Sharing My Morning On Our Farm

 Hello my friends,

Since I was a child I have loved animals and nature. My parents lived on a farm back in Indiana so it must have rubbed off on me. My love for farms began one Christmas morning as I opened the door to the living room and saw a beautiful play farm under the tree with a big metal barn and silo, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, ducks, and geese. It even had fencing you could put together to make pens and corrals for the animals. That was 1958.

Fast forward to today. My love for farms and animals and nature brought me here to Little Utah Farm with my husband. I took a video of my morning to share with you to give you an idea of what my mornings are like.  When I watch it it makes me so thankful. This video is 1 minute and has sound. 

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm,

Until next time, remember to believe in your dreams because they do come true.

More on that later. 

Deborah Moen
Little Utah Farm

A Cast Iron Gril- A Connection To the Old West

 

A Connection To The Old West -
A Cast Iron Grill

I pulled out the heavy drawer of cast iron cookware, from under the stove. It was my first time cooking on the flat iron grill.  Corn Mountain Pancakes, sausage, and eggs sunny side up were on the menu. 

 

Cooking everything on one flat hot surface was fun from the sizzle of the sausage to watching the eggs spread out the grill. On the edge of the grill I saw that Lodge, the maker of the cast iron, stamped U.S.A 1896,. That was when my thoughts went back in time. 

Lodge cast iron grill  - USA - 1896 stamped on the edge.

I began to think of the chuck wagon and the man who cooked the meals, the hungry cowboys who drove the cattle long distances on the dusty range. 

The dogs and cats all gathered around the stove hoping for a bite of this delicious food. What was it like to cook for the cowboys that were working out on the range driving cattle all day.  I found a few vintage photos of a chuck wagon scene that was public domain.

Canvas tarps were fastened over the chuck wagon. 

In this next picture You can see how lonely it could have been out there. The cook didn't just prepare the meals he was also known as the barber, the doctor, the dentist, and banker for the cowboys. He played a very important role and had many responsibilities. Imagine being hot tired, dusty and hungry ready to get some grub in your belly after a full days work. They were dependent on him. No one dared complain about the food.

The cook preparing the meals out of the chuck wagon

 Here is a very good video that describes their life. 

The cook had many nicknames. The one that I knew before was "Cookie" but I found there were more like Soggy, Pot Rustler, Lean Skillet, Old Pud, Old lady, Belly Cheater, Biscuit Roller, Dough Boxer, Dough Puncher, Greasy Belly, Grub Worm, Gut Robber, Sourdough, and more. 

Cookie was a nickname for the cook of the chuck wagon
Had to be up early in the morning to get the coffee hot and have breakfast ready.
For the cowboys who drove cattle across many miles.  

There are good articles on the history of the cattle drives and the chuck wagons. I will list them below.  I will surely think of them as I cook on my cast iron grill in the future. 

To read more about the chuck wagon in the old west

here are some good links:

https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/explore/the-chuck-wagon/

The Chuck Wagon – The Real Queen of the Cattle Trail – Legends of America

 Little Utah Farm: Corn Mountain Pancake Recipe

The men all lined up behind the chuck wagon to get their meal. 

Thank you for visiting little Utah Farm

Until next time,

Here's an old western saying.  

Only a fool argues with a skunk, a mule, or a cook. 

Deborah Moen
Little Utah Farm

Little Utah Farm Store always has a discout. Find the red text by the product and enter it at checkout. 

Cow and Moon Square Pillow

This calf is standing in the light of a full moon. This square pillow comes in 2 sizes, 16" and 18 ". It can be ordered in polyester, cotton or outdoor fabric. Tere is a zipper option also. 

Whoopie Ti Yi Yo, Get Along Little Dogies

Cow and Moon Square Pillow
by LittleUtahFarm

Cow and Moon Lumbar Pillow
by LittleUtahFarm

Corn Mountain Pancake Recipe

 

Corn Mountain  Pancakes

Corn Mountain Pancakes are favorite with my family. Here is the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs

2 cups of buttermilk

2 cups of sifted flour

1/4 cup of cornmeal

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup melted unsalted butter 

DIRECTIONS

Beat eggs until fluffy and lemon colored. 

