"You've got a cow out by the highway," says the gentleman with a slow drawl who stopped by the house around dusk last night.
The Grass Is Always Greener...
Teacher Appreciation Collage
'Tis the season to let our teachers know how much we appreciate all that they have done for (and put up with from) our children throughout the school year. My friend Tiffany and I got together and came up with a couple of ideas to show our teachers how special they are.
After asking the children to describe their teacher in one word, she provided me with the list of attributes and the general idea and I put together these collages, printed them on photo paper and framed them.
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| Miss Gunn is a Texas Longhorn fan! |
This was a simple and inexpensive way to give a gift that is sentimental without being cheesy - and straight from the mouths of the students... as you can see, many of the attributes were the same, so making the second one took less time.
Simply choose a photo and make it the backdrop or watermark in a word processing document and then begin adding text boxes and turning them different ways, changing the font and color, etc.
Have a better idea? Let us know! Post it on our Facebook page and we could feature your project next!
Searching for Inspiration
In the midst of a fiction novel I have run into my first bout with writer's block. I am about three quarters of the way through and as of lately I have a hard time imagining myself being creative anywhere other than in the middle of a pasture at dusk about 4 miles north of Sharon. Growing up I was always so disappointed that my parents didn't live in town. Now, I hate that I don't live in a pasture. Literally. All I want is a small house in the middle of nowhere. I don't want to see city lights, I'm rather partial to the lights of R.C. Phillips Cattle Company whose only purpose is to light the pens of cattle whining outside their house.
Struck Down, But Not Destroyed
On April 9, 1947, one of the most devastating tornadoes to ever wreak havoc in the Sooner State tore through the town of Woodward Oklahoma with a devastating force, destroying over 100 city blocks containing over 1,000 homes and businesses and killing at least 107 people.
Just days after the 65th anniversary of that fateful night, tragedy struck again. Minutes after midnight on the morning of Sunday, April 15, 2012, as much of this small town lay sleeping, another tornado ripped through the heart of the Woodward community.
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| The Path of Destruction: Photo Courtesy of ReadyWoodward Matt |
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| Photo by Kenton Kamolz |
My humble words cannot describe the array of emotions that these scenes evoke in my own heart. I know that I watched from over 100 miles away, listening to Marty Logan's live coverage on News Chanel 9, frantically texting my friends and family to rouse them from sleep and get them to safety - my hands shaking convulsively as I heard his account - barely able to type the words.
"Tornado is on the ground! Tornado is on the ground!"
"I've got an apartment complex that's being hit... I've got a power line across the road ahead of me..."
"Oh, no! I've got to keep calm... this is going to be 34th Street... 34th and Oklahoma... buildings destroyed... I smell natural gas..."
"Oh, no! I've got to keep calm... this is going to be 34th Street... 34th and Oklahoma... buildings destroyed... I smell natural gas..."
The tornado sirens were damaged by another storm that came through the area hours earlier and were not functioning properly, leaving residents with little or no warning.
The stories that would follow this devastation are some of the most powerful I have ever heard - but not because they are tragic (and many are), but because they show the resilience and tenacity of a community in small town America - knit together and determined to recover stronger than before.
Woodward's story is not one of tragedy - but one of hope.
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| Photo by Olivia Pauley via Woodward Tornado Info. |
During the tornado, in the midst of the Hide-A-Way Trailer park where a man and his daughters in a home a few trailers down lost their lives, new life was born. A mother gave birth to a healthy daughter in a trailer that rolled four times as the tornado passed over.
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Photo Credit: Associated Press A Christian Motorcycle Association member hugs Linda Dupree, left, Sunday in Woodward, Okla. Dupree's grandson and two great-grandchildren died Saturday when a tornado hit their mobile home. |
Total strangers came out in full force to help their neighbors sift through the rubble for momentous and anything that was salvageable.
Businesses have brought in food to feed volunteers and homeowners nearly every meal.
Kids were skipping school - not to cause mischief - but to sneak into the area of destruction and start working - without any instruction or adults present, not even knowing who's house they were working on - simply compelled to help.
