Longview Farms Bed & Breakfast

The day before we needed to be at the State Fair (in Des Moines) to accept the Century Farm award for our landlord (see previous post), we drove to New Virginia which is just south of Des Moines, to Longview Farms Bed & Breakfast.  (if you click on the name/link you'll go to their web site)  Des Moines is a little over two hours from us.  This was just one room we stayed in, but I don't know where to begin to tell how nice it was.  And I took so many pictures!  I'm going to have to do about three separate posts.

The B & B (plus tearoom) is out in the middle of nowhere so very quiet and peaceful.  It is off the road down a long lane past their cattle. 

 

The house and Miss Spenser's Tearoom are straight ahead and the building on the right is where the two guest rooms are.

We stayed in the Garden Room - which overlooks a little courtyard - and they have a larger room upstairs.  Both have fireplaces.

the courtyard outside our room - our door on left

Our room was decorated beautifully and was so cozy.  I could've stayed there a week I think.  There were lots of tea related decorations including books.  There were two nice afghans on the arms of the couch.

When we arrived, Donna met us and told us that there were some goodies in our fridge.  She would've had a pot of tea or coffee waiting for us too, but it was too late in the day for caffeine.

the bed was too pretty to sleep in - hated to take all the pillows off

There was a cute little table for two and a cabinet stocked with plates, glasses, silverware, tea, etc. along with a microwave and more.  The bathroom was very nice and modern with a small shower.

orange flavored cake filled with cream - and choc. dipped strawberries

there were several pretty teapots in the room

 

drop leaf table for two overlooking the courtyard

the bathroom

In my next post I'll show you our wonderful breakfast that Donna served us in our room the next morning before we headed to the State Fair.  And the post after that will be all pictures of the tearoom - sure wish it was closer! 

Century Farm

One of the ladies we farm for e mailed us this summer and said that her farm would be recognized as a Century Farm at the Iowa State Fair this year.  She is in her 90's and was not going to be able to attend and wondered if we could.  A Century Farm is farm land that has been in a family for 100 or more years.  A Heritage Farm is 150 years.

Bill had not been to the State Fair for many years, and I had not been to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines yet since moving here so we were happy to go.  The night before, we went south of Des Moines to spend the night at Longview Farms Bed & Breakfast so that we'd be close to get there and sign in for the program the next morning.  Will post pictures of the B & B in my next post.

In these pictures, you'll see us accepting the plaque and certificate on stage and then pictures of the plaque installed at the farm which is just west of Rolfe.   These are good fields to farm and close to our home.  
 

Last Day of Stampin' Up! Stamp Sale! Don't Miss Out!

Order any time through my web site:  cindykemna.stampinup.net

Black Bean Taco Soup Recipe

I recently tried this recipe for the first time and we liked it.  It makes a nice amount but not too much.  I used my medium size crock pot and it was about 3/4 full.  I did use black beans.  And I used a bag of our frozen corn instead of the canned.

Black Bean Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 package taco seasoning
1  16 oz. can corn (undrained)
1  16 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed (or kidney or pinto beans)
1  14 oz. can stewed tomatoes
1  14 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1  8 oz. can tomato sauce
1  4 oz. can diced green chilies
tortilla chips
other taco toppings you like (cheese, sour cream, avocado, etc.)

Directions:
Brown meat and onion; drain.  Stir in taco seasoning, corn, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and green chilies.  You can either simmer on low heat for 20-30 min. or put in the crock pot and cook on Low for a few hours or High for 2-3.  

Serve with tortilla chips and your favorite toppings (we like cheese and a little sour cream, and I add green onions to mine).

This freezes well too.  Just thaw and add a little water when reheating.  
 

Small Helper

Our nephew really likes to help Uncle Bill during Harvest but with already being in sports, he doesn't make it down here much anymore.  Luckily he got here Sat. because we got done combining Sun. around noon!  It doesn't usually happen, but field work (ripping) was done soon after - on Mon. night! 

Now Bill and Bryan are getting the quad trac ready for putting on anhydrous.  The soil temp. has to be consistently 50 degrees or below so it will be a while.  In the meantime, all the equipment has to be cleaned and put away.  

We're still having great Fall weather and actually need rain.  It's been almost a month since we've had any.  The corn crop in our area, with our nice 1" rains this summer, is very plentiful.  Yesterday several area elevators were closed so farmers were bringing theirs to our elevator causing a very long line. Some towns are dumping corn in the streets!  They say that hasn't been done for 15 years.  

Bradgate, IA - the pile is lots bigger since this was taken

 

Stampin' Up! Sale

Stampin' Up! just announced this sale - all stamp sets are on sale 15% off today through the 23rd!  E mail, call me or order through my web site at cindykemna.stampinup.net.   This is a great time to get the things you need to make Christmas cards, tags, etc.  Lots of great new things in our Holiday Catalog which you can see online at my web site too.