Apron's Optional Meets Princess Kay Brenna

Our daughter Sara has a cooking show on our local TV station. It's called Aprons Optional, and it's filmed right here in our kitchen on our farm. 

I agree with Sara when she closes each episode with, 

"Remember, the apron is optional, but the flavor isn't."

Aprons Optional had a special guest at last weeks filming. Princess Kay (Minnesota's official goodwill ambassador for the dairy community), Brenna Connelly stopped by to share her recipe for Cheesy Hasbrowns. All the recipes featured in this episode are posted below. #DairyGoodness #Yummy!

Oven Fried Chicken

Ingredients 

3lbs chicken pieces, rinsed and patted dry
½ cup melted butter
½ cup flour, heaping
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ teaspoons paprika

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Mix together flour, salt, pepper and paprika in a plastic bag. Dip chicken pieces in melted butter and then coat evenly with flour mixture.
Place in a single layer on a greased shallow baking pan (skin side down – if you’ve left the skin on).
Bake 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn chicken pieces over and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.

Creamy Corn Salad

Ingredients

2 lbs. frozen corn, thawed under cool running water

1 cup diced red bell pepper

1/4 cup diced purple onion

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Directions

Combine the corn, red bell pepper, onion and jalapeño in a large bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together the yogurt, mayo, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Gently stir into the corn mixture. Add in the chopped cilantro and stir. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cheesy Hash Browns

Ingredients
Hash Browns:
1 (20 ounce) package Shredded Hash Browns
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
¾ cup sour cream
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
Topping:
1 ½ cups corn flakes, coarsely crushed
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 quart glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl combine all hash brown ingredients; mix well. Spread into prepared baking dish. In small bowl stir together topping ingredients. Spread topping evenly over hash browns. Bake 45 minutes or until hash browns are tender.

O is for Optional

Once a month our kitchen becomes a TV studio as Daughter Sara films the next installment of her cooking show Aprons Optional for our local television station. Each episode features three recipes, most of which have dairy ingredients. Way to go farmer's daughter! Sara concludes each episode with these words- "The apron is optional, but the flavor isn't." So true Sara, so true! 

Each June, for National Dairy Month, Sara invites Princess Kay of the Milky Way,  goodwill ambassador representing Minnesota's dairy farmers, to our kitchen. Let's see what Princess Kay Rebekka Paskewitz is cooking up.

You can find more dairy delicious recipes on Sara's Apron's Optional Facebook page and also at Midwest Dairy.

Learn more about Princess Kay of the Milky Way on her Facebook page too!

D is for Different

Just like no two cows having the same pattern of spots, no two cows have the same personality. Sara spends most evenings being the one to walk through our herd and check on things before heading in for the night.  I turned the keyboard over to her to say a few words about some of our ladies.

Lottie

If Lottie were a person, she would be the middle aged woman that goes to yoga 4-5 times a week.  She has been on our farm for eleven years but is in tip top shape.  Like most women who do a lot of yoga, she is also super zen.  Then again I'm generalizing because I don't know anyone that consistently goes to yoga, but I digress.  She is always chewing her cud and slowly sauntering from barn to barn just enjoying each and every moment of her day.  She always gets a special greeting from my dad when she comes in for milking, "Here's Lottie, calmest cow in the herd.  Always chewin' her cud, always happy."

Nellie

Nellie...oh boy...I think in a former life she was a house pet.  She follows me around like a puppy wherever I go.  Most nights she won't do anything if she doesn't get some one-on-one time where I can rub under her chin and behind her ears.  I might think she's had enough, but Nellie decides when she has truly had enough.  If you haven't looked at the My Barnyard View Facebook page, then you are missing out on some great videos and photos of Nellie being Nellie.

Georgia

She is one of the most reliable cows you'll ever meet.  She stands in the same places at the same times everyday.  Mike is responsible for her name after a random remark he made while brushing her when she was younger. His comment, "Girl, your fur is as dark as that Midnight Train to Georgia."  All you Gladys Knight fans out there will get that reference.  She's also discovered that she is my height.  She loves to stand by me during milking because she has realized she can scratch that hard-to-reach spot on her back, on my shoulder.  She also likes hugs where she rests her head on my shoulder and I wrap my arms around her neck in a hug.  It's like I get to tuck her in for bed each night after milking.

Hildegard or Hildie

Yep, Hildegard, you read that right.  Grandma Karen confessed one night that Hildegard was a name she always liked for a little baby girl.  It was finally used for one of Grandma's favorite calves five years ago.  Hildie is a super shy cow.  She is really friendly, but she does like her alone time and likes things quiet.  She isn't one to rush to the food line or shove to get to the water first.  She just hangs back and waits because she knows there will always be enough.  We also know when almost all the cows have been milked because each night she comes in when there are 18-22 cows left to be milked.  We don't know how she does it, but we appreciate the progress update.  We realized she did this about a year ago and tracked it for a few weeks and man is she reliable.

