You might be a farm kid if….
You might be a farm kid if…
You see a pair of plastic gloves and associate them with “a man putting his hand in a cows bottom”….
If you know, you know.
This popped up in my memories from a few years ago and we laugh every single time it comes up. For reference, the vet had just been out for a visit preg checking cows.
Some of the best words are those straight from a babes mouth!
• first dip in the pond •
We’ve caught a few good rains since the last time the kids and I checked out the pond. Lucky for them there was just enough water to have a little fun for a couple of hours.
The water’s a little dirty. The mud’s a little squishy. Someday there will be a dock. Someday it will be full of water. Someday there will be fish. And someday we’ll have nice blue water.
But we’re enjoying and making the best of what we have now. We left there sunkissed, cooled off, and a little sleepy.
Here’s to the summers ahead and more pond days. ☀️
Our evening walks are really meant to wear the 3 year old down. But in reality he wears mom down.
We can typically get 3+ miles in every evening and he insists on walking two of those by himself “pushing the stroller”.
He’s a hoot. He doesn’t miss a beat on anything. And you can bet he will notice everything. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Including when the neighbor{s} park their equipment in a different spot than the day before. Or a new piece of equipment shows up.
Every ditch has to be inspected. Every sound is questioned. And no rock is left unturned.
Get those kiddos out in nature. It’s good for their souls {and yours too!}
John Deere 4850 planting corn
We bought this slick John Deere 4850 this past winter.
She’s not new by any means. In fact, John Deere only produced these workhorses from 1983 to 1988. If anything she’s a classic. In 1983 you could expect to spend just over $81,000 to purchase one brand new.
If you were to buy a brand new John Deere today, comparable in size, you could easily expect to spend over $200,000.
The best part of running “old” equipment is that we can usually work on it ourselves if there’s a problem. The newer the tractor, the more the technology, the more difficulty troubleshooting without a technician, and a much more expensive repair.
These old beauties don’t require a whole lot if you keep up with every day maintenance. They look and sound pretty mean, too!
• Mondays with Mady •
School’s out for the summer so we kicked it off with a hot dog roast and s’mores right in our front yard.
We’re almost certain that everyone knows how to make a s’more but we love them and had fun making them. We’ll try to be more creative next week!
Brycen prefers his with Reese’s. Weston thinks they’re “nasty” - he’s more of a straight out of the bag marshmallow guy. He’s not a fan of the messiness either. Mady likes hers with Hersheys.
We want to know how you like your marshmallows. Extra toasty, barely toasty, or in between?
Are you a graham cracker base or cookie base? We saw someone make s’mores with Oreos and we think we’ll have to try that next time!
turning the cows out
• green pastures are the place to be •
These mamas and babies were excited to see some luscious green grass today. Can you blame them? It’s so pretty!
Feed the steers with Wes and me
• come feed the steers with Wes and Mama •
Talk about a boy who takes his jobs serious. At a few days over 3 years old he’s considered a professional gate opener, gate closer, cattle caller, bucket filler, and feed patter. Give him a few years and he’ll be packing the buckets on his own too!
We’re a family farm. It takes all five of us and then some to keep everything in motion. You won’t see any fancy or automated equipment and you won’t see a hired crew, but you will certainly see a few kids learning life lessons, learning the ins & outs, and helping out in every way they can.
We hope everyone has a great weekend!
National Ag Day
• National Ag Day - March 19th •
Over the next 20 years it’s estimated that 50 million farmers will retire. With the rising costs of farmland it’s just not feasible for beginning farmers to buy. Sure, if you can’t buy you could always rent - but rent prices for land lately? Ouch.
Production costs are nearly at an all time high. Grain markets aren’t favorable.
The young farmers, the beginning farmers, the 1st and 2nd generation farmers - we see you. We are you.
There’s no better time than now to be supporting local farmers, gardeners, small businesses, & small shops.
We so greatly appreciate all of the messages, calls, texts, shoutouts, and repeat customers for our homegrown beef and the interest in home baked goodness. We haven’t even had the chance to post our beef in quite some time thanks to you wonderful friends! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Happy Ag Day!
Banana Splits
• Mondays with Mady •
If there’s one thing that I don’t buy it’s ice cream. Have you looked at the prices of it? Nuts. However we always have yogurt of some type in our fridge so for dessert tonight we had banana splits.
This is such a versatile treat. Tonight she used fruits, vanilla Greek yogurt, some “clean” birthday cake granola, and what we didn’t get videoed was topping it off with a swirl of chocolate syrup for some extra sweetness.
If you’re looking for a protein packed breakfast or snack my favorite way to have it is topped with protein granola {nature valley oats & dark chocolate is my fave} and PB2. SO yummy and filling!
Mady’s advice? Don’t eat the Greek yogurt plain. It’s just a liiiiiittle sour.
And she also wants you to know she made her all by herself! {another new hobby} 😁
Happy Monday!
Barn 3
• barn 3…or maybe 4 •
The farm we bought last year happened to be littered with tons of barns and “hidden treasures”.
Unfortunately this sweet little barn is past its prime. It’s filled with old hay that I’m anxiously anticipating cleaning out just to see if there’s anything hidden underneath before it falls. {rusty old junk holds a special place in my heart}
We’re not sure when this barn was erected but you have to take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship. I wonder how many days or weeks or hours it took to construct using only a hammer and nails. Im certain this barn was a labor of love and if I had to guess I’d say it once served as a loafing shed.
