TT w/Linky: Accidental Farm Girl

As many of you already know, I didn't grow up on a dairy farm, and now calling one home, I've learned many things about farm living.  Things such as never turn your back to a bull, remain calm no matter what the circumstance, patience is mandatory {still working on that one} and how a little furry, two week old calf can teach you so much....... dairy calves, they capture a special place in my heart.

But dang it!  When one of those little buggers catches me off guard, I begin to rethink my heartfelt love...

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TT with Linky: On The 4th Day of Christmas ~ Healthier Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies

One of  my all-time favorite Christmas cookies is the Mexican Wedding Cake Cookie.  How can you go wrong with butter, sugar and flour?!  I feel good about being thankful for these cookies on this Thankful Thursday!

I had my Healthy Cooking Group annual Christmas cookie exchange party this week and wanted to try a 'healthier' version of the Mexican Wedding Cake Cookie.  I think the difference between this recipe and the original is eliminating half the amount of butter....one stick instead of two.

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TT with Linky: Service Animals ~ Guide Dogs for the Blind Field Trip

On this soon to be Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for the service animals that help us in our world.  Today I'm not talking about our beautiful bovines, but these adorable, intelligent pups that have a HUGE responsibility to tend to.

But first, I can safely say, planning a field trip the Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday is a win-win situation.  The kids get to roll gently back into the school routine after a few days off and we were the only field trip/tour group at Guide Dogs for the Blind....we had the place to ourselves!

Our tour began in a classroom type setting with our guide, Alex, who immediately took a liking to Paige because she reminded him of his grand daughter.  She got a little special treatment that morning.


In the classroom presentation we learned about the history of Guide Dogs for the Blind and how every guide dog trained in this facility is born on the campus.  The pups stay with their mothers for about a month then they're moved to the 'nursury' for another month.  Once a puppy reaches two months old they are delivered to  host families, mostly 4H families who live within the eight western states until they reach 14 months old.  During their time with the host family, they are handled with love and just get to be puppies.

At 14 months they are picked up by one of the many Guide Dogs for the Blind vans and brought back to the Guide Dogs campus in San Rafael, CA where they begin their three month training to become a guide dog.
Only half of the dogs that go through the training course graduate as a guide dog. 

There is currently a very long wait list to adopt the 'career change' dogs that don't graduate to Guide Dog status.

The guide dog campus has dorms large enough to house 28 blind people who come from all over the U.S. and Canada for their own three week training course before going home with a guide dog of their own.  All costs are paid for by Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The 2011 operating costs for Guide Dogs for the Blind were, or will be $36 million dollars....all donated money.  Amazing, right?!

In the photo below we were lucky enough to see a blind person on his first day of guide dog ownership training.  The trainer, in the red shirt, is holding a guide dog harness and pretending to be a guide dog and the trainee is learning how it feels to be guided by him.

This guide dog trainee walked right through our group without becoming distracted at all....good boy!

Alex, shows us some new born pups with their mother on the web cam.

And then we had the pleasure to meet a few pups.  SO cute.  No one is allowed to pet, or touch them other than their handlers. 

We all wanted to snuggle with these adorable pups....

In the wash room, something special happened.

This guide dog, who was being blown dry after a bath was ready to come out.....

and since he wasn't in his training harness, we were allowed to pet him....he loved it and so did we.

Pretty soon, it was time to end the tour.

Time to say bye.....

But not before we got one more unexpected puppy fix out in the parking lot.

To learn more about, volunteer, donate or find out how to get put on the 'career change' adoption wait list go to: 

Guide Dogs for the Blind

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!

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TT: Healthy, Delicious Blueberry & White Chocolate Chunk Ginger Cookies

Are you a ginger lover?  If so, you're gonna love these healthy blueberry and white chocolate chip ginger cookies from Eating Well.  You may remember I attended my Healthy Cooking Group last week and thought I was going to be really late due to my annual mammogram appointment which was sceduled in the evening, bringing an appetizer or side dish was out of the question so dessert and wine was what I came up with.

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TT: It Happened.

It happened sooner than I thought it would.  I knew it was coming.  It was inevitable, really.  At age five, my girly girl farm girl officially turned Tom Boy.

Yes she did.

She caught her very first lizard.  She was SO very proud, she marched right into the house with it to show me. 

After calming down, I ushered her and her new friend quickly back outside where I was able to snap some photos. 

After the photo session, a serious and deep discussion ensued and it went something like this:

P:  "It can live in my room"

Me:  "No it can't, lizards like to live in nature"

P:  "I'll bring leaves and sticks in for it"

Me:  "It's not allowed in the house, ever"

P:  "But Chloe needs a friend!"

Me:  "Chloe will eat it"

The conversation went on for another two minutes with much pleading and begging but after telling Paige baby lizard wanted to be outside near its mother, she was satisfied....finally.

So today I'm thankful for my little farm girl turning Tom Boy all while wearing zebra print, turquoise and sequins within the same outfit.  Best of both worlds, right?!

