Merry Christmas...

I hope you get the card above...this year we are going to save some paper, some stamps and our tongues and send our card this way...it doesn't mean we don't appreciate our friendship with you, so please keep sending your pretty cards...we fight over who gets to open them!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

Michelle, Chris, Kyra, Jackson, Cyrus and Jorja May 

Starting up the Saw Mill...

This past weekend Grandpa T got the saw mill up and running again! 

We are coming up on the year anniversary of the barn burning.  We had a lot of losses this past year but we can only look forward.  It has been a gradual process since we can't stop doing chores and focus 100% on the barn...

But they are getting there....

This is the hoop part of the barn and now Grandpa T and Farmer Chris are making the boards for the sides!  Many people helped make this possible...just one of the things that we are thankful for this year!

The above drawing was done by Chris a couple weeks after the fire to show the kids what we are hoping for some day! 

As we sit down to dinner at Christmas we will have many things to be thankful for...our health, our family and the lovely friends and customers that support us!

We wish you all a wonderful and happy Merry Christmas (Holiday)!

Love,

Michelle



Happy 7th Birthday Cyrus Quinn Hebron

Cyrus Quinn arrived at 11:19 a.m. on December 9th 2003.

Weighing 8 pounds 11 ounces and 20 inches long!

 

 He is a very busy boy....we call him a "chicken whisperer" --- he is the only one on the farm who can walk right up to a chicken and pick it up...it must be something calm and trusting about him.  He loves to ride his dirt bike, do chores with Dad and Grandpa T.

Loves climbing and hanging out at the farm!

Out doing chores with Jones!

Happy Birthday Cyrus...we love you very much!

Mom and Dad

What we had for Thanksgiving...Cornish Hens!!

 After we sent out over 250 turkeys out to our wonderful customers...we decided that this year we were going to have our Cornish Hens for Thanksgiving!  They were of course our family farm grown Cornish Hens and Farmer Chris made them excellently and still had time to do the chores!

Stuffed Cornish Hens...

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 (6 ounce) package fast-cooking long grain and wild rice mix
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup water
• 2/3 cup sliced water chestnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 5 Cornish game hens

Directions

1. In a large saucepan coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook celery and mushrooms in butter until tender. Stir in rice; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the contents of the rice seasoning packet, broth and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-6 minutes or until rice is tender.
2. Stir in the water chestnuts, cranberries, onions and soy sauce. Stuff into hens. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted into stuffing reads 165 degrees F. Cut each hen in half lengthwise to serve.

It was awesome --- and we had a great time being Thankful for our families and the wonderful people in our lives!

Thank you for all of the wonderful feedback on how delicious your Turkey was this year!  We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Michelle

Happy Birthday to Farmer Chris!!!

Everyday we celebrate this man in our house...but today was the day he came into this world, many years ago!

We walked for breast cancer in honor of his mom Carol!

Teaches our children that faith is important!

Last minute camping trip...he is the cook in the house!

He has taught our kids to compete for themselves...

Takes us blueberry picking...and Jorja still talks about wanting to go back!

He takes us on last minute field trips to pick up 300 turkeys...but makes them fun by staying in hotels and touring around towns!

Makes sure there is time for fun...for the kids and himself!

After a big loss in January (barn fire) on the farm he taught our kids we need to pick up the pieces and rebuild...he was very sensitive and sad at all of our loss -- especially for the kids!

Works day and night on the farm to allow for me to stay home with the kids!

Is just a great big kid on the inside!

Has a soft side...

Is our kids biggest cheerleader...just not as loud as mom! 

Surprises us with day trips to remind us what is important...Family!

He works hard for our family...teaching the importance of work and play.

We love you and thank God everyday that you are our Papa, husband and best friend!

Happy Birthday Christopher Aaron!

Michelle and Kyra, Jackson, Cyrus and Jorja May

Thankful....is the word of the week...

So much running around selling our last fresh Turkey...now relaxing enjoying family time eating our hard work.  Thankful for everyone that makes our passion for farming possible.  Thankful for our family and that we are able to get together and remember to sit and relax every once in a while.

Wishing you a great Thanksgiving!

The Hebron Families!

Happy 12th Birthday Kyra Addison Hebron...

Happy 12th Birthday Kyra Addison Hebron

Born: November 17th, 1998, on a Tuesday at 3:13 p.m., in South Bend IN!