Beat in buttermilk

Add in sifted dry ingredients

Mix just until thoroughly dampened

Stir in melted unsalted butter

Ladle into a hot ungreased griddle ( I put a bit of oil on a paper towel and rub it on the griddle for each one.)

When bubbles form on top, flip it over

I originally found this recipe here-  Corn Mountain Pancakes - Recipe - Cooks.com

 Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

Until next time

Life if better with pancakes.

Deborah Moen
Little Utah Farm

 

Little Utah Farm Store always has a discount. Find the red text near the product and enter it at checkout. 

Amanda: Jersey Calf Pillow

An adorable sassy young jersey cow is waiting for you to take her home. Cuddle up with this little cuties with rich brown border on the front and solid rich brown on the back. Your cow lover will definitely fall in love with this .You can customize this pillow with text or change the color.

Amanda: Jersey Calf Pillow
by LittleUtahFarm

How To Make Juniper Berry Sourdough Starter

 

Utah Juniper Tree - Iron County, Utah

JUNIPER BERRY SOURDOUGH STARTER

​Take about a dozen juniper berries and make sure they have a glabrous (smooth, no hairs), the milky-white coating is yeast. If you rub on the berry you will see it is green underneath. 

Utah Juniper Tree  Berries -
Smooth with a milky white coating.

Put the juniper berries in a jar with a cup of flour and a cup of warm water and loosely cover. Let rest for a week on the kitchen counter.  After a week, remove the berries and add a cup of warm milk and another cup of flour. Stir and let set for a day or two. You now have a great sourdough start.  Store your start in the refrigerator and add to it after use.

Use the juniper berry sourdough starter with your favorite sourdough recipe.

Little Utah Farm has a recipe greeting card. Give to someone who enjoys unique recipes and inspire them to create a sourdough starter from juniper berries. The recipe is inside. You can cut the card and store it your recipe file. There is always a discount at Little Utah Farm Store so find the red text code on the product page to add at checkout. This Recipe Greeting Card comes in 3 sizes. Standard size 5x7, small 4x5.6, and large 8.5x11. 

Juniper Berry Sourdough Starter Recipe Card
by LittleUtahFarm

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm,

Untill next time, may peace and joy be with you. 

Deborah Moen 
of Little Utah Farm

Teriyaki Beef Jerky Recipe

 

Teriyaki Beef Jerky 

London Broil sliced thin, soaked overnight in a scrumptious Teriyake marinade then dried in a dehydrator or oven are the makings of the best jerky I ever ate. It is hard not to eat up the slices of meat before it is dried. Here is the recipe.

2 lbs of lean red meat ( I used London Broil )

Marinade Ingredients

1/4 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of soy sauce

1 Tablespoon of minced fresh ginger

2 cloves of garlic crushed

1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper

1 Tablespoon of salt 

 1. Mix the marinade ingredients

2. Slice the meat 

Cut the meat into 1/4 slices

Teriyaki Beef Jerky- Slice the meat

3.  Add the meat slices to the marinade a few slices at a time and coat Put into a container with a lid and pour any remaining marinade  over the meat. Cover and refrigerate overnight or 8 hours. 

Teriyaki Beef Jerky in dehydrator. 

4. After it has marinated for 8 hours drain and dry in a 140 degree oven for 6-8 hours. You can also lay on racks of a dehydrator at 140 for 6-8 hours. I use an Excaliber dehydrator. 

Store Teriyaki Beef Jerky in Mason Jars 

I stored the jerky in the refrigerator inside covered Mason jars.

Deborah Moen
Little Utah Farm

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm,

Until next time,

May you be blessed with happiness, good health, and prosperity. 

I had rather be on my farm that be emperor of the world.

~ George Washington

Here is an encouraging greeting card I made today. For those who would be uplifted by the message "You can do it one day at a time. "

You Can Do it Encouraging Greeting Card

Artist colorful drawing of a determined character climbing a hill, one day at a time, making progress till she reaches the top. At each stage of the climb she is wearing a different outfit. It shows her reaching the top of the hill. An encouraging message. This card can be customized and personalized to suit your occasion.

