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Really?! I only need a 4’x8’ space for my garden?

3/6/2023

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​Yes! Our Lawn to Lunch gardens utilize square foot gardening. This means that instead of planting in long rows, our Lawn to Lunch gardeners plant in 1’x1’ sections. Keeping the garden just 4 ft wide, means that you can easily reach into the middle of the garden from each side and eliminates the need for alleys. Eliminating alleys and using planting space more efficiently, means our gardens can be 80% smaller than the average home vegetable garden!
 
Having a smaller garden space has many benefits. Smaller gardens can fit in so many more places. Square foot gardening makes gardening much more accessible for those living in town compared to a traditional garden. Square foot gardens also tend to have more ‘curb appeal’ which is helpful wherever you live!
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Photo credit: Deb Bieker
Having a garden that you can easily reach the middle of without having to enter the growing area, also means that your garden will have less (or no!) compaction. Compaction is one of the leading problems in home gardens. Compacted soil makes it harder for roots to grow and for water to soak into the soil. Did you know that the human foot applies the same amount of pressure to the soil as a tractor tire?! So every step we take in the garden has a significant impact!
 
Smaller gardens also mean the garden can oftentimes be placed closer to your house where you will see it every day.  Most of us are much more likely to tend to a garden that is in our regular line of sight. We are also much more likely to enjoy our gardens when we see them regularly.  
 
And finally, less empty space = less weeds to pull. And who wants to spend more time pulling weeds?! In addition to being smaller, square foot gardens are planted in such a way that the vegetable plants themselves quickly shade out those ornery weeds!

To register for an Operation: Lawn to Lunch Garden Kit including videos on key gardening topics, click here.
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Egg Roll in a Bowl

2/28/2023

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This is one of my most requested recipes. And that makes sense because honestly this is a super simple dish that packs a 1, 2 punch with both flavor and a it's packed full of veggies! I also love that this dish is super adaptable too. The recipe calls for ground pork but I have also used ground lamb as well as left over pork roast and leftover carnitas. So, without further ado ... 
Egg Roll in a Bowl
​Ingredients
1 lb ground pork
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium head cabbage, shredded
2 carrots, shredded
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons sriracha
1 egg
1 tablespoon sesame oil*
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
 
Brown pork. Add minced garlic and sautee until fragrant. Add the cabbage, carrots, soy sauce  & ginger. Sautee until cabbage & carrots are tender. Reduce heat to low. Make a well in the center of skillet and add the egg and scramble it. When egg is cooked thoroughly, stir in sriracha. Drizzle with sesame oil & sprinkle with green onions.
Yep, It's really that easy!
Enjoy!
Emily
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Anxiety & Cooking Chicken

10/27/2022

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Roast chicken with purple potatoes
Welcome! Today’s post is about the anxieties or mental roadblocks that might keep you from cooking a whole chicken and how to deal with those roadblocks. This post is co-authored by Vera Petersen. Vera is a License Mental Health Counselor from Exira, Iowa. She primarily works with clients who are experiencing anxiety, life transitions, and trauma. I reached out to Vera because this is such an important topic and I knew she would have great tips!
 
The idea for this post came about when I was talking with a valued friend and customer one day about the challenges or mental roadblocks that can come up when thinking about cooking a whole chicken. Or, honestly, any larger cut of meat. My friend admitted that although she loves our chickens once they are cooked, she has anxiety about cross contamination when cooking raw meat and also feels anxious about over cooking and possibly ‘ruining’ a WHOLE chicken. And that it’s hard to get over that ‘hump’ to actually start the cooking process.
And the thing is, I feel some of these anxieties at times myself and I’m sure a lot of other people do to. Soo, in addition to some of my own tips, I thought it would be really helpful to have professional input. And I am so very grateful that Vera agreed to contribute to this post!
 
