Yummy Potatoes

Hey Hey Good Lookin'! What ya got cookin?!?

Family Holiday Party fast approaching and my assignment is POTATOES!
Well, I can't just make any potatoes. I'm an Idaho girl and their are expectations; )
so I'm going to make YUMMY Potatoes!

Yummy Potatoes are a recipe that I first collected in a high school home ec class. (As are most of the recipes in my recipe box, thank the Lord above for teachers ) It was contributed by Jonathon Yearsley.

Yummy Potatoes made the journey to college with me and were always a big hit to feed ...whoever happened to be sleeping on the couch or bean bag that week. Some friends...you know who you are....still insist that I make them whenever I come visit.

These Yummy Potatoes work just great in a dutch oven too! They have made their way down the rodeo trail to feed a hungry crew and even on a camp out or two. (Seriously, they are pretty much indestructible because I've tried ruining them...edible, every time :)

Great as left overs and just a happy food! Fun left overs, Soft Taco shell, add scoop of yummy potatoes, a some steak strips for a Bad A breakfast burrito! lol....I could go on & on.

With out further ado....

Yummy Potatoes
The black is the original recipe. The red is what I do with it.

Yummy Potatoes
6 medium potoes~ cooked, cooled, grated (I use 1 bag frozen or refrigerated shredded hashbrowns...if you want to get real exotic, use the onion & red pepper hasbrowns. I will be the 1st to admit...real potatoes that you cook, cool & grated yourself...do taste better)
1/4 cup butter (Butter or Marg dSoftened ~1/4 cup maragrine, cheaper)
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use cream of chicken but cream of mushroom works in a pinch too)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I just throw it in by the hand fulls, I use half orange cheese & half pepper jack to spice it up alittle)
2 cups crushed Cornflakes (I just grab handfulls and cover the top of dish)

Combine butter, sour cream, soup & cheese with grated potatoes. (aka~ throw it all in. Order doesn't matter just try to get all ingredients in ;) Put in baking dish & cover with 2 cups cruched cornflakes. Bake 350 for 30 minutes

Cast of Characters in today's dish!
Also ~ remember to preheat the oven at 350 degrees

Potatoes & Cheese Please!
I try to use local cheese and potatoes whenever possible.
Idaho's are the best :)

Add in the gooey goodness
(If you ar e out of Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom will work in a pinch)

9x13 Pan will fit to perfection :) I've made it in numerous sizes.
Fits a Basic Dutch oven just grand also.

I use Brand Name Kellog's Corn Flakes
(After a run in with a bad generic, decided I would stick with the tried and true!)

Let the Fun Begin! I recruited Ellie to help crunch up the corn flake topping!

Put in your preheated oven and cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

30 minutes later you will have a bubbly hot delicious Potato dish that everyone at the table will want to devour!

What are you cooking this holiday season????? I look forward to hearing about the dishes that get your loved ones anxiously gathered around the table for a meal!!!

Thank you so much for traveling the gypsy trail with me today. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and I look forward to hearing about the goodies your making to set on your table!
Merry Christmas ~ Mindy

p.s.Here are some other recipes you might like:

1. Sour Cream Apple Pie ~ http://rodeotalesgypsytrails.blogspot.com/2011/02/sour-cream-apple-pie.html
   
2. If the Chuck Wagon's Rockin ~ My Shepard's Pie ~ http://rodeotalesgypsytrails.blogspot.com/2011/03/if-chuck-wagons-rockin-my-shepards-pie.html
   
3. Uncle Jim's Famous Beer Batter Bread ~ http://rodeotalesgypsytrails.blogspot.com/2011/09/uncle-jims-famous-beer-batter-bread.html
   
4. Cowboy Approved Sandwiches ~ http://rodeotalesgypsytrails.blogspot.com/2011/10/cowboy-approved-sandwich.html
5. Best Brownies in the World ~ http://rodeotalesgypsytrails.blogspot.com/2011/11/best-brownies-in-world.html
6. Cheesy Card Game Chip Dip ~ http://rodeotalesgypsytrails.blogspot.com/2011/11/cheesy-card-game-chip-dip.html
7. Yummy Potatoes ~ http://rodeotalesgypsytrails.blogspot.com/2011/12/yummy-potatoes.html
   

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Ranch School 101

Ranch School 101

On our way to the Bruneau Cowboy Christmas, Lil' Red Roan had the chance to debut the book Ranch School 101. I'd heard talk of the new book from Stoecklein Publishing and was excited to get my hands on it. It was even better than I had hoped for and I knew I just had to share it with my friends! Not only am I going to share one of my favorite new books with you, David Stoecklein and Don Gill were kind enough to give me a quick interview about Ranch School 101!

Drum roll.......rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr................ Ranch School 101.....

Over the many years of photographing the west, David Stoecklein experienced Ranch School 101 first hand as he traveled to working ranches across the west.

