BEE FACT... Honey bees are the only insects that produce human food.

Agtually…  We are preparing for the arrival of 50,000 neighbors!  No, the city isn’t arriving in the country.  It’s a lot more buzzzz than that!  Jennie and I will soon be taking delivery on 50,000 bee neighbors for our farm…  We are starting into beekeeping and will begin our apiary very soon with 4 hives.

Bees play a critical part in the food chain by pollinating hundreds of different crops.  In fact, it is estimated that bees contribute 9.5% to the total value of agricultural production.  However, bee populations have been declining, resulting in concerns about sufficient bee numbers to provide the necessary pollination of many of the fruits and produce that you enjoy. 

We have already begun the work of preparing the bee equipment and anticipate the arrival of our first bees at the end of March.  Join us along the way as we share our adventures in this new endeavor…

Thank you to the Virginia Peanut Growers Association, Colonial Farm Credit and Beechland Farms for helping us donate 72 jars of peanut butter!

 At the recent Farm Bureau Young Farmers Winter Expo, this partnership with the Virginia Federation of Food Banks continued as conference attendees were encouraged to bring jars of peanut butter for donation to the Food Bank.  Peanut butter continues to remain a staple protein source for the Food Bank and through the efforts of the Maryland and Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers; over 550 jars of peanut butter were donated to the area Food Banks.

 We look forward to continuing to work with our local Food Bank to increase the availability of local, fresh produce and encourage other farmers to get involved, as well. For more information on how you can become involved in providing the Food Bank with fresh, local produce, contact us at info@agtually.com 

 Not a farmer? Become a gleaner and volunteer to help with this worthy cause. For more info, go to: www.endhunger.org or www.vafoodbanks.org

As for my resolutions for this year…I’ve made a conscience decision to exercise more and have been waking up at 5:00 am the past few mornings in order to drive to the YMCA right around the corner from my office.  I’ve timed it out and am able to get a good 45 minute walk on the treadmill done in plenty of time to shower and dress for work without stressing too much.  My hope is to SLOWLY work my way up to running instead of walking… its not easy for me to go slow and let my body catch up.  I ran track when I was a teenager and I want to run, run, run like the wind.  I’m trying to be good and start slow so I don’t get injured and really miss out though; that is if you call walking at a 3.9 pace slow, ha!

I’m also reading and following the Made to Crave series by Lysa TerKeurst.  The main principle in the book is to replace craving food with craving God instead.  I’m definitely an emotional eater…I eat when I’m sad, mad, glad, excited, happy…basically all the time.  I was raised on food for celebration (birthday parties, cookouts with friends, etc.) and food for hurting (funerals, breakups, etc.) it’s a lesson that was so ingrained in me that I’m carrying around more weight than I’d like to right now.  The Made to Crave series teaches us that God made us to crave but to crave Him instead of other things and other people.  Lysa hosted a webinar this past Monday night to kick off the program…it’s still available if anyone wants to join me in this process, simply go to http://www.lysaterkeurst.com and watch the webinar now.

So what are your resolutions for this year?  How are you planning to tackle those?

Yesterday I took down my Christmas decorations and boxed them up to be stored in the barn until next year.  As I gently wrapped each handmade ornaments, rolled up my ribbons and snugly packaged my nativity set I became a little saddened at the thought of waiting another year before I can proudly display my treasures again.  I briefly thought about leaving my tree and window candles up all year but knew that Chris, not to mention my neighbors, would surely worry about my mental state, ha!!  I even considered changing the tree decorations to match the seasons but knew that I’d lose that argument as well.

I heard once that it was bad luck to take down your decorations before January 1 of the new year…I wonder if I could stretch that out in the future…to maybe July, ha!!  Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Breakfast Casserole

1 lb venison sausage (substitute Bocca Soy Crumbles or Pork Sausage if you prefer)

1 ½ cups fat-free cheddar cheese

1 ½ cups egg substitute (or 6 eggs well beaten)

1 cup fat-free milk

10 slices reduced calorie bread, cubed

Lightly spray 9×13 in baking dish with cooking spray.  Cut or tear bread slices into even sized cubes, layer into baking dish.  Brown sausage, layer on top of bread.  Mix egg substitute and milk in small bowl, pour over sausage layer.  Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge to set overnight.

The next morning, bake in a 350° oven for 45 minutes until cheese is lightly browned.  Allow to cool for about 5 minutes and serve.

