The coolest gift we've seen this year

Y’all, I think I have finally found it, the gift that is perfect for the guy who is impossible to buy for! When I saw the message from JERKYGENT I immediately said YES, SEND IT!! This is GENIUS! I knew this would be the perfect gift for Tyler this time of year.

Despite popular belief, farmers do not have the winter off, or at least we don’t! We’ll actually start back in the greenhouses in January. Also, the guys are hauling grain (corn & beans) all winter, which means all trucks running and multiple trips per day which means gas station meals (if they can get in there with a truck). So basically, he lives off snacks all day. And if you’ve bought a pack of beef jerky and a soda at a gas station recently, you know how quickly that can add up!

The difference with what we received from Jerky Gent is that this is artisan beef jerky that they have sourced from all over the country. Our holiday gift box included six different jerky pouches (rosemary steakhouse, cherry chipotle, maple brown sugar, bourbon to name a few) plus a package of cashews. Purchasing these from a store would cost significantly more than the holiday box, and the monthly jerky subscription is an even better deal and a great gift idea! Also, anytime you can basically buy someone groceries and disguise it as a nice gift, it’s a win.

Here’s how it works: you could either gift someone the limited edition holiday box (what a great client gift for businesses!), or add a monthly subscription to it and extend the holiday cheer for longer. If you’re purchasing the subscription, you have the option to choose whether they receive it monthly or every three months, how much spice they prefer, plus you can choose a 2, 4, or 8 bag subscription to stay on budget! Even better, use the code GIFT10for 10% + free shipping right now!

I have a feeling this is definitely going to rank high on Tyler’s favorites list this year! We all know men are the hardest people to buy for!! Whether they are in a truck or at a desk all day, Jerky Gent will be a winner for sure!

Valentine's Day Favorites

One of the more popular gift guides I did last year was my Valentine’s Day one for the girls (read it HERE).

In a house that is full of pink (sorry Tyler), Valentine’s Day is such a fun little holiday for kids! I was organizing all my gift wrap after Christmas and found extra little valentines I used for their Mother’s Morning out class last year. You bet I’ll be using those again (it’s different kids…and if it wasn't, no one will remember anyways right?!). I love a printable from Etsy, I got ours from my favorite Etsy shop that can be found HERE.

I also shared on stories the robes that the girls and I got for Christmas that are on super sale. They are so soft and are on mega sale right now. We have the strawberry ones of course!

Y’all know my love for Wee Ones Bows too. They are the best, and they do not fall apart! Their Valentine’s Day collection is precious - be sure to use the code FUTUREVISIONSFARMSTN for a discount at checkout!

I feel like the search to find kids cups that are actually spill proof is never ending. And also cups that fit in the cupholder of the carseats. The girls got these Reduce handled cups for their birthday and I can say that they a) fit in their little cupholders and b) do not spill if you have the little cover on!

These little name tracing boards are so cute and festive! The girls are working hard on tracing their name at school so these are perfect!

I typically hold any pajamas in the next size up the girls need and give them to them on holidays or in their Easter basket (pro tip). We have these strawberries (duh) and they have held up so well. Love Kyte baby!

For the mamas, you can never go wrong with a festive headband! Some of my all time favorites are from Twine and Love (SHOP HERE). They also have the perfect beaded earrings to match! And if you are looking for a new Valentine’s Day tee or sweatshirt, Tucked & Threaded just launched the cutest Valentine’s Day collection. Show some love (literally) to another local business this Valentine’s Day! Crystal gave us a code to get you 15% also - enter FUTURE15 at checkout during the month of January!

Another one of my local favorites is Ivy Lee Boutique, and their Valentine’s Day drop is perfection! How cute is this red puffer vest?! Or shop the full drop HERE.

Also, if you’ve followed us for a minute, you know one of my favorite brands is American Farm Company! This “I’m in Love with a Farmer” crewneck is perfect for V Day! If you’re a livestock family, this cow heart pink hoodie for girls is the cutest! The women’s version in gray is perfect for Valentine’s Day too! Don’t forget to use the code FUTUREVISIONS at checkout anytime you order for a discount!

Happy Love Day! ❤️

My Go To Holiday Gifts!

Last year I shared some of Tyler and I’s favorite things as the Farmer’s Wife Gift Guide and the Farmer’s Gift Guide. This year I’m sharing my top ten go-to gifts that are great for anyone! I’ve given a lot of these as Christmas gifts, wedding gifts, baby gifts - they are all things I gift over and over again.

First up, a classic Land’s End tote with a monogram. I’ve been given these as a bridesmaids gift, Christmas gift, and I’ve gifted a lot of them too! A lot of mine are 15+ years old but they never go out of style. I prefer the open top style with long handles - the medium size is great for an everyday or work tote. The large and extra large are perfect for a weekend or overnight bag. I was gifted the extra large with our last name on it instead of my monogram at one of my baby showers. It was the perfect hospital bag!

While you are on Land’s End, one of the items I’ve gifted over and over again are a set of their towels with a monogram or name. I feel like towels are something you get on your wedding registry and you are not likely to buy yourself, but they need replacing every few years!

Next up is a Barefoot Dreams blanket. Barefoot Dreams anything makes a great gift because most people won’t buy it for themself. And throw blankets are always a safe bet because even if you have a few, you can always use more!

My go-to wedding gift for a long time was a set of these Pottery Barn glasses with the couple’s new monogram engraved on them. I gave them so often that my sister bought them for us for our wedding! These also make a great holiday gift for a couple. Again, not something you are likely to buy for yourself but such a nice gift.

I’m pretty sure these were on both the Farmer and the Farmer’s Wife Gift Guides…can you tell I love them? My L.L. Bean slippers are a good 6-7 years old now and still look great. I love them so much I asked for the slide version of them this year. Tyler has the men’s version too. I’d rather have one pair of nice slippers that last for years than an inexpensive pair that get trashed after a few months!

Another one that I’ve shared before is the Scout Deano Tote, anything from Scout makes a great gift. It’s all wipeable, which is great for hauling food (or kids stuff) around. The Dean is my favorite size they make because you can put a full 9 x 13 pan or casserole carrier down in it. It’s the perfect bag to take to any party, gathering, or potluck. It also fits on the floorboard of my car behind the seat as a snack/toy bag (#momlife).

