TYG Butchering

by Sarah

 

Saturday we hosted the young group hog butchering. We butchered two hogs and made most of the meat into sausage. We then delivered the sausage to older people at church.

This table was cutting the meat into small chunks, so that it could go through the...

…meat grinder, which turned it into ground pork. Add seasonings and we had sausage.

We were done with the butchering by about 10:30, and then we split into groups to deliver the sausage. After all the groups got back to our shed, then we had hot ham and cheese for lunch.

It also rained most of the morning, making it very muddy. It was especially muddy since there was high traffic in the yard between the house and the shed.

Sunday night we went to Aunt Sarah's house for Grandpa's birthday party.

Mindy did a great job making the cake.

Famous Chocolate Marshmallow Brownies

These have been a family favorite since I got the recipe from Emily a few years ago. The soft chewy brownie topped with melted marshmallows and rich chocolate frosting makes a delightful combination that makes everyone happy. Hey, sugar + sugar + sugar = what's not to like?? 

I especially like this recipe because it makes a nice big batch: 4 dozen bars. Some for the freezer for later and plenty to eat fresh.

Ingredients:

For the brownies:

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

1/3 cup cocoa

4 eggs

1 1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 (10 oz.) package mini marshmallows

For the frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 tablespoons baking cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

 For the brownies:

Soften butter and blend in sugar and cocoa. Beat together and add 4 eggs, one at a time, mixing after each one. Add flour, salt, and vanilla; and mix well. Spread in large (10 by 15 by 1 inch) greased jelly roll pan. Bake 22-25 minutes at 350. Remove from oven and cover entire top with miniature marshmallows. Return to oven for 3 minutes, until marshmallows are soft and puffy. Cool completely and frost with chocolate frosting.

For the frosting:

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer until smooth. Add more powdered sugar or milk until you reach desired consistency and spread on top of bars.

I've found that these take some care in cutting due to the stickiness of the marshmallows. This is my method which produces a pretty bar with no ragged messy edges. I wipe the knife blade between cuts for a nice clean edge.

Enjoy!

Flying

by Jewel

A couple of Wednesdays ago we had two little Sauders here along with Ben.  

On Saturday we girls and A. Sarah went down to the lake. Mom was down for a while too, but then she headed back to the house. Tori had brought Brandi (the dog) down in her harness so she would pull us around chasing the hockey puck.  She liked to stay right beside Tori.

Sarah forgot her water bottle.

Sunday night at Grandma's house with some of U. Mark's and some of U. Mike's.

A new couch and coffee table were delivered which added some excitement to the day's boring school routine.  

Last Wednesday Cason, Josh, and Ben helped Sarah make chocolate chocolate chip cookies.

Thursday night we babysat the Aberle kids, and I got some time with Auggie.  

What a ham! 

Melody and Jenna came over on Friday. Kinzie loved this bear.

 Friday night.

 

Katie babysat Cason and Clay on Tuesday this week instead of Wednesday, but Clay was sick so only Cason came. He was pleased with this boat he made.

This is what happens when the garbage man doesn't pick up the old couch. We three littles are enlisted to haul it down to the south grove.

Wednesday three Baers came over while Jenna had errands, and so with Ben thrown in there and Echo for lunch, it was a busy day.  

 

And time keeps flying by.

TYG Surprise Supper

Cason thought he was big stuff with the cell phone he found.

(If it looks suspiciously like a calculator, well, that's because it is a calculator)

 

 

Guess who likes Kate's treats?!

Hairstyles compliments of Sarah.

Our birds don't stand a chance with this hunter around.

Last week there were quite a few skating afternoons, most with friends. I don't remember who this was coming home.

Cold days.

Josh turned 10 last Thursday!  He didn't have a great birthday because he had a nasty cold, but he was feeling much better by Friday when we celebrated his birthday.

This picture he got from Sarah and Jewel is actually two pictures that change when you look at it from different angles. Pretty cool, and he really liked it.

As did Kiowa.

Birthdays are always better with little ones' joy.

Flint was so cute, just watching and watching Josh's race cars buzz around in circles. He didn't know what to think!

With help from Jesse, Josh had fun putting together this helicopter model that Jesse and Lucy gave him.

Saturday morning view of Friday night campout in the greatroom.

Finally started my last winter project.

After skating, Kinsey stayed awhile for a few games.

Last Saturday the kids hosted a Surprise Supper for the TYG. Surprise was that there was nothing planned or prepared and the kids had to work together to make the entire meal. They did an amazing job and worked really well together coming up with a delicious supper!

First off, all kids were numbered off into five groups: meat, potatoes, vegetable, salad, and bread. We had a pan of leftover dessert from Josh's birthday that was ready for later.

So here we have the meat group looking for recipes.

Looks like beans cooking on the stove and meat being thawed in the sink. At this point, after compiling a list from all the groups, the bread crew had headed to Walmart for a few items.

Potato crew.

More preparations~

and decorations~

of course.

Some kids had to refuel before they could finish their food prep.

Strawberry lemonade made by a random group after most food was in the ovens.

Waiting for supper to cook. The house was smelling amazing by this time, and appetites were growing...

Party Potatoes (from real potatoes)

Gooey Caramel Biscuit Rolls

Fruit Salad

Creamy Chicken Breasts With Gravy

Green Bean Casserole (with bacon added to the topping)(a GREAT addition, I might add)

Delicious

 Monday evening Josh started this lego building project.

Tuesday brought a couple favorites.

 

Wednesday brought the same plus their favorite sister; also Ben was here.

Kids gone, school done, time for a little home ec with Mom.

Tuesday night I went to a shower, and Jesse helped Josh more on this; and then Josh did some parts entirely on his own on Wednesday .

 

That weekend Jesse helped Josh finish the space shuttle.

 

 

And that's it for this time. Thanks for reading!