Dave told the story of his first time at the Wine Cup Ranch. "I'll never forget Martin Black telling me Dave don't climb over that gate. It's going to sag soon enough but you don't have to speed it up"

Dave wanted to share the years of knowledge gained as he photographed the west. The Ranch School 101 has been on the To Do list for quite some time. Originally, the book was planned to be paired with Stoecklein photography but Dave soon realized that it would take years to capture every principle he wanted to touch on.

Don Gill, good friend of Stoecklein and talented artist, lives right down the road in Gooding, ID. Dave commissioned Don to draw the illustrations for Ranch School 101 and an amazing collaboration was born with both artisans bringing amazing ideas to the table.

Don was kind enough to stop for a few minutes in Vegas and visit with me about Ranch School 101. I was curious as to how this project got started. Dave had approached Don about the idea 4 or 5 years ago and after long hours in the drawing room Ranch School 101 makes its debut.

During the course of our chat, I asked Don about his inspiration for the book and loved what he had to say, "Whether they are a good hand or a bad hand, you can usually learn something." He learned and observed many of these first hand from the cowboys he worked with over the years. "Everyone is an inspiration in their own way" ~ Don Gill

When asked about who Ranch School 101 was for....both Dave and Don answered ...EVERYONE!
Don said, "I wanted Ranch School 101 to reach everyone from the backyard horse person to an old rancher."

They are absolutely right! There is something in Ranch School 101 that everyone can relate to.

Here is a sneak peek at some favorites from the book!

When asked about his favorite Ranch School 101 scene....Dave had too many to list but here is one of the list of favorites

"Always Check the Trailer Latch Yourself"
~ Ranch School 101
pg34

One of Don Gill's favorites:

"If you can't pee off the porch, your neighbors are too close"
Ranch School 101
pg 68

"Rabbit Fast, Turtle Slow"
Ranch School 101
pg 68

Oh doesn't this just take you back to being a little kid driving the feed truck and getting cussed for driving too fast and hitting every bump. Pretty sure in later years my siblings and I would argue about the same things. If you are feeding...it's always too fast :)

"Always make your wire gates loose enough for the wife and kids"
Ranch School 101 ~ pg 36
This one reminds me of being a little and riding home from Grandpa's place with my brother Eric. It was shorter to cut through our fields to get home but there was 3 wire gates in our route. I would get off my horse, fasten Eric's rope around the gate, and he would back the Blond Bomb workhorse up to get it loose enough that I could open the gate. :)

Last but certainly not least....my favorite....

"Never run from cows, it teaches them bad habits"
~ Ranch School 101
pg 51

Thank you so much for traveling the Gypsy Trail with me today and getting a lil' Ranch School 101 education :) Hope you enjoyed the ride!
~ Mindy

p.s If you liked Ranch School 101 check out Stoecklein Photography Workshop

Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails

is proudly brought to you by
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BRAND NEW BOOK ~ Ranch School 101!
Available now from Lil' Red Roan!Also, Get all your Cowboy & Cowgirls Datebooks & Calendars!

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Bright Lights, Big City - Vegas 2011

Viva Las Vegas 2011

After 7 years of working the Cowboy Christmas...this year I had the oppurtunity to go play in Vegas for a few days. I learned that cramming 15 days worth of fun into 3....isn't as easy as it sounds but I managed to have a little fun :)

Dad and I ...best traveling partners ever!
....unless you ask my sister....who drove the ENTIRE way to VEGAS! ;)

Benny Binion Bucking Horse Sale ~
All the cool kids congregating at the Bucking Horse Sale! What a wild show...Bucking Horses, Bucking Horses...even a Bucking Pickup Horse or two! $100,000 horses and giving away campaigners.

LOTS of family bonding in Vegas

Congratulations to VERONICA ~ Jay Hoggan raised bucking horse that sold for $32,500. She is a beautiful mare and the new owner is very lucky to have her. Whole lot of Heart!

CONGRATULATIONS to EIGHT BALL , Jay Hoggan raised bucking horse!
~ Go Round Winner in the Saddle Bronc Riding 4th performance!
I LOVE the E Pen! So proud of 8 Ball!

Also, Thank you to Callie Freeman for hooking us up with sweet VIP tickets for the awards ceremony. It was amazing to watch the ride again on the big screen.

Fremont Street Experience ~
Dad's very favorite part of Vegas! He INSISTED that we make our way to the Fremont Street Experience at least once on our trip.

The Hoggan's

Amazing street performers! They were wicked strong...so so cool!
Dad's favorite performance ~ the Saxaphone player!
Bet we listened for 20 minutes
Wicked handy spray paint artist.
As we were watching...Rita overheard guys standing by us say
"I came for fumes but this guy is actually pretty good"

Lovin the Lights!!!
I still think Binion's is one of the most beautiful casino's ever!

My favorite thing about VEGAS during the NFR is FRIENDS that you get to see!

South Point After Party ~
UM ~ Western Reunion!

