Semi-Homemade Pioneer Woman Guacamole

As you know, I usually follow recipes to a T and take very few liberties when baking or cooking.  In fact this was even a topic of discussion on my Goode friend's, Cris from Goodeness Gracious, Facebook page this week.

So I was kind of struggling when I found The Pioneer Woman's guacamole recipe in her cookbook.

It lists 3 ingredients, but provides no measurements.  It uses words like some and big pile when referring to salt and pico de gallo, respectively.  That being said I recently had an epiphany of sorts while reading this recipe, I realized that if I bought pre-made pico de gallo that I could have guacamole in a snap just about anytime we wanted since it wouldn't require any cutting.

I was so thankful this light bulb went off as it allows me to whip up guacamole in heartbeat as an appetizer for friends or even as a quick snack or light meal for The Farmer and me.

Ingredients
Avocados, 3/4 to 1 whole avocado per person per PW
Some Salt (I prefer to use kosher salt.)
Big pile of pico de gallo

Directions
Halve the avocados lengthwise.  Remove the pit and scoop out the insides onto a large plate or bowl.

Sprinkle on some salt and mash way with a fork until you get the avocado to the consistency you want.

Throw on a "big pile of pico de gallo."

Stir together gently and you are ready to eat some yummy guacamole.

Enjoy!

Hints from PW:  Always test guacamole with tortilla chips so you'll get a more accurate gauge of the salt content and adjust the salt to taste.  Additionally to avoid browning, gently press plastic wrap against the surface of the guacamole until serving.  Guacamole will keep in the fridge less than 24 hours.  (This is why I like making it with pre-made pico de gallo as you only have mix up as much as much as you want instead of making up an entire recipe of guacamole.)

Farmer Fridays - Big Sissy's view from the combine

When Big Sissy went for a combine ride the other day, she asked if she could take my camera so she could share her view from the combine with all of you.  (I don't know if it is good or bad that she has taken an interest in my blogging, but I'm going with good for now.)  

During Big Sissy's combine ride, we were cutting soybeans.  As you know, we raise soybeans on our family farm in addition to corn, wheat, and pigs.  We sell all of our soybeans to a local soybean processing plant.  We then buy soybean meal from this plant made from our soybeans and those of other local farmers to feed our pigs along with corn raised on our family farm and other essential nutrients.  

So with no further ado, here is Big Sissy's view (with her own commentary):

Here comes Pop Pop to pick me up

The soybeans coming out of the combine's auger to fill the truck

The soybean field

Pop Pop using GPS auto steer technology to cut soybeans without actually having to steer the combine himself (unbelievable, right?)

The combine cutting the soybeans

The soybeans in the combine's holding tank waiting to be unloaded into the truck

I hope you enjoyed Big Sissy's view.

Wordless Wednesday - Fall Fun

What do you get when you have 3 kids and a soon-to-be Aunt?

Tons of fun in the leaf pile...

Thanks Aunt N for the fun!  We love you!

Linked to the following Wordless Wednesday Parties:

Dagmar*s momsense

live and love...outloud

Mama Dweeb

Pinke Post

Project Alicia

I think I'm in love...

Believe it or not, Carhartt attire has played a big role in my life.

I remember when I joined the livestock judging team at Purdue University, my mom bought me my first pair of Carhartt coveralls.  I was so excited, but I would be willing to bet that I might have been one of the first if not the first girl in my sorority to wear them to one of our barn dances.

But they sure did keep me warm and are very comfortable.  

When The Farmer and I started dating, his family was in an advertisement for Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc that appeared in several publications in Indiana.  This ad was the first picture I showed my family of The Farmer before they met him.  In the picture, he was wearing a Carhartt hooded jacket.  (I don't have a copy of that picture, but I have a very good mental picture of it.)

When Big Sissy was born, my mom also bought her a pair of Carhartt coveralls that have now been worn by all 3 kids.  

So needless to say I was super excited when I had the opportunity with The Real Farmwives of America and Friends to pick out something for myself from Carhartt's awesome women's line.  It was super tough decision as they have a great selection and I have always been super pleased with the quality of Carhartt items.  In the end, I decided on the Women's Skyline Vest.

It's been perfect for taking the kids to school,

Bubby's football games,

going through our inventory for The Pork Shoppe (my mother-in-law and I's retail pork business),

and a ride in the semi during this year's soybean harvest. 

Besides it being the perfect weight for our recent fall weather, I love the inside pocket.

It is perfect for my keys, change, or anything else that I need to keep track of while wearing my vest.  

So truthfully as much as one can be with a garment, I think I'm in love with my new Carhartt vest.  

Thank you again to Carhartt and The Real Farmwives of America and Friends!

To win a Carhartt of your own, please visit www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com to sign up for their giveaway.  Good luck!  

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

Farmer Fridays - What do we feed our pigs

In case you didn't know, October is National Pork month.  As a pig farmer, we love pigs and pork so it is always fun to celebrate them.

During the month of October, my Farmer Fridays will focus on different aspects of our family pig farm and how we raise our pigs so that we can produce healthy, nutritious, and safe pork for my family and yours to eat.

Today I'd like to focus on the diets of our pigs and what we feed them...

Big Sissy's Double Feature

As part of Big Sissy's summer piano lessons, she had to compose an original song with the help of her amazing piano teacher.  Big Sissy was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning, but in the end she composed a great song entitled "Double Feature."

Yes, I know I am a bit biased, but I will let you be the judge as Big Sissy played her original song at her recent recital and remember she's only 8.

I'm back... at least I hope so

It's been a long time since I sat down to write.  I thought my summer funk was over, but then I realized today it has been more than a few weeks since my last post.  So I'm back and I hope it is for good this time. 

There hasn't been one specific reason that has kept me away, it just been a case of life with both ups and downs. 

My fellow farmwife and friend, Miss Leontien, was diagnosed with cancer again which is something no one should have to deal with once let alone more than once in a lifetime.

Today our church celebrated the life of our amazing priest who lost his battle with colon cancer last week. 

And My Aunt S who was diagnosed with leukemia this summer had a bone marrow transplant two weeks ago this Friday.  Although her recovery is going as planned, she has a long road ahead of her. 

So we've been distracting ourselves with several different activities. 

We've been busy with Big Sissy's fall soccer season

Bubby's first flag football season

Big Sissy's fall piano recital

trying out some new Pioneer Woman and Gooseberry Patch recipes

and the start of our family farm's harvest season.