One of my favorite magazines, and a lot of my favorite recipes come from Taste of the South magazine. Their recipes are amazing but not fussy, no wild ingredients that you can’t find at a Kroger. My Grammy gets me a subscription every year for Christmas and I’ve started gifting them as well.

After our wedding, I found a company out of East Tennessee called PhotoBarn. I actually gave our parents wooden ornaments with wedding pictures on them and have ordered them with the girls yearly photos ever since. I love supporting another Tennessee small business and the quality is exceptional!

A couple years back, I shared my recipe for homemade strawberry ice cream and our Kitchen Aid ice cream maker attachment. I’ve had so many people ask me about it! We got ours as a wedding gift, but it’s the perfect gift for anyone who already has a Kitchen Aid (or is getting one from Santa!)

Last but not least is my favorite brand of cookware. If you’ve never had anything from Staub, it’s the BEST! It’s what I always reach for first and this baker set is a great deal. (Tip: always check Marshalls for Staub around the holidays too!).

I hope this gives you some fresh ideas! Now if y’all could just give me your go-to gifts so I could get out shopping done! :)

The Farmer’s Wife - Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

It’s that time if the year…Amazon Prime Day, Target and Walmart deals, and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I think a lot of times deals this time of the year are better than on Black Friday.

The Nordstrom Sale is one I’ve always shopped over the years, and if you look at my order history over the years I buy the exact same things all the time. It’s a great time to get pricier staples for a deep discount.

The nice thing about the Nordstrom Sale is it’s not summer stuff that’s on clearance to move out - it’s fall stuff that will go right back up to full price once the sale ends.

I got to shop last week because I’ve been a cardholder for a really long time (I have a Nordstrom debit, not credit card that they don’t even offer anymore).

Looking at my orders from previous years and what’s still left in stock, here’s my picks!

• Spanx faux leather leggings - I buy these about every other year when they start to lose their shine. Hands down my most worn article of clothing. I even wear them to work or church with a tunic length sweater and mules (and a headband and statement earrings obviously if you know me :). I size up from a medium to a large in these since I do wear them for work!

• Free People Ottoman Tunic - perfect to wear over the spanx leggings. I have two colors that I’ve had for at least 3-4 years and they hold up so well. Don’t buy 3 cheap sweaters this year, just buy one that’s good quality! True to size.

• Nordstrom moonlight pajamas - the best pajamas, hands down! I’ve had the target versions of these and they just do not hold up. These are so soft, don’t pull, and no exaggeration I wear them three nights per week. True to size, mine are a medium.

• Free People long sleeve top - Anniversary sale is the best time to to buy Free People! (This one keeps selling out - add it to your wish list on the app and it will notify you if it comes back in stock). I also love this sweater, I bought a similar version a couple years ago and have worn it a lot!

• FP Way Home skort - this one keeps going in and out of stock. I have it in black and red and wear it a lot. I love an athletic skirt. Free People sizing can by crazy - I wear my true medium.

• Olaplex - I usually buy this where I get my hair done but this is a larger size. I am telling y’all NOTHING will repair damaged hair like this. It will completely change the texture of your hair.

• Steve Madden Mules - these + the spanx leggings + the FP tunic is my winter uniform.

• Zella leggings - my favorite non workout, everyday legging. I’ve had some of mine for years and they still look new. They’re a medium amount of compression - as in they hold everything in but they aren’t suffocating.

• Baby Gear! I set an alarm at 3 am (for some reason my sale access started then that year) to buy the girls Nuna convertible car seats. It’s a great time to buy higher ticket items. Their Nuna infant carriers (I could not recommend more - so lightweight which was crucial when I carried two everywhere) are also included. This ezpz set is also so cute! We still use these plates every day!

• Ugg slippers - I switch back and for the between Ugg and LL Bean. I love a good summer slipper like these and a winter version like these.

  Now is a great time to buy some of these things as Christmas gifts also! The sale opens to the public tomorrow (7/17) so if you’re central time, that means 11 pm tonight! Happy shopping!

Tomato Pie

I feel like it’s officially summer when I make the first tomato pie of the season. I will tell y’all I have tried a million different recipes, but this simple version is the best. Some people add onion, some add bacon, but I think letting the fresh homegrown tomatoes and the fresh herbs steal the show makes this so much better.

When I first covered Nashville for work, one of the doctors offices I called on used to have me bring them tomatoes anytime I came in. They swore ours were better (and cheaper) than anything they could find in Brentwood. One of the opticians gave me this recipe, it’s actually the recipe that former Tennessee First Lady Betty Dunn published. Melinda, I will forever owe you for passing along this recipe!

Betty Dunn’s Tomato Pie

1 frozen pie shell

3 or 4 home grown tomatoes, thickly sliced

1 to 2 T fresh basil, chopped

1 to 2 T fresh chives, chopped

1/2 C mayonnaise

2 cups grated cheese (I mix sharp cheddar and mozzarella)

Bake pie shell according to instructions. Cool. Place tomato slices between sheets of paper towels to absorb some of the moisture. Cover bottom of pie crust with tomato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine mayonnaise, cheese, basil, and chives.  Carefully dot this mixture over tomatoes. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Notes: I think the key to a tomato pie that’s not too mushy is getting some moisture out of the tomatoes. I slice them first, then layer them on a plate, sprinkle with salt, and top with paper towels. I then switch out the paper towels when the pie shell comes out of the oven and let them dry out more while I assemble the topping.

If we have garlic scapes at the time, I use 1 T of fresh basil, 1 T of chives, and 1 T of minced garlic scapes. I would not use dried herbs, it would be like using canned tomatoes instead of homegrown. :) I saved the videos of me making a tomato pie on the “recipes” highlight on our Instagram page

If you make one, please post a picture or story and tag us!

The Farmer’s Daughter(s) Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Are Valentine’s Day gifts for your kids necessary? Absolutely not. But is every little holiday more fun with kids, for sure!

For Valentine’s treats and Easter Baskets I like to mix in small little treats and toys along with things that I would buy the girls anyways (like the next size up in a shoe or bath soap).