You Can Do it Encouraging Greeting Card
by LittleUtahFarm

When The Thunderstorm Comes

 

Thunderheads are the tallest clouds on the planet. Little Utah Farm
When The Thunderstorms Come

Summer the monsoon season is here. The clouds rise up over the surrounding mountains and grow into giant clouds that reach thousands of feet into the sky.  Thunderclouds are the tallest clouds on the planet reaching upwards to 75,00 ft. The higher the top the more severe the storm.

I went out and took photographs of the big clouds rising high in the sky. I have the slide show with soft music for you to watch below. 

 We love the monsoon season as it cools us down on a hot days.  Almost everyday these past two weeks we have had rain with lightening and thunder.  Here is a video I put together to share the beauty of the thunderclouds that formed. 

Watch Video

Thunderclouds by Deborah Moen-Little Utah Farm

These clouds are mighty and beautiful. By afternoon they merge into a grand thunderstorm. 

When it rains the ducks are happy. They love the water.

Here is a little clip of them playing and enjoying the rain.

 

The rain got more intense.  We could hear the thunder pounding like tribal drums across the valley.  Closer and closer it came and the winds began to blow.

We rushed to get the young chicks back into the coop. It took several trips across the big yard to bring in the water and food. The cold rain fell in big drops on my face. Lightening flashed and thunder crashed above me. The rain fell harder. I could barely see for the water running down my hood.  I got this image of a scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy and Auntie Em are frantically getting those baby chicks in a safe place before the storm. 

 

We had finished getting everything inside the coop where it was dry. The hard rain sounded like bullets on the tin roof and the thunder exploding above us. Paul and I were moving as fast as we could and it was so loud we had to yell to hear each other. Exhilarated, breathless and dripping wet we smiled and laughed. It felt like a scene with Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in the movie African Queen.

The thunderstorm continued traveling south. I ran to the back door and watched it go.. It sounded like a giant stomping the ground as it moved on into the distance.

 Paul and I talked about it throughout the evening how fun it was to be in that storm. We hadn't had a rain like that for a long time.

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

Deborah Moen
 of Little Utah Farm

Until next time,

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.”

― Vivian Greene

The Glorious Sun Ritual of Birds

The Glorious Sun Ritual of Birds

I have seen crows perched with their mate way up high on the poles in California from my backyard. They faced the rising sun, beaks parted, standing there still and reverent as the sun rose in the morning.  I can not help but feel the desire to stand with them with my hand over my heart and a smile of appreciation for another day.

In August of 1997 my Grandson was about to be born. My Daughter called and asked if I would come to help her. I quickly packed my bags and took a plane to Phoenix, Arizona where she lived. When I arrived I walked out the doors of the airport and into a furnace ! I had never been in such hot temperatures. The air felt heavy and thick like hot molasses.   It was 117 degrees. I was glad to get into the car and crank up the air conditioner. I arrived at the apartments and was greeted by my Daughter and my Son-in-Law. 

As I entered their home, I placed my hand on the double pane glass storm door and it burnt my hand like a frying pan. "Ouch !"  Spending time inside caring for my daughter was a gift not only for her but for me. I had missed her since she moved to Phoenix. In the evening when it cooled down to the mid 90's I would go out and walk up the road to the park. It was hot but my mind sirred with  thoughts of being a Grandmother. It was my first Grandchild. 

One morning Rebecca and I went for a walk to the market for groceries. We crossed the road made of sticky black asphalt. The smell of tortillas filled the air as we got closer to the market. Old worn barrels turned 'round and 'round as men turned the crank to roast the chiles. They smelled wonderful. Inside the market was was a little tortilla factory. A long silver conveyor shelf snaked through the little area. Busy hands patted the masa dough into round flattened tortillas.They were packaged and placed on the conveyor shelf and the packages rolled in by the dozen.  A hundred packages were stacked up front for customers to buy fresh. 

