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FOR THOSE OF US IN MORE NORTHERN CLIMES, the time has come for a bit of rest as winter snows settle into the ruts in the fields. But I suspect some of you are chuckling at that idea. This time of year offers plenty to do in your part of the country. In California, for example, citrus season is in full swing. And no one has a more surprising array of citrus trees and shrubs than Gene Lester. Meet him and get a glimpse into his 50-year-old collection on page 56. Down in Texas, the Dineen family is in planting mode ahead of the winter rains. If all goes well, next spring they’ll be harvesting the whole grains they grind and package into handmade baking mixes. You’ll love getting to…
COUNTRY DREAMIN’ I just wanted to say how much your magazine means to me. I live in Centreville, Virginia, and my dream has always been to live on a farm and raise animals, have a large garden and enjoy the country life. I am 54 years old, and reading your magazine gives me a glimmer of hope that I can still pursue my dream, especially since I have two grandchildren and I want to show them what real living is like. Thanks for publishing an awesome magazine. MARY JANE BRAATEN CENTREVILLE, VIRGINIA A Girl and Her Goat In her first year with 4-H, my 9-year-old granddaughter Kara was showing goats at Ohio’s Huron County Fair last summer when I took this sweet photo of her and her goat, Andy. It…
Carving Out a Winter Wonderland The annual Snowscapes event in Driggs, Idaho, begins with the construction of 8-by-8 forms, which are then filled with snow. The real fun begins as the community gathers for a snow-stomping party, where volunteers compact the snow under their boots in preparation for a friendly sculpting competition. From Jan. 15-18, spectators watch the magic unfold, and kids are invited to hone their carving skills on a block of snow set aside just for them. driggssnowscapes.org OVERHEARD A Texan was visiting Niagara Falls when a New Yorker asked him, “Do you have anything like this in Texas?” “Nope, sure don’t,” he said. “But I know a plumber in Texas who could fix it.” BOB OCHTERBECK Magnolia, Texas Making Spirits Bright The Northwoods Harness Club of Ashland,…
EMBRACING THE SEASON Seven-year-old Hannah seemed fascinated by the first snowflakes of the season. Although snow is not common near Port Angeles, Olympic National Park (where this photo was taken) gets a lot of the stuff. It’s a winter wonderland for kids. DAVE LOGAN PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON TOUGH DRIVING CONDITIONS While I was cleaning out the feed troughs, my daughter Trinity insisted on pulling her little brother Tate around in the wagon Santa had brought them. But Trinity didn’t account for the snow and was less than enthused when the job proved more difficult than she thought it should be. My children are the fourth generation on our family farm. SHAYE COBB BLAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA PUPPY LOVE Our 6-year-old son, John Clayton, enjoys playing in the snow with his dog, Sugar.…
ASH BREED: Great Pyrenees AGE: 3 years HOME: Vanceburg, KY JOBS: Guardian, friend STRENGTH: Gift-giving ELLIE BREED: Great Pyrenees AGE: 3 years HOME: Vanceburg, KY JOBS: Friend, guardian STRENGTH: Watchfulness Great Pyrenees are guardians by instinct. Our dogs Ellie and Ash are both 3 years old, and they patrol our farm each night, keeping us and our farm critters safe from coyotes, red-tailed hawks, raccoons, opossums and even the occasional bear. During the day, our dogs follow my four children wherever they go—from creek to pasture to barn. They are fierce protectors, ever alert for danger and ready to unleash the deep, resounding bark the breed is known for. We originally brought them home to protect our chickens from a neighbor’s dog, and it worked. They have a softer side,…
Gingerbread Cutout Cookies The smell of these cookies makes me think of going to Grandma’s house. My boys always linger around the kitchen when I make them. —CHRISTY THELEN KELLOGG, IA PREP: 30 min. + chilling • BAKE: 10 min./batch + cooling • MAKES: 5 dozen 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 3/4 cup molasses 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. ground ginger 11/2 tsp. baking soda 11/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 3/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. salt Vanilla frosting of your choice Red and green paste food coloring DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to creamed…