Everything in this little grouping the girls have and love! This toy purse from Target was a last minute Santa gift and Ada carries it around all day long. Another Christmas gift that gets a lot of use is a little magnetic Cinderella paper doll that Lila plays with constantly! It’s very similar to this one on Amazon.

We also swear by this fridababy hair brush (honestly I swear by everything fridababy, it is the BEST baby stuff). And Tyler put the tini Teleties in my stocking but they are the perfect size for little girl ponytails!

I always have my eyes open for sales on kids Crocs, I usually buy one size ahead of what they’re currently wearing so that we have the next set on deck when they grow out of them! Zulily is currently featuring discounted crocs (kids and adults selections can be found here) but I always check Marshalls and T.J. Maxx too! I’m getting these pink ones while they are on sale!

These books were gifts from their first two Valentine’s Days but Lila always picks Little Blue Truck’s Valentine or Happy Valentine’s Day Mouse at bedtime!

Happy almost Valentine’s Day! ❤️

Butter Swim Biscuits

While I was showing our Helping Hand donations last week, I mentioned that I put together a basket with a pan of butter swim biscuits with jars of my homemade peach and strawberry jam. I had a quite a few people either respond or tell me in person they’ve never heard of them!

I feel like butter swim biscuits are the biscuit version of a one cup cobbler or the easiest chicken and dumplings ever, no fuss but so good!

Here’s the recipe I use:

• 1 1/2 sticks butter + 2 T butter

• 2 cups flour

• 1 T baking powder

• 1 T sugar

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt 1 1/2 sticks of butter and pour in the bottom of an 8 x 8 pan.

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar until combined. Whisk in buttermilk - be sure not to overmix, just until it all comes together. Drop mixture on top of the butter and carefully spread to the edges with a spatula (it doesn’t need to be perfect). While in the oven, melt your remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.

Bake for 20-22 minutes until the top peaks start to get a little golden. Drizzle the 2 tablespoons of butter over the top. (It might not seem done but let it sit for just a few minutes and they will continue to firm up).

Enjoy!

Farmer’s Wife Stocking Guide

If you read my last post (The Farmer’s Stocking Guide) you know I live for a Christmas stocking, it’s my favorite part of Christmas morning!

After posting the stocking guide for the guys, it’s very apparent that the men need some help with stockings too! (Men said they need ideas and the ladies have been very clear that their men need help and a reminder that their stocking exists!).

So fellas, just go ahead and grab all this on Amazon and thank me later :) The vast majority of it is available locally to us also, so I’ll provide those options as well!

• Teleties hair clips and ponytail holders - this is all I use! I can barely get all my hair into a regular ponytail holder and about half the time it will snap or stretch out. These hair ties will shrink back to shape in hot water and the clips will not break! (Size guide - I prefer the small, I use tiny for the girls).

• Spongelle- I talked about this for the guys. I received one of these as a gift and am hooked! It’s like getting a full spa body scrub experience in your shower.

• Eye masks - she’s going to need a little perking up after staying up late wrapping gifts, cooking, and doing all the holiday tasks! Treat her! Also, I one million percent recommend an ice roller if she doesn’t have one. I use it for my allergies when I have a headache (and also when I’m exhausted because work/farm/twins).

• Lip Sleeping Mask - There’s a reason this is viral! It’s amazing, especially in winter. Such a nice treat!

• Makeup Eraser - I have used these for years. I use in place of makeup remover wipes then wash my face after. Takes off the toughest of waterproof mascara without irritating your skin. This is something that I swear has changed my skin for the better, as I have always struggled with redness/rosacea.

• Pura refills - if she has a Pura (or you got her one from the Farmer’s Wife Gift Guide) she will need refills! The LAFCO and NEST scents are my favorite.

• Silicone baking mats - the best invention ever!

• Ground beef smasher - I couldn’t live without mine. Makes browning ground beef, sausage, anything so much easier!

• Stainless odor absorber “soap” bar - something she never thought she needed! If you’re cooking with garlic, onion, or anything stinky, just “wash” your hands with this and the smell comes off your hands!

• Rada paring knives - the BEST knives for anything. I use my paring knives the most.

Hopefully this gives you some good ideas for all the ladies in your life!

The Farmer’s Stocking Guide

Allright y’all, we getting close to Christmas and it’s crunch time! If you’re like me you’re down to little stuff like finishing up stockings and planning menus.

Stockings are my favorite part of Christmas! My Grammy told me I got a stocking until I was married, which is probably why it took me until I was 30, I didn’t want to lose those Christmas stockings and Easter baskets! :)

If you need stocking ideas for the man in your life, I’ve got you covered! Links below are all Amazon!

• Yeti ice packs - the Yeti ice packs cost more than the average freezer pack but they are well worth it!

• Carharrt beanie and carharrt gloves - I had our farm logo embroidered on the one for his stocking. And nitrile gloves tend to grow legs and walk away around here. This pair is insulated for winter.

• Spongelle mens scrubber - I love the women’s version so picked him up one too!

• Fast Orange hand wipes - necessary in every truck and tractor.

• Farmer’s Popcorn Cob - After the girls go to bed and in the event we actually watch TV, we always make popcorn!

• Bag Balm - Tyler’s hands start to crack and bleed around November. This was a staple in our house growing up so I’m hoping it works! And Burt’s Bees chapstick because that’s all he’ll use and we lose a couple to the washer every year.

• Wireless charger - in case the man in your life also has a charging port that’s broken but won’t get a new phone :) He has these in every vehicle now.

• Hitch pins - the only thing that grows legs faster than gloves. They will never have enough!

If you haven’t finished (or started) stockings yet, hopefully this gives you some ideas that will make it in time for Santa!

Gift Guide for the Farmer's Wife

A list of my favorite farm wife things…now this is a gift guide I can get behind! As hard as a guy/farmer is to buy for, I’m sure they would say we are even harder. I know I think of things all year I should ask for, then I blank when someone asks me what I want. This is why Tyler and Steve (my father in law) end up going into our local boutiques and asking them what I want (thank you Eliza & Katie at Bo & Co and Traci at Iron Place for always picking out things I love).

I put together a list of some of my favorite gifts I’ve gotten over the years as well as some of the things on my list this year.