This recipe was shared with us in a family cookbook before we were married.  It’s a delicious recipe that I try to make every once in a while.  Now that I’m trying to eat healthier and lose weight I’ll probably beef up the dish with sautéed vegetables including onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and chopped broccoli pieces.  Approximately ½ cup of each vegetable should be enough to make the dish more filling without piling on the calories. 

Either way you decide, I hope you’ll try this recipe and customize it to fit your family’s taste.  With little prep time the night before and almost zero on the day of, it’s the perfect accompaniment for busy cooks on Christmas morning.  Serve with fresh fruit and steaming mugs of fresh brewed coffee.  Enjoy!

1 cup butter, softened

1 ¼ cup sugar

3 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon cinnamon

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon almond extract

2  15oz. packages slivered almonds

Mix butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.  Add eggs until well blended.  Stir remaining ingredients in by hand until thoroughly mixed.  Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray.  Fill each cup with batter.  Bake in a preheated 375° oven until lightly browned, for approximately 10 – 15 minutes.  Yields approximately six dozen cakes.

Recipe adapted from Gooseberry Patch Christmas Cookbook.

Minature Pecan Pies

For the Crust

3 oz. package reduced fat cream cheese

1 ½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup butter

1/8 teaspoon salt

Allow cream cheese and butter to come to room temperature.  Mix flour with salt, then cut butter and cheese into flour using a pastry cutter.  Crust will resemble a course grainy texture.  Chill in bowl for 1 hour.  Roll into balls and press each one into miniature cake pan.

Filling

1 egg (or egg substitute)

1 Cup brown sugar

1 Tablespoon butter

2 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Beat egg, add sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.  When thoroughly mixed add pecans.  Put a little less than a teaspoon in to each pastry lined tin.  Bake in a 350° oven for 20 – 25 minutes.  Allow to cool then enjoy!!

This past weekend we packed up the truck, crossed the Mason-Dixon line and visited the great states of New Jersey and New York.  On Friday we were given a private tour of the Jersey shore from our friends.  This tour involved eating lunch a fun place called Fins.  The tilapia fish and chips appetizer come highly recommend by me and will be one that I order again on my next visit.  We toured condos and houses, saw historical places where musicians used to play, and walked on the beach.  Dinner included a variety of Italy type pizzas at a local Italian restaurant complete with a dessert pizza too.

Friday was New York City time!!  We decided early in planning our visit that seeing the Christmas lights was a main part of our visit and planned our time accordingly.  As you can imagine, Chris had the sites he wanted to see, and I had the ones that were important to me.  We decided for this visit we’d bypass the Statue of Liberty and Central Park until our next visit next Spring.

Chris wanted to see the New York Stock Exchange, even though it was closed as we were visiting on a Saturday.   

I’ll admit to enjoying the sites in the financial district too.  We just had to get our moment on Wall Street…short people have to step on tippy-toes to avoid their heads being cut off in the photo, ha!

And with the Bull …Chris was most impressed with finding a bull in the city, ha!!

My favorite part of the trip was the Christmas lights!  I’ve always seen the tree and the skating rink at Rockefeller Center on the television but seeing them in person was magical.  I am a little kid when it comes to Christmas lights and the tree did not disappoint me in any way!  The skating rink is much smaller in person and the line to even think about skating was impossible…

Lastly was Time Square, what a site when you imagine the thousands of people who cram into that area on New Year’s Eve.  I figure I’ll have to work some serious magic to get Chris to try that one, ha.  Especially since I’m the one who can’t stand crowds at all!!

On our trip back on Sunday we passed many large and small farms scattered throughout after driving only a few short miles outside of the city limits.  The area up north was quite pretty but I think I’ll keep visiting and stay in my home in the country.

As is tradition in our home, tomorrow I will be frantically decorating for the Christmas season while Chris is out hunting deer and turkeys.  Did you know that it is a state law that hunters can shoot wild turkeys on Thanksgiving?  I love that tradition and think it would be fun it he actually killed one this year, ha!!

I may reintroduce an old family tradition and brave the stores this Black Friday too.  I was remembering fondly the many years that the females in my family would wake up early to find the perfect deals in the malls.  We’d laugh as we were parked out front to be first in line when the stores opened their doors.  I remember getting chocolate bars one year where inside the wrapper were coupons for even more price reductions on our holiday treasures.

Whatever your family tradition, I hope you have a very wonderful Thanksgiving!

The great thing about my 28 mile commute during the fog is that I manage to spend the time in song and prayer for my safe travel and work day.  I recently found a Christian radio channel that comes in pretty clear for most of the drive. I now treasure my morning drive as I sing familiar tunes that uplift my spirit and my mood. 

