Sunshine Equals Spring Chores

While fall is my overall favorite season (love cool weather and harvest time), spring is a very close second. I love the transition from winter coats and sweaters (though wish I could wear tights all year round) to jackets and sandals (or at least shoes without socks).

However, I feel like we went from winter directly to late spring/early summer this year. Temperatures in Indiana have been warm, really warm in the month of March and they don't seem to be waning as we enter April.

The warm weather has meant several things around here...spring flowers and trees are blooming, lawn mowers are mowing and farmers are farming!

It's time for farmers to put away their insulated coveralls and heavy Carhartt jackets and luckily for my dad, Carhartt sent him this great short-sleeved work shirt just in time for the warm spring temperatures. 

I have to admit that he has worn this short-sleeved, button-down classic plaid shirt as much OFF the farm as he has ON the farm. He says it is super (maybe my word, not his) comfortable and fits great. Note that it has a pocket, which I have been told by more than one farmer is a MUST...needed to hold pens, glasses, notebooks, checkbooks, etc.

On this particular warm (note the nephew in shorts and sandals above) spring day, dad was catching up on a few spring chores before he gets busy in the fields in a few weeks.

 Climbing into the trusty John Deere.

 I think this look was saying "I'm getting tired of my favorite daughter following me around."

(I may have added the "favorite" to that thought.)

 The backhoe has been busy cleaning up the farmstead this spring.

 Here he was just showing off...spinning the seat around. 

 Dad has several grain bins on the farm, which means loading the semi to sell some corn.

(Or maybe it was soybeans that day...I can't remember.)

 "Hey Papaw, what are you doing? Can I help?"

 "Papaw, are you done yet? Can I ride in the semi? Can we take a Gator ride?"

(Can you tell the nephew asks questions...a lot?)

Finished...time to go check the bins.

 Farmers can't be afraid of heights.

All done. Watch your step!

As you can see, my dad is one busy, busy guy and his new Carhartt shirt was the right gear to wear on a very warm, yet typical spring day at the farm.

Head over to the Real Farmwives of America to check out some of the other great new gear from Carhartt's new spring line AND for a giveaway sponsored by Carthartt!

Disclaimer: Carhartt provided me - my dad - the free product, but the opinions and photos in this post are my own (well, and my dad's), of course.

Bacon and Other Random Pins

Some people use Google.

Others Yahoo or even Bing.

I know some folks who use YouTube.

But there's this place on the Internet where you can find recipes, the latest crafting ideas, cute outfits and even humorous quotes and cartoons.

What is this place you ask? Pinterest, of course!

As my first attempt at completing a writing prompt over at Mama's Losin' It, here are my last five Pins...

5.  I use Pinterest as a keeper of all things. 

Source: amazon.com via Megan on Pinterest

I write a weekend post over at Real Farmwives of America and I featured a book review last weekend that included this book.

4.  I use Pinterest to make me laugh.

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Megan on Pinterest

True statement. Sad, but treatment.

3.  I use Pinterest to improve my skills.

Source: loveveggiesandyoga.com via Megan on Pinterest

Or at least that's the plan. I did read through this post on photography tips for food shots.

2.  I use Pinterest to document some of my favorite memories.

Source: galinthemiddle.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

There are many photos (better photos) out there of this exact same image, but this is my perspective and I love it.

1.  I use Pinterest to proclaim my love of bacon (and also S'mores but that's another post).

Source: mcphee.com via Megan on Pinterest

I think bacon represents more to me than just the world's most perfect food (it is though).

I grew up on a farm in Indiana and we raised pigs (and corn and soybeans). My dad and grandpa spent their days in the barn while we played in the toolshed or out in the yard.

When we piled into my dad's truck (or in the back - those were the days before seat belt laws), the signs were many that he raised pigs.

From the rubber boots in the back of the truck to the grease crayon (used to mark the back of a pig when sorting them) on the seat to the mounds of paper on the dash, dad's truck was his office. Looking back, I now know where I get my organization skills...dad's truck cab looked very similar to my desk in my office!

Bacon might be something that most people buy in the store (I do too) but it's something more to me. It's a reminder that there are people, like my dad, who spend their lives raising food so that I can enjoy bacon at breakfast...and lunch...and supper.

Or, maybe it's just bacon...who knows!

Sending Virtual Cookies

Head over to the Real Farmwives of America and Friends blog today and check out these delicious Buckeye Brownies I made as part of a virtual cookie swap!

While you are there, be sure to sign up for a chance to win a Gooseberry Patch cookbook!

Throw on a Jacket It's Fall

Fall is hands-down my FAVORITE time of the year. 

I love wearing jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt then throwing on a jacket and heading out.

