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

East Central Iowa Freedom Rock Tour

One of our family's favorite ways to explore the state of Iowa is by visiting the different county Iowa Freedom Rocks. All 99 counties in the state have a uniquely painted mural, showcasing local heroes and stories honoring area veterans painted by Iowa artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II. Here is a look at all of the county Freedom Rocks located in Eastern Iowa.

Central Iowa Freedom Rock Tour

One of our family's favorite ways to explore the state of Iowa is by visiting the different county Iowa Freedom Rocks. All 99 counties in the state have a uniquely painted mural, showcasing local heroes and stories honoring area veterans painted by Iowa artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II. Here is a look at all of the county Freedom Rocks located in Central Iowa.

North Central Iowa Freedom Rock Tour

Our family loves a good road trip and one of our family's traditions is to visit the different county Iowa Freedom Rocks across the state.  By the end of 2020, all 99 counties will have unique painted murals, showcasing local heroes and stories honoring area veterans painted by Iowa artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II.  Here is a look at all of the county Freedom Rocks located in North Central Iowa.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

* This post has been compensated through the AE Dairy Blog Ambassador program.  All views and opinions shared are my own. *

A few days ago I had my first taco salad of the year.  For me - that means summer is here.  I asked my Facebook fans afterwards what foods scream summer to them.  I couldn't agree more with their favorites of BLT sandwiches, sweet corn, watermelon and pasta salads.  I would also add popsicles to the list!  Maybe it is because I have kids at home, but nothing says summer like having your first popsicle of the year.  With less than two weeks til Memorial Day weekend, I couldn't wait to get out my popsicle maker so I could make a batch of Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles!

What I love most about this recipe is that it is simple and only includes two ingredients!  This is also a fun treat to make with your kids.  The only downfall is that you have to wait for them to freeze before you can enjoy them!  But if your popsicle molds are like ours, you'll have some leftovers that you can have as a smoothie while you wait!

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

16 oz package frozen, sliced strawberries
2 1/2 cups AE Lemonade

MP enjoying one of our
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
we made together

Puree strawberries in a blender until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup of lemonade to blend.  Stir rest of lemonade into strawberry puree.  Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until firm, about 4 hours.

Don't have a popsicle mold?  Then pour the mixture into paper cups.  Or spruce up you lemonade this summer by freezing the mixture into ice cube trays and serving them with it.

What foods do you think of when you think summer?  What is on your menu for Memorial Day weekend?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Country Fair Blog Party: Celebrations

The kids' egg carton flowers they painted and made for May Day

Happy May Day!  May seems to be the month of Celebrations & why not start with May Day festivities.  The kids and I are going to celebrate by delivering some May Day flowers to our neighbors.  Before I get into May celebrations, let's talk about last month's Think Spring Country Fair Blog Party.

Last month I loved looking at everyone's garden posts.  My favorite garden post was Grow a Good Life's Salsa Garden.  I personally plant a salsa garden and Rachel's post made me wish I had already planted my onions and garlic so they could actually get "full size"...  Maybe next year I'll be better prepared then!  Another great thing about this post is that she shares a salsa recipe I can't wait to try after I harvest this year's garden.

Another favorite blog post was Messy Kennedy's Small Bathroom Remodel with Big Character.  Spring is a great time to not only do spring cleaning, but a great excuse to do some remodeling or at least trying a new arrangement or style to a room.  I love how she reused an old dresser as a vanity in her bathroom.  And I love the sliding barn door as well.  This make me inspired to actually work on a small room in our home, our front porch.  I have so many ideas, I just haven't found the time.  This summer I vow to find the time so we can enjoy our porch all year long!

Lastly, I loved Of Kids and Cows's When You Give a Boy a Calf.  Spring is the time of new life and for Jodi's son, lots of new memories.  She shared why I love raising our kids on the farm.  Farm kids are taught responsibility, work ethic, discipline, compassion, joy, and skills for the future.  I can't wait till my kids are old enough to get involved with programs like Clover Kids and Bottle Lambs.  This post simply made me smile!  Who can't when you see his smile, right?  Love the PJs!

I can't wait to see what great posts get linked up this month as we Celebrate!  Throughout the month of May we are looking for your posts that have anything to do with this month's celebrations - May Day, Mother's Day, Graduation, Memorial Day, End of School, etc.  Man there is a lot to celebrate in May!  I can't wait to see your recipes, crafts, memories, gift ideas, etc. that associate with any celebration during the month.

This blog hop is a great opportunity to check out new blogs, and if you blog yourself, have your posts reach a new audience.  Bloggers, feel free to link up to 3 posts this month and be sure to visit some other party goers and let them know you are stopping by through the Country Fair Blog Party.


Also, be sure to visit my fellow co-hosts:
Country LINKed
Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom
This Uncharted Rhoade
Tip Garden

We're excited to see everything you share this month!  What new blog did you discover through this month's Country Fair Blog Party?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

An InLinkz Link-up

Honor, Reflect and Remember this Memorial Day

I was honored to spend Memorial Day 2006 at Arlington National Cemetery

Why does it seem that today's culture has turned so many holidays into something else.  Memorial Day was established to honor our country's fallen soldiers and today it seems to have just turned into another three-day weekend.  Since our nation first began fighting for our freedom in the 1700s, more than one million Americans have lost their lives while serving our country.  Today's blog to remind everyone what the real "reason for the season" is and to put "Memorial" back into your Memorial Day weekend.

