Sweets for your Honey ~ Almond Bark in the Raw

It's that time again...time to begin filtering chocolate back into my system.  Gosh, it's only been a month since the holidays but for some reason I'm craving some chocolate again....must be the very thought of Valentine's Day, I suppose.

A while back, my friend Brent, an almond farmer, {pronounced "Amond" acorrding to him and all almond farmers, apparently} who has a family almond farm in Ripon, CA, 4th Generation Farms , gave me a bag of their raw almonds.  Almonds in the raw are my absolute favorite....I could eat handfuls of them, and they're so good for you too!

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On the 6th Day of Christmas ~ Family Traditions

Christmas is almost upon us.  My kids are excited....mostly for presents, but I know in 20 years what they are really going to remember is not the toy that was under the tree, but the family traditions that will be embedded in their memories for a lifetime. Creating memories for my kids to carry on, into the generations to come is what is most important to me.

This past Saturday, one of our family traditions took place here on the ranch at my in-law's house.  A day of Christmas cookie baking with four generations in the house, flour was flying on this day. 

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Got Oysters? Wanna Keep Them Around?

Are you an oyster fan?  The situation that is currently happening in West Marin at Drakes Bay Oyster Company, a family farm, will impact you whether you live locally or across the United States.  The letter and information that follows was put together by my friend, Nancy Gates, with Marin County Farm Bureau.  I hope you will take the time to read through it.  Thank you!!

Photos courtesy Google Image

Dear family, friends and colleagues across the country,


As most of you already know, through my work as a director of the Marin County Farm Bureau I've joined a community of advocates of sustainable farming and ranching policy. Today, there is a threat in the form of a controversial attempt by the National Park Service to shut down Drakes Bay Oyster Company (DBOC), a family-run oyster farm currently operating in the Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS). 

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Happy Food Day!

It's FOOD DAY! We love growing it in our garden, we love having a family dairy that produces milk to help feed many and we love raising natural beef on our farm, here in northern California.  My life revolves around food; I prepare three meals a day, every day to feed my family, I enjoy blogging about it, teaching 4H cooking is rewarding, I so enjoy my nights out with the girls that always involve eating fabulous food, and I love attending food based events like the upcoming Foodbuzz Festival and the KACF Farm Fresh Tour I recently went on.

Today marks the first FOOD DAY event, sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest {CSPI}.  The goals of the event focus on health and wellness, agricultural and environmental sustainability and food security.

CSPI’s co-founder, Michael Jacobson is known for his favoritism towards plant-based food. But in the CSPI’s July/August 2011 issue of Nutrition Action newsletter, I read a special feature on "Dairy" by David Schardt and was pleased to read and pleasantly surprised a report coming from CSPI actually showed the health benefits of milk. 

Thank you to CSPI for doing some research on dairy and publishing it in your newsletter.

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Is BlogHer12 a possibility? BlogHer11 Recap

With BlogHer11 being held in San Diego this year, it was doable for me since California is my home state and it's a quick flight down to southern California.  How could I not go?

At opening session on Friday morning, BlogHer announced that BlogHer12 will go back to NYC next year!  Exciting right?! 

If you've never been to a BlogHer conference and are thinking about attending BlogHer12, here's a recap of my experience at BlogHer11.

This year over 3,500 bloggers from across the world {I met someone from Brazil!} converged at the San Diego Conference Center and practically took over the San Diego Marriot Marqui and surrounding hotels in downtown area.

Someone accurately described this experience via Twitter as "a summer camp for women".  Yes, most conference goers were women but there were a few lucky {smart} men in attendance as well.  During the conference we were kept busy from 7 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following morning on both days.  There were parties-a-plenty to attend, sometimes three in just one evening.  All the BlogHer hosted parties were included with our event ticket!

My roomie, Katie who authors the blog An Authentic Life, currently living in Montana and who I went to high school with, reconnected in person at BlogHer11.  It was such a pleasure to catch up with Katie face to face.  Although it's not necessary to know anyone when attending a BlogHer conference, it was certainly comforting to hang out with someone I already knew.

One person I didn't get to meet in person was Alexandra from Good Day Regular People who was one of the bloggers chosen to read at the Voices of the Year presentation.  But I know we'll make an 'in real life' connection in the future.

As I said, there were parties and dancing galore if that's what you're in to and if not, people watching is always entertaining.

Trainer Bob from the Biggest Loser was at the event.  You could have signed up to work out with him one morning.  Other celebertiy sightings included Riki Lake and Giulianna Rancic.