 I heard a new song, new to me at least, this morning that has stuck with me throughout the day.  The song is There is Nothing Greater than Grace by Point of Grace.  It has a beautiful chorus that spoke to me…

“There is no valley. There is no darkness. There is no sorrow, greater than the grace of Jesus.

There is no moment. There is no distance. There is no heartbreak, he can’t take you through.

So before you think that you’re too lost to save, remember there is nothing greater than grace.”

As I pulled into my parking spot at the office I sat for a quiet moment of prayer with the Lord asking Him to watch over my friends and loved ones who are hurting at this moment.  I prayed for His guidance on some things going on in my own life and asked Him to be with me as I go throughout my day.  I prayed that others might see Him in my eyes and know that though I am not perfect and I occasionally stumble, I walk my life with Him. 

One of the best compliments I heard recently from a friend was when she told me of a lady holding her hand in a store and the lady saying that she could see Jesus in my friend’s eyes.  May you be blessed as you go throughout your day and may others see His light shining in your eyes.

Hugs,

Jennie

I absolutely DO NOT LIKE when they wake me up from a restful sleep at 2:30 in the morning to announce that they would like fresh batteries.  I absolutely DO NOT LIKE when they will not quit beeping even after I replace the batteries and press the little “test button” while deafening my hearing at the up-close high pitch squeal.  2:30 am is awful early to start that racket. 

So I’m wondering if smoke detectors can alert me to when they sense smoke and carbon monoxide, why can they not be smart enough to request new batteries at a later hour?  Preferable anytime after 6:00 am on weekdays and 8:30 am on the weekends, ha!!

I need to work on laundry, run the vacuum over the floors, cook dinner rather than giving Chris the “soup and sandwich” option I’ve been giving lately and just spend some time with my family and friends.

I need to break out my sewing machine to hem a few pairs of pants, stitch the slit in the front of a new blouse that’s a little too revealing and finish the curtains that I’ve been reluctant to do for the kitchen and back entryway.

I need to pull weeds out of my flower beds that are almost taller than CC so that I can look at my plants rather than the “mess” that the beds have become.

I need to throw the tennis ball for CC to play fetch and spend more time rubbing Killer Cat’s ears the way he likes before they both run away to homes where people spend much more time with their furry children.

I need to sweep the fallen leaves off both porches, straighten the rocking chairs and glider swing and put out my pretty fall wreathes. 

I need to purchase mums to draw focus on my porch steps….after I pull all the weeds of course!

I need to finish a bunch of agriculture related blog posts that I’ve begun and are half done….did I mention that I spent some time up-close and personal with a tobacco plant earlier this year?  It was the first plant I recall seeing that closely and the farmer was most gracious about explaining the harvesting process to me….I need to share my new found knowledge with you!

I need to finish the cross-stitch that I started over two years ago so that it can be added to the pile in my cedar chest of ones I’ve done in the past but have never framed.

I need to sew 5,000 more yo-yo’s to finish the quilt I started a couple years ago that after making 1,500 yo-yo’s was frustratingly only big enough for a table topper.

I need to stop thinking about and listing things I need to finish…it’s getting tiring!!! 

A few months back Chris and I were invited to speak before a young audience, sharing our agriculture story with them.  Since the venue was quite a few hours from home, we decided to drive up the night before, stay in a hotel and be refreshed the morning of our presentation.  We made it safely to our destination, met a few friends for dinner at a local restaurant and settled into our hotel room for an early evening.  All it all it was a very uneventful night and I rested peacefully anticipating sharing our story the next day.

 We woke to a sunshiny day and I hurried to get ready at an abnormally early hour, as I usually do before any events, and waited for Chris to get ready so that we could head out for breakfast before our presentation.  I could only imagine the embarrassment of my stomach growling loudly into the microphone if we didn’t find time to eat…we’ll that, or my hands shaking and me passing out from low blood sugar (have I mentioned lately that I have a very active imagination, ha?).  As I was waiting, I heard a blood curdling scream from Chris…I knew he had either seen a spider (oh wait, that’s my fear and not his), managed to somehow cut himself shaving with an electric razor, had slipped, or something else…my mind was wild with thought.  What I hadn’t imagined was him throwing his back out, being in severe paid and barely able to move.