My hands down favorite slippers are these from L.L.Bean. My aunt and uncle both started working at an L.L. Bean after they retired and they have spoiled me with some of the best gifts! My slippers are at least 5 years old and they look great, everything I’ve ever received from L.L. Bean is such great quality.

While on the topic of being cozy, I love my Ugg robe that my mom got me for my birthday a couple years ago. I know Barefoot Dreams robes are all the rage but I’ve had both and I prefer this one! My second favorite are these Pottery Barn robes my mom got my sisters and I - the faux fur is so beautiful, I’ve given these as gifts many times!

One of my most unexpected favorites has been my Pura diffuser. I bought this shortly after the girls were born and I can honestly say I have not lit a candle since! At the time, I was scared that in our newborn twin exhaustion haze I’d leave a candle burning, but I still use it everyday. I actually have schedules set on it so that one of the fragrances turns on during peak “chore time” aka during weekend nap time or in the morning/evening when I’d be cooking, doing dishes, or cleaning up. Unloading the dishwasher is slightly more pleasant when you get a whiff of your favorite scent turning on! The NEST and LAFCO scents are my favorites and I switch them out for the seasons.

I also added my most used kitchen item and one from my wish list :) Hands down the kitchen item I use the most is my Le Crueset dutch oven. It is not cheap, and is definitely more of an investment piece but if you are looking for THE gift, this is it. I have the 7 1/4 quart size. I won a contest at work a few years ago and got to pick from a very nice pool of prizes, which is how I got mine but it is worth every penny. I also have a less expensive version from Lodge that I use if I need a second pot, I can’t say it heats as quickly or as even but is still a great option (and made in East Tennessee!).

This All Clad slow cooker has been on my list for a couple years now. I have heard the best things about it and I love that you can brown/sear in it before you slow cook so you aren’t transferring pans. You can also use the crock on the stove. It’s also a 7 quart which is perfect for a larger boston butt type cut. I went to visit it at the Willams Sonoma outlet when we were in Florida, I may just have to bite the bullet and use any Christmas money this year to get it!

Next up is my two most used Scout bags. I love Scout bags because they are so easy to wipe down and come in the cutest patterns. I have a few different sizes but my favorites are the casserole carrier and their Deano tote. I have a couple casserole carriers and the Scout is much thicker and holds the heat (or cold) in much longer! The Deano we use as a snack bag for trips (twin toddlers require that many snacks) and I also use it when I’m taking food anywhere! I like that you can fit a full 13 x 9 (or casserole carrier) in the bottom then stack other items on top.

Another item on my wish list is the newest version of the Yeti roadie cooler. Tyler bought me the old version as part of my wedding present (I think he went into Iron Place and told Traci to order everything Yeti made in pink and put my new monogram on it, seriously the best gift!). However, mine had an unfortunate accident when it was used as a welding bench (bless him) and isn’t looking so great anymore. They also advertise that the newer version is tall enough for a bottle of wine to stand up in, which is excellent marketing and genius.

Last but not least is a new find, Carhartt leggings. I think I’m late to the Carhartt leggings party but I give them an A+ for sure! I was at Tractor Supply getting dog food and walked by them, I was tired of ruining my daily or workout leggings (yes we all have nice leggings and workout leggings and then work leggings…leggings are pants and if you are denying it you are lying!). These are thick, and high waisted, and have pockets for your phone so they were perfect to get covered in clay dust down at the sheds!

Hopefully this gives you some ideas for the ladies in your life, or for yourself!

One Cup Chicken & Dumplings

This is the time of year when I feel like I can finally start to take a breath! Harvest is over, pumpkin and produce season is done, and I can finally start to cook meals regularly again!

Once it gets cold I love to start cooking all the soups and stews and all the best cold weather comfort food. Chicken and dumplings is THE comfort food but I don’t always have time to mess with cooking a whole chicken. So when I saw variations of this recipe it quickly became a favorite.

Its just like a classic one cup cobbler recipe (one cup of milk, cup of sugar, cup of flour) but the chicken and dumplings version! Super easy and comes together quick because you use a store bought rotisserie chicken.

One Cup Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients:

• pulled chicken from a rotisserie chicken (don’t use the skin)

• 1 stick of unsalted butter (melted)

• 1 cup self rising flour

• 2 cups chicken broth

• 1 can cream of chicken soup

• 1 cup milk

(I don’t salt and pepper the chicken because the store bought chicken is pretty well seasoned. But if you aren’t using one I’d add a pinch of each!)

Preheat oven to 375. Spread chicken in the bottom of your 9 x 13 baking dish. Pour the melted butter on top of chicken. In a bowl, whisk together milk and self rising flour (SELF RISING, not regular). Pour this over your chicken (DON’T STIR!). In your same bowl, whisk chicken broth and cream of chicken. Again, pour on top but DON’T STIR!). Bake for 45 minutes and then let sit for a few minutes to let the dumplings form up a little more.

Enjoy!

Gift Guide for the Farmer

Anyone else think that guys are the hardest to buy for? Unless it’s a really specific tool or hunting/gun gift that they ask for, men are just difficult to buy for!

Over the last seven years I’ve gotten Tyler some gifts that I swore would be a hit (an electric smoker, a Clay thrower for shooting) but he just doesn’t have time to enjoy them!

Some of his favorite and most used gifts are the the practical, quality stuff that I’ve given him. And he’ll be getting some of these again this year!

Duluth Trading is always a home run, my whole family ends up shopping for Tyler there! They guarantee their products, if you can wear a hole in their socks, take them back and they’ll replace them. We’ve been slowly replacing his whole sock drawer with their 7 year socks. Worth every penny. His other favorites are the Fire Hose Work Pants which he wears pretty much daily and I always put a couple pair of these in his stocking!

I’m also always on the hunt for a good pearl snap for him because he loves them. For Father’s Day this year I got him a shirt from Poncho Outdoors that I kept getting Instagram ads for. It feels like a fishing shirt, but has the western pearl snap details, plus it has a built in lens cleaning cloth and a spots to store sunglasses and your phone. Genius! They also have non western/pearl snap styles if that’s not your guy’s taste!