To start, I think it helps to have a basic understanding of how to cook/handle raw meat and specifically a chicken. For a specific cooking method called ‘Spatchcocking’ check out my video: How to Spatchcock a Chicken

Picturean example of 'mise en place' photo by stijn https://www.flickr.com/photos/stijnnieuwendijk/35696469940
As with any cooking, it helps to prepare yourself and your kitchen before you even take the chicken out of the fridge. Vera says “When it comes to anxiety in the kitchen, a way to begin building trust with yourself would be to read a recipe through several times. It is also helpful to establish your “mise en place”, a French culinary term for preparing your pans, bowls, and ingredients ahead of time before you even start cooking. Knowing how your recipe works beforehand can help settle some anxiety and allow room to build trust with yourself.”
 
I would suggest making sure you have a clear counter space to work on, preferably close to the sink for easy hand washing. Before doing anything else, place your trash can next to your workspace so you can place the chicken packaging directly into the can after removing it from the chicken. It is also helpful to keep disinfecting wipes close by. Keep them open and ready to use! Because you are close to the sink, any utensils used can go directly in the sink when done with them. If you will be using any seasonings, pre-measure them into a bowl that can be easily washed so you don’t have to touch the containers with messy hands. This may feel awkward at first but after some practice, you will develop a routine that minimizes mess and therefore chances for cross contamination.
 
Vera shares that “Another way to build trust may include taking cooking classes. Community colleges often have non-credit classes for the public to take during an evening. Metropolitan Community College in Omaha often hosts specific classes about knife skills or cooking poultry. This classroom experience allows a space where you can feel safe to ask questions (because you will not be the only person with that question) and practice with the guidance of an experienced educator”
 
And “Possibly the scariest [but still effective]  way to build trust would be to learn to practice on your own. For this, work on using rationalization. Your dish most likely will not be perfect the first time and possibly not the second or third time either. Let go of the ideal perfect outcome as even the best chefs have had moments of overcooked or ruined chicken. It is a great learning experience!”
 
Finally, Vera adds “One of the biggest culprits of low self-confidence in the kitchen would be anxiety and it’s power to self-sabotage. Remind yourself, anticipatory anxiety can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, replace these negative thoughts with positive affirmations such as “I can learn from this”, “I am smart”, “I can do hard things”, or “I did the best I could.””
 
As for me, my last bit of advice is to familiarize yourself with different ways to check your chicken or other cuts of meat for ‘doneness’ as well as what ‘done’ means. There are cues such as smell, color of the skin and of course the old ‘when juices run clear’ and those are all valuable indicators, however these can be highly subjective and so I recommend using a meat thermometer. According to the USDA, Chicken is ‘done’ when the thickest part of the breast, and innermost part of the thigh and wing read 165F*. It’s worth noting that meat does NOT stop cooking the second you remove it from the oven. In fact, it will continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes. This means that even if you remove the chicken from the oven a degree or two shy of 165, the meat will finish cooking. And regardless of what temperature you remove the chicken from the oven, ‘tenting’ your chicken with tin foil and allowing it to rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting will allow the juices to settle and leave you with a juicier/tastier chicken.
Like most things, you can get a whole spectrum of meat thermometers – all the way up to thermometers that stay in the bird in the oven and send a signal to your phone when it reaches a pre-determined temperature. Honestly, I use a very basic, no frills meat thermometer but it’s nice to know that there are more specific tools out there too!
 
I hope this article has given you some ideas to help quell kitchen related anxieties! I want this blog as a whole to be helpful to you and so if you have any questions or things you would like me to write about, reach out via email brunkofarm@gmail.com. I can’t guarantee I will have all the answers or be able to get to all the requests but I do want to make sure I write about topics (and offer products) that are interesting and relevant to my followers <3
​

Thank you for reading and a huge thanks again to Vera for co-authoring this post. See Vera’s full bio below. We are lucky to have such a great mental health professional practicing in our small community!

​Emily + Vera


PictureVera Petersen, Co-Author of "Anxiety & Cooking Chicken"
​

Vera Petersen graduated in May 2017 with her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska. She is currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Iowa, and a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) and Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) in the state of Nebraska.
 
She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a trauma therapy. She is also participating in a 2-year Play Therapy Certification which includes Sandtray Therapy.
 