The local photographer put a call out to all residents that suffered damages to contact his studio and that he would replace any photos that he had taken as far back as 1986 - at no charge!
The purpose of this article is beyond what my words can convey - to attempt to show you the true spirit of this faith-centered community. While still mourning and broken, we are united and determined to overcome this tragedy together.
I know I could give dozens of accounts of other random acts of kindness by strangers and miraculous survival, but they have all been told by others already. My purpose here is to simply share my own heart and bring to light my own feelings of pride in my community, family and friends, who in the wake of devastation, afford me a new perspective on life.
As I thoughts of that fateful night still swirl in my head, a resounding chorus echos...
I am pressed but not crushed
persecuted, but not abandoned
struck down, but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse,
for His promise will endure
and His joy will be my strength
though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning.
And I know Woodward can already see the light of morning. You will all continue to be heavy on my heart and in my prayers.
Businesses have brought in food to feed volunteers and homeowners nearly every meal.
Kids were skipping school - not to cause mischief - but to sneak into the area of destruction and start working - without any instruction or adults present, not even knowing who's house they were working on - simply compelled to help.
The local photographer put a call out to all residents that suffered damages to contact his studio and that he would replace any photos that he had taken as far back as 1986 - at no charge!
The purpose of this article is beyond what my words can convey - to attempt to show you the true spirit of this faith-centered community. While still mourning and broken, we are united and determined to overcome this tragedy together.
I know I could give dozens of accounts of other random acts of kindness by strangers and miraculous survival, but they have all been told by others already. My purpose here is to simply share my own heart and bring to light my own feelings of pride in my community, family and friends, who in the wake of devastation, afford me a new perspective on life.
As I thoughts of that fateful night still swirl in my head, a resounding chorus echos...
I am pressed but not crushed
persecuted, but not abandoned
struck down, but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse,
for His promise will endure
and His joy will be my strength
though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning.
And I know Woodward can already see the light of morning. You will all continue to be heavy on my heart and in my prayers.
Future Generation of Growers
Attempting to follow in the footsteps of previous generations of farmers is daunting. Acquiring funds and resources to help you build your own farm can be seriously discouraging. Luckily, you are not alone.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has compiled an interesting video from real farmers who share some of the valuable information, resources and funding opportunities that they have received through the United States Department of Agriculture and the Farm Service Agency.
Harvesting Rainwater
It's raining gold! Well - maybe it's just raining, but when you live in a drought-stricken part of the country, it may as well be gold.
Catching that liquid gold in a bucket or barrel can conserve energy, water and money. This is especially applicable for those who operate on well water, which uses an electric pump each time you turn on the faucet.
Whether you position a large barrel under the downspout from your roof gutters or simply place a bucket or two in the yard when rain is forecast, harvesting rainwater is a simple way to keep it green while saving some green.
For more information on harvesting rainwater, check out The Texas Manual of Rainwater Harvesting.
The Texas A&M System Agri-LIFE Extension also offers extensive information for a number of applications on their website. Click here for more details.
Whispering Winds
Surrounded by the skeletons of thousands of dormant mounds of sage brush, I crouch on top of a ridge and look down across the rolling hills, punctuated occasionally with the brownish-green foliage of thirsty Eastern Red Cedars.
As the late afternoon sun descends into dusk, the prairie is mute except for the sound of the wind. It whistles and whirrs, emulating the sound of numerous voices, all involved in different conversations. It is a dull roar of indistinguishable words - except for one.
My heart races and I am filled with a strange feeling of satisfaction as I realize the meaning of this one word.
My sister is just across the way. I can see her on the top of another ridge. She is looking at something in the sand - most likely an old snake hole - she is always watching for those - even in the winter.
We don't feel the need to talk to each other as we trudge along. Every now and then we stop to point out something, like an old bottle or a snake hole, but there is no need for idle conversation out here.
I can see her face, she is not talking. It is the prairie I hear - and today, it is calling my name.