I also picked up this Wrangler flannel pearl snap for his birthday on October and it’s been either on his body or in the wash ever since.

One of his favorite bigger gifts is for sure our weather station. We’ve had ours for a few years now and live by it. We’ve talked about getting one for the Clay Sheds and our other farms to be able to measure rain in other fields.

If you’re buying for a hunter, The Meateater fish & game cookbook is a great gift!

The next three are things Tyler uses every. single. day. If you’re like us, you’ve got a cabinet full of Yeti cups, but he uses this one with the handle every day because it fits in the cup holder no matter which tractor/truck/semi he’s driving.

My parents get him this moleskin planner every year - this is his bible and he’s be lost without it! It ls laid out weekly so he fills in planting dates, weather notes, spray logs, everything! He has them from our first Christmas back in 2015 so he can always refer back to old planting, harvest dates, etc.

He also made sure to tell me to include these Rite in the Rain notebooks that my Dad got him last couple years. These are the best for field notes because they are weatherproof!

Hopefully this gives you some ideas for the hard to buy for guys in your life!

Recipe Roundup - Strawberry Season!

IT’S STRAWBERRY SEASON IN TENNESSEE! People (including me, I am people) go nuts for fresh strawberries! I can’t decide if it’s because we are all so starved for fresh produce and fresh sunshine by this time of year or because they are just that good!

We started slowly picking a few buckets a day about a week ago and are now picking daily, and selling out before lunch! I can’t confirm or deny that we have probably eaten a good 3-4 gallons ourselves already :)

I will find any excuse to add strawberries to a recipe. Basically I’m like Bubba Gump, just with strawberries not shrimp. 

There’s strawberry jam, strawberry freezer jam, strawberry pie, strawberry french toast, strawberry ice cream, strawberry cobbler, strawberry bruschetta...the possibilities are endless really.  And to be honest I’ve also eaten probably at least a gallon just plain, which I blame mostly on the two farmer’s daughters currently in my belly.

 My absolute favorite thing to make with fresh berries is jam. Once you make jam with fresh strawberries, be prepared to ruin your tastebuds on store bought for forever. Every year, I make twice as much jam as the year before. And every year, we are scraping the bottom of jars come spring because we’re running out!

Honestly, I think the best recipe comes straight off the pamphlet in the pectin box. I’ve used both the freezer and cooked jam recipes and never had any issues (they also don’t call for lemon juice which I am not a fan of in my jam). Every time I stray from this recipe, I regret it and go right back!

Note: this picture is from last year. My nails do not currently look like this - anyone else ready for nail salons to open back up?!

They also make great Mother’s Day gifts - tie a ribbon on it and immediately elevate yourself to favorite child status :)

While we use the jam all year long, the first thing I crave, and the first thing I make every year is a strawberry pie!

A store bought pie crust, some fresh berries, and less than 4 ingredients I already have on hand? Sign me up! I generally use a recipe similar to THIS ONE, simple and easy. And if I have cream cheese on hand, I spread some on the bottom of the crust before I fill it. The star of the show are the strawberries and whipped cream, so the cream cheese is really just an extra, not a necessity!

Next up is strawberry ice cream! Other than Blue Bell, store bought ice cream just doesn’t do it for me. I think the only time we buy it is if Blue Bell comes out with a seasonal flavor, or if we’re putting it on cobbler. But homemade ice cream is always amazing! It must be because it’s such a labor of love, and not something easily thrown together!

My mom got us the ice cream maker attachment for our Kitchen Aid mixer at one of my bridal showers but I haven’t really used it much until this year. And now I’ve used it twice in a week! (DISCLAIMER: don’t make your husband and father in law homemade ice cream unless you are prepared to make it all the time…and on short notice…lesson learned).

I use a basic vanilla ice cream recipe and then toss about 1-2 cups of strawberries in during the last few minutes. Note: if you are using the same Kitchen Aid attachment, half your recipe, even if you use one straight out of the manual, or it will be so full it’ll go everywhere. Learned that one the hard way…

Here’s my mixture - it makes right at about a quart!

1 1/4 cups half and half

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

dash salt

1 cup strawberries (halved and tossed in a spoonful of sugar)

I’d recommend following the recipe and instructions for your specific ice cream maker. And if you have Kitchen Aid, but don’t have THIS ice cream maker attachment, put it on your Christmas list ASAP! And if you’re a man, buy it for your wife for Mother’s Day, it’ll be a gift to yourself too!!

Next up is Strawberry Cakey Cobbler. The moment I opened up this month’s Southern Living and saw this recipe I knew I had to make it. We are serious about cobbler in this house, we even had it (and banana pudding which we are equally serious about) instead of cake at our wedding. Tyler prefers a mushier cobbler, I like a crisp cobbler. This one is more like if a cake and a cobbler had a baby…which is probably why they named it Cakey Cobbler! I made it last night and served it with the strawberry ice cream above. It was DELICIOUS! Tyler has asked me approximately six times in the last 24 hours if I’m going to post it. Recipe can be found HERE. Just make it, you won’t regret it.

Now that we’ve covered all the desserts, one of my favorite combinations is strawberries + basil. It sounds like an odd combination, but just trust me. If I was able to drink right now, I would definitely be making THESE Strawberry Basil Margaritas. I’ve made them before for parties and to take to the lake and they are crazy good!

Also on the list of things I can’t have right now is goat cheese…and I LOVE goat cheese. Not as much as cobbler and banana pudding, but pretty darn close. This recipe is from one of the first food bloggers I ever followed, and it combines strawberries + basil + goat cheese (can I get an Amen?!). Make this Strawberry Bruschetta and have some for me too!

So just in case you got your hands on some local strawberries, now you have plenty of recipes to keep you busy! We are picking daily now, so watch our Facebook page for updates!

And if you make strawberry basil margaritas, have one for me!

Sunflower Photos 2019

Yes, I know that although we are now into September, the weather still thinks it’s July.

And, NO…I am not one of those people that decorate for Fall before it’s actually Fall. I actually am very much AGAINST season pushing (I’m looking at you people who drink pumpkin everything the moment school starts and put up your Christmas tree before Thanksgiving!).

