One Step Closer

We in Hastings are very excited to be one step closer to our new bridge. This  four lane bridge, which spans the Mississippi River, is going to replace our existing two lane version.  Building began last year and it will not be completed until next year, but us Hastings folks are very thrilled with the progress and happily looking forward to the finished project. I hope you enjoy this time lapse video of the giant leaps forward that were made last weekend.

Purple Pride

 I love the Minnesota Vikings. Win or lose, I love the Vikings. Yesterday, in celebration of Michael's birthday, we went to the Metrodome to cheer on our Purple People Eaters. Let me back track a bit. Michael's birthday is in October and last year we said we would celebrate with a trip to Michael's first ever in-person Vikings game. Not being able to decide on a game last season, he opted to wait for the San Francisco 49er's this Fall. The wait was well worth it!

The team arrives from the Vikings ship

Vikings play on to victory 24-13

Besides the Vikings victory we can also celebrate the involvement that the Minnesota Vikings have in the fuel up to play 60 program which is a collaboration with the National Dairy Council and the NFL to encourage exercise and healthy eating choices. Click on the link to learn more. Skol, Vikes!

A Cookbook Without Pictures?

When you buy a new cookbook, do you buy one with only words, or one with  recipes and the pictures to see the finished product? I like the pictures of the finished, delicious goodness too.

What was I thinking? Yesterday when I posted "Say Cheese" I didn't have a photo. Guess what I made for lunch today? Yes, Fabulous Pizza Cassorole! I even managed to snap a quick photo before my family dug in. 

Some added thoughts about the recipe-  The jar of pizza sauce that is called for in the recipe is 14 oz. I use Jimmy Dean brand Italian sausage. Don't have Italian sausage on hand? Try hamburger with a little Italian seasoning added. My faithful blog follower, Judy asked if I had tried hash browns rather than zucchini. I haven't, but I would think it would work. If you give hash browns a try, please add a comment to my post. It's always fun to share!

Say Cheese!

 Hannah Holstein and Sara

 

 

 

Fabulous Pizza Casserole

4 cups zucchini, shredded and thoroughly drained

4 cups mozzarella cheese, divided

2 eggs 

1 onion, chopped

1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage

1 jar pizza sauce

Spray 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Mix drained zucchini with 2 cups cheese and the eggs. Press into pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Meanwhile brown Italian sausage with chopped onion. When browned, add pizza sauce. Pour over top of crust. Top with remaining 2 cups of cheese and bake 30-40 minutes until brown.

Variation: add other pizza toppings such as mushrooms, green peppers or black olives.

Take a Hike, Mike!

Do you remember the weather during the month of June? Here at Bremer Farms we had eight days of over 90 degree heat and we had 20 days with rainfall. June was a somewhat crazy  month where the weather was concerned, but that is not where crazy ends. Bremer Farms spent the month of June preparing for celebrity status as we filmed "Take a Hike, Mike!" for our local cable TV station. Filming with the heat and the raindrops proved challenging, but fun.

Our son, Michael is in the third season of his show, "Take a Hike, Mike!" where he visits a local business, learns about it, and lends a helping hand. His goal is to educate the community on little-known businesses. So what better way to promote agriculture and dairy farming than to have Michael lend a helping hand at Bremer Farms. But don't let his lack of knowledge fool you. Actually, Michael farms every day besides working full time at Hastings Community TV, so he did a little "pretending" when John was teaching him about farming for this episode. And don't let the jokes fool you either. We take farming and caring for our land and animals very seriously, but who says we can't have a good laugh along the way?

Click here to view the video  Take a Hike, Mike! Bremer Farms Video 

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Bremer Farms! Autograph? Sure, I'd be happy to sign one for you!

Find Michael on facebook by searching "take a hike mike" to see some of his other adventures. 

School Tools

Our Education Minnesota calendar from the State Fair

Crayons, pencils, notebooks! I remember when I was younger, how excited I was to go shopping for my school supplies. My parents were the practical, thrifty type, so it was usually the standard yellow pencils, solid color notebooks (no current cartoon characters or TV star covers for me) and I got the basic 24 Crayola box, even though I begged for the 64 Crayons with the built-in sharpener. But once the first day of school rolled around, I learned most of my classmates also had practical, thrifty parents!

With Labor Day behind us for another year, this means school began this week. Our daughter Sara and I are both employed by our local school district. Sara is an 8th grade English teacher. Many people have told her that she has already earned her place in Heaven as a reward for working with Middle-Schoolers, but she loves teaching and her students and wouldn't change a thing. I am always impressed by Sara's creative approach to teaching and the hours outside of her work day that she spends preparing. I often have a "proud mom" moment when parents tell me their child has Sara as a teacher, and they LOVE her!

School has begun, but not for me...yet. I am a Title 1 Instructional Assistant which means I help students that need a little extra help with reading or math. Later in September I will start my 15th year working with students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. I love, love, love my job and am thrilled when students have that "I get it!" look on their faces.

Now that the school supplies are bought, let's all remember that one of the most important school tools is a healthy breakfast. You can get some great breakfast ideas at dairy makes sense. I love the Yogurt and Banana Spice Muffins. Give them a try!

I hope your family has a wonderful school year with lots of  "I get it!" moments!

Hannah Holstein's Highlights

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair
Day 6

 Victoria Haler, one of the beautiful Princess Kay finalists.

Sara and I in the BIG sandbox

My friend Megan's grapes. 1st place!

Hi! Hannah Holstein here, and as the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end." So today I say farewell to the Minnesota State Fair.

Cousin Kayla- 4-H purple ribbon demonstration on cow milking.

Michael and I refreshed our milking skills.

I love tractors!

My friend Alicia is a blue ribbon pickle maker!

Red and White Dairy judging. And the winner is...

Sara's new moo-friend. A purchase to aid cancer research.

I see a sea of people!

Congratulations! It's a Girl!

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair
Day 5

 
There is one place I enjoy visiting even though it is something I see often on our farm. I love going to the Miracle of Birth Center. During the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair we can see many calves, piglets, sheep, and goats welcomed into the world. No matter what age the fair-goer, the expression on their faces is the same...WOW! The birthing process is truly a miracle. 

 Just like the "miracle workers" at the Fair, Dairy Farmers provide comfortable, safe  and clean conditions for both the cow and the calf during the birthing process and afterward. Prior to giving birth, the pregnant cow is housed in a birthing pen filled with soft straw where she is given individual care and attention.

During the birth of a calf, a close eye is kept on both cow and calf to ensure the health of both animals. Dairy Farmers and their veterinarians are available to provide assistance if needed. After birth, calves are separated from their mothers to ensure the best individual care and monitoring. We bottle-feed our calves individually to make sure they receive good nutrition.

 As of the ninth day of the Fair, fair visitors have welcomed 10 calves, 103 piglets, 17 lambs and 6 goats into the world. 

Let's go celebrate! Raise a glass of cold, refreshing milk at the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Booth. We are welcoming 136 new miracles to the Fair. Cheers!