The foundation is falling over but the posts and nails have handled the tests of time beautifully.
I’m itching to save as much barnwood as possible for all of the projects I have in mind. Ah, it’s just so beautiful!
✨ we’re cows ✨
Here’s a little funny for your Tuesday.
✨ we’re cows ✨
If you know, you know.
Molasses Refill Day
Our girls love their molasses! We keep their tank full and their bodies happy.
Offering liquid molasses to your cattle is an easy way to improve herd health. It helps with their digestion, helps to maintain their body condition, and it’s loaded with all kinds of nutrients and vitamins. A win all the way around.
Oh, and the smell? Mouth watering.
Beef & Potato’s Skillet
• Food Friday •
This is one of those meals that I make when it’s been awhile since I’ve been to the grocery store. It’s made with items that are always in our pantry {or fridge}.
It’s a recipe that I just kind of threw together one night and it turned out pretty good. There’s so many things you could switch up in it like adding bacon, veggies, or whatever else you think sounds yummy.
You need beef, potato’s, 2 cans of “cream of” soup {I use whatever I’ve got in my cabinet. Mushroom, chicken, or I’ve even used cheese}, cream cheese, ranch mix, and heavy cream. Easy enough.
The ranch mix packs enough flavor so you really don’t need to add anything else {though I add a little pepper to the beef as it’s browning}.
Adding the potato’s to the browned beef allows them to fry in the little bit of fat that’s left in the pan. They’ll come out golden and slightly crispy on the outside but tender on the inside. The perfect potato for this dish!
This is a one pot meal that’ll feed a crowd and leave your stomach full.
Happy Friday, friends!
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake
• Mondays {a day late} with Mady {and Brycen} •
We started this cake last night but there just weren’t enough hours in the day before bed time rolled around.
We had a milestone birthday in our household today and there’s nothing more special than a cake made with a WHOLE LOTTA love!
This is the easiest Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake you’ll ever make. Probably the yummiest too! Did we mention it only takes 4 ingredients?
Recipe is in the comments
Cinnamon Twist Bread
• Monday’s with Mady •
Mady graciously allowed her favorite middle brother her Monday spot. {he’s been begging for weeks}
I think it’s so important for everyone to know their way around the kitchen, boys included. One day these boys of ours will make some fine men who can do laundry, cook, and clean. I’m awful proud of them!
We’ve been on a bread and soup kick these last 3.5 snow days that we’ve been cooped up in the house so todays menu was Cinnamon Twist Bread. {I’ll throw the recipe in the comments below}
This was easy, suuuuper yummy, and only took about two hours from start to finish.
PS - I forgot to video it, but I always pour heavy cream over my cinnamon rolls and breads while they rise. It just makes them come out even better.
Also welcome to our small, average, cozy kitchen. You won’t see anything fancy or over the top in our videos. This is my happy place and it’s a room in our house where some of my most favorite memories have been made. This page will always be a safe place for “average”.
Let us know what your favorite bread isn’t in the comments!
Hot Chocolate
• Monday’s with Mady •
We took an extended break between Christmas, New Year’s, and celebrating a pretty special birthday girl but we’re back!
Mady’s kicking off 2024 with an easy, creamy, delicious stovetop hot chocolate made with items already in your pantry.
Are there any other hot chocolate lovers in here? The kids and I could drink it year round and be perfectly happy. Mmm!
Also what better weather for hot chocolate than the weather right now?
In a large pot mix together
2 cups of milk {whole milk makes the best hot chocolate but 2% works fine}
1 cup of heavy cream
4 ounces of chocolate chips {we used white chocolate but use whatever you’ve got}
1/4 cup of cocoa
1 tsp of vanilla
Heat it on the stove over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid it burning. When the consistency is smooth and creamy, it’s done!
It was a beautiful December day to be out and about.
We built an interior fence and the kids roamed free.
Reese’s Balls
• Monday’s with Mady •
Episode Three in her Christmas series is…Reese’s Balls!
One of these js p-l-e-n-t-y. Trust us.
They’re easy to assemble. Only require four ingredients. And they’re sweet enough to put you in a sugar coma.
All you need is
1 1/2 cups of peanut butter
1 1/4 cups of powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons melted butter
Chocolate almond bark
Mix the pb, powdered sugar, and butter together until they’re creamy.
We stuck in the freezer for a little bit to firm up before rolling in to balls. Then again after rolling in to balls.
When they’re nice and firm melt the chocolate, cover the balls completely, and decorate with sprinkles.
YUM
Three Ingredient Fudge
• Mondays with Mady •
Episode Three in Madelyn’s Christmas Series is an easy three ingredient chocolate fudge.
My mom makes the best peanut butter and chocolate fudge there is {sorry, this isn’t her recipe}. Unfortunately hers is one of those “only for special holidays” treats. However, Mady’s recipe is easy enough to make year round. Although it’s not quite as yummy as the fudge that uses marshmallow fluff it’ll do if you want something sweet extra fast.
Three ingredients and 10 minutes is all this takes.
Start with
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups of chocolate chips {we used milk chocolate}
1 tsp vanilla
Over medium low heat melt the chocolate chips in the sweetened condensed milk until incorporated well and it’s smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Pour the mixture in to a lined 8x8 pan. Let set before cutting.
Our girls love their molasses!
Liquid molasses is an excellent way to improve herd health. It helps with digestion, maintaining body condition, growth performance, and it’s loaded with nutrients and vitamins. A win all the way around!
Did we mention it smells yummy, too?