There are over 100 ladies I could sit and tell you stories about, and each of those stories would be totally different from the last.  That's what makes working with cows so special.  Each cow has their own story to tell and you just have to be willing to listen.      ~Sara

A Speech, A Senate Resolution, and A Visit From A Senator

I was recently asked to be the keynote speaker at our county Farm Bureau banquet. Why me, I wondered. I thought sure it was because my in-laws were on the planning committee, but when I was being introduced, I was assured that was not the case.

I shared about my six generation farm family. I also shared what I do to promote agriculture via presentations, writings, and farm tours. Next I spoke about my love for spreading the dairy farming message through this blog, sharing my favorite posts. However, my goal was not to call attention to what I do, but to hopefully give examples and therefore encourage others to advocate for agriculture. 

I also got an unexpected surprise as I was awarded a Senate Resolution presented by Minnesota State Senator Karla Bigham recognizing my award as America's Farmers Mom of the Year. I appreciate that our government officials acknowledge the importance of agriculture and also its recognition programs in support of farmers.

Minnesota ranks 5th in agriculture production. The Minnesota agriculture industry provides 340,000 jobs, and contributes $75 billion to our states economy annually, and that's no "small potatoes".

State Senator Bigham wanted to see our farm in action, so a recent tour was scheduled.

Daughter Sara, Janet, John, and Karla Bigham

Farmer John discusses concerns affecting farmers, and also township business since he is our Township Planning Commission chairman.

Daughter Sara explains the milking system.

Senator Bigham made another friend.

Thank you Senator Bigham for taking the time to learn more about dairy farming, and also listen to our concerns, and answer our questions.

I encourage all of you to reach out to your elected officials to have a conversation. The conversation needs to begin if we want to see changes and improvements.

Royalty Visits Bremer Farms and Aprons Optional

Daughter Sara's TV show, Aprons Optional had a special guest at last weeks filming. Princess Kay of the Milky Way (Minnesota's official goodwill ambassador for the dairy community), Emily Annexstad stopped by to share her recipe for Creamy Cheesecake. 

The show will air on Hastings Community TV as well as Youtube for June Dairy Month, but I couldn't wait until June to let you try this yummy cheesecake recipe.

Creamy Cheesecake

Crumb Crust:

• 11 whole graham crackers (22 squares)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Filling:

• 5 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup raspberries

Directions:

1. Crush the cracker crumbs. Add butter and sugar and mix. Press onto the base of a 9-inch springform pan. Chill. Beat cream cheese on medium-high for 2 minutes. Blend in sugar. 

2. Add the flour and beat until combined. ON low speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, just until blended, scraping the sides of bowl often. Add the sour cream, lemon peel, and vailla and beat just until blended. Pour over crust in pan.

3. Bake at 325F for 1 1/4 hours. Turn the oven off and place a wooden spoon in oven door to keep it open. Let cheesecake sit one hour. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Run a knife around sides. Cover; chill for 6 hours or overnight.

4. Remove the pan sides. Slide the cheesecake onto a serving plate. For the topping, overlap the strawberries in circles on the cheesecake. Fill the center with raspberries.

Secrets of success:

• Let the cream cheese soften on the counter for 2 hours or unwrap and microwave each package 15 seconds.
• Don't over bake. The cheesecake will firm as it cools.
• A sudden change in temperature can cause a cheesecake to crack. Let it sit in a turned-off oven to cool gradually.
• Cheesecakes are ideal make-ahead desserts. Wrap the undecorated cake in foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or double wrap in plastic and foil and freeze for up to 2 months.

Source: Great American Home Cooking Made Easy

Sara and Emily tried out some other dairy good recipes too. You can find them at Midwest Dairy

Dairy Farmers and the Super Bowl

Are you ready for some football?

As the Super Bowl drew near, football seemed to be on most every Minnesotans mind. As Minnesota welcomed the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles for the Big Game, dairy farmers were gearing up for the Super Bowl as well.

Having never attended a Super Bowl, I had no idea all the surrounding activities that happen in the host city. For one week prior to the game, there were events, parties, displays, and concerts. Many of these included the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. If you haven't heard of this program, it is a school nutrition and exercise program launched by National Dairy Council and the National football League in collabaration with the USDA to improve health and wellness for kids. The key to Fuel Up to Play 60's success is having a strong student foundation, a team of committed educators and community engagement, with the goal of building a healthy, high-achieving generation of youth.

Dairy farmers participated at several  FUTP60 events during Super Bowl week. Daughter Sara and I were involved in the "Super Bowl Experience" which is sort-of a fair with displays and activities around anything and everything football. Attendees could view past Super Bowl rings, get up close to the Lombardi trophy, observe NFL broadcasts in the making, and even do the combine drills. It was a huge week-long celebration, but the part I enjoyed the most was assisting with the Fuel Up to Play 60 area in the kids zone.

