Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery

Prairie Fruits Farm is a working dairy goat farm and orchard. They make hand-crafted artisan cheeses and grow certified organic tree fruits and berries (peaches, apples, pears, cherries, and berries of all types). From mid-March through the end of April (before the farmers’ markets start) they host Farm Open House Saturdays and Breakfasts. Jon and I went this past Saturday and we are hoping to make it back at least one more time.

When we first got there, the line for breakfast was a little long so we decided to go walk around and look at the goats first. The first barn housed all of the baby goats. They were so cute and fun to watch. 

(The sleepy group.)

(This little guy stood here the entire time we were in the barn. I think he was working on his spring break tan.)

The larger adult goats were in the next barn. They were much bigger than I was expecting. 

The larger barn was also home to some wandering hens which, as a kind gentlemen pointed out to me, were not in fact roosters as I was telling Sydney. Sorry, but to me, any chicken that stands on a fence post, crowing (male or female) will go down in my book as a rooster. It’s not my fault. I blame the children’s books that always show the roosters out struttin’ their stuff, yelling Cock-a-doodle-doo, while the hens stay in the hen-house guarding the eggs. Who knew hens could run around crowing too? Perhaps this was a modern, feminist, working hen.

But enough about hens and feminism…on to goat cheese and breakfast.

PFF had their cheeses for sale along with a few other local farms that were selling spring vegetables, herbs, and goat milk soap.

We got two types of cheese:

Fresh chevre (plain) – made fresh each week, this cheese is creamy, fluffy, deliciousness. Great to spread on crackers or an egg sandwich.
Huckleberry Blue- this is a raw goat milk blue cheese made last December. They describe it as a “wonderful slightly pungent blue”. LOL! Not my style, but my dad an Jon seemed to enjoy it.

Our breakfast was so good! Jon got the bagel sandwich. It was a free- range fried egg sandwich on home-made bagel with fresh chevre, bacon, and jalapeño jelly. The best part was the jalapeño jelly and fresh chevre…YUM! Next time I’ll have to ask if they sell the jalapeño jelly, then we could make these sandwiches at home!

I got  the fresh baked Blueberry scone. Simple, but so, so good! Sweet and tart, firm on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. Fabulous!

I was really surprised by how busy the farm was. Am I the only one that did not know this place existed until now? Apparently, this little gem has been in operation since 2005. It makes me wonder how many other places like this are right here under my nose waiting to be discovered. It’s a personal goal of mine to start taking advantage of more of the great things this area has to offer. To re-discover my town and the surrounding areas. What are your favorite local spots? Let me know, I’d love to get more ideas!

Like Father, Like Daughter

Some vintage Jon and Jeff. Can you tell which one is Jon?

I'll give you  a hint... he's the one that looks exactly like Sydney! It's crazy right?! I couldn't believe the resemblance when I was looking at these!

Shinning, Elegant, Radiance.

Shinning, Elegant, Radiance... this is what Jon dubbed his flower art masterpiece. 

Sydney got the crayons out last night, and she colored with us for a little while, but then she decided it was way more fun to put the crayons in the box and dump them all out again. She did this over, and over, and over.  

I made the rainbows…Sydney called them “bow-bows”.  She is starting to pick up words so fast. She may not get them exactly right, but she seriously repeats everything now!

Once the crayon box lost its entertainment value, Sydney moved on to head butting her dad…who was still busy perfecting Shinning, Elegant, Radiance.

One thing’s for sure, this girl loves her papa.

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Shifting Gears.
My vegetable garden is screaming for some spring clean up! The snow started falling so early this year, and wouldn't let up, so I didn’t get a chance to clean up before winter. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to get in there this weekend and get things ready. I have big plans this year for that little garden so I better get moving!

Working Mom

Should I be staying at home or should I be working? I’m so torn by this question. I go back and forth about how I feel on almost a daily basis. Before I had Sydney, even when I was still pregnant with her, I just knew that there was no way I could ever be a stay at home mom.  Then this amazing little girl came into my life and changed everything. Now, there are days, many days, that I long to stay home with her.

My reason for wanting to stay home with her isn’t a great philosophical reason. I don’t believe she will turn out better or worse one way or another. I am really blessed to be able to send her to a friend’s home daycare, where I know she is showered with love and attention. My reason is much simpler and much more selfish. It’s simply that I want that time with her. She is growing up so fast, too fast. And there is so much I want to show her, so much I want to do with her. I want to eat picnic lunches in the backyard, I want to show her how to plant a flower, I want to teach her to bake, to play dress up, to finger-paint, make crafts, go to the library, or the park. I feel like her childhood is slipping away from me while I am at work. I know I’m being over-dramatic, but the reality is that she spends four rushed hours a day with me during the week and eight hours a day with someone else and I guess I’m just jealous of that time.

This longing always seems to hit me especially hard this time of year, with spring and summer approaching. But as much as I want to stay home with my girl, the truth is that I will probably never quit working outside the home. Jon and I have talked about it a lot, and we could probably make it work. Things would be tighter than we are used to, but we would figure it out. I’ll probably never quit in part because of the fear of the unknown. Will I miss work? Will I miss having my own income? Will I lose my independence? What will happen when the kids head off to school? Will I start to resent being at home? Will Jon start to resent being the only one providing an income? How will our relationship change? But also, part of me really does like working. I like the social interaction, the sense of accomplishment, and the challenge of work. I like where I work, I like the energy and the people at the University.

The decision to be a stay at home mom or a working mom is a tough one. And it’s different for every family and every situation. I know that for many moms staying home isn’t even an option and some moms might be desperately looking for work.  I’m lucky to have the options that I have and I know that. I don’t take that for granted. It’s just hard sometimes, wondering if I’m making the right choice by working. Will I look back one day and regret it? I don’t think so, I think I’ll be happy with my choice, but there are days...like today, as warmer days loom on the horizon, that I wonder and I long.

MCP Project 52 - Week 10

This week's theme: Childhood Toys

Spring Things

The snow has melted, the temps are rising, and the stores are stocking their shelves with Peeps and Cadbury eggs...Spring is on it's way people!

And just to further my excitement, look what I uncovered today when cleaning out my garden beds.

I'm so looking forward to spring flowers, easter baskets, and rain boots!

In other news....

This...

That's all.

Hope you are enjoying the signs of Spring as much as I am!

MCP Project 52 - Week 9

This week's theme: Express Yourself

My life is now a balancing act; red wine, heels, sippy cups, and teddy bears.

And I love it that way.