Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

I was pleasantly surprised to find this iris blooming last week  in my badly neglected  grass covered flower bed.  I've never had iris bloom in the fall but it was a sweet reminder of how God continually blesses us when least expected.

 

                                                    
                                                  
                                                              I'm thankful for unexplained

                                                                                  and

                                                                      expected surprises

 

down on the dairy farm!

"The Gift of Dairy"

 

It's not too early to be thinking about giving gifts--so why not a dairy gift? 

 

 During this holiday season, Midwest Dairy is sponsoring "The Gift of Dairy" Holiday Pinterest Contest to help dairy fans share ideas and recipes about gifting dairy during the holidays. The gift of dairy can be a variety of things, like a holiday recipe, entertaining idea or a tangible gift.

 

You can pin to win   a $250  grocery gift card to provide the gift of dairy to your family and friends! 

  

 

Dairymom's Monday Night Play

Everyday on the dairy farm is busy but Mondays are always hectic so  I'm planning a simple supper--simple but nutritious--that will be the perfect addition to Monday night's football kick-off. Touchdown Taco Salad  from the Dairy Makes Sense recipe collection    will definitely be a winning play!

Touchdown Taco Salad

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese,divided
1/2 cup salsa,divided
8 cups salad greens
1 cup chopped tomato
1 1/2 cup black beans

Preparation:
Brown beef in large non-stick skillet; remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese and 1/4 cup salsa; mix until blended. Spoon onto serving platter. In a large bowl, toss together salad greens, tomatoes, black beans and remaining cheese and salsa. Spoon salad over meat mixture and serve.

Servings: 8

Happy November from Down on the Dairy Farm

Just before the evening milking, I noticed these cows lingering around the water tank, enjoying a cool drink before their walk to the milk barn. Looking at the sky behind and above them, it was a perfect view of God's artistic abilities.

 

 

I'm thankful for these everyday moments down on the dairy farm.

 Today's sunset seemed the perfect beginning for a month of thankfulness.

 

Happy November!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Members of  Bentonville Girl Scout Troop 150 met at the home of our troop leader Mrs. Marilyn Bogle last Saturday as part of our 40th class reunion.

 

 

Troop 150 began when we were in the second  grade and lasted till we graduated in 1973.

We've changed just a little  since the day we began as Girl Scout Brownies in the second grade!

 

 

I'm thankful  for my Girl Scout experiences that  enriched my life and provided special friendships!

Harvest Harmony Down on the Dairy Farm

Watching the boys chop the silage for our dairy cows when everything goes well  is much like listening to three part harmony--it's harmonious!

 

Harvest harmony includes:

 

 

Crisp,cool October weather,

 

 

No machinery breakdowns,

 

Perfect delivery!

 

Three part harvest harmony results in high quality milk!

Dairymom Approved Pumpkin Pie Squares

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

If you love the smell of pumpkin pie  but don't like making pie or just don't have enough hours in your day for pie baking---this is the recipe for you!  As we transition from fall into winter, my thoughts turn to the holiday gatherings with friends and family that always include our favorite foods.

Pumpkin Pie Squares is a favorite of mine that was shared by a nursing friend many years ago. It's a Dairy Farm  Mom Approved recipe that you can find at DairyMakesSense with a lot of other great recipe ideas.


Pumpkin Pie Squares with Cinnamon Sugar Yogurt Topping

Ingredients

Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter,melted
2 tablespoons low-fat milk
Cooking spray

Filling:
2 cups canned pumpkin
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup pecans,chopped

Topping:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs ,oats,
brown sugar, butter, and 2 tablespoons milk. Press into a thin layer in a 9x13-in.pan greased with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes.

While the crust is baking, in another bowl, beat together pumpkin through salt. Pour over crust and bake for 40 minutes or until set. Sprinkle pecans over pumpkin filling and bake another 10-15 minutes or until center is set. Cool slightly in pan.

Mix together sugar and cinnamon. Mix in yogurt. Top each square with one tablespoon of yogurt topping.