Blueberry Butter

There is no comparison between blueberry waffles and regular waffles.

The blueberry waffles (albeit store-bought) are serious tantalizing, but they were out of the frozen blueberry waffles last time we were at the grocery store.  The frozen fruit is situated directly adjacent to the waffles, which gave me this idea.

Allow a stick of butter to soften on the counter and then add 1/8 of a cup of frozen blueberries and blend together with a fork.

Spoon the contents into a plastic baggie and distribute it evenly across the bottom of the bag.  You can squish it into the shape of a cylinder or you can use your fingers to flatten the sides to make more of a square butter shape (as I have above).

Seal the baggie and place it in the refrigerator overnight.  If you want to use it sooner, put it in the freezer for 30 minutes or until it is firm enough to slice.

I think regular frozen waffles topped with homemade blueberry butter and sprinkled with powdered sugar or hot maple syrup may be the new quick and easy go-to breakfast in this farm kitchen.

Welcome to the farm!  Enjoy.

Homemade Salad To-Go

If you're like me and it pains you to pay nearly $6 for a fast food salad when you're on the run, only to find that it's made of mostly Iceberg lettuce, browned slightly and light on the chicken, here's your fix.

I must confess that this idea is not original.  I discovered it on Pinterest.  I love that place.  You should follow me on Pinterest - I pin lots of good stuff.

The original description says to use a mason jar, but I didn't want to go buy new ones, so I just used a large jelly jar that I sterilized in the dishwasher.

Pour two tablespoons of your favorite dressing on the bottom of the jar (yes, that is enough!) and then either add chunks of meat or cheese or diced vegetables.  The goal is that the lettuce doesn't touch the dressing until you're ready to eat it.  Then, simply fill with the greens of your choice.  Here I've used half Iceberg lettuce for some crunch and half baby spinach because it is delicious.

I've also covered it in crumbled up Ritz crackers - also delicious.

Store it in the fridge for up to a week (maybe even longer if it doesn't brown) and when you're ready to eat it, simply shake and the salad dressing will coat the entire mixture.  Genius.  My hat is off to whoever thought of this!

Oklahoma State University Dept. of Agriculture

The Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is an abundant wealth of scientific research offered in simple easy to read fact sheets on a plethora of agricultural and horticultural topics.

From animals to specialty crops to pest control and gardening, you are likely to find timely and relevant information about topics you're interested in here.

Check out OSU Fact Sheets by topic.



One of my favorite divisions of this OSU program is a section called Oklahoma Gardening.

According to OSU's Department of Agriculture,

"Whether you are a gardener or just enjoy the diverse beauty that Oklahoma has to offer, you will enjoy watching the Oklahoma Gardening television program. Each year we endeaver to provide the best research-based information available on television. Episodes contain beautiful and informative segments on gardening, lawn care, tree care, and landscaping design and maintenance. Along with segments from our studio garden, we will introduce you to gardeners from around the state and tour their gardens."

Their website is also a wealth of information for everyone from the weekend gardener to the seasoned farmer.

Visit the Oklahoma Gardening Website

The Gardens At OSU - Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Gardening.

Don't Fence Me In

Give me land, lots of land and the starry skies above
Don't fence me in...

It goes on for ever....

Thanks, Bing Crosby.  I couldn't have said it better.  I find myself singing this in my head every time I drive down a busy street or step out in the back yard of my current abode in suburbia and see the rows of fences stretching as far as my eye can see and fading into the horizon.  I sing this a lot.  Ask my kids.  Poor kids.






Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in...

Ironically, it's even hard to take a photo out in the middle of nowhere without capturing the fence row.

Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in

Have you ever tried this?  Man, you are missing out.  Sitting outside alone (or with a friend) and listening the the wind and the crickets humming together in unison, creating the perfect lullaby... you should try it.  It's good in the winter, too, because you can catch a whiff of wood burning fireplaces in the distance, tainted slightly by the sharp smell of cold air.  

Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise


As children, we used to sleep outside under the stars on a large trampoline on the farm.  When was the last time you just sat outside and stared at the stars?  If you can't remember, it's been too long.  There is nothing like it.  They don't have to be western skies - or even night skies... just check it out.  You won't be sorry.

I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
No
Poppa, don't you fence me in

Can you tell that I'm homesick?  I need some wide open spaces - and no I will not be quoting the Dixie Chicks next.  Take some time to appreciate the great outdoors!  And for goodness sake, don't fence yourself in!

Sunday Afternoons

Mary Ann and Nanny (her great grandmother)