8 pounds 4 ounces

20 1/2 inches

Brown hair, Slate Blue eyes (no more)

I put in her baby book that she resembles Chris --- but that isn't the case anymore, she is the only one that truly looks like I gave birth too!

She was our first child... the love of our lives and still is to this day.  She truly amazes me daily in all of her accomplishments, her drawing, her poems (she wrote Environment).  If you can't find her she is most likely reading...something she gets from both of her grandpa's (although I am pretty sure they haven't read the Harry Potter series once - let alone 4 or 5 times)!  She has been on the honor roll since they started handing them out in 3rd grade (a gift from her daddy). 

Now she is the 6th grade at a special academy still surprising me...and of course still being like a 12 year old should be and drive me crazy (my mom warned me I would get paid back for all that I did to her)... but we thank God every day for November 17th, the day our lives changed forever!

Kyra we are so proud of you and wish that all of your dreams come true!

Mom

Family time on the farm...

As most of you know, we live in the city and farmer Chris travels to the farm daily.  Well this past weekend at the last minute we decided to camp on the farm.  This means we get to eat dinner with Richard and his family and then camp (of course with chores down in between).  A couple years ago my father in law (Grandpa T)started building a cabin on the farm, which is where myself, Chris, Cyrus, Jorja May and Jones slept...Jackson and Kyra slept in a tent.  What a wonderful weekend...the weather was great and we got to spend time doing something we love --- being together!



The girls in an old whole the pigs dug!



Jorja May doing chores!



Getting closer to having a warm space for baby pigs in the winter!




The barn posts are in!




The campfire and the tent Kyra and Jackson slept in!







We wrote secrets and threw them in the fire...





Ahhh the colors of fall!




Jorja May picked out her marshmallow stick



Grandpa T's Cabin we stayed in!

We hope you were able to enjoy this wonderful weekend!

Michelle

Gobble Gobble Gobble...

It is that time of the year!  Our Turkeys are out on pasture and we are taking orders for our Awesome (per our customers) Turkeys!  They will be ready in November --- they range 15 -25#'s for $3.65/#! 

You can send in your request with your normal order and Annette or myself will put you on the list.  They will be frozen fresh... we are still loving on them like all of our other animals.  I hope to post a video of them, they are pretty funny when you walk up to them they are silent but the minute you talk to them they all respond...gobble gobble gobble.

Have a great day!

Michelle

Purple Porch Community Night Win goes to....

Chorizo (Mexican) Meat Loaf

Created by Chef Chris Hebron and made by Michelle Hebron

Tonight we had our Purple Porch Community night and from what I hear (because I was home sick) there was awesome food to be had...many many different types of food! 

And one of our rendations of Meat Loaf won....(people voted by putting money in paper bags and at the end of the night they were totaled.)  We also brought our other italian meatloaf that is also on this site.

Here is the recipe...I unfortunelty didn't get any at home, because they ate it ALL!

Chorizo (Mexican) Meat Loaf

Ingredients

2 eggs, beaten (FFC)
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
1 cup Spanish Rice
1 handful pea tomatoes (FFC)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf sage, basil, or oregano, crushed
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound lean ground beef (FFC)
1 pound lean Chorizo (Mexican) sausage (FFC)
1/2 cup Salsa (drained)
2 tbl ketchup

Directions

1. In a medium bowl combine eggs and milk; stir in rice, onion, parsley, salt, sage, and pepper. Add ground meat and Chorizo (Mexican); mix well. Lightly pat mixture into an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan.

2. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until internal temperature registers 160 degrees F. Spoon off fat - not needed if you use our meat. In a bowl combine salsa and ketchup; spread over meat. Bake for 10 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into eight slices.

3. Makes 8 servings

Can't wait for next month's entry...we enjoy trying to figure out how to use our ingredients.

Have a great night.

Michelle

Pretty Girl with Pretty Squash...

Jorja May was excited to get her picture taken with some of our squash...I know which is prettier, but you be the judge!  I love the way Squash looks... I am still developing a taste for eating it and cooking it, so for now I love to just grow and sell it!

Hubbard Squash

Hubbard squash is a tear-drop shape. They are often used as a replacement for pumpkins.

Acorn Squash

(Acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a winter squash with distinctive longitudinal ridges and sweet, yellow-orange flesh. )

Have a great day!

