The Best Pork Chop Casserole!

Have a craving for pork chops, but not willing to stand out in the snow over the grill!? This is one of my favorite recipes! It's sooooo good and easy to make! Pig farming is what we do at our house, and we always have a freezer full of pork. I'm always trying to find new ways to incorporate pork into our meals! Be sure to give this one a try, it won't disappoint.

Ingredients: 
4 pork chops (I prefer boneless)
2 cans green beens
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 dry ranch seasoning packet
mustard
Olive Oil


Directions:

1.) Thaw pork chops and cover in mustard. Pack dry ranch seasoning packet onto mustard covered chops. (You won't end up tasting the mustard, it just keeps the ranch on the pork chop!

2.) In a 9x13 pour in the two cans of cream of chicken soup.

3.) Place pork chops in the pan with the cream of chicken soup.

4.) Pour two cans of green beans around the pork chops.

5.) Drizzle olive oil on top of green beans and pork chops.

6.) Back at 350 for one hour.

The Hardest Lesson

Earlier this week our gilt Lula had her babies! Pig farming is full of life, as momma had six healthy babies squirming and squealing taking in their first breaths. One of the newborns needed a little extra care from us to get back to her momma healthy! So home we went to bottle feed her every couple hours until she got big enough to go back to mom. 


But sometimes no matter what we do, it's not meant to be. Today was a somber day at our house as we remember that pig farming isn't always an easy job. Pig farming is full of life, but also has it's fair amount of loss. Today we are reminded of this hard lesson. 

For our family pig farming is not just a job. If it was just a job, I wouldn't be writing this post with such a heavy heart. Pig farming is a lifestyle, one that comes with highs and lows. Today, even though our hearts are heavy, we remember how blessed we are to have a healthy momma, and five healthy babies in the barn. 

DIY Grapefruit Sugar Scrub!

 It’s that time of the year in Iowa, the dreaded first snow fall! In Northern Iowa we got six and a half inches of snow! With snow comes cold weather, and with cold weather come the even more dreaded dry skin. Earlier this week I whipped up a batch of my all time favorite homemade sugar scrub!

Who doesn’t love a new sugar scrub, and I absolutely love the smell of this one…Grapefruit! (But of course you can choose your favorite sent if you’d like!) I also love this sugar scrub, because it’s SO simple to make, and it’s one of the best sugar scrubs I’ve used. Plus, I think these sugar scrubs are going to make great gifts for those who you always give something small to!

Here’s the recipe:

1 Cup Coconut

1 ½ Cup white sugar

20-30 drops grapefruit essential oil (Or whatever scent you choose)

·      I was able to find the grapefruit oil I used at TJMaxx. I have also used Lavender, which is also great!

Mix together with beaters until mixture is combined. You can choose to add food coloring if you want, this time I decided I didn’t want to.

Be sure to keep your finished sugar scrub in an airtight container! I was able to find these cute little jars at Target in the dollar section! 

My Favorite Apple Crisp

Who doesn't love apple crisp still warm from the oven!? 

Our family LOVES this recipe..(It's one of my dads favorite sweets!) 

I've also had a few friends ask for this recipe after I've made it for a potluck, so I decided I'd share it in a blog! 

Makes: 10 servings
Total Time: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 45-60min

Ingredients:
5-6 apples (I used honey crisp, and granny smith)
1 cup butter
3 tbs vanilla
3 tbs cinnamon
1 1/2 cup quick oats
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder

1.) Peel and thinly slice apples. Toss apples slices in vanilla and cinnamon.

2.) Pour apples into a greased 3 quart pan. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar over apples.3.) In a bowl, combine 1 cup oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda.

4.) Cut 1/2 cup butter into small squares and mix with flour and oat mixture. Combine until all the flour and oat mixture is incorporated into the butter. Sprinkle over the apples.

5.) In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup oats.

6.) Cut 1/2 cup butter into small squares and mix with flour and oat mixture. Combine until all the flour and oat mixture is incorporated into the butter. Sprinkle over the first oat mixture.

7.) Bake at 350 for 45-60min.