The Real Farmer's Daughters: Amber Phillips Ham

Showing posts with label Amber Phillips Ham. Show all posts

The Grass Is Always Greener...

"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.

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.

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!

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.

Credit: MONTY RAKUSEN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

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.

Credit: MARTIN BOND/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

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!

Credit: ADAM HART-DAVIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

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

As a young farmer, I am constantly looking for resources and publications where I can get information that is not only timely, but derived from sources who are successful in agriculture - not just good at researching others who are.

For as long as I can remember, my dad has gotten a copy of the High Plains Journal each week. It is literally the size of a large place mat and fills our entire mail box. This "Texas sized" publication is stocked from cover to cover with information about Ag Markets, classifieds and real stories about real people who are trying really hard to build a legacy for their families through their farming and ranching operations - not to mention columns from a number of seasoned Ag professionals including fellow Northwest Oklahoman, Jerry Nine - and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

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!

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!

Don't Fence Me In

Give me land, lots of land and the starry skies above
Don't fence me in...

It goes on for ever....

Thanks, Bing Crosby. I couldn't have said it better. I find myself singing this in my head every time I drive down a busy street or step out in the back yard of my current abode in suburbia and see the rows of fences stretching as far as my eye can see and fading into the horizon. I sing this a lot. Ask my kids. Poor kids.

Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in...

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 commences
And 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!

The Secret Magical Playground In The Woods

Spending your childhood in the country is comparable to the old joke about buying a small child an expensive gift, when all they want to do is play with the box. Instead of playing video games or going to the park, we entertained ourselves with much simpler diversions.

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.

There was also a "land of hidden treasure" where beautiful old glass bottles and remnants of all kinds of interesting things were stowed. I laughed when I found out that it was actually a dump of sorts where someone hauled a few loads of unwanted junk in the 1950's. Some of that junk really was treasure, though and I still have it today. I have always been a connoisseur of junk. Still am... I LOVE OLD JUNK! (also another story...)

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!

I laughed as I told my dad I didn't need to worry about buying them a new swing set for Christmas. They were more excited about junk! Poor boys, they got it from their mamma.

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.

Grandpa Bob found a newer swing in the garage - the old one was shot!

Somehow, they were actually using this two-person teeter totter swing without seats!

There's even a cat walk.

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

This delicious concoction satisfies the sweet tooth with velvety pumpkin goodness without being overly sweet or decadent. Made with simple ingredients, this is another holiday favorite I gleaned from my mother. Enjoy.

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.

This really is delicious and as the name suggests, goes perfectly with a cup of coffee.

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!

A Simple Birthday Celebration

I hate to disappoint, but this is not a recipe. I did not make any of this from scratch. I cheated.

My eldest son was born on New Years Day 2005. This has made birthday celebrations a little tricky at times, but has also made me realize that simpler really is better. The years that I have gone out of my way to make complicated (and expensive) birthday plans, it has only brought undue stress to all of us.

This year we are keeping it old school. I MADE him a birthday cake and let him help. We made chocolate peppermint cookies, too. (Mostly because grandpa loves chocolate and we didn't want to leave him out.)

I'm not about to get wild and tell you how I made all of this from scratch - because I didn't. The cake and cookie mixes were on sale for $0.37 each because they were in holiday themed packaging. (Man, I love bargains.) Now, granted, the cake does have red and green flecks in the batter, but I asked him and he didn't care. We decided that it looked like confetti anyway.

We've invited friends and family who were going to be in the area to meet us at a pizza place that has arcade games and go-karts. They have an all-you-can-eat buffet and plenty of room. I didn't make a big fuss with themed plates and napkins and cups and hats, because all a seven-year-old boy really wants to do is open presents and play games, anyway. I have discovered that often, the "big fuss" is more important to the moms than it actually is to the kiddos.

So, next time you're stressing about making sure your child's birthday as special as possible, stop and think about which parts of it they are actually going to remember and just focus on those and let the other details fall to the wayside. You'll be glad you did.

Not Just The Farmer's Daughters Anymore

Once upon a time, we were just the farmer's daughters and content to be so. My dad has planted wheat and raised cattle since he was old enough to walk - and that was that.

Times have changed and the market has changed and my dad isn't as young as he would like us to think he is. Working cattle is hard and there is no money to made for a small time farmer in what little wheat we plant... so now what?

A lovely little thing called crop diversification is about to take place at the Phillips Farm. Rather than fight through the hardships, we are going to revamp it and go a different direction.

I was surprised that Dad jumped on board so quickly. I did my research and explained the risks and rewards. He nodded his head without expression (making my heart sink a little...) and when I was through, he said "That sounds like a good idea. You can be in charge."

Rev that tractor up, Bobby... we're planting something new this year!

Look out, folks - there is about to be a passing of the torch (or perhaps more like a sharing of the torch). The farmer's daughters are about to become farmers themselves. Stay tuned for more details soon.