This prairie wind calls out to me, reassuring me that this is exactly where I am meant to be - where I belong. This soothing whisper in the wind is like the bond between friends. It envelopes me in warmth on this cold winter day and confirms what I already knew in my heart.
This land knows me by name. It knows that I have a plan for it and that I will not forsake it to the wrath of the summer heat or the blustery winter winds. It knows that I have seeds in wait to plant in its dry valleys and that instead of seeing a dusty and windblown wasteland, I see a dormant oasis in need of a little care and cultivation, ready to burst forth with a rich bounty.
It knows my name because my name is written here. I write it with my footprints in the red dirt hills and the sandy valley bottoms and with every swath of the plow and every seed that is planted. The mark I make on this land pales in comparison to the mark this land has made on me.
It has supported generations of Phillips' who depended on it. Though the weather and the markets may have let them down, this land never did. It stood by steadfastly and now I hope to repay the favor.
Welcome to the farm.
Roadside Treasure
| Going green isn't just about recycling. Reusing old items or re-purposing found ones is a large component of responsible stewardship. |
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As road crews cleared trees and debris along the highway we live on to make way for the new roadway, they simply mulched these small trees and shrubs and left the piles of wood chips along the road.
I can only assume that they are counting on the wind and the local wildlife to scatter these piles. I don't know if they were counting on the local farmers to scavenge them - but scavenge them we will!
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These fresh wood chips are from local trees and are obviously not treated with any type of chemicals or pesticides - oh... and they're free!
Be on the lookout for finds like this one anywhere there is road construction. It was literally the jackpot for us. It will be used to mulch rows of nursery trees this spring when they are planted. It will help to control soil erosion, while aiding in moisture retention - allowing us to conserve water.
It is the trifecta of wonderful old roadside "junk".
Welcome to the green farm!
The High Plains Journal
I personally enjoy a hard copy of something in my hands. I guess thatt's almost retro these days, so if you prefer to read publications online, the High Plains Journal does not require you to purchase a membership to access the vast resources available on their website. These include full-length articles and links to other valuable resources dedicated to a diverse sampling of the Ag industry from crops and livestock to farm shows and conventions.
Take time to check out their website at www.hpj.com and I promise you won't be disappointed. You can also follow them on Facebook for updates.
Everyone laughs when they catch me digging through the mail to gather up the recent issue, but they are always curious to hear the latest and greatest I have to offer after reading it.
Good luck!
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you!
There are a number of ways to stay in touch with us or you may contact us directly.
Like us on Facebook.
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E-mail us directly. Click here to send an e-mail.
Even The Fuddy-Duds Are Going Green
Farmers can be fuddy-duds. I can say that because I come from a family of them - which technically probably makes me one too. (A farmer, not a fuddy-dud. I'm too young to be a fuddy-dud - and I will try my best not to use that word again in this post.)
You might think that getting farmers to "go green" would take an act of congress, but farmers were truly the first in the movement.
Farmers have always treated the quality of their land and crops with a fervent zeal that is unrivaled. They were among the first to harness clean wind energy to pump water. They made the effort to control pests with natural methods and herbicides rather than dangerous chemicals, because, after all, their families were going to eat those crops, too.
Instead of buying new things, farmers often choose to reuse something else - like how they often fix a worn out fence post with a large thick branch. (Signature handy work of my dad and grandpa.)
In all seriousness, though, my goal is that the posts you will find in the "Green Farmer" section of this blog will provide valuable information to everyone from the seasoned farmer to the weekend gardener while offering a forum for innovative and creative methods of responsible stewards of our environment - and maybe even each you how to save some green along the way.
Welcome to the green farm!
Seedtime and Harvest
Looking at this old photo got me to thinking... Something that folks on a farm think about often is the concept of seedtime and harvest.
You put seeds in the ground, you water them, you keep the weeds and pests away and when the time is right, you reap a bountiful harvest from your patience and hard work.
