It has in some way connected to my heart all the memories I had as a girl growing up in the country visiting my grandparents and being loved so much ...I kid you not...I have always wanted to live in a big farmhouse and have chickens and a garden and a clothlines with sheets hanging on the line...I always wanted my kids and grandskids to experience that...well.I knew I didn't want anything that would cause you to have to sit all day at a computer...I just can't stand that...but I agreed to try and the first night ..oh my word I thought I'd give up...I was up at 3:30 harvesting my grapes so they wouldn't ruin...I then figured out how to plan my crops so I could plant and come and go as I pleased and it worked for me!!! Then all my sweet neighbors starting giving me animals and trees and flowers..Justine gave me my first chicken and oh glory when I got my first cow I squealed so loud Bill came running from the other room!!!!
I have sat and cried with each new thing I learn to do or am able to buy...right before my eyes I see a part of my heart's dream coming to life in cartoon style and I cannot tell you what that does to the deepest core of my soul..I know it is just a game and can become an obsession to some...(never get so involved in anything that it takes you away from your home and family..nothing is worth that you guys!) It is the most relaxing thing and to me the sweetest joy...Thank you Justine...I love my Farm!!!!
Anyway...back to the real world...It's almost 4th of July...don't you just love these free blog backgrounds that are out there for us! here is alittle Red...White...& Blue for you
If you love red and glass you have got to go to K-Mart and get you some of these! They seal so good and are perfect for snacks or for flour & sugar... etc. I keep mine in the pantry filled with snacks for the grandkids...
Don't you just love chickens!!!! WHO SAID NO!!!! lol You can find these at TJ Maxx...you know I squealed when I saw them sitting there
and for the Blue ..Kathryn over at Bonafide Southern suggested I add little flags to my foyer display...I never think of things like that..I am missing part of my 'Martha" gene I tell you but I saw these little flags at K-Mart and she was right...what a difference they make! Ok...now on to the recipes....
These little ingredients are gonna make you one of the best dips ever...I call it bacon tomatoe dip and you can use it with any chip but we love it on our taco salad.....
takes all of a couple of minutes to make and look how thick and creamy....you cover it with clear wrap and put in fridge the night before you are gonna use it...
Ok here's for the good stuff...this will makes the best taco mix ever...I usually use Taco Bell mix but they were out..this does just as good....
Put 2 lbs. hamburger meat and 1 large choped onion in skillet....
brown meat and then drain....add the 2 pkgs of tace seasoning mix and the amount of water on the instruction of the package...cook according to the package..add I large jar of Pace Chunky Salsa...I use mild and you won't need salt...let simmer until hot..that's it! 
Now just get your goodies ready..we like these ....
Make you a little layer of the chips....
add the meat..lettuce...tomatoe and cheese...
then add a spoon of your dip...ohhhhh glory! You will not believe how it taste!!!! Like I say make the dip the night before and then you can whip up the main dish and have a hot meal in less than 30 minutes! If your family loves the taste of tacos they will love this!!!! I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think...take care you guys and have a great week and for goodness sake be careful with those fireworks! Love ya~♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BACON TOMATOE DIP
1 cup sour cream (8 oz)
1 cup mayo
1 pkg real bacon bits
2 cups chopped tomatoes (I cut mine and leave them on a paper towel for a minute so it is not too juicy)
Plenty of black pepper
Mix all together and cover and keep in fridge...make it the night ahead of when you plan on using it.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Taco Salad
2 lbs ground beef
1 onion chopped
2 pkgs taco seasoning mix
large jar of Pace Thick & Chunky Salsa (I use mild)
large jar of Pace Thick & Chunky Salsa (I use mild)
Tostitos chips (can use cornchips or your favorite kind)
shredded lettuce...shredded cheese...chopped tomatoes...Bacon Tomatoe Dip
Cook the meat and chopped onion in a skillet until brown...add the 2 pkgs of taco seasoning mix and the water it says use on the packs...cook like instructed and then add the jar of salsa..heat throughly..then put a layer of chips in a bowl and start adding your extras..top with a spoon of the dip
72 lil sweet taters came by...:
Yummy eye candy and yummy tummy candy. Thanks and have a great evening!
YUM! Can I have a big bowl of that taco salad in one of your green Gibson bowls? It looks delicious, as do ALL of the recipes you so graciously share with us. Love the patriotic vignette, sooo sweet.