With your BlogHer conference pass, your meals are included, but you can choose to sign up for different breakfasts, lunches and dinners given by different sponsors.  Katie and I were lucky enough to get on the list for the poolside luncheon given by California Raisins.

Raisins were incorporated into all things on the menu at this luncheon.

Including dessert.

Pureed raisins were included in these VERY moist brownies.....recipe soon to share!

I had the chance to take a little break in the Daisy suite where they served cottage cheese with various toppings.  They also had massage chairs, make up artists and manicurists available for a quick pick-me-up.  I LOVED the Daisy suite.

BlogHer was not all parties and eating.  For two full days, you were able to sit in on panels of your choice.  I felt there were tons to choose from and difficult to pick sometimes.  I've been following Jadin Hare from Steamy Kitchen ever since I began blogging so I really enjoyed her tips and what she had to say on her panel, "How Blogging can make you a Local Hero".  Even though I felt like I missed out on some other informational panels, BlogHer announced that the transcripts would be available to us, word for word, on their site.

All in all, I think the thing that most resonated with me, were the in person connections made. I believe I exchanged around 100 business cards, which means 100 introductions and conversations. 

Katie, myself and Lynn attending the McDonald's sponsored 'CheeseburgHer' party.  Oh, and all meals and party food included a vegetarian and gluten free option.

Carrie, from Carrie with Children and Karen from Jane Nation at the Social Soiree Party.

After attending BlogHer11, my thoughts on attending BlogHer12 in NYC next year are definitely positive!  If you're a blogger that blogs for fun, as a career, or to keep a home journal, I believe attending a Blogher conference will give you an invaluable experience.

And if you decide to go next year, be sure to bring an extra suitcase to pack all your SWAG {stuff we all get}.

If you attended, what are your thoughts on the conference and will you go next year??

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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Road Block to the Calf Barn

If you've been following along with me for a while, you then know my story on bulls and how they seem to always seek me out, well, once again I had a road block to my destination.

On route to the calf barn, where the kids were 'helping daddy', the path takes you through a paddock area between the milking parlor and freestall barns to the left and a dry lot area, where a string of cows gather on the right.  Charlie, the bull, stands between me and my kids. 

I'm terrified of most bulls, but most especially of Holstein bulls.  They just seem to be more aggressive and protective.

My game plan:  {photos are not zoomed in}

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National Ice Cream Day~What's your flavor?

This holiday rates right up there with Christmas in our house, National Ice Cream Day.  What other day of the year gives you permission to eat ice cream?!  Well, I admit, ice cream is consumed in our house quite often, no need for a holiday.  But it's fun to celebrate!

Did you know, in 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. He also established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday in the month. 

Loved that man.

The kids are digging their Rocky Road cones.
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Thistle ~ a lesson in life

The Thistle is something we see a lot of, here on the farm.  My kids know to stay away from these sharp prickly plants, but I often find myself drawn to them. 

They're beautiful in their own way. 

When they've gone to seed and the light is just right, like the other evening behind the calf barn, they're beautiful.

And when they're flowering and full of color, they're gorgeous.

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Pizza Picnic

Some days when the work day is over, it's not really over.  Sometimes after the calves are fed their dinner, this is the last thing to do during Dominic's work day, there are extra things to accomplish in which there is not enough time to do during the work day.

When days like this occur, we try to make it a family event.  The other night, the kids, myself and Chloe packed up a pizza picnic, some raspberry lemonade and headed over to the portion of the property that sits behind Stafford Lake, where Dominic was already there and bulldozing some dirt.

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Farmers on Summer Vacation~Goosed

When  traveling on summer vacation with farmers, by the last day, things happen.  I don't know if it's the mountain air they're not used to or the sand between their toes.......or just the exposure of their toes. 

But by the last day of vacation, the farmer may be missing the animals he feeds back at the farm.

And if you are so inclined to take a nap on the beach, be aware, the remaining farmers may have the sudden urge to feed any animal they come across and even use your body as a dinner plate to do so.

Of course I thought the scene above was quite humerous and snapped photos..........until I saw the photos they took of me, during my nap..........
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Farmers on Summer Vacation 2011

Gotta love when there's a beach just steps away from the rental house at one of the most beautiful places on earth that comes equipped with clean restrooms, snow capped mountains in view, 80 degree temperatures and a beach cocktail waitress......yes, a beach cocktail waitress.

So, we only bought one of these each, but what a treat!

This is how we spent most of our day, in South Lake Tahoe today.

