Thanksgiving Trivia And Thankfulness

The turkey is now a pile of bones, the mashed potato bowl is licked clean, there's nothing left of the green bean casserole except that one stubborn bean stuck to the bottom of the dish, the cranberry sauce is still untouched, and the pumpkin pie with whipped cream is nothing but a memory. Before heading to the television to watch your favorite football team, take some time to dazzle your family with this Thanksgiving trivia. Hey, today is all about family, remember?

We at Bremer farms wish you a Happy Thanksgiving spent with family and friends. And today, like every other day, we are grateful for you and your love of dairy, and your appreciation for what we do here on the farm to share that dairy goodness with you.

Thanks to Google Image Search

What if we woke up tomorrow with only the things 

we thanked God for today?

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart...

Psalm 111:1

My Most Requested Recipe

 I share this blog post each year as it is the most requested recipe I have ever posted on my blog. I have a 50 pound bag of potatoes just waiting to jump into this recipe, and off to the freezer. I hope your family enjoys these potatoes as much as mine does!

 As a child, my family always celebrated Thanksgiving with my dad's family. Dad had four brothers, all farmers, all living within 5 miles of each other. Even though we saw each other often, it was special to come together on Thanksgiving. The moms kept themselves busy in the kitchen, complete with aprons to protect their holiday dresses. The dad's waited anxiously for the feast, while discussing farming and football. And the cousins played, and played until we were coaxed to the dinner table to join in the table prayer. We shared a wonderful meal, shared stories, and shared lots of laughs. As late afternoon rolled around, we all headed home to feed and milk the cows, thinking about our "Norman Rockwell" Thanksgiving celebration.
 
This mashed potato recipe often finds its way to our holiday table. I love that it can be made ahead and even frozen so every day can seem like a holiday.

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
5 pounds potatoes
8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream

4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Peel potatoes and cut into chunks. Put potatoes in pot and fill with cold water. Cook 25 minutes until fork tender. Drain potatoes and keep them in hot pot. Add all other ingredients. Mash all together. Place in freezer containers to freeze. Thaw in refrigerator for 2 days. Spray interior of slow cooker and add potatoes. Brush the top with 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle with paprika. Cook on low 2-4 hours. If preferred, bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

A Little Turkey Talk

Speaking of Thanksgiving... I know you are probably thinking about Christmas...shopping, cookie baking, parties, but I'm a holiday behind, as I am still thinking about Thanksgiving. The bulky electric roasters and 3 crock-pots are still sitting on the dining room table (yes, they have been washed). The table leaves are waiting near the closet to be stored for the next big family gathering. It would only take a few moments to put the remnants of Thanksgiving away, but I just don't seem to get to it. Maybe I am spending too much time trying new recipes with our turkey left-overs. Sara made this one for supper tonight, and we think it's a keeper! Wow, look at all the dairy in this recipe!

Creamy Turkey & Potato Casserole
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com
Serves/Makes: 12    |   Difficulty Level: 2    |   Ready In: 1-2 hrs

Ingredients:
1 package (2 pound size) frozen hash brown potatoes
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
1 pint sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 cups cooked chicken or turkey

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Place in a large 9 x 13 greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F, uncovered, for about 1 hour.

 

Yes, I'm Still Thankful

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I am observing a lot of conversation on Facebook, Twitter, television, and radio about "What are you thankful for?" 

This has been a very difficult year for my family with my uncle passing away, Farmer John's grandma passing away, my mom suffering a stroke in August, and my dad passing away in September, and yet, I still have much to be thankful for. My mom is currently on her 5th week in the hospital after coping with an infection, mild heart attack, bypass surgery, and last week the loss of  her right leg above the knee, but I am still thankful.

I am thankful for my faith. I am thankful for the comfort of knowing my Lord, and feeling confident that my uncle, John's grandma and my dad are safely with our Lord in heaven. I am thankful God continues to guide mom's doctors through her surgeries and daily care, and that God watches over and protects mom, and restores her health if it is His will. I am thankful for my church family and their support and kindness and prayers.

I am thankful for my family; for their hugs, prayers, and words of comfort and  encouragement. I am thankful for them sitting quietly and holding my hand when words just aren't necessary. I am thankful for my sister, brother, nieces, and nephew who know what to do to help, even before being asked. I am thankful for my uncles, aunts and cousins who reassure me when I need to be reminded that all things are in God's hands.

