This Little Piggy...

The County Fair is inching closer and as 4Hers that means it's crunch time for projects and animals.  For our family that means PIGS!  Neither Scott nor I grew up on a farm, so I know little about pigs but Scott has an up on me as he was a livestock hauler for serveral years and at least knows how to handle them.  Jake has shown pigs for the past two years and Keeley showed for the first time last year - a HUGE learning experience for us all!  Uncle Tom has generously supplied the kids with pigs to show in the past, but we decided it was time for the kids to put some skin in the game and buy their own pigs this year.  Through relatives and 4H connections we found a family to purchase some show pigs from and on April 22nd we took the kids to go pick out their piggies.  We settled on 5 pigs - 3 for Jake to show and 2 for Keeley - Kate was still up in the air about showing as a Cloverbud...

We made a pit stop on the way home for lunch and they couldn't wait to check on their new piglets!

Scott used a bobcat to get the box out of the pickup and move it to the barn.  We are so greatful for our Farm Bureau, 4H, and FFA friends who help us support our kids in their agricultural education and endeavors even though we don't live on a farm.  Our fellow Farm Bureau Director, Kurt Blomgren, generously opened his farm up to our family so our kids could keep their pigs close to town in their own little barn.  He cares for them on a daily basis and the barn is always open whenever the kids want to visit.

Scott pulled the slat out of the box and Jake welcomed the piggies to their new home!!!

The 5 little piggies 😊

The kids couldn't wait to get in the pen with them and introduce them to their new home!

Keeley grabbed some feed and made a buddy right off the bat!

Coming closer!

Cow & Spot

Kids & Pigs 💙

Big Bad Wanda - of course named by Keeley! (was named the Big Bad Wolf until they discovered she was a gilt which is a girl, not a barrow which is a boy!)

Chip figured out the feed first

Dad thinking, "What have I done?!?!"

First selfie with the pigs before we left to go home!

Kate turned 7 on April 26th and wanted to visit the pigs for her birthday - she even got blinged out pig earrings as a present!

"Our kids are here!!!!"

Keeley & Kate introducing Barbara to their pigs

The birthday girl and the piggies!

Keeley & Spot

I think Chip is Kate's favorite!

The gatekeeper

Walking the pigs

Kate designed & helped decorate her cake - she even found little pink pig sprinkles to put in the grass!

Katelyn is our brunch kid and wanted French Toast for her birthday party supper - Dad didn't think that was such a great idea - he wanted meat...So it was Mom to the rescue by inventing a compromise that was a hit with everyone - Bacon Wrapped French Toast Dogs!  For Kate's party we served them with hot German Potato Salad and 3 Bean Hotdish.  We liked them so much I made them again for Mother's Day Brunch and paired them with eggs and fruit!

BACON WRAPPED FRENCH TOAST DOGS

For the dogs:

6 Oscar Mayer Smokie Dogs, Ambassador Old Fashioned Hot Dogs, or whatever dog you want

12 slices bacon

Pre-cook the bacon in the microwave until it is about 1/2 way cooked.  Break toothpicks in half and use them to secure the bacon to the hot dog so you can wrap it around - it will probably take two pieces per dog.  Preheat grill to medium-low heat and grill until the dogs are heated through - turning often so the bacon doesn't burn.

For the French Toast mixture:

2 eggs

1/2 C. heavy whipping cream (or milk or 1/2 & 1/2)

1 tsp. vanilla

pinch of salt

cinnamon

6 thick hot dog buns

Whisk together the eggs, cream, and vanilla, add a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of cinnamon.  Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Melt a bit of butter in the skillet.  Dip the inside only of the hot dog buns and fry them in the skillet to your desired crispness.

Place a hot dog (remove the toothpicks!) in the bun and top with powdered sugar or syrup - a little messy to eat, but totally worth it!