Summer days are met with much excitement and anticipation. Warmer weather, hours of daylight, friend and family gatherings to look forward to… But in a flash – poof – they’re gone. Another collection of memories passing through a kaleidoscope. It’s the season we long to savor. The one when we […]

On warm, sunny days – as springtime stretches into summer – the garden is where I long to be. Clad in my bib overalls. Hands in the soil. Taking in the earthy aromas and vibrant greenery that surrounds me. Today my garden is of the container variety. The interior and […]

If you asked me about the hidden jewels of my hometown – West Bend, IA. – I could tell you about the small town charm of the old-fashioned soda fountain located on main street, or the irresistible taste of warm Butter Braid pastries our little community is known for. Then, […]

There’s a certain stillness to the fall season that motions us to pause and marvel at the changing landscape. Listen to the rustling of the leaves. Breathe in the crisp autumn air. But for farmers, fall moves at a much faster pace. During harvest, everything is done in a hurry. […]

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker.” So God made a farm girl. God said, “I need somebody willing to weed the garden, ride the tractor all day in the fields, feed the cows, make supper, and then go […]

It’s the end of an era on the Banwart farm. Last month, we said farewell to the flock. Lambing season was always my favorite time of year. Perhaps it was because I was born right in the middle of it all. As the story goes, Mom was ready to go […]