Southeast Iowa Freedom Rock Tour

This Memorial Day, our Iowa Freedom Rock journey continued through southeast Iowa, where we visited the Freedom Rocks in Jefferson, Van Buren, Lee, Des Moines, Henry, and Louisa Counties.

One thing quickly became apparent during this trip — Civil War history runs deep throughout Southeast Iowa. Many of the stories featured on these rocks highlighted local soldiers, Medal of Honor recipients, military units, and communities that played important roles during the Civil War and beyond.

My kids standing next to the Lee County Freedom Rock
Memorial Day 2026

Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip at The Olde Creamery in Rockwell, Iowa

Summer can feel like you're constantly on the go. So that's why a quick Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip pit stop is always worth the break!

This week, we found ourselves traveling between a 4-H workshop and a softball game with just enough time to grab supper. Instead of stopping at the gas station or grabbing some fast food, we made a stop at one of our family's favorite places: The Olde Creamery in Rockwell, Iowa.

2026 Family Summer Bucket List + Printable

Today is the last day of school for my kids which means it's the start of the summer for our family. We spent some time over the last week thinking about some fun things we'd like to do over the next few months and this is what we came up with!

Create your own Summer Bucket List with my FREE Printable

As a to-do list fan I love the bullet notes and calendar space so you can think how to schedule everything!

Oreo Dirt Cups

Around here National Oreo Day feels like a pretty good excuse to make a sweet treat in the kitchen. Over the years I’ve shared several Oreo favorites on the blog — Oreo Fluff, Oreo Balls, Oreo Brownies, and even Homemade Oreos. But one dessert that always gets big smiles from kids is Oreo Dirt Cups.

Crockpot Chorizo Hashbrown Casserole

Chorizo has become one of my favorite pork products over the last several years. I love its bold, slightly spicy flavor and how it turns simple ingredients into something crave‑worthy. This Crockpot Chorizo Hashbrown Casserole is a perfect example — comforting, flavorful, and flexible enough for breakfast, brunch, or even taco night.

New Dietary Guidelines: Prioritizing Real Food That Works for Your Family

Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans and shared this visual of an inverted pyramid that emphasizes prioritizing protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruits — all rooted in a focus on whole foods.

Reflections on My First Farmers Market Season with VIP Pork

As our first farmers market season comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what a rewarding experience it has been. While this side of our pork production is just a small percent of what we do on the farm, it has been so meaningful to connect with our community in a new way — by offering VIP Pork directly to customers.