Her private practice, Vera Petersen Counseling, LLC has a main office located in the industrial North Downtown neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. The second office location is located on the historic main street of Exira, Iowa. She also offers Telehealth services in both states.
 To learn more about Vera and services offered, visit Vera's website: ​www.vpetersencounseling.com
*There are a few poultry ‘doneness’ guidelines floating around out there and that can be confusing but this is the most current – see references below
 
https://www.thekitchn.com/the-right-internal-temperature-for-cooked-chicken-quick-kitchen-facts-216074
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2006/04/usda-165-degrees-magic-number-safe-poultry

To order whole or cut up chickens visit www.brunkofarm.com/chicken  

 ​
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How to Spatchcock a Chicken

9/16/2022

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​If you follow us on Facebook, you have probably seen some pictures of beautifully delicious but oddly presented chickens. Those odd but delicious looking chickens look odd because they have been spatchcocked.

Spatchcocking is my favorite way to cook poultry and I’m here to shout it from the rooftops!

WHY spatchcock a chicken?? Because it results in the juiciest, tastiest chicken you will EVER eat. Also, it decreases the cooking time. And honestly, it’s super simple so I think the real question is why not?

Because learning to spatchcock a chicken totally changed my take on chicken, I made a short video to show you exactly how to do it so you can enjoy roasted chicken every bit as much as I do!

TL:DR thaw your chicken overnight in the fridge, remove backbone using sharp kitchen shears, lay chicken flat in a roasting pan and allow to sit at room temp for 30 minutes. Bake at 425F for approximately 45 minutes. Remove from oven at 162F and allow to rest 10-15 minutes to finish cooking. Enjoy fabulous, juicy, tender, chicken!

And don't forget to order your cage free, home grown chickens here!
​Ready to try spatchcocking a chicken yourself?? Order whole or cut up chickens here: www.brunkofarm.com/chicken
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5 Ways to Cook a Whole Chicken

8/2/2022

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Do you dream of stocking your freezer with cage free, locally raised chicken but your just not sure how to cook a whole chicken? 

I can help with that! There are so many ways to cook a whole chicken that I'm confident we can find something that suites your needs/skill level!

Here we go..

1. Crock Pot
The absolute easiest way to cook a whole chicken (and my go to method for YEARS) is to simply throw that baby in the crockpot. Take your chicken out of the freezer 1-2 days ahead of time and allow to thaw in the fridge. On your chosen cooking day, simply place in the crockpot with a half cup of water or chicken broth and cook on low for 8 hours. You can rub any kind of seasoning on the outside of the chicken that you like. I suggest something with sage or lemon. YUM! 

2. Spatchcocking
Spatchcocking may sound odd but it is my new favorite way to cook a chicken. If you want a fool proof, tender, delicious chicken this is absolutely the way to go! For an extra moist chicken, try out dry brining.

To spatchcock a chicken, cut out the backbone and lay the chicken flat as pictured to the right. You may need to use a little pressure to crack the breast bone but not much. Spatchcock and let the chicken sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking. Roast the chicken at 425F until the thermometer reads 157-160F.  At this time, remove chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. The chicken will continue to cook during the resting time and the temperature will increase by about 10F.
Optionally, if you are good at planning ahead, spatchcock & dry brine/season the chicken 12-24 hours prior to cooking for optimum flavor and extra crispy skin. How do you dry brine a chicken? Simply salt the chicken all over and let rest in the fridge uncovered* for 12-24 hours. You will use about 4-6TBSP salt. 

*yes you read that right uncovered!

PictureBeer can chicken on a stand and with a digital thermometer for monitoring the temp. You can purchase a stand to help support your beer can chickens, as seen in this photo, but it's not absolutely necessary. I have personally never used a stand or digital thermometer. Photo Credit: Caleb Martin
3. Beer Can Chicken
This is a popular way to cook chicken that is both fun and results in an end product crispy on the outside & moist on the inside. The name is a bit of a misnomer as you aren't restricted to just beer. You can also use root beer, ginger ale, apple juice, white wine, chicken broth, or even a can of baked beans. The key is to have a half full can of *something* wet and edible shoved into the cavity of the chicken! 