That's all I've got today:)


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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Cow Camp Blogging Workshop - the recap

My day began rising at 6 a.m. yesterday, to get myself ready for the 40 minute drive north to Windsor, this year's location of the California Holstein Association Juniors Cow Camp days.  A jam packed 2 1/2 days of cow lovin' fun.  Just over 50 campers attended.  They camped outside under the stars for two nights in the beautiful Richard's Grove on the grounds of Saralee's Vineyard.

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Where The Farm Path Leads

No matter what we happen to be doing on the farm at any given time,

if Paige is with me, whatever path we take almost always ends up at the same spot.

The calf barn is the place to be.  Neither one of us can resist the temptation.  It only takes a "Mom, can we....." and we're headed in that direction.

Next time, I'll need to remember to wear something other than white flip flops.  Oh, and pardon those alien toes of mine, I didn't mean to subject you to such a sight.....especially if you're reading this before your morning coffee:)

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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Old Glory at the Farm

With strong winds coming from the west on most days at our house, our American flag is replaced once a year, due to the tattered edges it acquires.  We choose to replace it on the 4th of July.....it just seems to fit.

Every morning of the 4th of July, for the past four years, the kids and Dominic replace the flag that flies high right outside our house. The very first year, Dominic, the kids and Papa {my father-in-law} raised the actual flag pole{but I accidentally erased that pic.....and it was a good one too}.

And sometimes, after our strong winds snap the flag line and our flag becomes tangled at the top of the pole, maintenance is required.

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Cruisin' the Cattle~Chloe's Story

Chloe, the wanna-be cattle dog.....well, in her world she IS the biggest, smartest, quickest cattle dog around.

After all, when she barks, the cows listen and sometimes even back away, just to humor her, I'm sure.

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Top Tips from Jay Baer at the Ad Farm Live Event

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Ad Farm Live event held at their new offices in Sacramento.  Jay Baer, a world-reowned social media strategy consultant and author of The Now Revolution, was the keynote speaker.

During the presentation the attendees were 'tweeting' up a storm.  You can follow the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag of #AdFarmLive.

Here are a few of the top tips and top Tweets from Jay Baer's presentation.............

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Real Farmwives of America & Make Butter with a Jar

A couple of weeks ago, I was honored to be asked to guest post on Three Kids and a lot of Pigs for Heather's 'Farmer Friday' feature on her blog.  With this guest post, I was also introduced as the most recent addition to a group that I'm honored to be associated with, Real Farmwives of America.

A quick bio:

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Progressive Dairyman's Ice Cream Flavor Face Off ~ Please vote for Rocky Road!

With June being Dairy month, Progressive Dairyman launched their 2nd Ice Cream Flavor Face Off competition.  What a way to celebrate dairy and most especially ice cream!

Progressive Dairyman asked a few dairy producer bloggers from across the nation along with some of the P.D. staff members to participate in this fun challenge.  I'm honored!  Even though I'm not a very competitive person, but when it comes to something I firmly believe in, such as Sunnyside Farms Rocky Road ice cream, I'll gladly go to bat for it, of course!

Sunnyside Farms Rocky Road ice cream is a favorite in our family for a few reasons; 1) our dairy cows help produce the milk that goes into making it  2) the rich and creamy chocolate with the crunch of almonds and the softness and sweetness of marshmallows all combined in one package, is a winner with our family, every time and I hope it is with yours as well.

Please go to the Progressive Dairyman Face Off Challenge to vote {for Rocky Road} and each time you vote, your name can be entered to win $100 in free ice cream!!


The winner will be announced in Ice Cream Month, July.

Please view the fun road to Rocky Road....hope you enjoy!

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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Farm Photo Friday ~ From High in the Sky

Have you ever wondered what your house, ranch, farm or homestead looks like from above?  Well, many years ago a pilot took an aerial shot of our ranch and the photo is framed and hangs on our wall.

A  few new barns and a new house later, we now have an updated areal shot of the ranch...this time our house is in it.

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The Circle of Life on a Farm

This isn't one of my favorite sites I get to experience on a daily basis on the dairy farm, but they live here, they eat here, they play their part in life and they're part of country living for sure.

It's not often, that I can snap a photo of them all lined up on fence posts either.  As I was driving out the other day, I spied this line up of Turkey Buzzards on the fence line.  I was hoping the baby Killdeer who would be just in front of them under the tree, who could have just hatched, wasn't what the buzzards had as an itty bitty snack.

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