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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WW: Clever Girls

Last week, while the kids were in school, I found myself with a little bit of spare time.  My laundry was caught up, the house was half-way picked up, it was a sunny and beautiful autumn day.  I called Dominic to find out his location on the farm and to ask him if there was anything interesting going on at the moment to snap a few photos of.

He had a job for me. 

I was to drive around the farm to all the locations where the manure spreading had taken place.  This is something that needs to be documented annually.  We need to show, through photos and a written report, how and where we spread the manure that's generated from dairy cows on the farm.

Okay, poop pics are not my favorite, but the drive was fantastic because I was able to see so many of the baby beef calves that had just been born within the last month.

One thing I've learned about beef cows, they see an opportunity and they take it.  An open gate is an open invitation to see if the grass really is greener on the other side.
 
Between me moving them along with the truck and horn and Dominic on foot, we had them all back where they were supposed to be.  We had to be quick though because as soon as I drove through the gate, the mamas tried to sneak back through again. 

Quite clever and sneaky, those beef cows are.

Here's just a handful of pairs.  Always so curious....or maybe hoping hay is in the back of the truck.....they see a truck and they immediately think food is coming.

I just love this time of year.  The grass is just beginning to turn green, especially where the manure was spread and the temperature reached 85 degrees on this day.

And my favorite part of the morning was watching all the baby calves kicking up their heels, running circles around their mamas.

Linking up for Wordless Wednesday to:
Pinke Post
Project Alicia
Live and Love Out Loud


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

For more farm life posts, visit http://www.TheWifeOfADairyman.blogspot.com

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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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WW: Spooktacular Treats made with Dairy {recipes}

If your kids are like mine, then Halloween rates right up towards the top of the list when talking holidays.  Why?  For us, it all has to do with the decorating and the ghoulishly ghouls that are spotted everywhere from school to the neighborhood library and of course the candy they collect has a little something to do with it as well. 

When I received recipes for these kid-friendly, spooky and fun confectionery-free treats from the California Milk Advisory Board, I just had to share with you!  All the recipes in the photo are made in 30 minutes or less, and use Real California dairy products.  Food is so much more fun to eat when it looks like this, whether you're a kid or an adult, right?!

I think any of these would be perfect for a Halloween party at school, at home or just as an after school snack!  My kids are gonna love the Spider Web Pizza, the Toasted Ghosts and the Yogurt Ghost Pops for sure.

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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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WW: The Farm Fresh Tour Kick-Off

This past weekend I met my friend, Katie in the town of Carmel by the Sea for quite an amazing event  she was overseeing for a client of her firm, Know a California Farmer. Know a California Farmer invited six California food and or mom bloggers to tour a couple of family farms located in the Carmel and Salinas area who were eager to learn more about how our food is grown and how it gets from farm to fork. 

Friday afternoon, I arrived to meet Katie at 4 p.m. in Carmel and after settling in we met the rest of her colleagues at a fun little bar in downtown Carmel, A.W. Shucks Oyster and Cocktail Bar.  Being so close to the ocean and farmlands at the same time, it is a real treat when visiting a restaurant, especially if you're from North Dakota like Katie is.  We enjoyed deliciously fresh prawn cocktail, scrumptious calamari and a delicious artichoke appetizer.

To wash it all down, I enjoyed my first ever Moscow Mule cocktail.  It's made with ginger beer, vodka and fresh lime.  I'll be making these at home for sure, it was so refreshing.

Later in the evening, to kick off the Farm Fresh Tour participant meet-up, we all met at Grasing's Restaurant roof top patio for a gorgeous locally grown, fresh dinner.

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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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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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Food Safety Tips~Keep your holiday weekend Food Safe!

I am  frequently amazed by the ideas and information I gain just by having a Twitter account.  Today, for a short time I was following the hashtag #checksteps, which happened to be all about food safety and I thought, perfect for this upcoming holiday weekend as well as all summer long.

Here are some of the food safety tips and reminders I found useful:

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A Day at the Fair

My nephew, Gavin is showing Emma {aka lap calf} at the fair this year.  She stays for five days and as you can see, she totally acclimated to her new sleeping arrangements.  Paige named Emma when she was a few weeks old and feels it's part of her responsibility to check on her a few times a day while at the fair....and even take a little rest with her.

After checking on Emma, we were in search of some food.  I was on a quest to find some healthy carnival food.  Spending five days at the fair, I really wanted to keep my food intake as healthy/low fat as possible.

Roasted veggie/panini sandwich was the ticket for me yesterday.  Bryce requested a hamburger and Paige had some turkey and watermelon.

Clover Stornetta has an ice cream booth located near the livestock exhibits and they hand out FREE ice cream cones every day from 1-4 p.m.

They now know us on a first name basis.

We only reserve a small amount of time for the carnival rides.  For us, the fair is more about the livestock exhibits and 4-H exhibits so we try to stick to that portion of the fair every day.

We did, however venture in to the carnival portion, to ride just a few rides last night.

Bryce rode on his first Ferris wheel....

And Dominic took Paige on a few rides.......

What's your favorite 'fair food'?  Mine is a corn dog but haven't had one yet.

Related Posts:

How The Pioneer Woman Helped Bryce Win a Ribbon

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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