Summertime encompasses so many wonderful things… Warm lazy evenings on the deck. Swimming pools. Spaghetti straps and tanned legs. Casual parties. Beach trips. Backyard grilling. Fresh seasonal produce. Iced tea and lemonade. Lots of laughter. We’ve got some exciting travel plans this summer, but we also plan to do a lot of lounging at home, enjoying the sun and the season’s bounty.
Last week I had my first summer trip, a visit to a dairy farm in Minnesota with my friends at Land O’Lakes. Land O’Lakes invited me to come meet one of their co-op farm families, Sadie and Glen (and their sweet kids) from Blue Diamond Dairy. Sadie and Glen are farmers, parents, and Sadie is a fellow blogger. Both Glen and Sadie work countless hours pursuing their passion, to support their family and raise their children on a working farm.
Glen and Sadie taught us how to milk cows by hand and with special milking pumps. After our lesson we had a hand-milking competition. As you can imagine, Ree The Pioneer Woman blew us all out of the water. I did ok though…
We went out to the pasture at Blue Diamond Dairy to see where the cows spend their time in the warm months of Minnesota. Helen, one of the friendliest cows I’ve ever met, became the bell of the ball by getting close and personal with us.
Here she is, coming to say hi.
Photos of me from Bridget of Bake at 350. Helen is quite a kisser. Check out this amazing shot from Jessica The Novice Chef, as Helen gives Maria’s baby a smooch.
Sadie and Glen were so gracious to host us on this marvelous day. I will never forget their hospitality… or Helen.
From left to right: Sadie, Maria, Ree, Me, Jessica, Brenda, Joanne, Bridget, Julie and Jenny. After our farm tour, we spent a day exploring the Land O’Lakes headquarters and playing in the test kitchens. Not only did we learn all about what makes Land O’Lakes our nation’s top butter producer, but we were able to taste the difference ourselves… I will happily be a taste-tester for Land O’Lakes anytime they ask.
Before I headed home we made a marvelous summer treat in the Land O’Lakes kitchen, Rhubarb Pie Pops. Just look at these!
You can get the pie pop recipe we made here, and I also have a special summer treat to share with you today!
One of my favorite summertime treats is fresh pink lemonade. Regular lemonade is wonderful too, but something about the pale blushing color of pink lemonade makes it seem like a little celebration in a glass.
And since pink lemonade makes me feel like I’m celebrating, I thought it appropriate to turn this sweet seasonal beverage into pink lemonade cupcakes, perfect for summertime parties.
These tangy pink lemonade cupcakes are made with creamy Land O Lakes® Butter in Half Sticks and fresh aromatic lemons. Using the zest and the juice of the lemons (in both the cake and frosting) creates an intense fresh lemon essence that is hard to beat. I love using Land O Lakes® Butter in Half Sticks for cupcakes and frosting recipes, because they are perfectly portioned so I don’t have extra nubs of butter tucked away in the fridge.
The buttery base makes these pink lemonade cakes tender and light, and the frosting adds a creamy decadent layer of zingy goodness to round out each cupcake’s lemony appeal.
With a vibrant flavor reminiscent of summertime, Pink Lemonade Cupcakes taste like little bites of sunshine… with sprinkles!
Disclosure: A Spicy Perspective has partnered with Land O’Lakes for an exclusive endorsement of Land O Lakes® Butter for the Kitchen Conversations blogger program. This blog post is sponsored by Land O’Lakes.
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