Love this post, Dot! I have to admit, I am kinda tired and was reading and thinking... did Dot get a real farm??? LOL! Then, I went back to the beginning. Oh, Dot, it's been a loooooong day!
I love those canisters and those bowls, and of course, the cracker jacks. I am starving and want to come over to your house and eat. God any extra??? Do you think it will hold as I drive all the way from Florida???
Love you, girl!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Hi Sweet Pea!
Oh your blog just looks so pretty! I love your header! So clever! These recipes look yummy too! I'm still looking for the cracker jacks!
Debbie
Love the canister and the cracker jacks are wonderufl. The taco salad just looks yummy, it's one of our very favorite meals. Hugs, marty
Well Picket, I have to tell ya,you got me saying Oh Glory,around my house!! lol And I say Picket says that,like they know who i'm talking about! lol I was so cracking up b/c I knew what you were talking about w/ ya farm,that's me too! lol I told all my friends I hate MySpace and Facebook,but somehow peer pressure got me to try Facebook! lol I'll have to find ya,then we can see each others farms! lol And guess what? I opened a zoo!! Yes,you heard right,a "zoo"! lol lol You have to start w/ a petting zoo and work your way up! lol I'm now breeding animals! lol Oh Glory!! lol lol Anyhow,too funny! lol I love the flags and your new look on you page!The side charms remind me a belly button ring! lol lol Have a "BLESSED" week! Natalie,
So glad you are enjoying your farm Dot!! Sounds like fun!
And thank you for some new recipes! YUMMO!
hugs, Linda
I love my FARM, My DIL got me hooked and I actually bought more land Sat, so I can spread out and hopefully save the 300,000. I need to buy my house....lol..my DH just shakes his head. It's so relaxing.
Love you recipe, must try it out.
Molly
This farm thing had me a little confused but I think I am starting to get it...it sounds like fun!!
Your recipe is a keeper. I love taco salad and use ground turkey. Since I avoid flour, I just have it on salad. Can't wait to try your version, Dot!
xoxo
Jane
Yummy, Dot! I am going to be sure to try that tomato-bacon dip! Sounds delish!
I have to get over to K-Mart. I am loving those jars and I need to get the grandkids some of that retro Cracker Jack!
XXDenise
OK, what did I miss here - I gather you found a game on the computer called the Farm and you are a playing fool now. You didn't buy a REAL farm did you? I make my taco salad like that, too; but not with that yummy looking dip-topping. I will certainly try it as anything with bacon bits in it can't be bad - right? Thanks for a fun post. Sally
Picket, I'm dabbling at the farm, too. I haven't quite got the harvesting schedule down yet either. But I'm working on it. I signed up for facebook only because the girls at work talked me into it, but I don't know what the heck I'm doing. Anyway, you're new digs look pretty cute, and I can't wait t try that dip. It looks like a great addition to Taco Salad. ~ Robyn
Your blog looks great Dot and so patriotic! Thanks for the recipes. I will surely try them out!
I'm on my way, and I am hitching a ride with Sheila. My husband is working so I didn't fix any dinner. Yours looks so good. ;-)
I want some of those Cracker Jacks, too.
Hey Dot, I heard about you being a farmer LOL! Girl you are crazy, plus you have way too much spare time (I'm jealous!). Hope you are having a blast sweetie, maybe one day I'll get one of those farms too!! LOL! Love the dip recipe, but I'm not a taco person so I'll just use the dip on the tortillas! Did I ever tell you about the time in my life when I was addicted to tortilla chips?? It was a REAL ADDICTION!! Thank goodness those days are over! The rugs are down, I'll take pics soon! xoxoxo
Dot, the recipe looks delicious!
I have a good friend who does the farm thing on facebook, but I'm just too chicken. Should I take the chance and get my own farm???
Love it all! And the recipes sound so good and easy...working full time anything quick for dinner is a winner for sure!
Blessings,
Susie
OMG that recipe looks yummo.Can't wait to try it.I am goin to have to look at Kmart tomorrow for those jars.Luv those!:)Sherri
Sounds so yummy, and perfect for a dish to share at a party, I will let you know when i do, but i am sure it will be delish! And those white bowls, Too darn cute! Love all of your Picketisms, lol! You are the best! Sue
Sounds delicious Picket and perfect for the 4th! :)
You home and all the vignette displays are looking beautiful.
Oh my goodness, this meal is like tailor made for me! Every single aspect of it calls my name, Dot! Too bad my kids wouldn't eat it and Jimmy would sit there and complain about the salt, the fat, the this, the that until I dumped it on his head!