However, even though I’m not thinking fall yet, we are definitely planning for it! Our pumpkins have been in the ground most of the summer, and the guys officially flipped into pumpkin picking mode today. As usual. we will have plenty of mums, straw, corn stalks, and everything else you need for the perfect Pinterest worthy fall porch and tablescape.

Checking on the pumpkin progress 8.3.19

The first of the pumpkins - August 2019

Along with having pumpkins and such for sale at the farm, I talked Tyler into a sunflower patch! Luckily, we got the garlic out of the ground just in time to get them planted for a mid September bloom. Which (fingers crossed) will hopefully mean cooler temps, less mosquitoes, and the perfect time to take those Christmas card photos (not that I’m season pushing you…but in case you’re a season pusher, here you go).

Sunflowers August 2019

We do not charge admission to the farm, nor are we a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own. We just planted the sunflowers so that everyone can enjoy them when they stop in to get pumpkins, etc! We are also lucky enough to be having two of the best photographers in West Tennessee offering mini sessions in the sunflowers! If you aren’t familiar with them already, give Amy Bourne Photogrpahy and Eventide Photography by Carrie Cantrell a follow and take a look at their amazing work!

Photo BY Amy Bourne Photography

Photo by Amy Bourne Photography

Here’s how the photos will go down…:

• To book mini sessions with Eventide Photography by Carrie Cantrell, please click HERE and choose your time slot. Carrie will be taking photos on either Sunday Sept. 15th or Sunday Sept, 22nd depending on blooms. You will pay and coordinate with Carrie directly.

• To book mini sessions with Amy Bourne Photography, please click HERE and enter your email address in the “Subscribe to ABP’s Mini Session Email List” box. Amy will send an email to subscribers when booking is open. (Dates are currently scheduled for Sept. 16, 17, 18, 22 but are subject to change based on bloom date and weather). You will pay and coordinate with Amy directly. (EDIT: AMY’S SESSIONS ARE FULLY BOOKED).

• Private, non professional photography is allowed as long as there is not a professional photographer in the field. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to ensure field is open.

• If you are a professional photographer and would like to use the field for photos, please contact jessi@futurevisionsfarmstn.com.

We are so excited to see the beautiful images these ladies capture on the farm! Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram as we will be posting updates on all things sunflowers and when they are tracking to bloom!

The third member of the holy trinity of chili

I have a confession to make.  We have been cheating on Grammy’s chili and my white chicken chili with someone new. This recipe is too good not to share and I’ve lost count how many times I’ve made it in the last couple months! 

This is not a recipe of my own but one from my favorite food blogger, Shay of Mix and Match Mama. She is my go to when I need to make a dish or plan a meal and she never steers me wrong! She’s a Texan so her dishes have just enough heat to them without being too spicy. Plus, her recipes are always good but never have too many complicated ingredients that are ridiculously expensive or obscure (I’m looking at you Pioneer Woman…you will always be my number one but I don’t always have time to make everything from scratch). If you aren’t following Shay on Instagram or Facebook, do it now. You won’t regret it! 

And if anyone’s chili recipe deserves to be the third member of our holy trinity of chili, it’s her pulled pork chili. Which Tyler has renamed “Cowboy Chili”  

Cowboy Chili is actually a pretty accurate rename of it because it’s loaded down with ground beef, breakfast sausage, pulled pork, and candied  jalapeños. It had me at adding pulled pork to your chili. Why haven’t I thought of that?! It has some heat to it but it is SO GOOD! 

I just made it again tonight as a donation for the Helping Hand Auction for tomorrow. It’s the last week and tomorrow is the day for the Henry County Young Farmer’s & Ranchers group. If you’re local, we’ve got a great basket (which may or may not include a Future Visions t-shirt and gift certificate in it!). 

Click here to see her recipe. I will tell you that I only add HALF of the amount of chili powder it calls for. I felt like 4 tablespoons was a lot and it is still pretty spicy with 2 or 3 tablespoons. PROCEED WITH CAUTION on the chili powder!! Also, use maple flavored breakfast sausage. Just trust me, it gives it a little more sweetness that really makes it!

I also own 4 of her cookbooks which are wonderful! The Meal Planner version gives you an actual grocery list for the week. I’m telling you, she’s a genius. Maybe someday I’ll have it all together like her :) 

If you’re not already, make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram. We have so many great things happening this year!  

High tunnels & ham sliders

It might still be February outside but we are ready for warm weather and some fresh vegetables over here! And FOR THE LOVE of all that is good and holy whoever is praying for rain right now, please stop! At this point, I’m not sure I could locate a pair of sunglasses if I needed them. 

We’ve had some big projects happening this winter including adding two grain bins for additional storage and most recently, a high tunnel! (A high tunnel is basically a greenhouse but you plant the plants directly in the ground instead of just in trays. I was unaware of the difference. The more you know, right?!). 

Tyler purchased the high tunnel from another farm who was no longer using it. It was in great shape except for the plastic so the guys disassembled it in early January and brought all the pieces home on a trailer. 

(Taking the high tunnel down at its old home 1.8.19)  

We had a spot picked out for it, but it took some fence clearing and soil testing to find the perfect place for it to live. Then (after being pushed back a few times due to weather) a team out of Elkton, KY came out to install it over near our vegetable patch. And let me tell you...these guys have it down to a science. I left for work in the morning and by the time I came home around 3:00 it had gone from a bunch of metal on a trailer to this: 

(high tunnel install 1.31.19) 

I showed up just in time to watch them put the plastic up. These pictures were all taken from 3:03 to 3:09 pm...I’m telling y’all these guys were MOVING! They rolled the plastic out, then they all spread out and climbed it up over the frame. I was seriously amazed at how fast it went! And also had a lot of anxiety watching them crawl all over that thing! 

Oh, and  it was approximately 20 degrees this day so I apologize in advance for the picture quality but I was not about leaving my heated seats for a better photo :) 

The goal is to have tomato plants in the ground in the tunnel around March 8th. Tyler started the plants about two weeks ago and until they got too big, they made great kitchen table decor 🙄

They now have been moved to trays and are hanging out in our friend’s greenhouse until it’s time to plant. If you look closely, you’ll notice that back by popular demand are the pink girls! Everyone flipped for the pink girls and we couldn’t keep them in stock so I’m happy he decided to grow them again! 