Luckily I carry ibuprofen in my purse to deal with headaches that I suffer from on occasion.  I glanced quickly at the bottle, saw 100mg and handed Chris six pills with a cup of water.  My hope was that the medicine would enable him to at least move a little.  I began praying that he’d feel better as quickly as possible because our presentation was one that was designed for us to take turns speaking.  I knew that if he didn’t get better I would have to give the full presentation alone.  I knew my parts very well and knew his very little, I was panicking indeed!!

Long story short, when we arrived at the venue he was feeling a little better but not much.  I handed him two more pills as my doctor had advised me previously that I could take 800mg for the pain if my headaches were really bad and figured it would work on his back too.  Good news, Chris was able to walk on stage and we were thankful to share our story via a very fun, upbeat presentation.

On the drive back home his back started bothering him again.  It had been four hours since the initial medicine dosage and he asked if it was time to take a couple more pills to make the ride easier.  That’s when I slowed down and really looked at the bottle.  I’m sure many of you already know what I did…on a slower read the bottle contained 100 pills in 200mg dosages…holy cow, I overmedicated my husband!!!  At this point Chris had taken 1600mg in a 5 hours period.  He was laughing and fussing at me at the same time.  Jokingly he said I did it on purpose so that I didn’t have to present by myself though I am sure that he really knew it was an honest mistake during a moment of panic.

Living in the country means dirt, mud, dirt, more mud and more dirt especially on light colored vinyl flooring.  The dirt is carried in each and every time one of us, a visitor, or one of the kids (CC and/or Killer Cat) comes into the house from the outdoors.  Sometimes I think it creeps slowly under the doors and such when we’re sleeping because no matter how much I clean and scrub, the dirt is somehow always there on my floors.

Saturday mornings are my thorough cleaning days and has been that way for as long as I can remember even way back into my childhood.  It’s a routine that Chris knows and appreciates, especially during hunting season.  In addition to my weekly cleaning, every 6 to 8 weeks I not only clean the house really well I also SCRUB the floors with a bucket and a hand-held scrub brush too.  It’s a time consuming job that ends up actually cleaning the floors three different times but it’s the only way I know to get the house spotless for a few hours at least.  A couple of weekends ago was one of these scrubbing days.  After a few hours of cleaning the rest of the house I was finally ready to vacuum, scrub and then mop the floors.  Unfortunately we had a few containers and heavy items in our back room that I needed Chris to move so that I could scrub the floors the way I wanted. 

As any married woman will tell you, there is a vast difference between “your time” and “your husband’s time.”  My time knew that I had about 3 hours of vacuuming, floor scrubbing and mopping before I was finished with the house and ready to breathe before making dinner for friends coming over that evening.  Chris’s time meant that even though I asked him to move the things so I could finish the housework, he could go back to what he was doing and eventually get around to moving the stuff.  As you can imagine, a slight argument broke out and feelings definitely got hurt.   

 I didn’t realize until later that Chris usually leaves the house when I’m scrubbing, which is not only fine but actually preferred by me, and because of that he had no way of knowing how long the process was going to take.  Had I been clear on the floor cleaning process then Chris would have known why I needed him to change his plans at that second and assist me.  Had he told me what he was doing that was so time critical and really needed his attention at that moment I may have altered my timing.  Instead we both failed to communicate our process.

The sad realization that we both came to later after a little cooling off on both parts was that…neither view was wrong and neither view was right…it was simple lack of communication and timing.  A lesson we’re still working on each and every day.

A few months back while working on a project at home, my desktop computer gave me the dreaded blue screen.  I remember calling Chris in a panic because I couldn’t reboot, couldn’t press any magic button or do anything but sit there staring….my technology had died.  It was complete devastation at that time as I had lost all my hard work and the hours of time that it took to create the now lost project.  Because of that day I worry about losing my files, pictures and other items that are important to me almost daily.  I always hold my breath when my laptop pauses on a startup.  I feel myself willing it to work properly for me so that I can once again reach out to my friends and family.

This crazy technological world of instant messages, emails and texts brings me to a real question…what happened to calling our friends and family, writing and mailing letters or (brace yourself) visiting them in person?  I am crazy guilty about not spending enough time with my long time friends and family.  I’m sure they will tell you that I could seriously work on visiting and calling both.  Sadly, I find excuses of being busy, they are far away, they could call or visit me too…at the end of the day I realize that these excuses are driving me farther and farther away from the ones I love and miss dearly.

I would love to tell you that I vow to commit to reaching out more but I’ve done that time and time again.  All I can do is ask for prayers from you and understanding from those I love as I try harder to be the friend/sister/daughter/loved one they need.  I’m going to try using my technology a little less and reach out with an old fashioned pen and paper…at least it’s a start!!!