Michelle

Winner winner Tomato Pesto Salami Ravioli

Sorry for the lapse in updates.  Three of our kids are back in school so things have been very busy around here.  Poor Farmer Chris must drive to the farm without any helpers...so we are all adjusting. 

A couple weeks ago we had our first Purple Porch Coop’s Community Food night… Building relationships through good food!  It is similar to a ministry we do at our church, but for this one everyone brings a favorite dish...and WOW were they beautiful...and the conversations were awesome!  Most of the recipes were ingredients from local farmers or their gardens and everyone got to vote on which one they liked the most by putting coins in a paper bag!  We had brought several items to compensate in case someone wasn't able too.  We we brought coleslaw with blueberry's (Chris made), Blueberry Crumble (Kyra and her friend made) - see recipe in last update and Tomato Pesto Salami salad that I made!  The Tomato pesto Salami salad won (by I think 10 cents)...but it was awesome so I wanted to share it!

Tomato Pesto Salami Ravioli

1 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese filled tortellini or ravioli
1 medium tomato, chopped (FFC)
½ cup purchased pesto (or homemade)
6 ounces salami, chopped
Thin tomato slices (optional)(FFC)

Directions:

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Place chopped tomato in a large colander; drain pasta over tomato. Return mixture to a hot pan. Place in a medium mixing bowl. Add pesto and salami (we used our own beef salami); toss gently till pasta is coated with pesto. Serve warm on individual plates lined with a few pieces of thinly sliced tomato or in a bowl for a buffet. 6 to 8 servings. (when I made it I doubled everything)

I am going to make it again tonight for us, our next community night is September 10th, so if you are local we hope to see you there with your good food!  You can bring anything you love to eat and it is very kid friendly!

Have a great day!

Michelle

Blueberry picking and Blueberry Bars yummm!

Friday night Chris called and asked if we wanted to go last minute Blueberry picking...so we did!

Luckily it was closing in the next hour -- so it wasn't too painful to the kids!

Then on Saturday Kyra made this...

BLUEBERRY CRUMB BARS

We have met so many wonderful farmers through Purple Porch - and one of them offered to teach Kyra how to bake (because everyone learns better from someone they aren't related too :)  So Marianne Christy from (Christy's Clean Crops) taught her to cook this last week!

BLUEBERRY CRUMB BARS

Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces)
1 egg (from FFC)
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 cups fresh blueberries (from the Orgnaic Blueberry Ranch)
1/2 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch


Directions


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

1.  In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.

2.  In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
 
And since we ate it all, Kyra made it again yesterday and it was awesome.  Now Chris says if we keep the blueberries in stock she should be able to make it twice a week!  :)
 
Have a great week!
 
Michelle

Mouth watering Watermelon...

We have Watermelon and since I can't count - and I was worried I would sell someone else's, I came home with some from our Wednesday coop --- yeahhhhh!  And Jorja May got her first bowl full today!  And she loved it!  Hope you get a chance to have some of ours...or some local Watermelon while you can!

Happy 10th Birthday Jackson Garrett!

Happy Birthday Jackson... you are my hard working son, who loves going to work on the farm with Dad and Grandpa T.  You love to keep moving, playing baseball...you would do anything for your little sister Jorja May...we love you very much and are so proud of you!

We hope all of your wishes come true!

Love Mom and Dad

Happy 4th of July....a little late!

A little late.... but we hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July.  The upside of being a Farmer is you get to bring good food to good people, the down side, the animals don't take vacations, therefore their farmer doesn't either.  Farmer Chris is smart and on Friday at the last minute said lets go camping up by the farm.  That way the kids and mom feel like we get to go somewhere - the laundry and dishes stay at home and we get to have fun time with Dad.  We camped at a resort about a mile from the Farm.  It even had a beach with a diving board...my husband is very smart!

The four of them in the Big people's tent!

The lake...was wonderful!

The diving board!

They had something other then chickens, pigs and cows!

Me and my first born -- Kyra

Waiting for dinner... no worries the beer was not drank by them!

Jones got to play in the lake for the first time...and he definitely loved it!

We had a personal chef...who cooked good food!

Once again Chris gave us a wonderful mini vacation.  Coming soon is previews of our soon to be new barn... the rebuilding from after the fire!  We got the shipment in...now need the time and weather to cooperate!

Have a great week!

Michelle