To use this method, rub the outside of your chicken with olive oil and your chosen seasonings ... might I recommend thyme, rosemary, & sea salt? Place your half full can into a pan large enough to hold the chicken, then set the chicken over the top of the can. Carefully place the pan in a 350F oven. Cook the chicken 13-15 minutes per pound of meat. So about 1hr 10 minutes for a 5 pound chicken. Alternatively, you can grill your beer but chicken using indirect heat*. After an hour on the grill, check the temperature of your chicken. Continue to check every 15 minutes after that until the thickest part of the chicken thigh reaches 165F. Cooking on the grill will likely take longer (think 1.5 hours for a 4lb chicken) but we all know everything tastes better on the grill! :D

*indirect heat means to only light half the burners of a gas grill or put charcoal on only one side of the grill. Place your chicken on the side where there is no charcoal/flame

4. Smoked chicken
A customer favorite! I don't have much experience using a smoker, however, I have a customer who enjoy smoking 4 or 5 chickens at a time. They then debone all 5 chickens and shred the meat, dividing it up into meal size portions and freeze for use over the next few weeks or months.

5. Frying
Who doesn't LOVE fried chicken?! Frying chicken can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. You can use an air fryer, convection oven, or a deep fryer. But did you know that you also fry a chicken (even a WHOLE chicken) in a pan on the stove? Just make sure to use an oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or peanut oil. After the chicken is done cooking, the oil can be strained, refrigerated and reused. Make sure to let the oil cool down before straining! Have fun experimenting with seasonings/breading your chicken. In our experience the best method for getting the breading to 'stick' is to toss your chicken pieces in flour, then dip in egg and finally dip in your spice/breading mix.

Our cut up chickens are ideal for frying but you can also order whole chickens and cut them up yourself. Or you can follow this recipe and deep fry a WHOLE chicken!

*Bonus tip 1: Choose one day a week to do some simple meal prep. I in no way, shape, or form, do I make an elaborate meal plan but I do like to cook up batches of key ingredients to have on hand. So for example, one week I might cook a chicken and some rice with a simple salt and pepper seasoning and then pair those ingredients with different veggies and seasonings for a variety of meals throughout the week. 
Bonus tip 2: if you live alone or perhaps your family prefers to not eat chicken more than once or twice a week despite different presentations, I recommend deboning (removing all of the chicken meat from the bones) after your first meal and then dividing the leftovers up into individual freezer containers. Then when you need a quick protein for a meal, it's easy to grab a container and heat it up!

What's your favorite way to cook a whole chicken?? I'd LOVE to hear from you in the comments! 
And then head over to our chicken page to fill your freezer with delicious easy meals ;)

Enjoy!
Emily & Nathan

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Winter Pigs

3/8/2021

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Well, this winter, we tested our abilities and took on an extra 6 pigs back in January. In the past, it has worked well for us to buy piglets in the spring and butcher them in the fall. We've done this for a couple of reasons but probably the biggest was that we were intimidated by the thought of caring for pigs outdoors in the extreme cold that we sometimes get here in Iowa. I've always thought of pigs as creatures that didn't handle the cold well and I just wasn't sure how we would handle that.

So what made us change our minds? Well, to be totally honest, the call from our friend and piglet supplier asking if we had room for a few came on a nice day. A nice WEEK to be honest. And maybe we had fooled ourselves into thinking the worst of winter was past us... we were wrong. Dead. Wrong. As we all now know. BUT I am proud to say that not one of these 6 pigs has even so much as a hint of frost bite. And have they ever grown! 

