Category Archives: Kitchen

  This week’s recipes are inspired by produce I have been harvesting from my garden the last few weeks. I dug up the potatoes with the assistance of a few helpers. Most of them were better at digging dirt - or even eating it - rather than digging up any potatoes. These potatoes are easy, crunchy,...

 The whole gang enjoys one of our favorite fair days, “veggie day.” As I write this article on the final day of the great Iowa State Fair, I am reflecting on an eventful state fair that was truly a farm-to-fair experience in many ways. The first Friday and Saturday of the fair, Van Manen Sweet Corn...

There is nothing better than opening the windows in the early hours of the morning, letting the fresh air in, and listening to the sound of the world waking up. And I may or may not have lit a fall-scented candle. Yes, that’s right, I said fall candle. The cooler temperatures have me dreaming about the...

  Ah, I can’t believe it is August already! June and July flew by with plenty of afternoons spent at the splash pad, climbing at the park, fishing in the pond and digging in the garden, and I had a first as a mom a few weeks ago. My mom, sister, and I took a small three-day...

With the help of my mum, I made a Lemon Curd and Coconut Cake with frosting and sprinkles for Liesl’s rainbow-themed birthday on July 20. It was delicious to taste, flawless to cut, and worked perfectly with the funfetti cloud cupcakes. Below, our teacup candy creations were made with Australian treats of my childhood.   Paris 2024 by...

Our dog, Snickers, keeps a close eye on the farm. Photo credit to Conrad Schmidt. July has flown by with sweet corn sales that began on July 1. It has been a busy three weeks, and I have had lots of Grandma Julie time! One night, all four of our grandchildren had a sleepover at our...

What a blessing it is to live in small-town USA. Each year for the Fourth of July, our family looks forward to all of the activities and gatherings, and soaking in the excitement of fireworks. This year, I was persuaded to sign up for the Sully Freedom Fun Run, and although it was downpouring, I...