   

Dairy farmers manned a booth which gave football fans the opportunity to visit a dairy farm (and NFL locker room) through a virtual reality game. Here's Sara helping a fan get ready to play the VR game.

As with any big, well attended event, fans waited in long lines. This gave us a great opportunity to speak about our farm, dairy foods, the importance of eating right, and also explain the FUTP60 program. It was a fun time to answer questions and even teach through the trivia we shared. My favorite questions was, "I didn't know you had to milk cows every day. When do you go on vacation?" Here Sara is explaining what happens in each of the buildings on a dairy farm.

The cheese samples we handed out were a big score too!

I also had the opportunity to be the "special guest" as school age children were invited to the skills and drills field. Students were welcomed by a dairy farmer and an NFL player to get in their 60 minutes of physical activity by participating in on-field drills. I was paired with Kareem Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs.

We began by sharing about ourselves so I got to tell about my dairy farm, what we do each day on the farm, and what happens to the milk when it leaves the farm. After Kareem shared about being a pro football player, and also telling us that chocolate milk is the BEST, we led the kids through the activities. Below is a relay showing the importance of eating right every single day!

I am proud to be a part of the dairy community that puts a strong emphasis on the health of our youth. I appreciate that dairy farmers have the chance to collaborate with the National Football League to encourage exercise and good nutrition.

After the group picture, the students pledged to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating right and getting their 60 minutes of activity each day.

Being a part of the Super Bowl Experience was great, and rubbing elbows with NFL players wasn't too bad either   ; )

Happy New Year 2018

Happy New Year from the Bremer's.

(Our son Michael is the author of this year's holiday letter.)

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a…. WAIT A MINUTE. Did you seriously think I was going to start the Bremer Family Christmas Letter with this lame starting line?!  And before I go any further, Christmas is over, so technically this is our “Bremer Family New Year’s Letter.” With that being said, let us now go through the Bremer dynasty and see what kind of incredible accomplishments we have achieved in 2017.

Janet at the MN State Fair chaperoning the dairy princesses.

Janet has all the free time in the world these days now that she is retired from her Title 1 position at Pinecrest… Oh wait! She’s now somehow MORE busy after retirement! Janet has kept herself more than busy in 2017.  Starting with her successful blog, My Barnyard View. If you’ve been living in a cave and are not familiar with it, it features her thoughts and stories about life on, and off the farm. Check it out at mybarnyardview.blogspot.com. She has also occupied much of her time with her position as the Minnesota Dairy Princess Coordinator through Midwest Dairy. Janet is like the mother hen (Oops, wrong animal industry!) for all of the Dairy Princess finalists at the State Fair. She also works hand in hand with the Dairy Princess all year long. That’s not the only feat Janet has accomplished... Speaking of feet, on day 1 of the State Fair Janet broke her foot! Luckily, Sara came to the rescue to help oversee the Dairy Princesses the first few days at the fair. In other news, it has felt like Janet has been on the TV show “This Old House” this past year as she has been fully engrossed in preparing Grandma and Grandpa Brown’s houses for sale. We popped the champagne in 2017 as the childhood house she grew up in was successfully sold!

TLC from Farmer John.

John, the don, considers 2017 a success. When I asked him what he wanted in the letter about him, he shrugged and smiled. John is a man of few words, so I consider that a success! John was delighted by some dandy purchases on the farm this year: a new drag, a sprayer, a silage bagger, AND a round baler! These pieces of machinery make life on the farm smoother, and a heck of a lot more fun! There has also been some primping to our parlor recently, as we updated the milking parlor’s ceiling, and lights. Now we can see better while we milk cows, and more effectively put on tours (like the tour we did last summer to a group of over 100 German students!). Serving as Trustee on the St. John’s Church Council, and being the Chairman of the Nininger Planning Commission keeps dad more than busy!

Sara hosts "Aprons Optional."

As most people were counting down the 12 days of Christmas, Sara has been counting her 12 YEARS of teaching at the Hastings Middle School! Nouns, verbs, adjectives… Sara teaches it all (and is a pro at Mad Libs because of it!). Always pushing the envelope, Sara is now in charge of the Fuel Up To Play 60 club after school. This program educates students on the importance of fueling up with dairy, and getting 60 minutes of physical activity each and every day. It’s never a problem for Sara getting 60 minutes of go-time a day, as she milks cows every evening. She also has been walking countless miles this winter setting up her enormous Christmas light display! Sara’s light display was so good this year, she was able to convince Santa and Mrs. Claus to come out for a fundraiser that collected food for Hastings Family Service and monetary donations for The Great American Milk Drive. We were thrilled to have over 400 people attend our Santa on the Farm event this year! If Sara’s plate wasn’t full enough, she has also literally had her plate full with her cooking TV show, “Aprons Optional.” Check out all her delicious episodes by searching for it on YouTube and Facebook!