But ooh, this is a keeper for the next time Jill is here for a few days! Woopieeeeeeee!
I'm soooooooooooo glad that you love your farm! As you get to the higher levels, you'll find that you can spend even less time on the farm, if you plant 3 and 4 day crops!
Justine :o )
Hi Dot,
Love the taco salad looks so good!
Love also the background and your header...great ideas!
Rondell
Oh, you silly girl! Farming! I'm glad you're having fun with it!
Now I love your new Cracker Jack header and your pretty decor! Those little glass jars with the red lids are great! We don't have a K Mart here anymore! So I can't go get some! :( Now that dip sounds so good and your taco salad looks heavenly. Love me some good ole Mexican food!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :0
Oh, your foyer table just looks great! I love the flags, don't you? That bacon and tomato dip looks great. I think I'd like it on a Ritz cracker because like the old commercial says..."everything tastes better sitting on a ritz!"
Pickett, how are you listed on FaceBook? You can email me at molly43@bellsouth.net and I can invited you to be a friend. I love my farm.
Molly
I love your blog! Thanks for sharing that great recipe with us. My kids LOVE tacos so that one will be a hit here.
Love your Cracker Jack decorating idea! Stop by and say hello!
Blessings,
Mandy
Thank you for the recipes! The bacon and tomato dip sounds so easy and delicious. I always have those ingredients. Happy 4th to you and your family.
Oh, my, oh my, Dot, my lips are watering. We love taco salad around here and I will have to try your dip. Your 4th decorations look great!! Thanks for sharing.
As for the farm, I sorta, have the real thing and sometimes I would take the virtual over the real, for sure!!! I'm thankful and all but early morning letting the chickens out comes real early around here.LOL
Oh Picket, its 10:30pm and Im sitting here drooling over the pic of that yummy dip and taco salad.
I can tell you right now if I had the fixins for that dip I would be making it right this minute lol. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Now I must get to KMart for some of those cute red lids and cannisters. Oh glory and the Cracker Jacks too:)
Picket you are so much fun!
Debbie L.
This definitely looks like a recipe we'll love! I've printed it out and I'll let you know when I try it. Can you believe I actually still make your famous chicken and dumplings?! Me, Miss Hates to Cook! I've made kind of a blogging cookbook of recipes from different blogs and it gives me a good variety and change of pace for dinner~! Have a happy fourth!
Your new cannisters are just too cute!
Yummm, now I'm hungry for taco salad. We may have to try that for dinner soon! ☺ diane
OH NO...You did not get a farm..we hardly see Justine, Ninki, Jill and now you !! Oh girl I would have never thought you would start a farm ha ha!!and good grief up until 3;30 in the morning planting grapes did you make some vino afterwards...Now I loved your taco recipe Sweet P. My dawna is coming on Wednesday and I can't hardly wait to see her..And I have been working on my guest room girl..I got it almost done now..wall paper gone new bedsreads, curtains and decorating Oh I'm having me some fun here lol!! Now Sue been missing also don't tell me she been farming also...girl it sounds like fun but I tell you if I took on one more thing here Len would kill me and I would furnish him the gun ha ha!! May you have a great 4th my friend..love ya my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
I feared that you had gone over to the dark side when I heard you had started Farm Town, lol. However, if it blesses your soul, then good for you!
That Cracker Jack display is just about the most amazing vignette I have seen in a long time! It was so creative and fun. It looks fabulous as a blog header especially with your pretty red white and blue blog dress! I love the addition of the flags too.
Your recipes sound yummy!
Kady
Hi Picket,
Did you ears ring last night? My husband was asking me if you mentioned how your green pumpkins were doing, I told him because I've been especially busy, that I hadn't been to your blog to check in on you, so I'm doing that today. I got a new sewing machine and along with catching up on many other projects, I've been doing a whole lot of sewing.
The recipes are both a must try, our youngest 'BURLY BOY' ;) is coming for the holiday weekend and I think he'll enjoy these dishes.
Have a great 4th....
Love & Hugs
'D'
Im on FarmTown too! Im so addicted to it! Id love to have you for a neighbor! If your interested, add me to your facebook friends under Patti Narramore
Wafford. Hope to see you on the farm! LOL Those recipes sound delish!!
I'm confused with your farm talk. Is it some kind of joke, and I'm left out of the loop?
I like those red canisters. That Cracker Jack 4th display is the BEST. I don't know how you think of this stuff.