Through those two bitterly cold weeks in February, NP kept their huts full of nice dry straw which they buried themselves in at night and (to our surprise) ate during the day, in addition to their usual rations. We also learned that during the winter, it works well to water the pigs at feeding times in rubber pans.  Of course, it helps immensely that these pigs come from stock that has been bred for life outside. NP reports that only once did he even see them shiver. During the coldest days/nights they stayed huddled in their straw filled huts but you might be able to see in the photo above the fun that these pigs have had in our winter 'sacrifice lot'. They clearly enjoyed their time with us. We, however, did not anticipate the amount of digging they would be able to accomplish this time of year. Talk about strong snouts! After these guys move out, NP plans to level the pen back out and as soon as that is done, we will seed it down with cover crops.  At the same time, we will expand the pig pasture. 

This experience has not only left us with some extra pork on hand (we'd love to hep fill YOUR freezer ;) ) but also the confidence to take the dive into keeping pigs year round. I mean we made it through about the worst* that an Iowa winter can throw at us. (*Mother Nature, that's not a challenge ...we're not cocky enough to think you couldn't bring us to our knees if you wanted. No need to prove yourself on that point.)

What does all this mean for you? It means that we currently have what I think will be some of our nicest pork yet, available to fill YOUR freezer!

How does purchasing a 1/2 or whole hog work? Just send me (Emily) a message or phone call (brunkofarm@gmail.com or 712-249-3187) to reserve your whole or half pork and make a down payment. Price is $2.25/lb hanging weight and we ask for a down payment of $100 which is then applied to your final bill. A detailed breakdown of cost is available here. We will take the pigs to the locker on March 23 and at that time, we will send you a reminder to call the locker and place your 'cut order'. This is your opportunity to tell the locker exactly how to cut your meat. The locker walks you through your options and you can choose things like how thick you want your pork chops to be and how many in a package. Or if you even want pork chops at all. Maybe you would rather have more roasts or more ground pork instead. That's totally cool and one of the best parts of buying a hog like this! When the locker gives us the hanging weight of your hog, we send a final bill which must be paid in full before collecting your meat from the locker. After your meat is packaged and ready for pick up, the locker will give you a call. Once you've received that call, you can pick up your meat from the locker at your convenience. You will pay the locker for the processing when you pick up your meat. And voila! A freezer full of meat and constant supper inspiration :)
​
Thanks for reading and as always ..... Enjoy!
Emily

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Creole Pulled Pork

3/6/2021

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There is nothing better than a juicy, flavorful pulled pork sandwich. And this recipe is as simple as it gets!

Creole Pulled Pork
Ingredients
                                        
  • pork roast, (any pork roast works well for this including fresh ham roast,         shoulder roast, and loin ... I've even used 4 or 5 shoulder steaks in a pinch
  • olive oil
  • creole seasoning (we like Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning**)
 
Directions
  • Use a knife to pierce the roast all over
  • Drizzle roast with olive oil
  • Use your fingers to rub seasoning into the roast
  • Allow to marinate overnight in an airtight container (optional)
  • Put roast & 2 inches of water into crock pot and cook on low for 10-12 hours
  • Remove any bones and shred pork into the juices


Serving Suggestion: This pulled pork really shines when served on an English muffin with a dill pickle and creamy grits on the side
 
 **Don't have creole seasoning on hand? The following creole seasoning recipe is from Tony Chachere's cookbook. You will only need a fraction of this so consider cutting the recipe down. Or, don't. It's a versatile seasoning and I'm sure you find many ways to use it in your cooking.  We also particularly like this seasoning on fried potatoes and chicken.
  • 26-ounces Morton's free flowing salt
  • 1 1/2 ounces ground black pepper
  • 2-ounces ground red pepper
  • 1-ounce pure garlic powder
  • 1-ounce chili powder

Fill your freezer with all the delicious cuts of pork! Some of our heritage breed, pasture raised hogs are headed to the locker on March 23, 2021. Give Emily a call to reserve yours. 712-249-3187 or email brunkofarm@gmail.com
We also have a Q&A section here
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Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Chops

3/6/2021

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Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Chops
Servings: 2
 
Ingredients                                       Glaze Ingredients
2 pork chops                                      ¼ cup honey
Salt                                                    1 Tbsp garlic scapes, chopped*
Pepper                                               2 tsp soy sauce
Cooking oil                                         2 Tbsp lemon juice
 
