Barkin' Barleys with Leftovers

'Got dogs?  'Got leftovers? 

Barkin' Barley Bars are a great way to use left overs.  Click here for the original recipe or keep reading for a different twist. 

I like to use my crock pot.  After my family has devoured the meal, there's that stuff at the bottom.  'Not sure what to call "that stuff".  I just toss the barley into the crock pot and proceed from there.  When I do it that way, I usually don't need to add the broth. 

 
1 cup barley
3 cups broth
3 eggs
1 cup of meaty or cheesey leftovers

Place the barley in the broth and cook on low heat until the barley has absorbed all the liquid.  This usually takes around 30 minutes.  Stir in eggs and leftovers.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about thirty minutes.  Once cooled, cut into bars. 

Voila'. Your furry babies are spoiled once again! 

 

You know how they LOVE to be spoiled! 

 

;-)  -Marci



Barkin’ Barley Bars

‘Got dogs?  We currently have five dogs that enjoy being spoiled.  The silly things act like they NEVER get to have a treat.  NEVER!

It’s so funny how they beg and plead for just one little treat.  You probably remember the STONE COTTAGE DOG BISCUIT Recipe.  Well, Barkin' Barley Bars is another recipe for my silly, spoiled, furry children. 

1 cup barley
3 cups broth
3 eggs
1 package REAL bacon bits
1/2 cup cheese 

The first time I purchased barley, it seemed kind of pricey.  The first time I used barley, I thought WOW!  This stuff just keeps absorbing liquid until it has quadrupled in size!  Seriously, it just about quadruples itself, so a little goes a long way. 

Here’s what you do to make Barkin’ Barley Bars.  Dump the barley and the broth in a sauce pan and cook over low heat.  It takes a little while for the barley to expand.  Give it 30 minutes or so while you are busy doing other things.  We have a wood stove, so on chilly days the barley hangs out on the wood stove. 

Once the barley has absorbed all the broth, stir in the rest of the ingredients.  You may want to save a little bacon and cheese for sprinking on top.  Place in a lightly greased square baking dish. 



If you like, you can sprinkle the top with a few bacon bits and a little cheese.

 

Bake for about 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.   

Let it cool, even though the furry hoard pretends to be starving!  That’s it!  Cut into bars and give your pitiful babies a treat.

Less barking, more wagging!

Or napping... 





Or playing with toys...

Thank you for stopping by and sharing our furry joy!  ;-)  -Marci

Farmer's Market Time

April means a lot of things to a lot of people. Somewhere near the top of that list has to be Farmers Markets are open for the season! I love to go to Farmers Markets! The growers take such pride in their product. It‘s wonderful how willing they are to share their knowledge of that particular herb or berry or tomato.

We have so many choices in our area. Almost every community in Northwest Arkansas has a Farmers Market. I googled ―farmers market Arkansas‖ and stumbled across a great website. Take a look at www.naturallyarkansas.org. It lists all the markets by county. You know what would be fun… Print the list and go to a different Farmers Market every week!
My favorite one is the Fayetteville Farmers Market, simply because I was often on the Fayetteville Square with my grandmother when I was small. There used to be a five and dime store at the southeast corner of the Square. I can remember her dear hand pulling change from her brown leather coin purse and placing it in my chubby fist. While she was doing her banking, I was slowly walking up and down each aisle of the five and dime, struggling to make a choice.

The Fayetteville Square is special to me and lovely year round. Some of the buildings are brand new. Others have been preserved quite beautifully. The landscaping is remarkable. The beds are tended throughout the year and each season holds its own beauty. I was on the Square April 15th and the tulip display was impressive!

From April through October Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings buzz with activity. It‘s Farmers Market Time! After visiting every single vendor, it‘s fun to sit on one of the many benches and watch everyone else visit every single vendor. Hmmm… Will that family purchase peppers or a bird house? Is that young lady here for a bouquet of flowers or a tomato plant?   If you would like to visit their website, it is www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.com.

While I don‘t know which Farmers Market is your favorite, I bet it will be open for business some time this month or next! We just might see each other there!

Maybe we will share some joy!  ;-)  -Marci

Ozark Folkways Heritage Center

May I tell you more about our mini - staycation to celebrate our 26th anniversary? 

It was our first time to visit Ozark Folkways Heritage Center.  Have you been there?  You've just gotta go!  This building is PACKED with joy!   

http://www.ozarkfolkways.com/

Ozark Folkways Heritage Center is a remarkable piece of living history committed to the preservation of Ozark Mountain craftsmanship.  Like Sky Vue Cabins, http://www.skyvuecabins.com/ 

Ozark Folkways is located on Old Highway 71 between Winslow and Mountainburg just south of Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

The retail portion features local artisans.  Throughout the year, I think you could find a class on just about anything.  A lovely group of women was spinning while we were there.  We peeked around the corner and they warmly invited us to join them for coffee.   

 

This delightful quilter is telling me how the quilt between us is being made in honor of her husband.  He was a Vietnam Veteran and the love of her life. 

Can you see her needle?  How many stitches would it take to honor your husband?

We spent several hours there.  The craftsmanship shown is absolutely remarkable.    

Trail of Tears Dolls by Suzanne Roper

Spectacular!

And so much more... 

Weaving.

Baskets.

Spinning.



Birdhouses.

Wood carving. 

The list goes on and on and on!  Pottery, jewelry, knitting, photography, crochet, furniture, embroidery, jellies...   

Ozark Folkways Heritage Center, located between Mountainburg and Winslow on Old Highway 71 is a remarkable piece of living history.  The crafts of my Ozark Mountains are taught here and sold here. 

Really.  If you haven't been, you've gotta go! 

;-)  -Marci