Monday 28 April 2014

Easter & Cows

 These pictures (below & above) are from last weekend, Good Friday at the Nelson gathering.

 I never thought that shades from Dollarama would be such a hit! She is obsessed ha ha.

 Saturday spur of the moment we decided to process most of the cows and get them out of the mud because it was such a beautiful day. We are super glad we did now because it has rained all day again today.

 Red bunch headed North to spend some time behind our house.
 Baby calfies.

 Black mamas looking for their babes! They weren't long without them...

 Our last Easter gathering was this weekend, isn't she classy? Pretty dress and rubber boots in the sand box?!

Me and my beautiful daughter!

Here's to a sun-shiney day tomorrow!

Ashley

Thursday 24 April 2014

Pie making day

I actually really love making pies. Mostly because everyone loves to eat them. They can pretty much turn every frown upside down!  I made pies for this past years Christmas gathering with my Mom. I had to laugh at her comment when she seen my pies. "I can't believe you can make such nice looking pies!" (she said they were delicious too) I jokingly acted like I was offended but I knew exactly what she meant. Growing up my Mom baked and cooked a lot!  But I could care less to participate especially if I didn't have to. Although I am very thankful that I had no choice in the cooking department a lot of times. I learned to cook, I didn't really have much choice in that matter. When we were a bit older Mom started working out and supper was often left to me. But anyways,  back to the pie topic. So I didn't exactly learn to make pies from my Mom although I'm sure some of it soaked in, indirectly.

So when I say that I make one hell of an apple pie, I'm neither joking or bragging, just simply stating a fact :)

Today I made 6 pies. Two apple pies (I'm soooooooooo glad I canned apple pie filler) and two pie shells for the freezer. And I baked two pie shells so I can make a lemon pie and a banana cream (the banana cream from scratch)  to enjoy today!!!

What's better to do on a rain day??!

Ashley

Tuesday 22 April 2014

I won first prize!!

I won the first prize of a local raffle draw! It's a handmade quilt made by a local quilter. I love it! I wish I knew how to quilt.

Ashley

Too late??

I think may be too late but I planted my peppers and tomatoes this morning inside. We'll see how they do.

Ashley

Magnificent Monday...

Yesterday was an excellent day because #1: Ali asked us multiple times to sit on the big potty! She didn't actually do anything but hey, I'll take it, at least we're headed in the right direction. And #2: The weather was so beautiful yesterday. Tanner played outside all afternoon till Landen got off the bus and then they stayed out there till L went home. Then after supper we spent the evening outside. It was great!

Happy Tuesday!

Ashley

Friday 18 April 2014

My Easter bunny cupcake cake

Painting Easter eggs & coloring

 The boys painted Easter eggs yesterday, they really enjoyed it. I just hard-boiled them (in my oven actually!!) so I didn't have to worry about a big mess. I had taken a few pictures and he had no smile, so I asked him to give me a big smile......this is what I got! lol, he inherited this from his Uncle Chris who is absolutely impossible to take pictures of. Ha ha ha!
 My nephew!
My cutie pie coloring, with crayons. She is not allowed to use markers, she bites the tips off! 

I am making an Easter bunny cupcake cake for our gathering today, I'll post a picture later.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Ashley

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Bit & Pieces

 This is what I wished for a couple months ago, right??? Puddles, muddy clothes and more laundry to do..... ha ha.


 This is a road not far from us, it's closed all winter but they opened it to help it melt.
 Our one and only snowman............LOL.
 Love this view!!
 Good morning!
 Mmmmmmmmmm coffee. (on my deck I might add!)


 Our new bull.
 Two batches of kittens in the barn, about a month apart.
 The kids love them!

 Have a GREAT day!!!
Ashley


Our thank-you supper

 Last Saturday night we held a thank-you supper at our home to show our appreciation for everyone who helped us build our home.
 I need to write everyone's name down that was there yet but we fed about 60 people, including ourselves. We had some not come that we're planning on coming.


 My cake is three 14x14 cakes put together. There is two 9x13 cakes in each cake.
 We set it all up in our basement.
I know a lot of people thought I was crazy to cook for that many people but we just wanted to show how much we appreciate everyone's help. We cooked 30 pounds of roast beef, 14 pounds of meatballs, baked potatoes, mixed veggies, tossed and macaroni salad, buns and chocolate cake and ice cream. Along with numerous drinks, coffee, tea and punch! Now our home is even more special because of it!

Ashley

Monday 14 April 2014

A little bit of relaxation...

Getting that big thank-you supper behind me gives a big sigh of relief!  I haven't dug into a book lately so today I started reading 'The Witness' by Nora Roberts. It pulled me in instantly!  I'm only on page 32 but I know already that it's a good one!

I will post about the supper tonight as well as a farm post! Have a great day!

Ashley

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Winter may not be over just yet...

My barometer is threatening to spill over...I have had it since Christmas time and it has never spilled over yet! What are we in for????

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Hearty vegetable soup

Today I made a really delicious pot of vegetable soup. We had steak and baked potatoes in the crockpot last night. I had a little bit leftover and so I decided to make soup! I just threw whatever I had in and it turned out very good.

What you'll need:

1 piece of steak, cooked
6 cups water
1/2-1 cups of celery, diced
1-2 cups carrots, diced
1/2 of a medium sized onion
2 medium sized potatoes, cubed
1-2 cups frozen peas
1-2 cups frozen green beans
1 beef bouillon
Beef broth
Salt (I used 2 tsp, I realize that might be too much for some ppl, adjust accordingly)
1/2 tsp pepper
1 can tomato soup
1/2 cup pot barley

I let steak simmer in water for 15-20 minutes. Add onion, celery, frozen peas/beans and carrots. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Then add pot barley, tomato soup, salt, pepper and beef bouillon. I had some beef broth on hand in the fridge that I needed to use up so I dumped it in. It's really not necessary if you have the beef bouillon to throw in. I put my potatoes in last as they were cooked through already and just needed to warm up with the soup. Let it all simmer together for about 15 minutes or so and wa - la!!  You have some seriously delicious satisfying soup on your hands...... :)

Keep in mind, you can adjust any of the ingredients however you like to your taste.

Happy Tuesday!
Ashley

Monday 7 April 2014

First official haircut

I have trimmed her bangs twice now.  But tonight the hubby and I were getting cuts and decided she should have a cut. Isn't she adorable???