making "Bark" was a simple technique that they would use in order to decorate even the oddest of candy's up. All you needed to do was melt a pound of any color chocolate and then mix and match a variety of candys with it. So what I am trying to say is grab thous Snickers, Reece's, Butterfingers, Carmel's, Twix, ect...Chop them up and swirl it into the melted chocolate. Easy right!

1 lb of Baking Chocolate (any color)
Handfuls of a variety of Halloween candy roughly chopped

Melt chocolate in a NON-stick skillet on the stove top. Do not over cook chocolate or you will have a goopy (word?) mess. For approximately 5 minutes. Grab a sheet pan, and cover it with parchment paper. Pour melted chocolate on paper evenly. Take your chopped up candy and sprinkle it over chocolate. Voila.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously