Warm Hearts During The Winter Months

 

I was first inspired to blog almost 1 year ago at the annual Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference.  During the conference I attended a seminar that explained the opportunity there is to blog about agriculture.  I had always wanted to talk about my farm life and didn't know how and was very excited to explore the idea of a blog.  And that was it; for the past year I researched and brainstormed about what exactly I had to say.

Most people understand the general idea of a cash crop farm; we grow and harvest crops.  We specifically grow corn, wheat and soybeans.  I grew up on a small horse farm, but the farm was not my parents' livelihood.  Being the wife of a farmer whose livelihood is the farm has been an adjustment.  A totally different way of life that I have come to love!  Every day is a new journey with new challenges or rewards.  As we move through the seasons I will go into depth about what is happening on the farm.

 

 

So what do we do during this time of year?  Well Brad and I stay plenty busy!  Not only do I have a part time job as a licensed veterinary technician, but I also have mommy responsibilities for Claire and help Brad with the business aspects of the farm.  So we have been busy getting our 2012 taxes organized, attending educational conferences, organizing business plans and goals for 2013 and catching up on "family time".  A slower farm schedule is welcomed during the winter months after a busy harvest season!

 

 

We also take this time to reflect on and count our blessings from the previous season.  2012 was a challenging year for agriculture.  Nation wide we experienced a drought which directly affected the crops that were produced.  "So What?"  Some people may say, but it is something that affects everyone whether they realize it or not.  Your food doesn't some from the grocery store...it comes from the farmers producing it all over the world.  If farmers have a poor season for whatever reason that will affect prices you see in the stores, and availability.

That being said about 2012; the crops faired the drought as best as possible.  We are thankful for that!  Sometimes it is easy to dwell on the negative things in life but in reality we need to lift up the positives!  We had a year that will allow us to continue our stewardship for the land again next year, and everyone in our family stayed safe and healthy during the year.  What more could we want?
 

Lately I have really been enjoying my time with Claire.  She is now 1 1/2 year old!  I can't believe how time has flown by!  She is getting so big and really funny!  She always has been quite the peeler but now more than ever she shows her spit fire personality.  She still isn't talking much, mostly just making cave man grunts, but we know what she wants most of the time.  And she definitely isn't going to do something that isn't her idea!  She loves spending her days outdoors; so that makes this time of year hard, but we do bundle up and enjoy the winter weather.

 





 

I also enjoy baking and cooking anytime of the year, but especially when Brad is home in the evenings so I don't have to do double duty with Claire and my cooking.  This time of year is all about comfort food and the best comfort food is of course the desserts!  So I have included a recipe for some Oatmeal Cake.  This recipe came from my boss's wife's Aunt Edna and I love it!  It is a very dense, moist cake with a crunchy sweet topping.  Perfect for this time of year!

 

Aunt Edna's Oatmeal Cake

 

* Add 1 c. of Quick Oats in 1 1/2 c. boiling water.  Let stand for 20 minutes

* Meanwhile; cream together 1 stick of softened butter, 1 c. brown sugar, 1 c. white sugar, 2 room temperature eggs.  Set aside.

* Add oats, 1 1/3 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. soda, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 tsp. cinnamon

* Combine oat mixture with wet ingredients

* Spread into greased 9X13 pan

* Bake at 350 for 35- 40 minutes

Frosting:

* Combine 1/2 stick melted butter, 1/4 c. sweetened condensed milk, 1 c. brown sugar, 1 c. coconut, 1/2 c. chopped pecans

* Spread over warm cake

* Place under broiler until topping bubbles and lightly browns

 

Enjoy!