We walked home with the groceries with the smell freshly made tortillas and roasting chiles in our memories. We talked how the baby was about to be born soon with lot's of giggling and excited anticipation. It was a happy time when I let go of work and just became present for her. Along the way we walked past homes where water gurgled out through hoses and sprinklers and onto the lawns for any thirsty wildlife. I had never seen such kindness towards denizens of the city. Little pools of coolness lie waiting and ready for the birds and animals to quench their thrist and cool their feet and bodies. 

 I noticed it had cooled down to 86 degrees during the night. That enabled me to take a walk to the park and wander about before temperatures rose to 117 degrees. I quickly got my shoes on, grabbed my sunglasses and a hat. I was ready to go. I placed my hand on the double glass door to check the temperature.  It had cooled down since yesterday's blistering heat. I pushed the door open and stepped out onto the road for my walk. I was unaware of the blessings that lie ahead. The thought of my new grandson and the special time I was having with my Daughter, Rebecca, uplifted me. 

I  approached the edge of the edge of the park. The green lawn was soft under my feet. Children played tag on the grass. The air was filled with happy voices and laughter.  As the sun rose up from the horizon over the mountains, I could feel the heat burn my shoulders. I felt a tinge of worry came over me. I shook it off took a deep breathe and made up my mind to acclimate. I looked around and felt all the sensations as the glorious bright sun rose into the sky.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a flock of black birds standing in a disappearing shadow under a tree. There were about 5 or more. They held their little faces up to the sun with beaks parted, breathing in the last cool breaths of morning. They stood very still as if they were giving praise to the sun with such reverence. My heart still swells as I remember this moment.  It was just like the crows did back in California facing the rising sun, again, I can not help but feel the desire to stand with them with my hand over my heart and a smile of appreciation for another day.

The Glorious Sun ritual of Birds - Art by Deborah Moen

As I stood still with these birds, I felt myself completely adjust to the heat. Not kidding. By the grace of God, I was acclimated. No longer was the air thick and dry and inhospitable. It was now a part of me. I was reborn into this hot land of Phoenix. I will never forget that feeling of relaxing into heat and accepting it. Such a rich lesson arose out of that experience. It was quite magical caused by a change in perception while aligning with grace and love and appreciation. 

Since that day I have seen my Grandson grow taller than me. Time and circumstances have taken me and him to this Little Utah Farm . These days on my way to town along the country road, I see the mated ravens facing the rising sun on top of the power poles, their beaks parted, bodies held still and reverent. Then the beauty of life passes through me as I turn at the stop sign towards town. I remember the time with my Daughter and the changes that make us twist and turn inside and out. I am so grateful for the time we had together, for the time I had raising my Grandson, and for this farm where I now live. Life is so good 

That is all for now, Hope you enjoyed the post

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

Come back and if you like, Follow my Blog

Until then take good care,

Deborah Moen
of Little Utah Farm

The Oak Tree's Divine Message

The Big Oak Tree Revealed A Divine Message
Deborah's Little Gems

Spring brought new growth and aliveness to all living things in Northern California.  In her area fruit trees were blooming,  grasses were lush and green and daffodils emerged lifting their yellow faces up to the sun. The giant oak tree had grown so much that its leafy branches extended to block much of my friend's scenic view out the window. In the image above you can see the oak tree has covered half the window. 

 I could relate to having a view blocked.  I had to make peace with a newly built carport which blocked my favorite view of the alfalfa fields. I had to make peace with a newly built tractor shed which blocked my view of the mountain range.  Losing our peace is not worth it.  When we get done stewing in discontent, we can open our heart's to peace. Our level of peace is important to our well-being and the well-being of the world. Do you know this song ?  "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me.

    

Oddly enough, just a few hours after declaring how important our level of peace was, I lost my serenity over something,  It rolled and knocked around in my head so much I could not sleep.  My mind was throwing darts.  "Where is this coming from ?" I asked myself.  I tried every trick I knew of to bring peace to my mind and body.  My last resort was to let my mind wander to positive images, for example,  flowers blooming and birds making their nests and the orioles returning after the cold winter. I felt a shift and became willing to open my heart to peace. By the afternoon I had softened a bit but I still felt stressed. I knew it would unfold naturally. I had faith I would find peace again. 