Above ~Tiffany Wagner & Jess Martin

Rita & Beautiful Brit

Isn't this kid cute! We kept him around just to tell him that we is cute & watch him blush

Brit, Marga, Mindy, Tiffany, and Jace ...
...don't we just radiate fun!

Sankey Saddle Horse Girl Reunion

A few things that made me smile

• Thankful for Doughnut breakfast with Mom & Jim
  
• Thankful for bucking horse sale high selling horses
• Thankful for great bucking horse trips
• Thankful for ALL the fabulous people watching
  
• Thankful for award winning bucking horses
• Thankful for PF Changs
  
• Thankful for LAUGHING until you have tears rolling down your cheeks
• Thankful for Life Long Friends
• Thankful for South Point ice cream with my Dad
• Living through the traffic
  
• Great one liners
• Pretty boys
• Horses that don't kick through
• Trailer Parties!
  
• Parking Garage
• Elevator Conversations
• Thankful for getting to visit booth neighbors for a second
  

By the time you leave Vegas...regardless of how long you stay....
I think this is how we all feel :)

Overall, Great weekend in Vegas with friends and family! So blessed to be able to spend a few hours with some of my favorite people in the whole wide world!

Happy Trails,
Mindy

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Vegas Traditions

After working in Vegas for 7 straight years at the Cowboy Christmas for Stoecklein Publishing. This year Dave decided not to take a booth. I’ve been reminiscing about a few of my favorite Vegas traditions from over the years

• Love the Drive….silly…I know….but it’s an easy drive and I get to put in some quality bonding time with my favorite Texas Country music.
• Eliminator Pen in the Saddle Bronc Riding! I Love Eight Ball!
• Nevada Cowboys along the Trail
  
• Seeing Tradeshow Family: Love all the Montana Friends, John & Penny Reedy ~ Best of the West, Sandi's Leather, JM Capriola's, Custom Cowboy Shop, and so many friends that get together to be neighbors for a few weeks!
  
• Spending time with my Tiffany!
• Seas of Cowboy Hats moving through the city of sky scrapers
• Oxygen Bar...looks silly...sounds silly....I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
  There are pictures of this somewhere...but ....lol....I must have hid them for blackmail
  
• Wearing PARTY PANTS
  
• Cheese Burgers in Paradise
• PF Changs : Mongolian Beef with Sugar Snap & Changs Spicy Shrimp!
• Waving like a Queen from the escalators and greeting casino patrons “Thank You, Thank You all for coming
• Drive Thru Weddings
• All Dressed Up!
  
• All the amazing friends that stop to say HELLO at the booth
• Working with great people for 2 weeks!
  
  
  Circa 2010
  
• New Friends, Old Friends, Friends, Friends, Friends
• Limo Rides with Champions
• Miranda Lambert Concerts with Hot Australians
• Sitting in the Plaza Seats ...close enough to smell the dirt from the arena floor
• RODEO
• SUNRISE
  
  
  Circa 2008
  
• BUCKING HORSES
• Wearing a light jacket
  
• Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding & all the bells & whistles
• Cowboy Christmas Tradeshows
• The Beach (lol....I know it's been demolished but I still loved nights spent dancing at the Beach)
  
• Bucking Horse Sale
• Taking "the Loop" around the South Point just to visit with friends
  
• Rancheros Party
• did I mention I love the E pen! :)
  
• Vegas Friends
• Dancing!
  
  
  Circa 2010
  
• Runnning UP the Down Escalator
• Nice Vallet people at the Sahara hotel
• Taking Crispy Cream Donuts to Nice Valet Friends!
• Elevator Rides at the Gold Coast
• Ice Cream from the South Point
  

What fun!!! I think it's time to add to this list!!!
What is your favorite Vegas tradition?
Happy Trails,
Mindy

Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails

is proudly brought to you by
Lil' Red Roan

BRAND NEW BOOK ~ Ranch School 101!
Available now from Lil' Red Roan!Also, Get all your Cowboy & Cowgirls Datebooks & Calendars!

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DOGS and DATES

Dogs & Dates
..something you'd best choose for yourself.
After all, you are going to be the one
who has to live with the choice."
~ Rose Morgan

Picture taken by M. Hoggan at the Stoecklein Photography Workshop!

Thank you for traveling the Gypsy Trail with me today!
Love ya,
Mindy

Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails

is proudly brought to you by
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Down a Dirt Road

Driving down the dirt road I see this....

Some sort of horse drawn vehicle...with tires dragging (my guess is for weight so the broncs don't run off. Also works as a handy road grater :)


Yes.....he's talking on his phone! lol

He did pull the team over to the other side of the road so I could pass

Not to be out done by my father for poor driving habits....

I hurried....passed him....and stopped in front of him ....opened the sunroof so I could stand up & take a picture of the team coming towards me....with my phone :)

Love my Dad! When he got to the house his 1st question was...Did you get my picture!?!

Happy Tuesday & Safe Travels to everyone on the Rodeo Trail or chillin on a dirt road!
~ Mindy

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AFTERNOON DELIGHT CUFF

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