Monday, April 7, 2014

Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

In a effort to feed the family in a healthier fashion, we've been trying  a few different things.  We raise beef - we eat beef - we eat more beef- we sometimes feel like NOT eating beef!  Our beef is grass fed, very healthy and we know what goes in it so I never worry about store bought stuff and I am very grateful for that!  I don't remember the last time I bought beef related products at the grocery store.  But in an effort to not ALWAYS eat BEEF we are broadening our horizons and trying new things.  I haven't been a huge fan the the turkey burger, it's very bland and doesn't have a real strong flavor when cooked ,but this time we kicked it up a notch and it was FABULOUS! These Teriyaki Turkey Burgers are a must try!  They have graduated to our DO EAT list and we are trying more things with turkey burger.  They were super simple to make and the turkey when seasoned properly is really tasty!
Grilled Pineapple...YUM!
As you can see, I just grilled them up on our cast iron griddle right on the stove top.  I seasoned the turkey with garlic salt and pepper and I added a little bit of Italian bread crumbs as well. I grilled the pineapple first, then Patti-ed out the turkey burgers and grilled them up.  We topped them with teriyaki barbecue sauce, tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, and of course the pineapple and devoured them!  EVERYONE loved them!  Seriously a must!  I can't wait to get the BBQ fired up this summer and make these with some corn on the cob. DELICIOUS, EASY and Healthy!  
What's your favorite thing to do with turkey burger?


Sunday, April 6, 2014

The FIRST one ~ twenty

She was the first, yet I didn't watch her first step or stay up with her when she was a baby. No, our firsts were different.  Our firsts started at age 8 when she became my little buddy, greeting me eagerly on weekends we had together, letting me dress her and curl her hair.  She was the first little girl, she was the first one I stayed up late with, the first one I made an Easter dress for, she was the first one I waited up for when the dating began, the first one I sent to school, she was the first one I took prom dress shopping and car shopping, she was the first one I taught to drive, the first one that made me laugh and cry, she was the first one that I worried and wondered about, the first one to move in and move out, the first to make me proud as punch, the first to get a job, the first to have her own room, the first one in braces, the first birthday cake I ever made anyone, the first one to wear makeup, the first one that I learned from...the first one.  She still is, the first one!  I can't believe 12 years have come and gone.  20 seemed like a very distant thing when we were having all these firsts together. I'm crazy grateful for this FIRST ONE!  She makes me laugh, we've had some great moments, some sad ones, some crazy ones and some awesome ones.  Happy 20! To the FIRST ONE!  I love you.....to the moon and back (mostest)! 
20 years old!
Dresses and Dances

                           

Mexico

My Little Maid of Honor

Rodeo flag 
 
Quote for adoptive parents wall vinyl decal I didn't give you the gift of life decal
I didn't write it....but I LOVE IT! Life gave me the gift of YOU!
                             
7th grade

First deer 

Friday, April 4, 2014

Springtime on the Farm

It's the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!  I know they sing it at Christmas time but I think I should be able to sing it at other times of the year.  Like Fall because I LOVE Autumn, or SPRINGTIME because it's one of the BEST!  The ground is thawing the calves are being born and things start coming to life again.  I absolutely LOVE this time of year! This year we have had a good abundance of healthy calves.  In years past we've had times when it seems there were more that didn't make it than did.  Sometimes we've had sick ones and mothers that wouldn't cooperate.  This year however has been one of the BEST!  Thank Heavens!  Sick cows and one's that don't make it are just part of the circle of life on farms, but it's never fun.  I prefer healthy years like this one, myself. 
Feeding the cows

Ear Tagging calves
Can't forget Uncle CJ's Piggies

Cute Calves!

Doctoring Calves
I don't know that I ever really thought about being a farmer (or being married to one) when I "grew up" but it just so happens that the man I married got the farming itch about 3 years after we were married.  We knew we wanted wide open spaces, no neighborhoods, we wanted to listen to cows moo and wake up to the sound of sprinklers hitting the fence or the creek running in the back. Now those are just part of what we call life.  We work all summer and feed cows all winter.  We don't vacation much......okay maybe not really at all, but do we need to?  Who says that's what life is about?  It may be for some, but for us - this is what we do and what we love!  I have never been disappointed with the choice we made! (It also is a fabulous way for the kiddos to learn.  We've learned TONS through working together, doctoring cows, branding, spending time together, and being out in nature).  There's no better life!  "Farm livin' is the life for me!"  Stay tuned for the next debut of the famous annual "Cattle branding weekend". Famous as is in we do it every year, it makes me happy and is another one of the MOST WONDERFUL TIMES OF THE YEAR!  I saw a cute quote on Pinterest (duh, where else would I see it haha!) it said
  "Live your life like someone left the gate open!"  
So true!  The joy is in the journey.  Find something you love and live for it!  I LOVE THIS LIFE WE CHOOSE TO LIVE!!!

Do you love your life?  Tell me about it! I'd love to hear what makes your life FABULOUS!

Thanks for reading,


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Paleontologists in the making!

These cute little munchkins love to discover things.  When we registered with Harmony this year we got COOL things in the mail...Like CHRISTMAS!  In one box was this Dinosaur Dig kit....and what better day to break it out then a MARCH day.  March tends to be warm one day and miserable the next...okay who am I kidding it's like that ALL SPRING where we live.  No guarantees it'll be nice til, oh I'd say late June then it's just too freakin' hot to do anything.  So you gotta enjoy the nice days and live up the yucky ones.  And that is just what we did.  These three are ALWAYS on me about SCIENCE! So we pulled this bad boy out and they all got cracking on it.  They even let their friends in on it, everyone taking a whack trying to see what bones they could discover.  Really Cool! and kept them mesmerized for hours!!!!

It's all in the preparation :)
Paleontologist's look out!
Oh SHE'S CUTE!


My THREE MUSKETEERS