Author: cori.warner

Texas Sheet Cake is one of my very favorite desserts but for a long time I was afraid to try and make it. The frosting is very fudge-like, and I have never had much luck with candy-making. But it’s just so darn good that I finally decided to give it a go.  As it turns out, this is a super-simple recipe, as long as you do your prep work first.  Now it’s my go-to for any pot-luck or covered dish meal.  However, a full Texas sheet-cake is a whole lot of cake! I decided to modify the recipe by scaling it down to a 9×13 pan, which is a much more reasonable size for a two to four…

As the calendar turns to a new page and we bid farewell to the past year, the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is once again upon us. However, rather than focusing on what we want to eliminate or restrict from our lives, let’s explore a more positive approach to this annual tradition. This year, why not consider resolutions that add value and enrich your life instead of taking something away? Let’s delve into the world of additive New Year’s resolutions to foster positive change and lasting happiness. Cultivate New Hobbies Instead of resolving to give up a habit, why not resolve to pick up a new hobby or explore a passion? Whether it’s learning to play a…

Almost every family has a holiday meal menu based on tradition and past holidays; we know what to expect, right? The classic dishes, the favorite sides. Homemade cranberry sauce is something I always look forward to, but this year I was looking for a new take on this side dish. And I definitely found it in Cranberry Chutney! With the addition of orange juice and spices, it has a much more complex flavor than my old standby. The sweet-and-savory taste of this dish blends perfectly with any holiday meal. It’s also fantastic on a turkey sandwich! Chutney is best served at room temperature, rather than chilled. While preparing Cranberry Chutney takes a bit more time, the end result…

October 21st was a BIG day for our little bitty farm; we hosted our first Farm to Table event! We welcomed over fifty people to the farm for an evening of fine dining and music. There was a sense of magic during the event, but I can’t explain it. The air was full of laughter and a sense of camaraderie.   The flower gardens were bright and happy, with butterflies flitting about. Farm Fresh Produce and Local Beef & Poultry were served Even more importantly, the greenhouses yielded up leafy greens, crunchy root vegetables, and gorgeous purple-and-white eggplant, all to be served that very evening. Nearby, music from the Olive Green Duo set the mood with their laid-back…

Introduction: As we move from the lush greens of summer into winter’s tans and browns, the garden need not be devoid of color. Winterberry shrubs (Ilex verticillata) are a stunning addition to any winter garden, providing vibrant bursts of red berries that stand out against winter starkness. As a bonus, these shrubs provide forage for birds and other wildlife, and are somewhat deer-resistant. Winterberry is native to much of North America and thrives in zones 3-9. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to plant and care for winterberry shrubs. Selecting the Right Variety: Before you rush out to buy winterberry, it’s crucial to choose the right varieties for your garden. Winterberries are dioecious, meaning they have separate…

Introduction: One of reasons we bought our micro-farm was to gain control of our food supply. Our ultimate goal is to grow or raise our own healthy food to the fullest extent we can. We started, as most folks do, with a vegetable garden. Then we added laying hens, and after that, meat chickens for protein. We hope to add pork next year. But this year, I decided to address our lack of dairy animals. We are dairy junkies; milk, butter, yogurt, sour cream, and cheeses are part of our daily diet. Unfortunately, our farm is far too small for cows, or even full-sized dairy goats. Happily, we can support a small herd of miniature goats. Among the…