Cow that is…  We are feeding a bottle calf.  She’s the cutest thing and Bizkit loves her ( I think he is under the impression we brought her home for HIM ).  If it wasnt so cold out I would go take some  more pictures. But BRRRRRRRRR it is cold

Brady pinned a kid and won his first wrestling match this week

Reid lost BOTH of his front teeth this week

A week in our busy life in pictures!

I am not getting enough sleep…. I am NEVER bored… and here are two of the reasons why..

The kids and puppy keep me so busy I am pretty sure the words “sleep deprived” are my middle name this month!

We are calving cattle , kidding goats , and it snowed…. which means we have been getting up every 2 - 3 hours to “check” the livestock. It has not been a good week. We lost some baby goats in the bitter cold even though they were in the sheds. Poor little things just had no chance.. It was 2 degrees here the night a set of twins was born. My two mama goats are looking for them still…. I am so sad! We lost a calf the same day, but found a replacement for the mama and thank goodness they loved each other without much coaxing so at least that mama has a baby now. Today I watched a calf being born in a not so gentle way ( had to “pull ” it ) but the miracle of birth is still that.. and I am seeing it several times a day lately.

I will add some pictures the next time I make this…. they ate it up so fast I didnt have time to take any! Another hit that all 7 of us love. This recipe is based on my MIL’s version of this with a few changes of my own to make it faster!

2 lbs ground beef
3/4 sleeve of saltine crackers
2 eggs
1 cup ketchup
velveta cheese
1 loaf of frozen french bread ( Sara Lee Pre-sliced works best )

Brown ground beef and season well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder. Brown just until all pink is gone - Do NOT over brown. Remove from heat. Mix in crushed crackers, 2 eggs, and 1 cup of ketchup. Spread meat mixture over slices of frozen french bread layed out on a cookie sheet. Meat should be about 3/4 to an inch thick on each piece when done. Place slices of velveta cheese over meat mixture. Drizzle with additional ketchup on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.

This is unbelievably good…. a simple quick family pleasing meal! We serve it with a side of mashed potatoes . MMMMMM

My only hobby… taking pictures of barns and old farmhouses. This one I shot on Sunday … we have driven by many times but that night the sunset was just right!

Another recipe that ALL 5 kids like! Yippeee!

I made this one up too! This is the size I make to feed 7 with a little left over ( and my kids eat ALOT ) so you could cut this in half for a family of 4.

2 Jars Ragu Pizza Sauce
2 cups rotini pasta ( uncooked )
2 cups large shell pasta ( uncooked )
1 cup large elbow macaroni ( uncooked )
1 package pepperoni
2 lbs pork sausage
2 cups mozzarella cheese ( shredded )

Cook all pasta in salted boiling water until tender. Drain and set aside.

Brown sausage in skillet. Add Ragu Pizza Sauce and pepperonis, simmer 5 minutes.

Mix 1 cup of cheese with meat/sauce mix and pasta in a large casserole dish. Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Microwave until cheese is melted. Serve with cheese bread.

We have one week of basketball season left. WHEW ….   I think it almost broke us this year. When you have 5 kids and 23 days of games to go to ( and pay to get into ) in one month that is not a good thing for your budget!

I have forgotten HOW to cook supper…. we ate at a concession stand 5 out of 7 nights last week.Yes, I am serious!

Happy Valentines day —  we spent the day at basketball games.. where else?  We did splurge and go out for lunch after the kids’ games today. I had hot beef — totally NOT on my low carb eating plan. And was it ever worth it. yum.

Our daughter has decided NOT to go out for track. T Y L — ( thank you Lord ) which means we get a long break from sports once her club volleyball is over in March.  This means evenings at home, spare time, and extra $ in my budget.

we had a snow day friday -  i just love those — NOT .  So hubby all day in the snow plow ( from 4 am to 8 pm ) and me home snowed in with all 5 bored kids all day long. FUN!

This is just a post to prove I am still alive and kicking… b-ball season you havent killed me yet. I will get back on posting track after the week is over!

A few videos of me and the boys..

and a few more minutes of entertainment….

and the end of today’s show….

MMMM - Snickerdoodle Apples!

I made this one up! The kids LOVED them!

Snickerdoodle Apples

4 Granny Smith Apples

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Cook sugar & corn syrup to a full boil. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Cool till just warm and soft caramel stage. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips in the microwave, stir well.  Wash apples and set on wax paper.  Slowly pour and form caramel mixture over each apple. If caramel is too warm and runs off let cool a bit longer.  Drizzle chocolate/butterscotch mixture over each apple then sprinkle with pecans. Let cool in refridgerator for at least an hour. Before serving let come back up to room temperature. Cut into wedges and serve. And enjoy the PRAISE!