By Johnathan Gerdes My daughter was in the barn with me late one evening, assisting me in a difficult birthing situation and we decided to start a little “TV” show that we would share on my family’s social media page. We called it “Reality!” My daughter would hold the camera and record things as they were happening. When she would say, “Action!” I would say, “Welcome back … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage by Wenda Grabau
Bittersweet - Part 1 Excerpt from Tales From Heritage Farm written by Wenda and Randall Grabau. There are snapshots in life when the sweet moments delight us. But oftentimes it comes mingled in the bitterest situations. The following story illustrates a day in the life on one girl and her mom who tasted the bitter with the sweet. * * * * A huge tear welled up in her … [Read more...]
Bluff Brothers Brewing: From Homebrew Hobbyists to Spring Valley’s Newest Taproom
Creating “approachable” craft beers, catering to the preferences of small-town Minnesota. That is the business philosophy Mitchell and Marcus Plaehn have set for themselves at their new venture, Bluff Brothers Brewing, Spring Valley’s newest taproom. “Our goal is to make good craft beer that caters to small-town customers,” Marcus explains. “A lot of people come in and ask, … [Read more...]
Fresh Off the Farm
Are You Tracking with Me? I’m embarrassed to say that I made a 2023 image board for my 2023 goals and I am STILL planning to print it... as in, I lived 12 months meaning to take action on my goals and there it sits on my computer - unprinted and unused. It’s not like I didn’t do anything last year. I did a lot, but did it align with what I wanted for my year? It could have … [Read more...]
Farm Walk in December
Today, my workday included printing and cutting this year’s Christmas cards with its accompanying year-end letters. We send out cards intending to reconnect with many dear friends and relatives. At lunch, my husband brought in the mail. As I went through the various envelopes, it brought my attention to bills to pay and a bank statement from which to balance our account. … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – Don’t Settle for the Postcard
Don’t Settle for the Postcard I know you’ve seen it. That postcard that makes you long to be at the beach. As our Minnesota winter starts to rev up, the feeling in my toes and fingers starts to go away. My aunt, who grew up on the farm, says, “Winter means pain.” The cold gets in and likes to stay. That’s where the postcard comes in. It’s bright, with blue water, white sand, … [Read more...]
Mr. Rooster
Mr. Rooster This morning my daughter and I dug up bulbs from our flowerbeds to preserve them till next spring. After completing our task, I chose to take a walk on the farm. I noticed that the cool, crisp air of autumn was carrying on it the sounds of the harvest. As I walked, I could hear the laboring of our neighbor’s combine as it moved down the amber swaths of … [Read more...]
Fresh off the farm: Why I’m Not Thankful
Nothing has gone as planned today. You know the day. I set my alarm early to get some kid-free work done and then they woke up before my alarm. (How do they know?!) I didn’t eat the nutritious breakfast I was planning because I was feeding a crabby baby and I felt munchy. (#oops) I didn’t stretch, exercise, or gather my thoughts this morning because #littlepeople. Now they’re … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer: Welcome to the Internship!
Welcome to the Internship! A couple of days ago the weather was so perfect I almost couldn’t help but run into the sky from my front yard. The hot air balloons were up and slowly descending into the fields all around us. Their enormous size and slow motion movements make them seem otherworldly. The draw was all but irresistible and I ran into the sky to join the dance. It … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage: One Job Done for the Year
One Job Done for the Year Our old rooster is resting warmly in my kettle. Today has been a big day for us all. At the farm, there are three big days out of the year which our children and grandchildren come from their homes to help with butchering our roosters. In exchange for their work, they receive some of the tasty meat for their freezers. There is a good deal of … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm: Looking For a Fall Treat That’s Good For You? Here It Is!
My kids got bit by the hot cocoa bug this week. Somehow, when the weather changes, it takes our diet with it. Does it change yours? My menu shifts completely from summer cookouts to soups and roasts. It doesn’t matter the season, I know giving my kids a cup with 1,000 grams of refined sugar in it isn’t the best idea. So, I cringe a little when they ask for hot … [Read more...]
Nostalgia Lies and the Good Old Days
The cool air of autumn carries so many memories and feelings as it swirls through the leaves. There’s not much that can give feelings of nostalgia quite like a perfect fall day. Memories of playing in leaves, fires with marshmallows, harvest parties, wagon loads of corn, and as much apple crisp with ice cream as we can eat. But do feelings of nostalgia tell the whole … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – To Renew or To Make New Again
To Renew or To Make New Again Between the harvests of several crops and caring for our animals, farming brings a lot of repair work. Many things on the farm age and need a helping hand to renew them to usefulness. This summer has been no different for us. My husband has been busy renovating, or bringing back to life, a shed which formerly served as a chicken house, a … [Read more...]
Annual Cooking Contest To Be Held at Rushford Foods on October 14
Are you ready to show-off your cooking skills and share some great recipes with more than 57,000 readers of this newspaper? You’re in luck! For the 14th annual Tasty Temptations Cookbook, the event will be held at Rushford Foods in Rushford, Minn., on October 14. The judges will begin taste testing at 11 a.m. with plans to conclude the contest by noon that day. We have … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm – What’s Your Today?
What’s Your Today? If today was the only memory your child would have, would you live it differently? Some of us would forget everything else and have a cake fest. Others would schedule things out to the minute. Maybe some wouldn’t leave the couch to allow for every last snuggle. I doubt any of us would carry on as usual. We always think we have tomorrow, but no one ever … [Read more...]