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| Our Great Grandparents on the left, our Grandparents on the right, the little girl in the chair is Aunt Virginia and the baby is our dad. Harvesting wheat about 70 years ago - and yes, the concept of seedtime and harvest worked the same then as it does now - both in the field and in life. |
The Bible says that the principle of seedtime and harvest will never cease, the same way that the concepts of seasons and day and night will never cease.
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22 (NIV)
Makes me stop and wonder - are we planting seeds of encouragement in those around us? Are we going to reap a harvest of the sweet fruits of our labor? Or are we sowing seeds of bitterness and condemnation and will painfully reap a harvest of stickers and sand burrs?
Daily we sew seeds with our words. Think about your words - are you sarcastic? Are you short or gruff? Or are you kind and helpful and pleasant?
I don't know about you, but as someone who doesn't like to wear shoes, I don't like stickers - or sand burrs. As we say around here, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all." (But c'mon - say or do something nice once in a while and reap a harvest of good things in your life!)
Welcome to the farm!
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| This freshly harvested wheat field is nestled Northwest Oklahoma. |
Blueberry Butter
There is no comparison between blueberry waffles and regular waffles.
The blueberry waffles (albeit store-bought) are serious tantalizing, but they were out of the frozen blueberry waffles last time we were at the grocery store. The frozen fruit is situated directly adjacent to the waffles, which gave me this idea.
Allow a stick of butter to soften on the counter and then add 1/8 of a cup of frozen blueberries and blend together with a fork.
Spoon the contents into a plastic baggie and distribute it evenly across the bottom of the bag. You can squish it into the shape of a cylinder or you can use your fingers to flatten the sides to make more of a square butter shape (as I have above).
Seal the baggie and place it in the refrigerator overnight. If you want to use it sooner, put it in the freezer for 30 minutes or until it is firm enough to slice.
I think regular frozen waffles topped with homemade blueberry butter and sprinkled with powdered sugar or hot maple syrup may be the new quick and easy go-to breakfast in this farm kitchen.
Welcome to the farm! Enjoy.
Homemade Salad To-Go
If you're like me and it pains you to pay nearly $6 for a fast food salad when you're on the run, only to find that it's made of mostly Iceberg lettuce, browned slightly and light on the chicken, here's your fix.
I must confess that this idea is not original. I discovered it on Pinterest. I love that place. You should follow me on Pinterest - I pin lots of good stuff.
The original description says to use a mason jar, but I didn't want to go buy new ones, so I just used a large jelly jar that I sterilized in the dishwasher.
Pour two tablespoons of your favorite dressing on the bottom of the jar (yes, that is enough!) and then either add chunks of meat or cheese or diced vegetables. The goal is that the lettuce doesn't touch the dressing until you're ready to eat it. Then, simply fill with the greens of your choice. Here I've used half Iceberg lettuce for some crunch and half baby spinach because it is delicious.
I've also covered it in crumbled up Ritz crackers - also delicious.
Store it in the fridge for up to a week (maybe even longer if it doesn't brown) and when you're ready to eat it, simply shake and the salad dressing will coat the entire mixture. Genius. My hat is off to whoever thought of this!
Oklahoma State University Dept. of Agriculture
From animals to specialty crops to pest control and gardening, you are likely to find timely and relevant information about topics you're interested in here.
Check out OSU Fact Sheets by topic.
One of my favorite divisions of this OSU program is a section called Oklahoma Gardening.
According to OSU's Department of Agriculture,
"Whether you are a gardener or just enjoy the diverse beauty that Oklahoma has to offer, you will enjoy watching the Oklahoma Gardening television program. Each year we endeaver to provide the best research-based information available on television. Episodes contain beautiful and informative segments on gardening, lawn care, tree care, and landscaping design and maintenance. Along with segments from our studio garden, we will introduce you to gardeners from around the state and tour their gardens."
Their website is also a wealth of information for everyone from the weekend gardener to the seasoned farmer.
Visit the Oklahoma Gardening Website
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| The Gardens At OSU - Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Gardening. |
Don't Fence Me In
Give me land, lots of land and the starry skies above
Don't fence me in...
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| It goes on for ever.... |
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in...