Directions
  • Allow pork chops to come to room temperature before cooking.  Chop the garlic scapes. Whisk together the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice and garlic scapes and set aside.
  • Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops. Heat cooking oil in the skillet over medium heat.  Add the pork chops when the skillet is hot.
  • Sear the pork chops for 3 minutes on each side. The browning is super important to flavor so don’t touch the pork chops the first couple of minutes that they are in the pan!
  • Once seared, turn the heat down to LOW and add the honey garlic sauce. Scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan and stir into the sauce.
  • Allow the pork chops to simmer until they are done – about 5 or 6 minutes*. Remove pork chops from pan and let sauce continue to thicken if need be. Sauce is done when you can pull a spatula through it and it leaves a slight trail.

*can substitute 1-2 cloves garlic
 
**Pork chops should be cooked to 145 degrees F but will continue to cook once removed from the pan so you can remove them from the pan when they are 130 degrees F. – you can check temperature by inserting a meat thermometer through the side and into the middle of the pork chop.

***Note that this recipe is for 2 pork chops as it was originally designed for our Date Night CSA. However, it can easily be scaled up!

Fill your freezer with all the delicious cuts of pork! Some of our heritage breed, pasture raised hogs are headed to the locker on March 23, 2021. Give Emily a call to reserve yours. 712-249-3187 or email brunkofarm@gmail.com
​We also have a Q&A section here

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Farm Fashion - Tips for Winter Play & Chores

1/22/2021

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With more snow in the forecast, I think it is a great time to share some winter weather farm fashion tips for kids. 

We are firm believers in the Danish "no bad weather only bad clothes" philosophy. I will admit that I sometimes (ok ... often) curse my way through the dressing process in the winter but it's always worth it in the end. If we DON'T make it outdoors for some reason, NP can always tell shortly after walking in the door at the end of the day just by the kids' behavior. They NEED, as Olivia would say, to 'blow the stink off' daily.

As you may have noticed in my previous farm fashion posts, farm *fashion* is really more about function than class. You won't find any of us on the cover of Vogue. Ha.

And with that, I present ....The Components of a Toddler's Outdoor Winter Wardrobe:

1. The Expensive Part

BOOTS! Warm ones. And waterproof. Yes, they are expensive. Yes, they can be cumbersome. But warm waterproof boots are ESSENTIAL to any kind of success with outdoor play in the winter. And boots can usually be passed from child to child so that helps bring the cost down. You can also occasionally find good used boots on swap. If you do find a pair in your kiddos size, snatch them up fast as they don't usually stay on swap for long!

Wool Socks are another worth while investment.  For $15-30 you can get a half dozen pairs of toddler size wool socks and they are worth every penny. Again they can be passed down from sibling to sibling and I can tell you from my own years of wool sock wearing experience that they are transformational. I highly recommend them both indoors and out during the cold winter months.

On a side note: I encourage you to consider gifting the more expensive and durable pieces of children's winter gear once your crew has outgrown it. Good quality coats, coveralls and boots can provide several winters worth of warm outdoor play but most kids grow so fast they will only get to wear it for one season. 

2. The Nit Picky Part

Neckies. Neckies are the best thing since sliced bread. Seriously. Waaaaay easier to slip over a toddler's head than any scarf and stays in place too! My personal opinion is that a neckie increases the warmth factor of an outdoor ensemble by at least 60%. Neck stays warm and neither cold breezes nor snow find their way down kiddos neck and into their coat.

Leather "chore" mittens. Yes, leather. And yes, MITTENS. NO GLOVES ALLOWED. Initially we purchased these mittens because O wanted chores gloves 'just like daddy.' Although these are mittens and not gloves, they were reminiscient enough of daddy's chores gloves that O accepted them and they have been the warmest and most waterproof mittens we have found. They also stay on well and hold up to mud and all of the chore time wear and tear. And again they can be passed from one child to the next. 