My Farmer found his uncle's name on the Vietnam Wall Memorial
during a trip to Washington DC in 2012

I am proud that my kids, only being 3 and under, know the tradition of visiting the graves of past loved ones and praying for them.  I am proud that today we celebrated as a family and were also able to talk to my youngest sister who is currently deployed in Kosovo.  I am proud to show my patriotism through simple things like flying a flag, to more involved things like being a township delegate at my county's convention the last several years.  Lastly, I am proud, and forever grateful for the service of all our men and women over the years who have fought and are continuing to fight for our country's independence.

Happy Memorial Day and Blessings to All of You!  How did you put "Memorial" into your Memorial Day weekend?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Operation Thank A Hero

Even though it may not feel like spring outside, I have been busy thinking through how fast the next couple of months are going to go by - spring planting, birthdays, baby showers, wedding showers, weddings, Mother's Day, graduations, Father's Day, and the arrival of MP (just to name a few).  An important holiday to add to that list, that came to mind to me today, is Memorial Day.

How many of you plan on celebrating Memorial Day?

Our flag flying at my home last Memorial Day

I celebrate Memorial Day every year by visiting graves of past loved ones and by thinking of all the men and women in the armed forces.  I haven't talked about this topic too much on my blog in the past, but I am a proud to be in a military family.

My sister (and her dog) visiting us at our house
after a weekend guard training in February

My youngest sister joined the Army National Guard when she turned 17.  Now at the age of 25 she is employed by the Army National Guard full-time, has been deployed to Iraq and is deploying to Kosovo this fall.  I am so proud our her service and to be her sister.

My other sister and my brother-in-law at the
Marine Corp Ball in November 2012

My other sister's husband, aka my brother-in-law, joined the Marines when he was 18.  Now at the age of 26 he is now enlisted in the Marine Reserves after serving two tours in Iraq and two stays in Japan.  I too am proud of his service and to be his sister-in-law.

So, you can see a couple big reasons why I think everyone should celebrate Memorial Day.

An easy way of celebrating Memorial Day and honoring our military heroes is by joining me in participating in Operation Thank A Hero.  This project is being led by a friend, and Thirty-One consultant, who is asking people to donate a Thirty-One Zippered Pouch to a veteran in an Iowa VA hospital.  Each donated pouch will be filled with items to make the veteran's hospital stay more comfortable, such as puzzles, toiletries, books, magazines, a get well card, etc.  If you are interested in bringing a smile to a veteran's face this Memorial Day, contact Joslyn Stock (joslyn.stock@gmail.com) about ordering and donating a Zippered Pouch for just $18, or you can personalize a pouch for $26 (ideas include:  Thank You, Veterans Are Heroes, God Bless America, Service, Courage, Brave).  Orders are due May 10th and all pouches will be delivered on Memorial Day.

I thought this was such a great idea, I just had to share the message with all of you.  I donated two pouches, one in honor of both my sister and brother-in-law.  I hope you will join me in celebrating Memorial Day this year!

***Update May 15, 2013***

Thank you to everyone that supported this effort.  This Memorial Day 18 pouches will be given to veterans staying at VA Hospitals in Iowa.  Thanks once again to everyone that helped!

Remember Our Fallen Heroes On Memorial Day

As you enjoy your Memorial Day today, please remember those that have died in battle so we can celebrate today and all year long, because of the freedom our military have given us.  Also, pay respect to those that have served or are serving in our armed services.  I am especially giving thanks for my sister Rachel and brother-in-law Brandon who both are currently serving in the Army National Guard and Marine Reserves respectively.

In honor of Memorial Day I'd like to share a photo and a moment that My Farmer and I experienced earlier this year.  In March, My Farmer and I travel to Washington DC on a legislative trip with the Iowa Farm Bureau.  While on the trip we had some time to do some sight seeing, so one night we went on a bus tour.  One of the stops was at the Vietnam Memorial.  The travel guide said that there was a book near the memorial that listed every name on the Vietnam Memorial wall but that it would be hard to find a person's name at night, because they don't have very much light on the memorial in the evening.  My Farmer and I decided that we'd try anyway.  My Farmer's Mom's brother died in Vietnam.  He was my Mother-in-law's only sibling.  So we looked up Roger's name in the book, and it must have been meant to be that we find his name, because we counted to which section of the wall he was on and as soon as we got there we immediately found his name.

I'd like to end today's post with the litany from our church service out at the cemetery yesterday:

Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties.  For all the wonder of our country's story:

We give you thanks, O God.

For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth:

We give you thanks, O God.

For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world's common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows:

We give you thanks, O God.

For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service:

We give you thanks, O God.

Almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them.  Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy.  As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence.

Amen.