First produce of the season from the garden...

Winter seemed to drag on this year in ND. 

Calving was a cold one this year all the way through.

And then it was supposed to be spring.  I had some very sad little girls when spring didn't actually arrive.  I had to send them in jackets on the last day of school.  The week before I think I sent them in snowpants and boots so I guess I should be grateful it was only a lighter weight jacket (not a spring coat, but not quite the winter gear yet).  The girls live in dresses all summer (and I have no idea where this comes from because it certainly isn't from me), therefore, they are sad it is too cold outside.  Inside it is a different story.  They wear swimsuits and dresses all the time.

They decided to recreate the wedding they were in last September.

And then we went from winter right into planting season.  In a blink of an eye the soil was ready and the guys were hauling butt to get things in the ground because we got hit with rain, rain and more rain.

Right before the rain I was informed that I was behind on getting my garden in.  Believe me I wasn't thrilled to hear that nor was I thrilled about the idea of taking care of the garden this year.

Anyways, I got the garden in.  And I was unimpressed with what the rhubarb looked like.  My mom had beautiful rhubarb plants while I was growing up.  When I moved out to the ranch and inherited the rhubarb plant it kind of paled in comparison (hope the inlaws don't read that...).  I've struggled for several years with that plant.

Last spring it finally got transplanted (thanks mom!).  Then Wes ran over one of them with the tiller.  Oops!

The larger one was looking pretty good.  Here it is one month ago.

I figured it still looked like that when the girls came in this afternoon saying that the rhubarb was ready to be picked.

I was wrong.  Well, I think I was just in denial that it is actually that time of year already. 

Because all I really want to do is curl up in a corner and wake up when spring actually arrives.  I want spring and it was taken away from me this year.

Harvesting this year's garden produce just reminds me that I still have 4 gallons of last year's tomatoes in my freezer waiting to be made into salsa.  That makes me want to curl up in a corner, too.

The girls helped me pick and wash the rhubarb and then in honor of the lady I inherited the rhubarb plant from we made my MIL's recipe for Rhubarb Muffins.

Rhubarb Muffins

Mix well:
     1 1/4 cup brown sugar
     1/2 cup oil
     2 t. vanilla
     1 egg
     1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (I used 1 T vinegar in just under 1 cup milk)
Then stir in:
     2 1/2 cup flour
     1/2 t. salt
     1 1/2 cup cut up rhubarb
     1 t. baking soda
     1 t. baking powder

Pour batter in muffin cups.

Topping:
     1 t. cinnamon
     1 T butter
     1/2 cup sugar
Mix up and sprinkle over muffins.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 22 minutes.

Based on how fast the girls ate these I am assuming they are pretty delish!  Wes ate 2 of them in a total of 4 bites, too. 

The family gives them 2 thumbs up!