Submitted by Betty K. Munsey

Women from all over the Commonwealth—Frederick to Fluvanna, Lee to Lunenburg, Rappahannock to Russell and most points in between—traveled to Hot Springs for a special conference. Some of the younger women in their late teens were experiencing their first such event whereas some of the older ladies, probably in their eighties, were multiple repeat attendees. Age was not a disparaging difference nor was hometown locations divisive because these women came together with the one common goal of “Living for Agriculture”. 

The Homestead Resort was a fitting location for this annual Virginia Farm Bureau Women’s Conference since early farms were lovingly referred to as a homestead. The view from my Homestead room revealed elaborately landscaped lawns, carefully placed flower beds, bubbling fountains, and uniformed bellmen which was quite a change from the window view most farm women see on a daily basis. We’re more accustomed to the view from our back or front porches with livestock grazing in nearby fields, our husbands or other family members wearing Carhartt jackets passing on the tractor, and the big yellow school bus on its way down our rural roads carrying its precious cargo to school.

Farm women awaken daily to concerns about their livelihood–rising prices of supplies, equipment, fuels, and insurance–as well as the health and safety of their husband and business partner. High statistics for on-farm accidents reflect only a breath away from a disaster for her and her husband in the event of a deadly accident. Worry about the future of the farm and steps to pass it along to the next generation if they so chose are paramount in the concerns and work plans for this farm group as well as its individual members. Many farm women work off the farm to supplement on-farm incomes and in many cases to provide insurance for family members and are often stressed to their limit both financially and emotionally.

Yet for this one weekend unfinished farm projects that always seem to need immediate attention will be replaced by a few well deserved hours of relaxation, encouraging and insightful workshops, and thought provoking speeches. One of the keynote speakers was LaDonna Gatlin, kid sister of the famous Nashville-based Gatlin Brothers and an entertainer in her own right, who motivated her audience while performing a variety of golden oldies with her unique vocal range.

These farm women executives certainly don’t fill the mold of a typical farm wife as portrayed on such classic television shows as Green Acres or Petticoat Junction. As the conference’s mistress of ceremonies requested all cell phones be turned off or turned to vibrate, she resembled a football coach sending in game plans as many at each banquet table reached into their purses to follow her request. These ladies are technologically up-to-par with their urban sisters relying on computer updates for the latest local weather predictions, Facebook and other forms of personal media providing daily interactions with family and friends, and the internet for the latest farm business information. Many use sophisticated computer systems to record and manage their farm’s business expenses and tax information.

Working day-to-day with agriculture they are deeply aware of the importance of healthy living with plenty of exercise in fresh unpolluted air, and eating locally grown foods. The conference goodie bags were filled with granola bars, bottled water, soy nuts, and other Virginia grown products. These women praised their Creator for their blessings and responsibilities as farmers and weren’t ashamed or afraid to publically pray and thank God. They proudly stood in a strong united voice pledging allegiance to America and America’s principles.

This Virginia Farm Bureau Women’s Group was truly reflective of farm women who are caring yet strong willed managers, co-owners and many cases sole owners of farms—the backbone of our American economy.

The mission of the Farm Bureau Women’s Program is to promote agriculture and educate our communities of its improtance.  To learn more about the Women’s Program or to become involved, visit http://vafarmbureau.org/MemberPrograms/FarmBureauWomen.aspx

Take a look at us building hives…yes that is me with the nail gun. I told Chris that I wasn’t helping unless I was allowed to play with the tools, ha.

The painting…I wish I had taken a close up of the ginormous paint brush Chris bought for me to us…I have really small hands. Needless to say, he decided that he wanted to play with the nail gun so he gave me the paint and paintbrush.

The stacking…and unstacking, and restacking…

And now the hardest, most stressful part of all…coming up with 50,000 names for the kids.  Let’s see, there is Aidan, Ashley, Bryan, Brittany, Carter, Carrie, Derrick, Dora, Elvis, Evelyn, Frasier, Farrah, Grant, Gwen, Harry, Heather, Issac, Ivy….

Just kidding, I’m not serious about naming the honey bees. I must admit that I might yell a name out when I see one fly near me in the future though, just to keep the neighbors guessing.

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!!!