God has blessed me with a strong faith and a strong family, and for that I am thankful. Wishing you a "thankful" Thanksgiving.

Spuds, Spuds, And More Spuds

Yesterday I made 40 pounds of mashed potatoes. I am preparing to host my family's Thanksgiving dinner. No, I do not have a huge family, and yes, we love our mashed potatoes, but 40 pounds is even too many for my potato-lovin' bunch! Why so many potatoes then? I discovered a make-ahead mashed potato recipe that we love. In my never-ending pursuit of being organized I chose to make my holiday spuds and also put lots in the freezer for busy days ahead.

Some of you may recognize this recipe as I posted it last holiday season too. It became my most viewed post for 2012.

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
5 pounds potatoes
8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream

4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Peel potatoes and cut into chunks. Put potatoes in pot and fill with cold water. Cook 25 minutes until fork tender. Drain potatoes and keep them in hot pot. Add all other ingredients. Mash all together. Place in freezer containers to freeze. Thaw in refrigerator for 2 days. Spray interior of slow cooker and add potatoes. Brush the top with 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle with paprika. Cook on low 2-4 hours. If preferred, bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

For other Dairy Mom favorite recipes, check out Dairy Makes Sense

 And don't forget to look for the REAL SEAL when shopping.

Gone, But Not Forgotten

2012 may be gone, but it's not forgotten. Here are the

Top Ten Most Viewed Posts 

on My Barnyard View.

10. Santa Lives in Our Neighborhood (8/9/12)- The story of a wonderful neighbor that makes regular deliveries in the summer, and a recipe for the gift he delivers.

9. Moma Mia, It's Pizza (10/2/12)- "94% of Americans eat pizza at least once each month." Who knew?

8. I Want My Mummy! (10/31/12)- Mummy and the kids in the kitchen.

7. Food For Thought (11/17/12)- Will you be the big cheese at this Dairy Trivia?

6. Real Deal (11/4/12)- "I demand good tastings, good quality dairy foods. Don't you?"

5. Frostbite Fever (10/23/12)- I made this discovery in St. Louis while at a blogging conference.

4. Farming 101-1 Cow Milking (5/28/12)- Every morning and every evening, that's how we do it!

3. What's In A Name? (5/12/12)- I am proud to announce the birth of my blog!

2. Our Pat on the Back (6/7/12)- "Farming can be a rewarding, as well as challenging occupation."

1. Competition For Norman Rockwell (11/15/12)- We shared a meal, stories, and laughs. See what I shared in this post that got the MOST views.

Thanks for your support and comments on my inaugural year of My Barnyard View. What else would you like to learn about? Share your farm or dairy questions in the comments. I would be happy to address them.

I am blessed to work with my family, doing what we love. I'm loving life, on and off the farm! Happy New Year. Cheers!

To learn more about dairy farming go to Midwest Dairy. Check out the delicious dairy recipes too!

Giving Thanks

  

I am thankful for my family; for my husband that loves my quirks, and my children that accept that I may embarrass  them once in a while. I am thankful for my friends, who put up with my crabby days as well as my silly days. I am thankful for my comfortable home, messy bathrooms and all. I am thankful for our farm and our animals, even when machinery needs repairing and a cow needs help giving birth in the middle of the night. Thank you God for my many Barnyard Blessings.

 

What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

This Thanksgiving wooden plaque, which I love, is available at etsy.com 

(Patti's Primitives Tomorrow's Treasures)

Wishing all of you a peaceful, blessed Thanksgiving.

No "Pie Gene" From Me

My family takes turns hosting the holidays, and it's my sister that gets the honor this year. Since my sister is the hostess, she assigns what each of us brings to the table. This year I bring hot vegetables and a pie. If you read Santa Lives In Our Neighborhood (posted August 9, 2012) you know we have the vegetable taken care of, now on to the pie. I have accumulated a pretty vast collection of cookbooks and I chose a recipe from The Hershey's Homemade cookbook. Since my family did not aquire the "I like pie gene" from me, most pies were out of the question, but anything chocolate is a hit with my gang.

Chocolate Marble Cheesepie

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Hershey's Cocoa
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk), divided
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 4 packages (3 oz. each) cream cheese, softened, divided
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
•   CHOCOLATE CRUMB CRUST (recipe follows)
•   Chocolate curls (optional)

1. Stir together cocoa and 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk in small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and very thick. Remove from heat; stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
2. Beat 2 packages cream cheese in small bowl until fluffy; add cocoa mixture, beating until well blended. Cool thoroughly.
   
