Catch UP

Dear Friends and Family,
Sorry its been awhile since I wrote last.  I keep having ideas to write about, but a lack of time to sit down and write about them.  However I have finally, it seems, caught up on things and have a bit of time to write this morning.  I had a lot of fun this weekend cooking/baking.  In fact in consumed my weekend, but I'm okay with that.  : )

One of the many goodies I made this weekend! So fun!
I hope our workers enjoy them.  : )

I have found from the last several weeks that during the week I rarely have the desire or time to cook/bake, but we need to eat.  Sooo, this means I cook and bake on the weekends.

This is what has been consuming our time during the week!

Handsome and I like to pack our lunches for work and we like to eat homemade food with few preservatives and artificial flavors.  In other words we don't like to pop open a can of soup and microwave it for lunch, one buying canned soup is expensive and two it doesn't taste nearly as good as homemade soup.  Just saying.  These wants though mean that I have to prepare ahead of time food that is easy to grab out of the frig and pack in a sack lunch early in the morning.  Here are a few things that I have learned:

1 - 8 oz Mason Jars are great for baking food in, packing in a sack lunch, and storing in the frig as well as once you're done eating the goodness out of them you don't have to throw anything away, wash and reuse.  : )

2 - Its important to have variety, so don't be afraid to try new recipes.  Yes, there will be a few recipes that you wish you hadn't tried, it just means that you're learning.  Learning = Good  : )

3 - Find recipes that make great leftovers.  Hot lunches are really nice to have, but can be bad if the leftovers don't heat up well.

4 - Salads are great so long as the dressing stays away from the lettuce until eating.  A great way to solve the dilemma of having too many containers is to put the dressing at the bottom of a mason jar, then add toppings, then the lettuce.  This keeps the lettuce separate from the dressing and makes for a colorful jar of goodness.  

5 - Above all, Have FUN!!!  Its easy to get frustrated and discouraged, but view providing meals for you and your spouse as an adventure.  Get creative and let your inspirations take form.  Meals can be exciting for your spouse, and when they are chances are they're bragging to their co-workers about what an amazing wife they have.  I know mine is.  : )

In other news:  The Breeding Barn is coming along really well!!!  Gilts are scheduled to be moved in next week!!!  It is so exciting to see our dreams becoming reality!  Our banker and insurance agent came and toured the barn last Friday and were extremely impressed.  At one point the Banker said, "So what you're telling me is this barn is going to be a state-of-the-art facility?"  Yes, sir it sure is.  : )  We're excited to move the gilts in and have our workers start working in it.  God is so Good!!!  He has shown Himself to be faithful and true to protect and provide for us.  It is our hope and prayer that our workers would see and experience this as they work in this facility.  

Anywho, sorry this got so long.  I'll try to get a few of the ideas that have been rolling around in my head written on here soon.  : )  Until then may God bless you all!

Much Love from Minnesota,

The Adventurous Farm Wife