What are you thankful for this week?  Feel free to link up for Thankful Thursday or just leave a comment if you'd like!

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment. I love to hear from you! Have a fantastic day!

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4H Achievement Day at the Buck Institute ~Thankful Thursday w/Linky

When I found out that Marin County 4H Achievement Day was to be held at the Buck Institute here in Novato, I made sure my schedule allowed time to go.  I've always wanted to see this structural masterpiece in person.  What a treat to be able to explore the building! 

The Buck Institute sits secluded and prominently atop Mt. Burdell, overlooking the north portion of Novato.  The building was designed by famed architect, I. M. Pei. and the unique curvature of the structure has always peaked my interest, but one cannot just visit or even drive by, as the entrance is gated. 

The Buck Institute is the nation’s first independent, non-profit scientific institute dedicated solely to understanding the connection between aging and chronic disease.   The scientists are dedicated to extending the healthy years of life.  They do research on cancer, stem cell research, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's as well as other illnesses.

The thing I found most fascinating and exciting about the Buck Institute is that they allow field trips for grades K-12th and even have summer internships available for high school students along with stem cell courses, just to name a couple programs.

I could definitely see our little one room school house scheduling a field trip here!

 

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TT: Paige's Praying Mantis

Just the other night, later in the evening at 7 p.m. or so, the weather was balmy and warm, an unusual feeling here in northern California.  Paige was outside playing when she suddenly comes running in at full speed screaming for me to come out and look at the "inthect" out on the deck.  She wasn't screaming in fear, just excitement.

"The 'inthect' is just like the one in our book!!"

Sure enough, Paige had spotted a Praying Mantis just like the one in our insect book right on our very own deck.  Now I've only found one Praying Mantis, ever here on the farm, three years ago.  It was a beige colored one, just like this one and I found it here........

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A Weekend in Fort Bragg, CA

It's Thankful Thursday and after visiting Fort Bragg, CA this past weekend, I have yet another thing to add to my list of things I'm thankful for. 

Fort Bragg is a three hour, long, curvy drive through a majestic redwood forest from our house.  Quite a long, not so easy drive, which explains the reason I've only been there one other time in my life.  But after my experience this past weekend, I wonder why I haven't visited more often. 

We stayed at the Beachcomber Motel, with the beach at its backyard, this was the view from our balcony patio.  We lucked out, the weather was gorgeous.  I was expecting it to be foggy and dreary but no fog in sight the entire weekend.

We arrived in Fort Bragg at around 6:30 p.m. and took advantage of our patio to soak in the view.  Fort Bragg has many outdoor activities to offer, from horseback riding, hiking, wine tasting, shopping, museums, art galleries, even riding the Skunk Train.  Our purpose in Fort Bragg was the Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival taking place, where Paige marches as "Little Queen" for Petaluma.  I would have liked to add one additional day to our trip and explore some more, but I was thankful I was able to drag Dominic off the dairy farm for two nights in a row.

The next morning we were up at the crack of dawn.  Bryce is always the first one up when we're traveling.  The excitement of being in a new and unfamiliar place has both the kids giddy every time they're away from home.

By 8:30 a.m. we were showered, had eaten breakfast and were out the door ready to explore the area.  Just outside the Beachcomber is the newly refurbished Pudding Creek Trestle, heading south, it will take you into town. 

















After a mile walk, we headed back to Pudding Creek Trestle and the Beachcomber.

We took a narrow trail down to the beach and played in the sand for a couple of hours.  The kids jumped rope with seaweed, built battle stations out of sand and eventually got their clothes wet in the surf.

 Such a fun day. 

What are you thankful for this week?  Feel free to link up & grab the Thankful Thursday button or just comment below if you care to share!

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TT: Family Farming on 30,000 Acres

To continue on from yesterday's post, the first stop on the Know a California Farmer Farm Fresh Tour began at a family farm that produces lettuce as its main crop.

Tanimura and Antle Farm in the town of Spreckles, close to Salinas, farms produce on 30,000 acres in California and in Arizona.  This family farm provides 20% of the nation's lettuce supply.  Some of their products include artisan lettuce and artisan red onions, iceberg, beets, bok choy, celery, and broccoli just to name a few.

The Tanimura family, as first generation Japanese-Americans, built a successful iceberg lettuce business in the 1920's.  During WWII, they lost everything and spent three years in Japanese internment camps.  In 1947 the Tanimuras began farming again.

Lester Antle began as a lettuce packer in 1930.  Lester and his son, Bud, opened their own lettuce operation in 1942.  The two families worked side by side and in 1982 formed Tanimura and Antle.

I had never visited a family farm of this size before but have driven by many going through California's Central Valley and was very excited about getting an up close look at the hands-on farming I witnessed at Tanimura and Antle.  I found the farm's employee statistics and benefits interesting as well.  Here are some of them:

• They employ 2,500 people, 133 of them are proud members of what they celebrate as their "20 Plus Years Club". Employees for 20 years or longer.
• Employees are given full benefits
• Vision and life insurance
• 401 {k} with  match and profit sharing
• Free bus transportation
• Free on sight day care for children up to five years old
• pay can range up to $16.00 per hour

Even with all the benefits at Tanimura and Antle and the high unemployment rate in California, Americans don't seem to want these jobs. Brian Antle told us that after publicizing a hiring of 450 field jobs, not one American applied.