And if you’re only here for the ham sliders, now at least you know the difference between a greenhouse and a high tunnel. Just in case you ever find yourself in some sort of agriculture jeopardy situation, now you’re prepared.  

My family was in town last weekend to help us paint (and by the way if you ever decide to paint fake wood paneling know that it is awful. Like 4787846 times more awful than painting drywall).

So instead of having to stop and go get lunch, I prepped some sliders so we could grab them as we got hungry. This is a recipe of my mom’s that I’ve tweaked because I don’t like ham. Yes, I eat pulled pork, bacon, breakfast sausage and lots of other pork...I just am grossed out by ham. I haven’t eaten it in 33 years and nothing anyone can say will make me try it. I fully realize this is weird, but it is what it is. Anyways, make these for a crowd and they will be gone in a second! 

Ham (and turkey) Sliders 

1 package sweet Hawaiian rolls (I buy the 18 pack)  

1/2 lb sliced deli turkey  

1/2 lb sliced deli ham  

1/2 lb Swiss cheese

1/2 lb provolone cheese  

1 stick butter  

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce  

2 teaspoons minced dried onion  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom of a disposable lasagna pan with a light coat of cooking spray. Use a bread knife to cut the entire package of rolls in half (see photo below). Top half of the rolls with turkey and provolone. Top the second half with ham and Swiss cheese.  

Set the top halves of the tools back on top of your layered meat and cheese. In a microwave safe bowl, melt your butter then stir in onions, mustard, and Worcestershire. Pour mixture on top of rolls, using a brush or spatula to even put the mixture.

Bake for 15 minutes or until tops start to get brown and cheese is melted.

You can always make the sandwiches ahead of time as well. Just pop in the refrigerator after you drizzle the butter mixture on top and bake when you are ready! These are a perfect way to use up lunch meat you might have in the fridge and one of the things I make all the time when the guys are busy during harvest and need a grab and go lunch. 

We are headed to the Farm Show in Louisville this week and hoping the swamp that is our yard has dried up a little when we get back. Stay dry friends! 

Follow our our daily happenings on Facebook and Instagram at @futurevisionsfarmstn  

Why are there tomatoes in my chili?

Believe it or not, chili is a huge topic of debate in my family. Everyone loves chili, right? Well apparently it’s also very polarizing and people are SERIOUS about their chili recipes. 

I have two regular chili recipes I switch between, my mom’s chili and my Grammy’s chili. One has tomatoes, one doesn’t.

This all started one night when we were all sitting down eating chili at my grandparents house and out of nowhere my Papa said “why are there tomatoes in my chili?” to which Grammy’s response was “because there has been tomatoes in your chili for the last fifty years, just eat it!” I think I was in high school at the time but we all died laughing and it’s been a huge joke ever since. And if you know my Grammy and Papa and how funny they are this shouldn’t surprise you! 

Flash forward to this week and I’m making two batches of chili for the Henry County Helping Hand auction, which is a favorite local event that benefits over 80 local charities! I decided to do a basket with Grammy’s chili and my version of white chicken chili. (Note: this does not mean I am team Grammy/tomato chili, I just happen to have more of the ingredients for it!). Seriously mom, don’t cut me out of your will. :) 

I will tell you that the secret ingredient to Grammy’s chili is the chili brick. It can be hard to find, but it makes it! It looks like this and I’ve found it both in the frozen section and in the meat section near the breakfast sausage. You might have to ask someone at the store for help.  And when I do find it, I buy multiple and throw them in the freezer outside!

Here’s the recipe: 

Grammy’s Chili

3/4 of a medium white onion, chopped

1 clove fresh garlic, minced

1 lb ground beef

1/2 of a Chili Brick (4 Star Brand - see above)

15 oz can diced tomatoes

8 oz can tomato sauce

3 cans chili beans (I use 1 mild, 1 medium, 1 hot)

2-3 tablespoons of chili mix (from a packet - find it in the gravy aisle!)

Saute chopped onion and garlic until softened. Add the ground beef and brown, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cut your 1/2 chili brick into small pieces and combine with ground beef mixture until melted. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chili beans. Add in chili mix (2 tablespoons for milder chili, 3 for a little more heat). Heath through and serve with crackers and cheese.

Next up is the white chicken chili. This is the recipe I talked about here and one I have been making for years. This is a go-to for me and a favorite of Tyler and Steve. If you prep the chicken ahead of time, it comes together really quickly! It’s actually a combination of a few different chicken chili recipes I’ve used over the years.

I make my chicken ahead of time (throw a package of boneless chicken breasts in your crockpot + one packet of dry ranch dressing + a jar of sliced pepperoncinis with the juice for 8 hours on low). You’ll be able to shred it with a fork and I use this chicken in EVERYTHING. Enchiladas, soups, literally anything that calls for cooked chicken. I always have some frozen as well because I typically don’t use it all in one recipe! I got the recipe from a coworker in St. Louis years ago and it has been my staple ever since. In a pinch you can use chicken broth, a can of rotel, diced tomatoes, or whatever you have but the pepperoncini + dry ranch combo has my heart forever. 

Here’s the recipe:

White Chicken Chili

1lb cooked, shredded chicken

1 1/2 yellow onions, chopped

5 cloves of fresh garlic, minced

1 jalapeño, chopped (seeds removed)

1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons oregano

5 cans of white chili beans

2 cans chicken broth

2 cans chopped green chiles

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz monterey jack cheese (to shred)

Saute onion and garlic in a little bit of olive oil until softened. Add in chopped jalapeño, cayenne, cumin, and oregano. Drain 1 can of chili beans and add to pot. Use a potato masher (or a sturdy fork) to mash beans and onion mix together. Drain remaining cans of beans and add to pot. Add chicken broth and chopped green chiles. Bring to a boil (while boiling, shred your 8oz of monterey jack) then reduce to a simmer. Add in cream cheese (in pieces) and shredded cheese. Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and sour cream!

For the auction I decided to do a 1/2 gallon jar of both the white chicken and Grammy’s chili and throw in crackers, tortilla chips, cheese, some hot chocolate so whoever buys it can have a cozy night at home. If you’re local, make sure to tune into WRQR 97.5 and as they say, bid high and bid often!! 