Thanks for the recipes.
J's been asking for a taco salad. I might put one of these together for the weekend, when the kiddo's are here. Yours looks delish!!
Picket thanks for the dip recipe, I am going to several parties and host one this week-end so this will come handy. Great you can now say you live "down on the farm".
My husband wanted to do this years ago. But I'm a city girl lost on a farm. lol
Hey, sweet Dot! Hope you'll try that beadboard wallpaper. I had it on my post last week when I talked about the wallpaper & just went back & added the link where I bought mine to this new post: Home Depot online!
omg! I am now starving!!!!!!!! that taco salad looks so GOOD right now! Hey need any animals???
I'm on Facebook too - haven't tried the Farm yet but have friends who like it. Did you know you can paste your Facebook profile on your blog? I've done that. You pick it up from Facebook - very easy. You could end up with a bunch of your blog friends as Facebook friends. PAM
Hi Dot,
Yummy! I love that Taco salad; it's much like my own! Love your red canisters and white bowls! You have a very pretty blog. Very cheerful & welcoming! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week.
Blessings,
Sandi
Hi Dot, oh, you little enabler, you!!!!! I have to check out those white rooster bowls!!!
Everything looks wonderful and soooo delicious.
Happy July 4th to you and your dear family.
Hugs, Barb
What a neat lady you are. You seem to be able to do anything and do it well.
I love your patriotic blog and those cute little canisters, the red ones. I have a feeling you are a very happy and grateful lady.
What a neat lady you are. You seem to be able to do anything and do it well.
I love your patriotic blog and those cute little canisters, the red ones. I have a feeling you are a very happy and grateful lady.
Oh Picket, had I only known. I have more ready to be mailed, I saved them just in case someone else wanted them. I guess it's too late now.:( I'll send you more next year.
Hugs
'D'
Oh goodness, girl... just want to dive into that taco salad! It looks fantastic.
You are so sweet for checking on me. My family and I are doing fine. Just got back from a trip to Charleston to visit my girls and spiff up their condo with a little decorator's touch. I don't really know why I haven't been posting, I guess I have not been inspired to do so lately. I will have to just snap out of it, huh?
I love this and can't wait to go to Kmart...I am a red girl through and through! I just love coming to your blog and seeing all the things you do. how fun! Those chicken bowls need me too! hahaha....I've got some shoppin' to do!
Blessings,
Debbie
Hey Dot! I am facinated with your farm description...that sounds sooooo cute! Keep us posted on how it develops! Don't foget to slop the pigs...whatever the heck that means. LOL Your taco salad looks scrumtious! Love you blog background! :-) Susan
Cute post and the recipes sound great. I'm interested in the farm thing. Think I'll look up farm town on facebook! I want a farm but this could do till them !!!!! : ))
Shirley
Hi - new here. Found your blog via Southern Hospitality this evening. Beautiful blog......I'll be back to read more. Have a lovely 4th of July.
Farm??? I guess I haven't heard about the farm. (It is a good thing, as too many things are clammering for my attention:)
It did bring back memories of helping my own Pa on the farm. I enjoyed the chickens and goats. I even drove the tractor into the barn and he still loved me!
Your white dishes were beautiful and canisters were a fun find.. But the recipe of goodness, Oh MY! It sounds so good right now! YUM!
Enjoy a great holiday with your family.
Beth~♥
GM Sweet P. Now girl if that bear was in my yard I would be tossing up my Wheatsie and never leave my door..We do have bears as I have seen the tracks and my trees tore from them...also we have a mountain lion that lives here and walks around like a house cat...but he's more araid of me that I am him...he's been here now for 15 years..But picture this one day the phone guy was here up the pole and Lion decides to take a nap right under the pole...girl this BIG man was screaming his head off and I went outside and told the Lion to get...the BIG man came down and told me I was his hero...so here I am 103 lbs and 5'1 saving this BIG man ha ha!! Asked him if he though of calling on the phone for help...after all he did have the phone...he never thought of that...sometimes MEN can be dumb...Hope you have a great fourth sis...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Dot you are soooo funny, I could here your voice squealing over at Glorias with her bear post!! Toooooo cute!! Dot we had an earthquake today, come read all about it!! xoxoxo
Love your red, white & blue....you always have things lookin' soo ca-ute! Wonderful recipes, too.
Have a great 4th!
