Pregging, School, You Name it!

Life is always fast and furious here in our house, and is getting busier now that we are back to school!  We decided to home school TR this year after his wreck.  I just wasn't comfortable sending him to school when we weren't sure how his jaw was going to be, if we needed surgery, and keeping him restricted when there are 20 other 5 year olds running a muck!  To be honest, I really didn't want him to start school yet anyway.  He is ready, mom is not.  Long story short, we are giving him an extra year to grow up and when he starts public school next year he will be more mature, a little bigger, and still with kids his own age.

I am back to school as well.  I'm teaching an Animal Science class 2 nights a week at Great Basin College again this semester.  I hated teaching high school and jr. high school, but love teaching on the college level.  My students are much easier to relate to, and are there because they want to be, not because they have to.  My friend Heidi talked me into taking a digital photography class with her this semester as well, so not only am I a teacher I am a student.  Lets face it, Heidi really didn't have to twist my arm too hard either, she just provided the extra motivation I needed to do it!

The Elko County Fair is also going this week.  (Who starts school before the fair anyway?!!), and my dear husband the Cow Boss decided yesterday would be a great day to preg 450 replacement heifers.  This is my week in a nutshell.  Class, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Pregging heifers Tuesday and feeding lunch to the pregging crew.  Wednesday the Branding Eliminations at the fair, (I'm not roping, just watching).  Thursday and Friday watching my brother show horses at the fair.  Friday night roping in the Coed Branding contest at the Fair, and then back in Saturday and Sunday to watch the fair, in Monday to pick up my home arts exhibits.  It's Wednesday and I'm already exhausted!

Pregging went good, we were done by 11:30.  I'm a lousy housewife, and avoid my house like the plague, so I had all of the food ready the night before so I could spend the morning at the chute.  I also love my crock pots (yes, I have 2!), and they get a lot of use.  I had Drip Beef in the crock pot, a potato salad and marinated tomatoes in the fridge, store bought rolls, and sugar cookie bars ready to be cut. 

Here are the recipes:

Drip Beef
1 beef roast
2 cans beef broth
1 jar pepperconinis
Salt and Pepper to taste

Put everything in the crock pot and cook on high 4-5 hours.

Potato Salad
Potatoes
1/4 c. Mayonnaise
1/2 c. Plain Greek Yogurt
1 c. Grated Cheddar Cheese
1/2 c. Chopped Onions
8 slices Bacon Cooked and Crumbled
Salt and pepper to taste

Clean, chop and boil potatoes until tender.  I leave the skins on, and I used Red Potatoes.  While they are cooking, mix mayonnaise and yogurt together well.  Add cheese, onions, and salt and pepper.  Chill in the fridge.  Drain potatoes and let cool.  Mix with dressing and top with bacon.  Can be served hot or cold.  Since I made mine the night before, it was cold.

Marinated Tomatoes
6 Tomatoes cut into wedges
1 T. Parsley
2 T. Red Vinegar
2 T. Olive Oil
1/2 c. Cold water
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Mix everything together and let rest at least 1 hour before serving.

For the sugar cookie bars I just used my old faithful sugar cookie recipe, and instead of baking cookies, I just baked as a bar and frosted with butter cream frosting.  =)

I hope everyone has a great week and has a smooth transition into back to school!