I had faith I would find peace again.

        

And I did. Here is what happened.

Bandit, my dog, barked. I looked out the kitchen window to see one of my neighbors had driven into my driveway. She got out of her car and I came out to greet her.  I had not seen her outdoors for months after her husband passed.  She looked so healthy and reached out her hand holding some mail the postman put in her mail box by mistake.  How sweet that was and how good to see her outdoors. She looked the picture of health. We talked and laughed for awhile. I found we had a lot in common. Both from California. We talked about how our area of Utah had changed. She was expecting family to arrive from Illinois and stay a few days. I was so happy to hear that. I thanked her for bringing us our mail. As I came indoors I felt boyant, uplifted.  I had been given my peace back. Thank you God. My neighbor was the angel that delivered our mail and my peace of mind. 

My neighbor was the angel who brought the gift of peace. 

My eyes lifted to the kitchen window again. I noticed my neighbor across the road was outdoor picking weeds and the grasses that bring foxtails. I walked over and asked him if I could feed the carrots to his goats,  He said "Sure anytime !" 

I was feeling so much better

I was feeling so much better. On my way back to pull the carrots, I decided I would deliver a dozen fresh eggs to my neighbor before I picked the carrots. I called her to ask if I could bring them over and she said "Yes, come on over." I knocked on her front door. She said, " I have something for you. Come in." I took off my shoes and went in.  She took the carton of eggs and as usual opened the carton and admired them. I followed her into the kitchen and she picked up a ziplock bag full of a variety of Taylor's tea. "My daughter gave me a whole set of these teas and I want to share them with you." My eyes opened wide and I smiled and thanked her. " I know how you love tea" she added. She pointed out a large 9"x13" pan on her counter filled with uncooked elbow macaroni. "Would you like some macaroni and cheese ?" she asked. "Oh yes, I love your macaroni and cheese." I answered. She told me she was making this for a potluck at the church after Easter Service. " I will bring it over when it is done" 

I practically skipped home.                 

By this time I felt very uplifted. I practically skipped home. The chain made a clinking sound as the garden gate opened.  The shovel sunk into the thawed soil and the carrots easily lifted out. I washed them in a big bucket of cold water then carried them over to the goats.  It was something I had wanted to do but the cold temps, snow, and strong winds kept me inside. 

First came the willingness to receive the gift of peace

             

First came the willingness to receive the gift of peace, to open my heart, then out of nowhere all these gifts, all these opportunities to share came flowing to me. It felt wonderful. 

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday arrived the next morning. I  rose up out of bed with life giving energy, feeling a revival, a renewal, a rebirth. I sat down to my computer to check my messages and noticed  a photo my friend had just taken and shared with me. You can see it in the image below.

                   

Easter Sunrise ! 

It was clearly a divine message, a gift

 

I responded, "Glory Be ! When we perceive an obstacle such as an oak tree or fit of anger, once we open the door of our hearts to receive peace God's Glory Shines Through. Amazing photo, Amazing Grace ! See how the Easter Sunrise gave this gift to my friend through the oak tree that blocked her view? 

It was clearly a divine message, a gift.

I loved this image, a testimony to how when we open our hearts we can see through the obstacles. I sent a message to my friend and told her I loved her picture. She responded. "Yesterday there was an Oriole on one of the new outreaching scene blocking branches…oh the irony! Yes ! Amazing Grace!"

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm

Until next time, 

May God's Glory shine bright and bring you and yours peace and happiness. ~ Deborah Moen - Little Utah Farm

Deborah Moen
Little Utah Farm

Cows and Carrots Along The Whittier Narrows-A Personal Story

 

A tons of carrots drying in the sun
Cows and Carrots Along The Whittier Narrows

In the 60's we rode bareback through the deep sands of the San Gabriel Riverbed and floodplain. The land was ever changing as the rains came and went. A full river had tall cranes, waterfalls, and grasses that swayed with the currents and leaves that circled in whirlpools. Cattails and tall bamboo grew along the banks.

