A Good Ol' Southern Holiday

I know another 4th of July post 3 days late... but what can I say, I'm a blogaholic.  Yes that is a real thing.  And No I am not currently seeking treatment.

We spent the 4th of July in the Big Murray, KY as we often do.  That's tobacco country you know.

Brandon's favorite brother, Wes, was born on the 4th so the festivities are extra special!  Our weekend basically consisted of family time, swimming, eating, family time, football, swimming, eating.  Rinse and Repeat.  We had so much fun getting to finally spend some quality time with Brandon's family.  It's been a while since we've been able to go and stay a while but one of the not so fun aspects of being an adult I suppose.

Here is our weekend in pictures:

(quality varies as most were taken on my phone.  bad blogger i know.)

Shooting guns in the corn field.

 Wes has a 357 Magnum, snub-nosed something or another pistol.  Big name for a little gun.  However, size does NOT matter when discussing guns.  That little puppy was the loudest thing I've heard in a very long time.  My ears are ringing literally just thinking about it.  I only shot once and let the boys do the rest.  It was almost a bit much.  We were shooting at styrofoam cups in the back of a corn field.  Check out the destruction this baby produces:

Crazy!  The picture of the right is the entrance hole and the picture of the left is the gaping exit point.

Although fun, not sure I was competent enough to feel safe with it.  Everyone handling such weapons should take a safety course, myself included. 

One of a several backyard football games.

 The boys loved throwing and have quite the guns like their "Gunner" Uncle B.  Yes, having your shirt off does make you a better athlete.  The boys have learned this young.

Everybody loves a ride on the 4-wheeler.

Fireworks! Big Hit with 3 and 6 year old boys.  I know can you believe it?  Safety?  Questionable.

Look at those faces of amazement!  I love it.

Grilling Out!

The boys are learning to use my camera.  I think Caden took this one.

Yes we had like 16 of these gynormous steaks!  Delicious!  Brandon's cousin is quite the chef and made an absolutely amazing bourbon butter.  It made the steaks taste like you were eating at your favorite uber-expensive, have to wear nice clothes, and use the correct fork steak places.  YUM!

Here is a recipe I found on world wide web so you can make your own!  Brandon's cousin edited the recipe he found to his taste and I suggest you do the same.  You won't regret it!

Bourbon Butter:

2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened

2 shallots minced finely, soaked in 1 shot of bourbon or whiskey

3 teaspoons minced parsley

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

3 teaspoons of bourbon or whiskey

1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

white pepper to taste

Make butter at least 3 hours in advance.  Combine butter, shallots soaked in bourbon, parsley, Worcestershire, mustard, bourbon, salt and pepper.  Mix well.  On a piece of plastic wrap, drop butter in spoonfuls to form a log.  Roll butter in plastic wrap to form a smooth round log.  Refrigerate until ready to use. 

Then just grill a fabulous steak and place a large dollop on top!  Yum!

Happy 4th and 5th of July!

Yes 4th AND 5th!  They are both national holidays in our family!

Not only is the 4th the birthdate of our beautiful America, but also our favorite brother and farmer, Wes!  

Wes and his beautiful wife, Stephanie, are parents to the cutest white dog you've ever scene, Oliver.

The celebration continues to the 5th of July in celebration of the blessed birth of our newest RN, Carebear!

Cara with her two favorite boys.

Yes, You've heard Cara was famous, but did you know she graces the likes of a billboard!  Yes, a real life billboard on a street near you.  Keep your eyes peeled.

Happy early July birthdays to you!  You heard me round 2 of Steele family birthdays is coming to a blog post you'll read in a couple of weeks.

Pinterest Picks of the Week

My favorites from the last week of inspiration on Pinterest.  Hope you are gathering lots of inspiration as well!

Pom Pom Bib Necklace From Little Miss Momma

I really want to make some of these.

An amazing book wall and striped ceiling from Made By Girl

I am falling in love with maps and globes!

I love these exposed stone walls from House and Home!

Super fun playhouse.  I want to build one of these!

Hotel La Montaña Mágica. Huilo-Huilo, Chile

How cool does this place look?

Love these colors!

Love this bookshelf and the color.  Oh my.  Its just delightful!

I love getting to know about all of these fun blogs, websites, and places around the world.  Can't wait to see what you find!

Return To My Country Girl Roots

This week I returned to my country girl roots.  I went blackberry pickin' on the farm.  Although I went all by my lonesome I had a lot of fun.

First things first...Turn off the electric fence.  Especially important for me, because I've always been a little afraid of it and it had been raining A LOT.  I didn't want to test the relationship between electricity and water.  I hear they are really close.

 Second, put on some boots.  Clay mud is nasty.  So I wore Momma Jackie's boots.  I don't have any farm boots anymore.  I need some.  I can remember as a child going to The Tractor Supply Company and getting to pick between the red and yellow rubber boots to wear on the farm.

Isn't the queen anne's lace beautiful!  I love it.  We used to pick it all the time while we played on farm while my Dad worked.

My mom's domestic blackberries weren't as ripe as I thought they were, so I went on the search for our wild berries.

I used to love swinging on these as a kid.

Found them falling into the pond.

The problem with wild blackberries are the THORNS!  Ouch!

And let's not even talk about the chigger possibilities.  I immediately showered after my pickin' to avoid those little boogers.

Blackberry picking is fun but painful work, but the pay-off is well worth it...Blackberry Cobbler!  Yum!

Photo found here.  Sorry forgot to take my own picture.  I was busy eating.

Here is my recipe:

 2 cups blackberries   

(Or whatever you have.  I don't measure.)

1 cup sugar

1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup milk

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

I cook the blackberries on the stove in a small pot with a little bit of sugar and a little bit of water just to make it a little saucy.  Bring it to a boil then turn it back and let it simmer just a bit.  Maybe 5-10 minutes.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix equal parts sugar, flour and milk.  Melt stick of butter in oven in the pan.  Pour mixture into the butter greased pan.  Pour blackberry mixture into the center of the pan.  

(Confession:  Last night I forgot the butter.  I know what a terrible cook and blogger.  And honestly, It tasted delicious.  Better than usual.  Take that for what it's worth.)

Bake on 350 degrees approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with Purity vanilla ice cream.

Delicious summer treat!  Enjoy!


(Sorry guys and gals.  I can't get the fonts etc. to work correctly.)