3. The Upcycling Part

Glove holder on-ers......I am accepting nominations for a better name :P These wonderful creations are the last item to go on. They are simply old knee high socks of mine which we have cut the toe off and cut a slit for the thumb. By pulling them on over the gloves and coat sleeves it makes it harder for kids to take their gloves off and even more importantly, it keeps the snow and cold from sneaking in between gloves and the ends of coat sleeves. I wish I could take credit for this brilliant idea but honesty compels me to admit that I saw this tip in some 'life hacks' video somewhere on the internet. I can however, wholeheartedly confirm the efficacy. 



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The outer layers all laid out. Don't mind the miss matched socks. Remember function is the key. Two mis-matched socks are just as warm as matching ones ;)
Sledding with Uncle C during
Snow Mountain provides hours of fun through the winter
Playtime on 'snow mountain' after chores with dad
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My Christmas in the Danish Villages

12/7/2019

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I have a confession. This is the first year in a while that I've truly been excited about celebrating Christmas. I don't know if it's because O is at an age to start taking it all in or if it's just that I am finally starting to feel settled and at home.  Regardless of the reason, I am SO enjoying the Holiday season this year. 

Last weekend, I caught a small part of Julefest and snagged a Christmas countdown candle at the Danish Windmill. We've been burning it each night at supper. It's a fun way to mark the time and makes supper that much more hygge.  While I was at the windmill I had my first taste of Glogg for the season.

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Today, we went to Mathias Tree Farm and O picked out the perfect Christmas Tree. I cant wait to decorate it this evening while enjoying some yummy Glogg. The farm is located on Highway 71 just South of Brayton and is picturesque with rows of beautifully shaped Christmas trees and cookies for the kiddos to enjoy. Amy said they are open 8-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec 15. 
​

Last night, I finished sewing two stockings. One for each kid to hang near the Christmas tree. I had enough scraps on hand to make the stockings but now I am pretty well out of red and green fabric so I will have to visit Log Cabin Quilting during Elk Horn's ugly sweater festival December 14 and take advantage of their 30% off sale. I'm hoping to make a tree skirt this year. It may not get done by Dec 25 but if I make it now I will have it for next year!

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While we are in Elk Horn, I think the kids and I will stop by Pleasant Thymes Tea Room for some of their chilled raspberry soup. Is there a more magical place? Maybe I can talk Grammy G into going with us ;) I promised O that we could make some cookies for the library's cookie walk too. Maybe we can wave at Santa while we are there.

When it comes to Christmas Day, I think we will have Raspberry Danishes for breakfast. Or maybe an almond kringle. I will let NP choose. We will be going out to eat Christmas Day because that is my grandma's preference and in her words "you will have plenty of years to have Christmas when I'm gone".  Regardless, I will still make pies because fresh apple pie is just a MUST. And like I said, I am in the Christmas spirit this year so I planned out some Christmas meals anyway. You can benefit from those dreams by ordering our Ham Holiday Meal Bundle or our Leg of Lamb Holiday Meal Bundle. Recipes included! Breakfast items and pies available too.

My Christmas shopping started at Julefest too but I can't tell you too much about that for obvious reasons ;) There are a couple of unique businesses I am definitely buying from this year though including Corn 4 a Cause & Little Grey House Designs. Corn 4 a Cause is a non profit that grows super yummy sweet corn. For every dozen ears of corn that they sell, they donate a dozen ears to food pantries around the area. And they offer gift certificates! Corn 4 a Cause is located just a mile south of us on Eagle Avenue. 
Little Grey House designs is owned by a mom of 3 who spends her spare time designing and making t-shirts, bags, blankets,coffee mugs and more. She has some fun gift bundles right now so hop on over to her page and see what she has! Both of these businesses offer unique options for the hard to buy for. 

With that I better get back to the present moment in my house. O just asked me to dance along with Jingle Bell Rock and ya better believe I'm not gonna pass that up!

Merry Christmas!
Emily & the crew

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    Emily Paulsen

    Just a woman with a passion for the animals, the land, and feeding people!

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