Cooking is fundamentally about connections between people. Food possesses a unique power that transcends cultural boundaries, allowing individuals to gather and share moments together. As Guy Fieri eloquently stated, “Food is maybe the only thing that really has the power to bring everyone together.” He truly captures the essence of how universal and meaningful food can be; … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – “It’s Not Santa’s Job”
Excerpts from a play by Wenda Grabau©2014 Santa: “What a night! What a job! Everybody wants something from Santa Claus. Some kids are just out-right greedy. Some freeze when they get here and say nothing. Still others need a lot more than what they are asking for. (Sighs loudly and shakes his head.) I wish I could do more or those kids. I can say Santa will help, but he … [Read more...]
Fresh Off the Farm – Prepare Him Room?
I do not want to write this article. I mean … usually I do … but not today. Today is much too busy, with more “to-dos” than I can count. I’ll probably even add more things to the list as I’m doing them throughout the day so I can bask in the twisted mental high of running my pen through those burdensome beasts. (I know I’m not the only one who does this!) Trouble is, I … [Read more...]
Eat Well, Be Well, Have Fun
“The way you make an omelet reveals your character.” – Anthony Bourdain Hello fellow food, drink and life lovers. Id like to take a minute to introduce myself. My name is Tim Blanski, I live in the country outside of Spring Grove with my wife Lisa Catton, our two goats Jack and Luna, our two remaining barn cats Geraldine and Hazel, our last remaining chicken named … … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
My kids have already been counting down the days until Christmas for several months. There’s nothing quite like the allure of Christmas. Everything gets a new flavor! The music is different, houses change their appearance, the kitchen emits a festive smell, desserts are plentiful, and everyone is remembering the best Christmases “from long long ago.” It’s the most wonderful … [Read more...]
Keep the Wheels Turning for Meals on Wheels
Volunteers are essential to Meals on Wheels – without them, those wheels would screech to a halt and many deserving senior citizens would be left without a nutritious meal option and might not be able to stay in their own homes as long. According to Carolyn Freese, lead program coordinator of senior nutrition at Semcac, people aren’t volunteering like they used to. Meals on … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Discovering “Cat-ness”
Heritage Farm is home to (as my husband says) too many cats. With the birth of two new litters this summer, the population has grown. We like to have them around to keep the number of rodents down… provided they hunt. The younger cats and kittens are a delight to the young children who visit us at the farm. They like to hold them close and pet the kittens. So you can … [Read more...]
Fresh Off the Farm – The Joy Dare
I stopped in my tracks as I read the sobering words; “It’s habits that can imprison you and it’s habits that can free you,” declared author Ann Voskamp. Which is it for me, I wondered. Both options are pretty extreme in my opinion. Imprisonment or freedom? And the choice lies within my habits? Could it be true? During my 12-year-old family Christmas, my 19-year-old cousin … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Change of Pace
Vacations can be at a beach, in the mountains, in farmland, the ocean side or even in the desert. Whether touring, fishing, boating or shopping, a change of pace can energize some and wear out others. As farmers, our lives have been spent pretty close to home, but a few short weeks ago, we took a long overdue trip to visit my husband’s brother and his wife in the 48th state … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm – Confessions of a Milk-mom (and Me, Too)
I wish you could have been in my silo farm store with one of my milk-moms the other day because she asked the most brilliant question that we all need. She had just finished an overnight nursing shift in the ICU (can we just say WOW?!) and came to pick up milk before she even went to bed (can we say WOW again?!). As we talked, it’s like she read my mind. I’m wondering if … [Read more...]