Monday, November 29, 2021

Friday, November 19, 2021

Tips to Pick and Keep the Perfect Christmas Tree from a Christmas Tree Grower

I think there is something magical about having a real Christmas Tree in our home during the Christmas season, but there are some things to look for when picking out your tree, as well as taking care of it to ensure the magical experience. So I asked Michelle Hartman of Carlson Tree Farm what tips she has for picking out and keeping the perfect Christmas Tree all season long!

Tips to Pick and Keep the Perfect Christmas Tree from a Christmas Tree Grower
Christmas Trees marked and ready for sale
at Carlson Tree Farm located in rural Hampton, Iowa

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Family Farm or Farm Family?

Are you a family farm or a farm family? To some, this may seem like the same thing, but for me there is a difference between where your priorities lie.

3 generations Family Farm

Monday, September 13, 2021

We're raising kids who raise livestock

Raising Kids who Raise Livestock
Our kids watching the sheep and goat livestock auction

It has become a rite of passage in our family that when you turn five you get to raise your first animal on our farm. You get to pick it out, you get to feed it, you get to clean up after it in the barn, you take care of it, you bond with it and eventually, like today for our kids, you get to sell it.

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

What's New at Hy-Vee

I love doing taste tests with family and friends, so when Hy-Vee asked me if I wanted to try some of their latest and greatest products to hit their store shelves I said yes! I love trying new things and the box I received had a lot of great family-friendly products that I loved.

What's New at Hy-Vee unboxing

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

After School Turkey Wrap Hack

I don't know what it is about getting off the bus, but as soon as my kids get home from school they immediately start looking for a snack. Here is a fun, protein packed snack they can make on their own that will satisfy their after school munchies and not ruin their supper.

After School Turkey Wrap - TikTok Wrap Hack

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip at Arty's Ice Cream & Grill in Wilton, Iowa

Week three of our Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip brought us to a restaurant not only known for their ice cream, but also for their burgers!  A double win!  Arty's Ice Cream & Grill in Wilton, Iowa lived up to the hype and our family left filled to the brim.

Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip at Arty's Ice Cream & Grill in Wilton, Iowa

Sunday, July 4, 2021

Knee High by the 4th of July

The 4th of July is a great time to celebrate our country's independence, show off your patriotism, spend time with family and friends, shoot off fireworks and check crops.  It's been tradition for decades that farmers check their crops, especially corn, to see if it is "Knee High by the 4th of July."  Now while knee high isn't the benchmark for farmers anymore due to hybridization and improved genetics, it is still a fun tradition for our family to benchmark our corn (and family's) growth every year (see 20202019201820172016201520142013 and 2012).

Knee High by the 4th of July Iowa Corn 2021

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip at Twiins Shoppe in Jefferson, Iowa

Week Two of our 2021 Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip brought us to the town of Jefferson, Iowa, home to the Twiins Shoppe, a seasonal ice cream shop whose outdoor seating area and murals invite you in to relax and enjoy your favorite ice cream treat.

Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip at Twiins Shoppe in Jefferson, Iowa

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Hog Wild Baked Beans

Between family grill-outs, potlucks with friends and the need for easy recipes in the summertime, my Hog Wild Baked Beans are always a hit and through the years have become a request for get togethers.

Hog Wild Baked Beans

Sunday, June 13, 2021

5 Ingredient Campfire Cobbler

Our family loves camping and one recipe we have to make every time we go is my 5 Ingredient Campfire Cobbler.  Not only is this a delicious, sweet treat to make over the campfire, but it is easy to make and simple to pack along with all our your camping gear and food!

5 Ingredient Campfire Cobbler

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip at Casa Chameleon in Belmond

For the last eight years our family has went on an Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip every June in recognition of National Dairy Month.  To start off this year's road trip we stayed fairly close to home and checked out Casa Chameleon in Belmond, Iowa, that is known for having a large variety of soft serve ice cream flavors.  In fact, when we visited they had 45 flavors to choose from!

Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip at Casa Chameleon in Belmond

Thursday, May 27, 2021

2021 Family Summer Bucket List + FREE Printable

Summer has officially arrived for our family!  The kids got out of school yesterday so we sat down to make our annual Summer Bucket List!

2021 Family Summer Bucket List + FREE Printable

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 ðŸ˜‰

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

What it Means to Grow Up on the Farm: An Interview with my Kids

Raising our kids on the farm is one of my favorite parts of our livelihood.  I am proud to be raising the 6th generation of farmers in my family.  My husband and I work hard everyday so our farm is sustainable for our children to continue on our family's farming legacy.  In honor of National Ag Day, I thought it'd be fun to interview the next generation (aka our kids), about what it means to grow up on the farm.  Enjoy!

What it Means to Grow Up on the Farm: An Interview with my Kids

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Aebleskiver - Explore Your Heritage with these Danish Pancake Balls

Ever since being passed down my husband's grandmother's Aebleskiver pan over a decade ago, I've fallen in love making this Danish treat that our kids affectionately call "Pancake Balls".  Aebleskivers are just as fun to prepare as they are to eat!

Aebleskiver - Explore Your Heritage with these Danish Pancake Balls