I recently got a comfy track jacket from the women's line at Carhartt...

and I've been wearing it every where, including the Fountain Square Art Fair with my very cute niece (above).

I think it will work great with a warm winter vest as the weather turns colder but for now I've been layering it over t-shirts to go out to breakfast with my pal Jane and her kiddos...

and dinner with a great group of gal pals (thanks Cris for the photo and Leontien for the meal).

I even wear it to the farm to hang out with my other cute niece - JJ. (Side note: Her shirt says "My Auntie is Awesome" - wonder who bought her that?)

Stubby, the barn cat, came out to see us.

And look who we found at the grain bins? My uncle Sam wearing in his Carhartt overalls!

Carhartt jackets, overalls and coveralls are part of the "uniform" for my dad and uncle on the farm, especially when they are working outside in the winter. There was definitely a nip in the air while we were visiting with Uncle Sam so we didn't stay out long.

Just long enough for JJ to bat her eyes and get a taste of Uncle Sam's apple...well maybe more like 3 or 4 bites!

To win a Carhartt of your own please visit the Real Farmwives of America blog to sign up for their giveaway.


Carhartt did provide me with this product to review but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own, of course.

GP Winner Revealed

Wow, y'all really wanted to win this cookbook!

I am so excited about the response and want to thank all of you who tried to win.

Check out all 10 recipes I made from Christmas Kitchens here.

Before I announce the winner, I want to thank Gooseberry Patch and the Real Farmwives of America for hosting the In the Kitchen series.

And the winner of the cookbook is...

Congratulations Lillian! I'll be contacting you soon through email.

Special thanks to Gooseberry Patch for providing me with this great cookbook to try and share with you. If you would like to purchase this or other cookbooks, please visit their store. If you would like to see other great recipes, check out www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com.

Decorating the Garden

When I got a very cool round floor planter from Avant Garden Decor  in the mail a few weeks ago, I immediately knew what I had to do with it.

My little outside space just didn't do it justice...

I'm the only one who really ever sees this space and while I do try to keep some living plants (I'm down at least 4 this year), I just wanted better for my new planter.

I knew where it had to go...

My mom has a beautiful yard with several special places where she has wonderful landscaping that is inviting to people, butterflies and birds!

So, I took the planter to her and she decided it needed to go right outside the front door...you see we are country folk so the front door stoop is just for looks, everyone knows to come on in the back door!

Isn't it pretty? I can't wait to see how she changes it up each year.

This week the Real Farmwives of America and Friends have teamed up with Perky Pet Feeders to give away a Hummingbird Feeder!

If you would like to win a Hummingbird Feeder, please head over to the Real Farmwives of America & Friends Blog and sign up for the giveaway!  


Avant Garden Decor did provide me with this product to review, however the thoughts and opinions shared about this product on this blog are my own, of course!

Have You Entered Yet

There's still time to enter my giveaway of this Gooseberry Patch cookbook.

Thanks to the Real Farmwives of America and Gooseberry Patch for coordinating this fun project.

Go to this post to enter! You have until 9 p.m. EST TONIGHT!

Special thanks to Gooseberry Patch for providing me with this great cookbook to try and share with you. If you would like to purchase this or other cookbooks, please visit their store. If you would like to see other great recipes, check out www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com.

Christmas Kitchen Cookbook Giveaway

Since the end of May I've been fixing recipes from Gooseberry Patch's Christmas Kitchen cookbook.

This was done in anticipation of a giveaway of this cookbook right here on my blog as part of the In the Kitchen project between the Real Farmwives of America and Gooseberry Patch. And, yes, it's a brand-new copy - NOT the one I cooked from, promise!


In case you missed one, here is a round-up of my 10 recipes:


Recipe 1: Quick Cheese Bread
Recipe 2: Grandma's Butter Cookies
Recipe 3: Cheesy Potato Puffs
Recipe 4: Baked Ziti Supreme
Recipe 5: Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
Recipe 6: Cream Cheese Candy
Recipes 7 and 8: Tina's Creamy Bacon Crescents and Scrambled Eggs in Toast Cups
Recipe 9: Hot Cinnamon Twisters
Recipe 10: Chicken, Spinach and Bows Casserole


Big Thanks to Gooseberry Patch!

So with no further ado, let's get down to business.

There are LOTS of ways to enter to win. You don't have to use them all, just do the ones you want. Just make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.

1. Follow Gal in the Middle through Google Friend Connect (GFC) (right sidebar).

2. Subscribe to us via email (right sidebar).

5. Subscribe to our feed (right sidebar).

6. Check out The Real Farmwives of America and Friends and follow through GFC. 

7. "Like" The Real Farmwives of America and Friends on Facebook.