This is Tanimura and Antle's artisan lettuce, planted in rows with five varieties.  Harvested at the same time, it is packed in boxes or clam shells right in the field and sent off to restaurants and stores.  From farm to truck within hours of harvesting.

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Thankful Thursday: Easiest EVER Mango Salsa

I refuse to let go of summer completely, just yet.  I just love the freshness of all the summer fruits and vegetables we have access to during this time of year.  I am thankful for the abundance of it all.

I attended a Pampered Chef party the other evening and the sales rep put together the simplest, most refreshing mango salsa I've ever shoveled into my mouth.  I could have eaten the entire bowl.  My friend, Cindy, the hostess, noticed how much I loved it because she sent me home with the remainder of it after the party.

The leftovers didn't last long in my house, because between me and my little farmboy, it was gone by noon the very next day.  

Which only means one thing.

Time to make my own.

Here's what you need........

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Thankful Thursday w/Linky: Natural Spring Water on the Farm

It's the second day of back to school and the weather couldn't be any better.  It was so beautiful out that when I returned home from drop-off, I decided to take a little hike up the hill behind our house.

As I walked towards the natural spring water tank that sits on the hill, I heard a little trickle.  There are a few small leaks in the tank and it got me thinking about how thankful I am that we had SO much rain during our wet season last winter.  I know our neighbors to the east, in Texas and quite a few other states are in dire straights this summer with very little water.

Today, I'm thankful for our natural spring water supply, still plentiful at the end of summer.

Here's our water tank that sits atop the hill behind our home.  Water comes in from a natural spring we have on the property and supplies our homes with water. 

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Thankful Thursday w/Linky: Woodpecker Trail

Heading out to the coast for us is just a short 25 minute drive.  It's mandatory to dress in layers.  It could completely sunny and warm at our house and totally socked in with fog at the coast.  This week for Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful we live so close to a place as beautiful as Pt. Reyes National Seashore.

We headed to Bear Valley Visitor's Center {after a brief stop at Bovine Bakery} where a number of trails are ready to choose from right from the parking lot. We met some friends out there for a playdate/hike, we had five kids in total, ages 4-12. We wanted something that would be 'doable' for all ages so we chose Woodpecker Trail.

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Thankful Thursday with Linky

Just this past weekend, I was able to attend a blogging conference was only able to do so with the help of my very supportive, hard working husband. Now, I did ask him if he and the kids would like to join me on the trip to San Diego but he declined, staying home to work on the farm. 

This week I'm thankful for my very supportive husband who stayed home to work and take care of the kiddos while I was away for three nights.

This photo was taken last year at this same time of year and it's what I was imagining them doing while I was away.

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Don't forget to link up to Thankful Thursday, it's a great way to meet other bloggers and have other readers find you!  After linking up, copy and paste the code in the box onto your site:)  Thank you!

Linking up to :

In Him We Live and Move and Have Our Being

Black Tag Diaries for Thankful Thursday

Remember this flower from yesterday's post?  Lots of good guesses!  I posted the answer {photo} on my

The Wife of a Dairyman Facebook page! {it was easier for me to post it quickly on facebook}

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Thankful Thursday with Linky: Airports and Alcohol

As you read this, I'm probably on my way down to San Diego.  I'm not driving the 7 hour drive south, I'm flying......solo.  I fly, maybe, once a year.

I don't like it. 

But I'll do it to save time and to avoid the high price of gassing up the car.  Flying is actually less expensive for this trip.

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Thankful Thursday with Linky

Things I'm thankful for....well, I'm thankful for all sorts of things every day but Thankful Thursday has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?!

On this particular day, the kids and I headed over to the Hidden Pond to watch Dominic move some dirt around.  I'm thankful it's summer time and the kids are out of school and we can take a random ride over to the Secret Pond to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

I did bring snacks.....some Nutella and Ritz.....

I also brought some healthy snacks as well...fruit and nuts.

Paige insisted on dressing in her 'sparkle' outfit for our jaunt to the woods.....

A pink sparkly top and some black sparkly tights with pink sparkly sneakers.....can't argue with her, some days a girl just needs her bling.

Chloe also came along, on leash.  She's two and I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to let her off leash.  She takes off every time.

I'm also thankful boys like to build 'sand castles' in the dirt.

And then build another one for his sister.

All while watching Dominic move some dirt.

What have you got going on today? 

Bloggers, feel free to link up to Thankful Thursday, a great way to find other blogs or have them find you!  Just copy the code below to paste on your blog post after linking up.


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Linking up Thankful Thursday with:

And Farm Photo Friday with:

Farmchick's Kitchen

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment, I love to hear from you!. Have a fantastic day!

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