Was It A Happy Father's Day?

It sure was! Sometimes it's difficult to get farmers to take a break, and that is very true of Farmer John. He is what I refer to as a workaholic. Farmer John rarely takes a break. So when it rolls around to the holiday to celebrate dad, we warn him days ahead of time that he will be taking a break!  

One of our favorite things to do as a family involves relaxing around our firepit. Typically it's hot dogs, s'mores, and lots of good conversation. This Father's Day we changed things up a bit. Hot dogs were replaced by pizza. 

Pizza is something we have wanted to try on an open fire for over a year, but never got around to it, but we did this year. Maybe it had something to do with Minnesota's "stay at home" during this pandemic, or perhaps we just finally took the time to try, but we did it!

Sara is our resident chef, and her meals never disappoint! 

OMG! The flavor was the best! We all agreed it was some of the best pizza ever. After devouring three pizzas, we all announced we were stuffed!

But then...

Sara made cheesy bread sticks. I mean, she just had to! There was pizza dough and mozzarella cheese left over! After devouring the cheesy bread sticks, we all announced we were stuffed!

But then...

What's a campfire without s'mores?

And what's Father's Day without celebrating with Farmer John's dad, Grandpa Roy?

After the dishes were washed...

just "kitty"ing, 

we sat around the fire- sharing stories, reminiscing about past Father's Day celebrations, talking about the corn crop, and just plain enjoying each others company.

Happy Father's Day!

H is for History

I love that Father's Day falls during National Dairy Month. My Dad was a fourth generation dairy farmer. All of his brothers were also dairy farmers. This photo is of my Grandma and Grandpa Brown and their five good looking farmer sons. My Dad Glen is on the far right.

A few short years after this picture was taken, my Mom and Dad were married and started a farm of their own.

With much pride and pleasure my Dad got up early every morning to milk and care for the cows. Being the youngest in my family, I got Dad all to myself when my brother and sister went off to school and my Mom went to her off the farm job. 

Riding on Grandpa's John Deere "A" tractor, bottle feeding the calves, eating fried egg sandwiches for lunch, it all seemed fun with Dad. After a day of work on the farm, it was always family dinner at 5:00 before milking cows in the evening. Dinner time was always family time to reflect on, and appreciate everyone's day. Besides a strong work ethic, I love that Dad and Mom instilled the value of family time.

Happy Father's Day Dad. Love and miss you.

                           .

J Is For Just a Farmer

It's June Dairy Month! The barn doors are open, 

so join me on my daily A to Z journey 

to learn more about dairy. 

  J is for Just A Farmer 

When I was a kid, and other kids would ask,"What does your dad do?" I would rather humbly reply, he's just a farmer. I don't know why I added the just in that reply. Actually, yes I do. I was just being a silly kid with silly kid thoughts. He was just a farmer because he didn't wear a suit and tie to work. He was just a farmer because he didn't get vacations for time off with our family. He was just a farmer because I didn't think he had an important job like the other kids dad's.

My dad got to just spend everyday with his family, working and playing. My dad got to just do the job he loved, everyday. My dad got to just help feed people. My dad got to just be a great example of what a proud, hardworking, compassionate farmer looks like.

As a kid I didn't get it. My dad, and farmers like him, are never just a farmer. As Father's Day rounds the corner, I thank God for my dad,

 the great man he was, and the great farmer he was. 

"What did your dad do?"

My dad was a farmer, and I'm proud of him.

I love you and I miss you... you were never just a dad to me.