8. Follow @realfarmwives on Twitter.

9. "Like" Gooseberry Patch on Facebook.

10. Comment on Gooseberry Patch's Blog or Facebook Page and tell them Megan from Gal in the Middle sent you.

11. Follow @gooseberrypatch on Twitter.

12. Tweet about this contest and include @realfarmwives and @gooseberrypatch in your tweet.

13.  Join the Gooseberry Patch Circle of Friends email club.  

14.  Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and tag The Real Farmwives of America and Friends, and Gooseberry Patch in your post.

15. EXTRA SPECIAL ENTRY: I just started my own Facebook Fan Page - Gal in the Middle - so go over and like it and let me know in a comment and get an extra entry!  

Contest ends 9 PM EDT on July 31st and the winner will be selected at random. The winner must live in the continental U.S.  


Special thanks to Gooseberry Patch for providing me with this great cookbook to try and share with you. If you would like to purchase this or other cookbooks, please visit their store. If you would like to see other great recipes, check out www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com.

Yummy Casserole from GP

I decided to tackle a main dish for my 10th and final recipe out of Gooseberry Patch's Christmas Kitchen cookbook as part of my Real Farmwives and Friends of America In the Kitchen experience!

I went for the Chicken, Spinach and Bows Casserole courtesy of Karen Fulton of Huntington, Ind. I thought it was appropriate to fix a Hoosier contribution!

It was very easy to make and yummy to eat. I halved the recipe because I didn't need to serve 10-15 people! I also used frozen, pre-cooked diced chicken instead of fresh. 


Here's the recipe:


Chicken, Spinach and Bows Casserole
16-oz. pkg. bowtie pasta, cooked (I used 8 oz. of what I had on hand.)
26-oz. can cream of chicken soup  (I used a regular sized can - 10 oz or so.)
16-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed (I used a 10 oz. box.)
4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced (I used about 2 cups frozen, pre-cooked diced chicken.)
8-oz. pkg shredded Colby-Jack cheese
1 T. butter, sliced
salt and pepper to taste


Combine cooked pasta and soup, stir until coated. Add spinach and set aside. In a lightly greased 3-quart glass casserole dish, layer half each of chicken, pasta mixture and cheese. Layer with remaining chicken and pasta mixture; dot with butter and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted. Serves 10 to 15.


Stay tuned for a chance to win this great cookbook!


Hooking up to:

Special thanks to Gooseberry Patch for providing me with this great cookbook to try and share with you. If you would like to purchase this or other cookbooks, please visit theirstore. If you would like to see other great recipes, check outwww.realfarmwivesofamerica.com.

Hot Cinnamon Twisters

As I shared with you on Sunday, I tackled my In the Kitchen Gooseberry Patch Recipes 7, 8 and 9 in one meal over the weekend. You can check out numbers 7 and 8 here.

We finished our "Sunday Brunch for Supper" meal with these super easy Hot Cinnamon Twisters - Recipe 9.

The only thing that may have made these better was some icing!

Well, I just have one more dish to make before I give away a copy of this great Gooseberry Patch cookbook! Stay tuned.

Also linking to Two Maids a Baking!

Special thanks to Gooseberry Patch for providing me with this great cookbook to try and share with you. If you would like to purchase this or other cookbooks, please visit their store. If you would like to see other great recipes, check out www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com.

This Little Bucket of Mine

My nephews always want to help me (except when it comes to picking up their toys) do "chores" when they come over to my condo. So when Ty-Ty came over last week, he HAD to help me water my flowers.

The problem was that I only had a large watering can that was way too big for him. That's where my pail from Red Hill General Store come in handy.

It was the perfect size (2 quarts) for this almost 3-year-old; however he thought it was a bit heavy so I only filled it about one-third of the way.

"Look, Mimi, I'm carrying a bucket!"

Once we got to the patio, Ty-Ty decided to water the planter next to the door first...

"Hey, it's all gone. MiMi more water!"

Then he moved on to the other planters before moving on to the landscaping around the fence. It was too cute because each time the bucket was empty, he gently set the bucket on the grounds and then turn to me and say "More water, MiMi!"

It took a bit longer than normal but it was worth watching the concentration on his face as he carefully watered each and every plant!

Interested in getting your very own bucket from Red Hill General Store?

Head on over to the Real Farmwives of America and Friends and look for the giveaway. One lucky reader will win a Galvanized Embossed Tub from Red Hill General Store.

Also, check out the Real Farmwives of America and Friends Facebook page and see how the other gals used their buckets in the home or garden!

Disclaimer: While Red Hill General Store did provide me with a bucket to blog about for this post, the photos, ideas and opinions above are my own, of course.