Buy Local-Eat Local-Be Local

I just watched the film Food, Inc....and I'm fired up.



I am all for a change in the way we eat, and I'm starting right here in my household. I will admit that I have not been a great parent. I've let my children eat junk food and McDonalds. But why? Is it to make them happy?
Every single day 330 families leave their family farm. There are 5 million fewer farms now than there was in 1930. Factory farming has pushed the mom and pop operations out of their way. Is it a good thing that corporate farming can produce a massive amount of food for less cost? The answer is NO!! And here is why:

1. Family Farms produce fresh and nutritious food. Period.

2. We are stewards of the land. We take responsibility for what we produce. We honor the land in which we are able to produce it on. This means less impact on our environment.

3. Local Farming contributes to the local econmy. Farmers buy supplies locally and we hire local people.

Factory farms treat their animals horribly. Chickens for eggs are raised in tiny little cages can't even spread their wings. Chickens raised for meat are bred for growth and that's it. They have evolved the breasts on these chickens to be three times the size they should be. These birds sometimes can't even walk because their bodies grow so quickly their organs can't keep up.

Additives in our supermarket foods are higher than ever. Some of these additives have been linked to autism, cancer, and diabetes.

By eating local you are helping yourself, your family, your community, and the environment.

PBS is showing Food, Inc. today until midnight by live stream. If you don't do anything else, please watch this film. It might just change the way you think about food.
Together you and I can do this. I'm willing..are you?

Farmer's Market

I've had a dream to run a Farmer's Market here in Sonora for several years now. I started planting vegetables in 2005, and much to my dismay learned hard from my experiences. That first garden was growing abundantly, only to be paraded by a herd of cows. I remember that day we came home from vacation. I remember all the hard work that went into it: the tilling, rock picking, row making, planting, and of course watering. I also remember the look on my husbands' face when we looked at the tornado of corn stalks, bean vines, and tomato bushes ripped down to fibers and bleeding all of their energy out on to the soil. It was devastating.
But, in 2006 we gave it another go with a little success. In 2007 we got smart, and built a solid pipe garden (I should give credit to John for this one). We had a really nice garden, but as we worked the soil we dreamed of an even bigger one. Our dreams turned to reality in 2009 when we built a fence around 5 acres and our house. Our visitors may not like another gate..but this garden is enough to provide our family plus 20 more families with fresh vegetables and fruit. Also in that time frame we started our pomegranate orchard of just 50 trees. Now we are up to over 200 trees. We will have delicious pomegranate fruit by next year, and by 2013 we should have them growing out of our ears.
Yes, we have grown. This growth represents trial and error, but most importantly patience. Patience is something that I need to work on, and I'm starting to believe God guided me to gardening to teach me this. John has candidly reminded me of to have patience by telling me that you eat an elephant one bite at at time.
This year our crop has a lot of potential. Of course I'm already planning on upgrading for next year. A greenhouse would allow us to start our own tomatoes from seed and that way we'd have the delicious fruit by April.
We are also in the process of putting an irrigation system in place for our orchard (again gotta give credit where it's due). Right now we are hand watering them and it takes a day and a half. That is of course taking breaks to tend to my two small children that I stay home with.
Lately a lot of people have shown interest in what we are doing. I think my Farmer's Market idea may be a reality sooner than I realized. Local grown food is important because since it doesn't have to travel far, it's fresh. It also gives back to our community by supporting local business and the family farm. It's important to know where your food comes from so you can see what goes into it and I think this is something we should be teaching our kids. Most people know that a homegrown tomato blows the store-bought one out of this world in flavor. And most people know that eggs from chickens that are free range are packed with more nutrients, not to mention a lot better tasting. But, I will blog on this issue later.
For now, I will grow like I've never grown before. Next year I will grow a little more, looking forward to the day that I am taking my produce to share with the entire community.

A Letter to my daughter, Briana:

When I first found out that I was expecting you I was filled with joy and hope. I wanted a baby girl for so long, and I knew in my heart that's just what you were. Your Nana knew it too.