3. Beat remaining 2 packages cream cheese in medium bowl until fluffy. Gradually beat in remaining sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla. Alternately spoon vanilla and chocolate mixtures into prepared pie crust; gently swirl with knife or spatula for marbled effect. Refrigerate 8 hours or until firm. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired. 6 to 8 servings.
   
   CHOCOLATE CRUMB CRUST: Stir together 1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa and 1/4 cup sugar in medium bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter or margarine. Press mixture firmly on bottom and up sides of 9-inch pie plate; refrigerate about 2 hours before filling.

The Party's Over

Thanksgiving will soon be over for another year. Then it's time to relax, put your feet up and reminisce about the day. You've earned it! But wait, your out-of-town family is staying with you, and you still feel like you must be in hostess mode. Thinking ahead, here is a simple make-ahead breakfast or brunch recipe for Black Friday morning (before or after shopping.)  

Breakfast Casserole Bites

Ingredients

2 pieces whole wheat bread
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper, to taste
4 ounces grated cheese, I like sharp cheddar
1/2 lb cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage or bacon

Directions 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Distribute 12 foil muffin cups into a muffin pan. Cut the bread into half inch squares and evenly distribute them on the bottom of the muffin cups. In a mixing bowl or large measuring cup with a pour spout, thoroughly whisk together the eggs and milk. Add salt and pepper. Evenly distribute the mixture into each muffin cup. Bread may float to top.
Sprinkle an equal amount of both the grated cheese and the crumbled bacon or sausage into each cup on top of the egg mixture. Bake for 15 minutes or until eggs are set. Enjoy now or freeze for later.

Make a big batch and freeze. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Heat in microwave (after removing foil muffin cups) or reheat in toaster oven.

Thanks to Pinterest and 100daysofrealfood.com for this recipe.

MyBarnyardView is on Pinterest. I'd love to have you as a follower!

Food For Thought

Thanksgiving celebrations center around food and family. But when all that's left of our family Thanksgiving feast is empty bowls, turkey bones, and full tummys, then what? At our family holiday festivities we go nuts over board games. Some of us play like we are the big cheese, or cool as a cucumber, while others find themselves in a pickle, but either way there's no sour grapes. It's always fun to end up being the top banana, but if not, oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles. No use crying over spilt milk!

Here's some food for thought. Why not try this Dairy Trivia game on your family?

How many servings of dairy are recommended each day?
What percentage of dairy farms in the United States are family owned?
Which dairy product is proven to refuel tired muscles after physical activity?
How much milk does an average dairy cow produce per day?
How far away does a cow's sense of smell reach?
What is the approximate cost of milk per glass?
How many hours a day do most cows chew their cud? 
How many spots are identical on the average cow?

I'll post the Dairy Trivia answers on tomorrow's post. Let the games begin! 

To learn every thing from soup to nuts about dairy go to Midwest Dairy You may just find some answers to the Dairy Trivia!
 




 

Competition For Norman Rockwell

As a child, my family always celebrated Thanksgiving with my dad's family. Dad had four brothers, all farmers, all living within 5 miles of each other. Even though we saw each other often, it was special to come together on Thanksgiving. The moms kept themselves busy in the kitchen, complete with aprons to protect their holiday dresses. The dad's waited anxiously for the feast, while discussing farming and football. And the cousins played, and played until we were coaxed to the dinner table to join in the table prayer. We shared a wonderful meal, shared stories, and shared lots of laughs. As late afternoon rolled around, we all headed home to feed and milk the cows, thinking about our "Norman Rockwell" Thanksgiving celebration.


This mashed potato recipe often finds its way to our holiday table. I love that it can be made ahead and even frozen so every day can seem like a holiday.

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
5 pounds potatoes
8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream

4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Peel potatoes and cut into chunks. Put potatoes in pot and fill with cold water. Cook 25 minutes until fork tender. Drain potatoes and keep them in hot pot. Add all other ingredients. Mash all together. Place in freezer containers to freeze. Thaw in refrigerator for 2 days. Spray interior of slow cooker and add potatoes. Brush the top with 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle with paprika. Cook on low 2-4 hours. If preferred, bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

For other Dairy Mom favorite recipes, check out Dairy Makes Sense