Happy Mother's Day! We'll be celebrating the mothers in our lives today and sharing appreciation for all they do. We hope you're able to do the same. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” - Proverbs 31:28

 

Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about simpler times? Our ancestors lived life closer to home, with a great deal of reliance on themselves and neighbors. Smartphones did not provide up to the second news and additional stress from around the world. A day in the life of small family farmers in the early 1900s was filled with hard work, simple pleasures, and deep connections to the land. The day would start before sunrise, as the farmer and his family rose to tend to their animals. Feeding chickens, milking cows, and collecting eggs were daily tasks that ensured a steady supply of food. Horses or oxen were harnessed for plowing fields, and children helped by carrying water, gathering firewood, and tending to the vegetable garden. The entire family played a role in maintaining their homestead, working diligently to raise crops and livestock that would sustain them throughout the seasons.

 

Meals were hearty and homemade, crafted from the ingredients grown or raised on the farm. Breakfast often consisted of fresh eggs, sausage or bacon, bread baked in a wood-fired oven, and preserved fruits from the previous harvest. Lunch was a time to rest and refuel, featuring soups, roasted meats, and home-churned butter spread over thick slices of bread. Dinner brought the family together after a long day, serving comforting dishes like stews made with root vegetables, meat, grains, and milk from their own cows. Every meal was an expression of self-sufficiency, showcasing the rewards of hard labor and careful planning.

 

The children's book The Ox-Cart Man beautifully captures the rhythm of farm life, illustrating how a farmer and his family worked tirelessly all year to produce goods they could sell at the market. It highlights the cycle of hard work, preparation, and renewal that defined early farming families. If you have young children or grandchildren, we recommend this for your bookshelf. 

 

Raising animals, tending garden plots, and harvesting fruit trees were not just necessities but traditions passed from one generation to the next. Every day revolved around sustaining the homestead, ensuring that food was fresh and preserved properly for the long winter months. Farmers understood the land intimately, respecting its cycles and working in harmony with nature. Their lives were rooted in purpose and perseverance, building a legacy of resilience and resourcefulness that continues to inspire today.

 

Spicy, savory & sweet! This sweet & spicy fried chicken sandwich combines all of the senses in a delicious kitchen creation. This gluten free recipe from (@glassofweinstein) is a must try. Find it on FoodSocial.