I was so blessed to have you growing in my tummy. The doctors told me that you were ill, but in my mind you were perfect. I loved feeling you kick before I closed my eyes. The night before you were born, I saw you in my dreams. Briana, you were so beautiful, and you looked a lot like your Aunt Jesse. I saw you walk with Jesus, hand in hand, down a narrow road. You were laughing at silly things and you loved the tall trees that surrounded you. You didn't know any sickness, and you were nothing but beautiful and happy. I will keep this memory with me always. I want you to know that there are so many people in heaven that awaited you. Your grandmother Doris, your great-great grandmother Nana, your great Aunt Cana, your cousin Eryn, your uncle Richard, and so many more. I know they are rocking and kissing you right now. They will take care of you until mama and daddy get there. I can't wait to hold you in my arms. You will always be a part of me, and I promise to never let you go. I love you! -Mama

It's amazing to me that a little girl that never even took her own breath could change my life so dramatically. God is so wonderful. I am thankful for those 18 weeks I had with her, but also for a lifetime of memories. Rest in Peace my sweet angel, Briana Jesse Bryan 3-2-10

Boys playing with their cousin, Kaelyn.

And with their other cousin, Addi.

I promise I always make him wear a helmet.

Ahhhhh.....it's spring. Finally. The peach and plum trees are blooming and I find myself staring and mesmerized by their beauty. Spring is going to mean so much more to me now that I have an angel in heaven. I see her in every flower, hummingbird and sprig of grass. I miss her terribly, but I thank God for opening my eyes to such wonder. For those that don't know, we lost Briana Jesse at 18 weeks gestation too complications. Her memory will always be a part of our lives...

Jarrett is finished with basketball. The little boys and I loved to watch him play. He was so courageous, and of course competetive.

And some pics of the boys getting down and dirty...what's new?

Photos

What a glorious Sunday afternoon. As I sit here and write this blog my family naps. I am enjoying this moment of silence and praising God for his glory. We had a great sermon at church today, reminding me that God gifts us not only in church, but in our everyday lives. God makes every place Holy! I am thanking God for my many blessings on this day.

Okay, so I've gotten carried away on taking photos. I am starting to fill up my computer so soon I will be needing to save them on a hard disc. Here are a few of my favorites. The first two were taken at the St. James Episcopal Church in Ft. McKavett, Texas. There was something about the chair in the picture I really loved. My blog will be cut short because I hear the baby crying.

I pray that this day brings your peace, love and laughter. May God's light shine upon you!

Ending 2009 with a Bang (would you expect anything else?)

2009 was truly a year to remember. It was the first year I was able to stay at home with my babies full time! We had somewhat of a rough start with Jake having salmonella and eventually transferring it to Brody. But that quickly resolved and the new year brought us hope and fun. Jarrett had a wonderful summer, spending lots of time outside and playing with his big buddy/cousin, Jaydan. Brody and Jake learned to love each other and share my attention the best they could. We had a pretty successful year in our garden, and are really looking forward to all the improvements we made for this upcoming growing season in 2010. I've learned that my true passion is being outdoors and sharing with others. Gardening allows me to do this and I can't believe I wasted any of my life not doing it! The boys and John also love it just as much as I and it's something we can do as a family. Don't forget to look at our Bryan Family Farms website! I was able to get our own domain name. I must admit how exciting it was to actually figure it all out on my own. It's the little things that get me excited these days!
So fall of '09 came and went so fast! Football took up a lot of our time, but it was worth it. Jarrett played so well and I can't even begin to tell you how proud John and I are of him. Jarrett also decided to show meat goats for 4-H. We just had our first stock show and his best goat placed 3rd in it's class. Another proud moment. We are so blessed to have my wonderful sister and her family to 'show us the ropes'. Jaydan is a natural at tending to livestock!

Now here's more big news.. in November we found out we are expecting! What a blessing! Due date is August 2nd. Jarrett is super excited, as he's hoping for another brother. (oh bother!)

Christmas was a great time that we all got to spend together. It was the first year Brody really understood what all the commotion was about, and Jake at least had a good time pulling ornaments off of the tree. Jarrett had a dream come true with a new PSP! I had my big dream come true with a new Nikon D3000. Photography is something that I really love, and I'm hoping to make it my new hobby.

Happy New Year to all of our family and friends. You are the one who makes this life so very special.