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| Ironically, it's even hard to take a photo out in the middle of nowhere without capturing the fence row. |
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Have you ever tried this? Man, you are missing out. Sitting outside alone (or with a friend) and listening the the wind and the crickets humming together in unison, creating the perfect lullaby... you should try it. It's good in the winter, too, because you can catch a whiff of wood burning fireplaces in the distance, tainted slightly by the sharp smell of cold air. Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
As children, we used to sleep outside under the stars on a large trampoline on the farm. When was the last time you just sat outside and stared at the stars? If you can't remember, it's been too long. There is nothing like it. They don't have to be western skies - or even night skies... just check it out. You won't be sorry.
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commencesAnd gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
No
Poppa, don't you fence me in
Can you tell that I'm homesick? I need some wide open spaces - and no I will not be quoting the Dixie Chicks next. Take some time to appreciate the great outdoors! And for goodness sake, don't fence yourself in!
Simple Centerpiece
Table centerpieces are a simple way to update your everyday decor. However, centerpieces can be expensive and sometimes it's difficult to find the right one. Some are too big for a small table or too small for a big table or simply don't match your other decor.
Making your own centerpiece is simple! The picture below is twigs that I clipped off a dead bush in my backyard and spray painted with metallic gold paint and placed in a red vase that Linda had in her stock of vases. Simple, efficient, and pretty. It made my kitchen table complete.
The Secret Magical Playground In The Woods
I can remember hiking through the pasture with my younger sister and my niece and three nephews (we are all about the same age, by the way, but that's another story). Each excursion was a greater adventure than the last. We discovered a "secret bone yard" where we knew some tragic massacre must've taken place. My dad later told me it was where they hauled the carcass when a calf died. I like the earlier rendition better, though.
All of these things came flooding back to me when my children came in one evening after playing around the farm to tell me that Grandpa Bob had showed them a "secret magical playground in the woods". I shot my dad a skeptical look and he smiled mischievously and nodded. (He also told them that the same woods were haunted by witches.)
I shook my head and followed as the boys ushered me out to the woods. When we got there, I realized that what was so magical and enchanting to them was an old swing set that my older siblings had played on over 30 years ago. Our dad had used the tractor to haul it from the backyard out into the woods where no one would get hurt on it. Over the years, the swing set has become wedged between two Honey Locust Trees and the base has sunk in the ground a foot or so, making it perfectly safe and secure - and mysterious!
Next time you feel guilty about not buying your children everything their hearts desire, step back and give a new perspective to something old. After all, when was the last time you heard a child refer to a store-bought swing set as secret or magical?
Welcome to the farm.
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| Grandpa Bob found a newer swing in the garage - the old one was shot! |
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| Somehow, they were actually using this two-person teeter totter swing without seats! |
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| There's even a cat walk. |
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| The slide, I'm afraid, is un-salvagable. The boys have told me of their plans to build a new one, though. |
Pumpkin Coffee Bread
You will need:
1 cup of butter
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 cup of solid pack pumpkin
1/2 cup of Dutch apple yogurt
(You may substitute a mixture of vanilla yogurt and Dutch apple baby food)
Directions:
Cream sugar and butter, add vanilla and eggs (one at a time, beating after each addition).
Sift the dry ingredients together.
Combine the yogurt and pumpkin in a small bowl. Add yogurt-pumpkin mixture and sugar-butter mixture to dry ingredients alternately, beginning and ending with the sugar mixture.
(Don't ask me why... this is just how she does it. If it makes you feel better, you can also spin around three times and throw a dash of salt over your shoulder for good measure.)
Pour 1/2 of the batter into a buttered 9 1/2 inch tube or bundt pan, top with 1/2 of the topping mixture* and cover with remaining batter, then add the rest of the topping mixture.
(I use a bundt pan because it makes for a prettier presentation.)
Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.
*Topping: Combine 1/3 cup of firmly packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 cup of chopped pecans.
If you make this recipe, we would love to know about it! Send us a photo and let us know if you made any substitutions or revisions of your own!
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