Harvest time
What's that saying? "This ain't my first rodeo?"  Well for farmers it must be, "This ain't the first time I've cut wheat on Father's Day." If you weren't cutting wheat Sunday then you are very devout, your cutters are not here yet, or your combine is broken.
We took the girls to the 4-H camp drop off and then slowly made our way back home.  Then Weston and I headed "out west" to my parents.
I saw a man working Sunday, and let's just say his is a pretty nice guy, but perhaps he is less that perfect in other ways. His kids came out to see him.  I saw them rush up and give him a big hug.  At first I thought, does he deserve that?  But then I quickly thought to myself does any parent deserve the love their children give so freely?

Chilling Time: 7 hr
Ingredients

2 cans black-eyed peas, drained
1 can Mexicorn or whole kernel corn, drained
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes, drained
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 scallions or green onions, sliced
2 jalapeno peppers in vinegar, drained and minced
For the dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
Freshly ground black papper, to taste
Place the beans and vegetables in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients.Toss into the vegetable mixture until well blended.
Let the salad stand for several hours, stirring occasionally, to develop the flavors. Serve at room temperature with tortilla chips, corn chips or crackers.
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Dips/Mississippi-Caviar#z881b4TaixmkcSql.99

Celebrate Weston

On Sunday we had a little birthday party to celebrate our wheat harvest baby Weston.  He was born in the middle of harvest.  This year I am not so sure when exactly harvest will begin.
We had cousins over for the birthday party.  After dodging a small rain shower, we stepped out of the house and the wind had died down.  The air was nice and steamy just perfect for a water balloon fight.  I had bought some water guns too so the kids had fun.  I think some of the adults did too.
The downfall of a water balloon fight would be blowing up all those balloons.
Weston managed to acquire a few more pieces of farm equipment for his collection.  He also got a cap gun and a costume.  This week we need to sell fair memberships and we have a few  horse activities.  And cut wheat.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
12 jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed
12 slices of bacon
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese together in a bowl until evenly blended. Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture. Put halves back together and wrap each stuffed pepper with a slice of bacon. Arrange bacon-wrapped peppers on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven until bacon is crispy, about 15 minutes.

Leah and Allie before the water fight

Weston preparing for battle

Morgan 

Levi - Pack'n some heat.

Aunt Kristi filling squirt guns

RUN its KRISTI

In the water freeze zone

Addie attempting to get Katie

Family wedding

What a weekend.  After dating for seven years my nephew and his girlfriend finally tied the knot. One week ago she was quite worried that her outdoor wedding was going to be ruined by rain. Thankfully those long range forecasts are not always correct.  Saturday evening was a beautiful day for a wedding.
Weston was the ring-bearer.  He did so good.  His cousin Nathan kept giving him a steady stream of Smarties during the ceremony.  Weston also managed to keep his suspenders on until the wedding reception.    Tanner the groom, was the ring-bearer for my wedding.  I guess we have come full circle now.
To be honest, this was one of the most beautiful and fun weddings that I have been to in a long time. Congratulations Tanner & Victoria.

Homemade Cream Cheese Mints
8 oz. package cream cheese
2 lb. package powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. flavoring (mint)
food coloring
1. Mix cream cheese until it is soft in mixer.
2. Add mint flavoring when cream cheese is soft. Then add coloring. Start with a little then wait and see how the color turns out. You may need to add more depending on your preference. Mix.
3. Gradually begin adding powdered sugar. Be careful–this step can get messy! You may have to knead the remaining powdered sugar in later when you remove the dough.
4. When powdered sugar is mixed in, or mostly mixed in, remove the dough. Place on cutting board.
5. Use a food mold. You can buy these at most craft or cooking stores. Take small chunks of the dough and press into the mold. Remove mint from the mold and place on plate.
6. Keep plate refrigerated until needed.
http://www.radacutlery.com/blog/cream-cheese-mints-recipe-video/

Summer keeps us busy

This was a busy week for summer.  The girls had a 4-H quilt class that they took everyday.  Tennis and piano lessons started up.
Last year Allie took tennis, and Addie didn't want to.  As soon as we pulled up to the tennis courts I knew she wished she had signed up.  So this year I just enrolled both girls.  Of course Weston thinks he is going to tennis also.  We had some extra time last week, so we packed our lunch and ate at the tennis courts.
The girls had their first horse fun show. Addie is riding a three year old this year, so many of the events are new to the horse.  Both girls passed their 4-H Level 1 riding test this week too.
How about the new Triple Crown winner.  It was nice to have some other excitement in the news rather than the usual trash.

Addie loves to make the ice cream topping below.

Graham Cracker Crunch Topping
3 graham crackers, crumbled
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons white sugar
 1 dash salt
Original recipe makes 2 servings
PREP 5 mins COOK 15 mins
READY IN 20 mins Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a small baking pan.
In a small bowl, mix together crumbled graham crackers, brown sugar and cinnamon. Combine melted butter and vanilla, then stir in. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle white sugar and salt over the top.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.