Michael is a national winner!

And then there’s me, “Take a Hike, Mike!” also known as Michael. My TV show has had a gangbuster year! My show was nominated again this year for a NATOA award in the humor category. This pitted me against other TV stations across the country. I was able to impress the judges enough to bring home the bacon as I came in FIRST place in the country! I got to spend a week in Seattle for a video conference and the awards ceremony. You can search for my show on Facebook and YouTube! Along with my TV show, I have been engrossed with many other things at Hastings Community TV. I have been directing weekly live sporting events, and filming countless other shows. I also get to play teacher as I am the Technical Advisor for the Broadcast Journalism Class (The Ekko) at  the Hastings High School. Though I love my full time job at HCTV, I refuse to miss out on the fun at home on the farm. Milking cows, cleaning the cowyard with the Bobcat, and working in the field are all part of my repertoire. The sky was the limit for me this year as I jumped out of a plane 13,000 feet in the air and underwent a 60 second freefall! That’s right, I was nutty enough to go skydiving!

Cheering the Minnesota Vikings on to victory. 

Other Bremer bulletin board worthy mentions include going to cheer on the Vikings at US Bank stadium as a family, and living out our rockstar dreams at the Guns N’ Roses concert! We also have been playing Extreme Makeover Home Edition as we have remodeled our kitchen, and downstairs bathroom. We’re excited for you to try them out! While you’re here, stay for a bonfire at our new fire pit while you observe the fact that we recently removed several of our massive trees!

Like every year, 2017 has had its ups and downs. But to quote the 90’s one hit wonder band, Chumbawumba in their song Tubthumping: “I get knocked down, I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down!” From our family to yours, Merry Christmas! ...Oops! I already forgot Christmas is over! Happy New Year!

-Michael & the Bremer Family

A Halloween Spooktacular

We love Halloween at our house. We decorate the inside of our house and the yard outside. Heck, we even decorate our food to get in the spirit of this spooky season. Daughter Sara went all out with these ghoulish recipes on her TV show Aprons Optional. You can watch her latest episode on YouTube, but first here's a sneak peek.

Whether you are entertaining friendly ghosts or goblins, or serving up a frightfully good meal to your family, I know you will enjoy these recipes.

These "Jack O'Lantern Stuffed Peppers" are filled with ground beef, brown rice, and PARMESAN CHEESE. I love the colored peppers!

"Tator Terrors" are a fun addition to a meal or as appetizers, and your young little prince or princess can help you decorate them! They are stuffed with MOZZARELLA CHEESE.

Don't be scared by these "Halloweeno Poppers" made with Jalapeno peppers, CREAM CHEESE, and PEPPER JACK CHEESE. These little mummies are delicious.

Show off your artistic flair with "Spider Web Dip". It's taco inspired flavor pairs perfectly with the cute black olive spiders. It can be eaten year 'round if you spread the SOUR CREAM and SHREDDED CHEESE rather than making the web design.

This one is my favorite! The "Pumpkin Cheese Ball" is dairy delicious with CREAM CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, and SHREDDED SWISS and CHEDDAR CHEESE. It will make another appearance after Halloween since I think it will look perfect on our Thanksgiving table too!

And now- on with the show!

Aprons Optional

You can find the recipes on Sara's  Aprons Optional Facebook page.

As you can see, we at Bremer Farms use a lot of dairy foods when we are cooking. Our refrigerator is always chock full of dairy because of its flavor and flexibility. 

What dairy foods are in your fridge right now?

Meet Sara...and Bella

School's out for summer! School's out forever! 

Just ask Alice Cooper...

It's not just the students (and Alice) that are excited for summer break. Our daughter Sara is ready for a little time off too. 

Sara taking a selfie as she is speaking at 8th grade graduation.

Sara is an 8th grade language arts teacher who loves teaching, but even a great teacher needs a break...but not for long, as in just one week, she will be back to teach summer school.

But Sara is more than a teacher-
Sara is a passionate, hard-working farmers daughter too.
Each night you will find her in the barn milking cows, along side Farmer John.

Here she is with Bella. Bella has an interesting history, as she was named by past Minnesota Viking player Toby Gerhardt when he visited our farm.

Sara also helps Grandma Karen with the calves, and names and pampers all our cats and kittens.

When she is not at school or in the barn, you may find her hosting her cooking show, "Aprons Optional" on our local television station. Here is a sample- her Mother's Day episode when I got to make a guest appearance.

Teacher, farmer, local TV celebrity- what more can she do? She can make decorations and adorn our farm for the holidays like you wouldn't believe! Take a look-

Farmer John and I are so proud of Sara and her commitment to school, community, and farming.