Red Velvet Cake

I got a wild hair today and decided that since it's Saturday and so gorgeous outside, it was time to make a cake (and plus I love my cake pedestal but hardly ever use it).

Yes, it is Pioneer Woman, go figure, and yes, Tom and the gang will be my official taste testers tonight at dinner. I"ll let you know how it goes!

If you're feeling adventurous, visit her website and look around, you might find something else you want to try!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Anger Management

I guess having a dog is a great learning experience. They're just like kids, when it gets too quiet, you know something is up.

Today I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off, and I noticed Ginger was missing. Well I found her. She had found both of her stuffed chew toys and ripped out all their stuffing along with their squeakers. Darn dog! I was pretty mad at first, but then she looked at me with those brown eyes, and I couldn't stay angry!

I guess this will get me ready for kids of my own right?

The Farmer's Wife

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

My childhood church put together a cookbook back in '92. Moving to college and now married, I'd always ask my mom to email me recipes from this book. There were no more copies left at church, but this Christmas (hence the candy canes in the background) my mom found a spare copy! It's been almost 11 years.

With my spirits lifted, I delved into this cookbook only to find one of my favorite recipes-chocolate peanut butter bars. The original maker of this recipe? My mother! Ha, I didn't even know.

So today, since it's snowing, and since I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, I decided to make it and share the treasured recipe with you, hope you enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars made with love by Patti Shelton (my mama)
1 c. butter/margarine
1 1/3 c. peanut butter
3 c. powdered sugar
2 c. graham cracker crumbs
12 oz. chocolate chips (1 1/2 c.)

Melt butter. Add peanut butter. Mix in powdered sugar. Mix in graham cracker crumbs.
Spread into a 9x13" pan. Melt chocolate chips and spread over peanut butter mixture.
Freeze 15 minutes.
Let stand at room temperature before cutting.

Enjoy! These are so easy, and if you crave chocolate and peanut butter (like I always do) these will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth.

The Farmer's Wife

Let it Snow!

We totally missed a White Christmas, but boy did we get a White New Years!

Yesterday, my nephew Gage was able to see snow for the first time! We made a mini snowman, threw snowballs at each other, and even taste-tested the white stuff (Gage says it tasted like the sky).

Even our pooch Ginger enjoyed licking it all up. It's even snowing as I write this. I guess it's time for me to man the fireplace and hunker down. Hey, I might even make some hot chocolate!

The Farmer's Wife

The Rain Has Come!

Well we thought that this December was a little too warm for comfort. God does have a sense of humor. Now he gives us rain! And tons of it!

My husband and I took a drive around the valley to see the damage. There were many roads out and I can't leave my house without using Tom's truck. That's how bad it is.

This is a reminder that farmers do truly depend on the Lord for their every day lives. Who knows what He will bring each day....

Chicken Pot Pie

Pioneer Woman, oh how you've inspired me.

I decided to be adventurous today before church and get a meal prepared for our Sunday night dinner. I thought, hey why not make a chicken pot pie, and surprisingly, it was pretty easy.

I announced to my hungry farmer my intentions of dinner, and lo and behold, this is one of his favorite dishes, surprise surprise! Well, we'll see how it comes out tonight!

The Farmer's Wife

National Finals Rodeo

Yes, it's true, I was in Vegas!

I had the opportunity to go with my girlfriend and her mom and aunt, the absolute best company and girlfriends you could ask for.

This was my first time in Vegas, and I'm still not sure if I was really truly in love with the city. Did I like the ideas of cowboys and cowgirls and the country atmosphere, yes! Did I like the atmosphere of Vegas itself? Not so sure.

But let me tell you, I'd definitely go again with this crowd, until next year!

The Farmer's Wife