The heat of summer never bothered us. We waited knee deep in the river. The sandy bottom  squished  between our toes. In deeper parts we let our horses swim across while riding their back.  As the water receded the boulders along the river bed were visible once again while dark pools lingered in the shadows under the bamboo and the willows along the sandy banks. 

The San Gabriel River was alive with the song of birds, gurgling waters, and cattails clacking in the breezes, especially in autum when they dried to a crispy golden brown. The horse's hoofs were hushed in the deep sand as we trotted along on the sandy banks. Out on the floodplain our horses hooves pounded like thunder against the well worn trails.  We rode like the wind while ducking our heads under cottonwood branches, steering expertly around the sharp turns and racing on the straight aways.  

I didn't realize it then but life was carefree. The only thing that crossed my mind was a teenage whim for a boyfriend and the fear of being bucked off my horse, Apache Tears. He was quite spirited and reared at leaves blowing by. When he got wet you several dark spots on his skin showed under his white coat. I named him Apache Tears. after a black transclucent stone that I bought in a gift shop out in Death Valley. 

Whittier Narrows Dam

Within an hour we reached the Whittier Narrows Dam. We rode up to the top of the dam on the concrete ramp called Myrtle's Rump. At the top we rested while looking over the metal fencing into the dam. The water spilled over the gates like a waterfall that occasionally rushed and roared.  We continued down the back side of the dam then headed northeast towards the Rio Hondo River. The sound of our horses hooves went clippity clop down the concrete ramp. The land was a wide open floodplain with few trees and bushes. On the way to the Rio Hondo River we rode through a farm and the Whittier Narrows Nature Area which reminded me of The Secret Garden. No one was there. It was all ours to explore.

Back Side of Whittier Narrows Dam

Whittier narrows Nature Area reminded me 
Of The Secret Garden

A picture of children playing in the
water of the San Gariel River. 

Autumn didn;t get too cold in Southern California unless you went to the mountains or the foot hills of Glenn Oaks where we bought apples. One autumn day while riding through the Whittier Narrows floodplain we caught a rich, sweet, earthy scent.  As we got closer we saw long troughs overflowing with bright orange carrots in the bright sun ! A herd of black cows were grazing on the grasses and other cows stood at the big troughs eating the carrots. The sight and smell of this made quite an impression on me. For the next 3 years autumn became quite special time as we came upon the carrots in the long troughs.  The 3rd  year we saw a dark green work truck drive up the little ranch road loaded up with giant bushel bags of carrots for the cows. It was the last time we were to enjoy this magical experience. Was it only there for us kids to see? I wonder how many people ever saw this or cared about it as much as we did. 

 At the end of the day we rode the long trail back to the stable as the west winds blew through our hair.  We were all eager to get back as their were plenty of Double Colas in the machine waiting for us in the barn and back then we would ride for miles without water. 

Writing this has brought back many good memories.  I am glad I took the time to sit down and write about it. So much time can be spent pushing ourselves forward. I want to remember more of those happy days and I want to make new memories too. Remembering my past experiences have reminded me of how they all prepared me to live on this Little Utah Farm. 

Thank you for visiting Little Utah Farm,

Deborah Moen of 
Little Utah Farm

Related article: This is on the Whittier Narrows area where we rode and The Whittier Narrows Nature Center. 

https://wnnca.org/history/

Good article about the San Gabriel River from KCET

https://www.kcet.org/shows/departures/the-other-river-that-defined-l-a-the-san-gabriel-river-in-the-20th-century

More of my stories on Little Utah Farm

100 Year Rains and Early Autumn snow

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/11/100-year-summer-rains-and-early-autumn.html

An Early Visit From Jack Frost

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/09/an-early-visit-from-jack-frost.html

Meet Our New Dog Bandit

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/09/meet-our-new-dog-bandit.html

Bandit's New Dog Booties

https://littleutahfarm.blogspot.com/2021/11/bandits-new-dog-booties.html