 And if you’re not local, well then you’re welcome for the super bowl recipes!

And if you’re part of #teamnotomatoes in your chili, just bid anyways, it’s for a good cause!  

No vampires here: Garlic 101.

I’m declaring 2019 the year of the garlic around here. This is definitely not something we’ve grown before, but in Tyler’s true entrepreneurial spirit, we’ve jumped in with both feet. And by both feet I mean from ZERO garlic plants to approximately 18,000 garlic plants…

Seriously, pray for us because we have lost our minds.

Tyler has been interested in growing garlic for a while, so started doing some research. The Google machine led him to this book which has turned out to be the Bible for garlic growers. (Note that I read zero pages of this book because between a full time job and reading actual interesting books, no thanks on the garlic book).

Now I consider myself a pretty serious garlic lover. Basically, if a recipe calls for 2 cloves of garlic, I add 4 (ok fine…sometimes 6). I’m also not a jar garlic kind of girl and only recently bought a jar for the first time because a recipe specfically called for it. Never again. I also will never again make chicken in my Instant Pot. But that is a whole different rant.

Long story short, even though I am a huge fresh garlic fan, I clearly knew nothing about it.

In case you ever find yourself in a trivia contest on the topic of garlic, here’s some of what I’ve learned recently:

• There are basically two main types of garlic - hard neck and soft neck. While there are many varieties of both hard neck and soft neck, these are the two main categories.

• Most of what you see in the grocery store would be a soft neck variety. These have your typical garlic taste and produce a good number of cloves. They have the white papery look to them.

• The hard neck variety is apparently where it’s at if you’re a real garlic lover! It has a harder stem/stalk in the center and has a spicier flavor. They also tend to be a little pink/purplish in color.

• Also…when you plant garlic, you break apart every clove and plant each clove individually. So we didn’t start with a seed. We started by breaking apart 200 lbs of garlic into individual cloves. Then planted each clove individually…right side up…in the dark…with headlamps…in October… when it was unusually cold. I’ve never been so thankful to have a job where I’m required to travel! (Kidding…kind of).

We planted a combination of California Early (a soft neck variety) as well as Music (a hard neck variety). Since we started our crop by planting cloves, I had the opportunity to cook with both types before we planted them (because lord knows we had enough to spare with 18,000 cloves planted!). I will say that although both were excellent, I am a HUGE FAN of the Music. I used it in my white chicken chili, which I make all the time. Tyler kept asking me what I did different because it was a little spicier. I think I told him at least 3 or 4 times that it was the same as always until it hit me that it was the garlic! I’m telling y’all the flavor was so good! I can’t wait for it to be ready!

After a lot of man hours breaking apart the bulbs into individual cloves, each clove was planted about 6 inches apart in raised beds. Luckily, we got most of the cloves in the ground just before a huge rain. About a week after we planted them, we had shoots that looked like this:

Garlic 11.6.18

The guys covered up the beds with wheat straw (which I called “putting the garlic to bed for the winter”) but will help control weeds come Spring.

We are about 75 days in on the garlic as of now. We took some pictures this weekend and checked on it’s progress. We’re first timers but one of our specialty crop reps looked at it and said it’s looking great!

Garlic 1.12.19

Garlic 1.12.19

From planting to harvesting should take approximately 228 days which (weather depending) would be right around mid June. Of course a warm spring could accelerate that or a late cold snap could push it back a little.

I’ll try to be better about posting the garlic progress over the winter. We have grain bins getting moved, a high tunnel going up, and lots of seeds and plants being ordered this week. There’s a lot happening to get ready for this season and we’re excited for whats to come!

But seriously…send prayers (and wine) in mid June. Because I have a feeling that harvesting 18,000 garlic bulbs while combining wheat and picking tomatoes is going to be no joke!

From farm to factory...to farm again.

Happy 2019 friends! Think of this as an installment of “The More You Know.” Does anyone else remember those PSAs during commercials from the 90s? I recall zero of the actual public service announcements but totally remember that rainbow. You’re welcome for the flashback :)

So now for our PSA. Did you know that we are an authorized dealer for erosion control solutions manufactured by North American Green in Poseyville, IN? Well now you do :)

It’s actually one of the coolest things we do. We typically grow about 350 acres of winter wheat per year. Our crop rotation is corn - wheat - beans so as soon as we are done combining the field corn, they disc in the wheat seed. It grows all winter until it gets harvested typically right around the first week of June. One of my favorite times of the year is in late Spring when the wheat has a head on it…there’s a reason Garth Brooks has a song about a wheat field dancing in the wind. Pictures don't do it justice!

Typically the wheat is dry enough to combine in early June. (Which of course this year was when it was 100 degrees for like 10 days in a row).

We sell the grain, then we bale the straw. We’ll do some smaller bales to sell in the fall for decorations and general use but most of them are baled into huge 4 x 4 x 8 foot bales. This is one of those “all hands on deck” few days for us because it moves much faster if you have someone baling, two people on tractors stacking the bales onto a truck or two pulling trailers to haul them back to the shed. I may or may not have dumped a few bales a couple years ago…(I hate NOTHING more than pulling a trailer let alone a fully loaded trailer plus a wagon).

These large bales are stored until they get hauled off to North American Green throughout the year to be manufactured into erosion control products.

Starting in 2017, we partnered with North American Green to become a dealer for our area. There was a huge hole in coverage so a lot of farmers and construction companies were purchasing from out of state and paying for delivery. We typically take a semi load of straw up to Indiana weekly, so it makes sense for us to haul back the finished product. If you have ever driven through a construction zone and noticed what looks like a net over the ground, that’s it!

This is an amazing opportunity for us to be able to sell our crop, but as a finished product. And also to fill the void for a supplier in our area.

As a small business, we appreciate your support! If you know of a farmer or company who could utilize our erosion control solutions, please send them our way!

For more information on our erosion control products and pricing, please contact Jessi@futurevisionsfarmstn.com.

For more information on North American Green and their products we can provide, click here.

Please keep up to date with the happenings on the farm by following us on Instagram and Facebook @futurevisionsfarmstn