Hugs~ J
P.S. I have to find a K-mart & TJ Max... & fast...My Mister said 'thank you'...lol. { winks }
Your blog looks wonderful, and I can't wait to try your recipes.
I am curious about the farm. I hadn't heard of that. Where is it?
Laura
Fun eats for everyone! I will have to share this with the girls at the beauty shop. A lot of the time they start talking about food at 8 in the morning. Kathy
Thanks for sharing the great recipes. Our son-in-law is into the farm thing on Face Book and wanted me to join in but I don't have time. He and our granddaughter have had fun with it. I like your July background!
Hi! I just found your blog and it is delightful! I just picked up those red jars at K-Mart too. Have you seen sugarpiefarmhouse.com? I got the idea from Aunt Ruthie. I just love red. It's my favorite color. Your taco recipe sounds just like mine too. It's a family favorite.
Carey
Come visit me!
http://americangirlprimitivesnsuch.blogspot.com/
Love the post. I also thought at first you had bought a farm. Facebook is a lot of fun. Friends of mine have a 'farm'. I however have resisted it so far. Love reading your blog. I have been remiss in reading more (Dad w/ cancer) but shall be doing better.
Thanks for sharing
Cindy
Did you know I grew up on a farm? My parents had chickens until I was about four and cows until I was about 11 or so. I totally don't like animals, they scare me! I used to bale hay, swath hay, work on the potato harvester and in the cellars, etc. I played "farming" for real then! I'm glad you found a game you like to play and I hope all your crops survive the hailstorms and droughts and floods! LOL! Do you have to move the irrigation pipe yourself on your farm or is it mechanical? Just curious about this game.
What yummy recipes!
Well since we've just become neighbors on the farm, I figured I better get to know you better and visit your blog. Howdee....Now, do you liked to be called Dot, or Picket?
I like my farm too. Haven't been doing it long enough to figure all the ins and outs of it. Someday I may get it to looking like Justine and Jills and Nikki's. I couldn't sign onto it this morning and I am getting worried about my crops. lol.
I love that receipe. One of my favorite foods is anything mexican. I will definitely be trying it.
Come and visit me when you have time.
Ginger
This looks like something my family would love. Tacos are a fav at our house. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Love your patriotic background. I'm not sure I want to get into the Farm, but you sure make it sound like fun! Those bowls with the chickens are so great! laurie
I think I'll just enjoy your farm from a distance, animals run amok, a goat on the porch....it sounds like a wonderful good time. I'm already on the computer for work all day and then checking blogs so I better not get into another internet thing or I'll be in the dog house around here!! LOL! I don't do My Space or Face Book just blogging, work, and email and that's about all I can make time for. Keep posting about it bz it does sound like fun and I'll live vicariously through you. Hope neighbor Justine doesn't yell at you anymore. If she does just send your goat over to eat her undies she has drying out on the line, that should keep her in control, LOL!! I love Justine, I'm not being mean. I just wanted to make that clear!! Have a great time with the family this weekend and I'll catch you on the flip flop! Me
Your cracker jack vignette is just the cutest thing ever!!! Love it! Sure do love those white chicken bowls too! :) Hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe 4th! ~big hugs, Rhonda :)
Hi Picket! Happy 4th to you and yours. Have fun...
Hope you have a great 4th of July weekend :)
Ok...I know I am slow on the intake...but what is the farm? I think it is a computer game, but I tried to google it, and well you can imagine...there are a LOT of farms out there! Help!
Hi Dot! Love those red jars! I also saw some adorable curtains there with red/white checks so I must get these to go with them!!lol I haven't forgotten to send my little something; I forgot Post Office closed early Friday; so I hope to get it out this coming Friday on my day off! Yes just like Christmas you'll still be waiting a few more days!!!lol Sorry sorry! Sincerely, Jeannette
Hi Dot! I know you had a fabulous 4th with the family and the FOOD!! ME?? I was cleaning the bedroom so Butch could start moving his stuff into it! I can't wait either, I've got my inspiration and most of the stuff, so I need to buy the paint and put Butch to work!! I gotta have my prim black furniture too, thats why I'm gonna love this room so much, because its different but still ME!! I'm gonna hurry as fast as I can!! Have a great week sweetie!! xoxoxo
Hey Dot! I love everything you do! The cracker Jack boxes made your 4th decor so special. And I always love your recipes, etc. I have really missed you!
P.S. My blog name has changed, but if you pay me a visit, I hope you will remember me and add me to your blog list again.
Thanks!
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