The Homeland

Many of you have read about my post that featured my wonderful parents; to learn more about them, click here. This last weekend, we were fortunate enough to have a free weekend to make the 5 hour drive to Eastern Oregon to my parent’s farm.

This is my parent's back yard!

Every time we visit, it always expected that we eat well. Not only do my parents harvest wheat, but they product the BEST BEEF that you can possibly imagine.

Again, I was spoiled to think that having steak once a week was a normal thing for all families. But I have grown up and realize that steak is something that is a privilege, I look back of how fortunate I was (and how tubby I was from eating all of that steak and hamburgers).

Sure, I'll stuff my face with the berry trifle!

Tony and I took my mom and my younger brother David (learn more about him here) to partake in my favorite hobby that you all know, brunch. The farm is about 30 minutes from Walla Walla Washington and holds the most welcoming and delicious brunch spots.

Walla Walla Bread Company right away made me feel like I was walking into another fun and exciting brunch experience in Seattle. 

Everything, from the distressed wooded tables, to the hanging, glass pane windows, to the nook/bar that sat single chairs right in front of their wood fire oven showed the charm that Walla Walla has along with the fun atmosphere of a family friendly spot. Reading about their story and how it came to be is very interesting and I definitely suggest you visit their website for more information on this well-crafted restaurant.

The food kept us satisfied and full and while eating or even just looking through the menu, you could feel the love and dedication there was while preparing to serve. 

They brought us a complimentary cherry treat while we waited

My dad has inherited his farm and knew his calling to become a wheat farmer that has led him 40 plus years later to where he is now. Growing up on a farm was something that was extremely normal for myself and my other 6 siblings, so when I moved out to the big and beautiful city of Seattle, I found how I would shock my new college friends when they learned I was raised on a farm my whole life and surprisingly a lot of them always had a dream to live on a farm. For me, it was just another day.

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to be raised in the most peaceful splendor of a calm setting and how all of the values that I have learned on the farm have made me who I am today. These values include:

-Having a strong work ethic will make you successful in anything you set out to do.

-Being an early morning riser has helped me fulfill the most of my day (despite Tony’s grunting of getting up early)

-It’s ok to get a little dirty.

-Becoming a strong cook and baker is a MUST on the farm, and I am so grateful that I was able to inherit these skills from my mom and my grandma (and with the help of the Pioneer Woman-man I LOVE her!)

-Be frugal with your hard earned money and save up for something special.

-Machines break down, cows get out of their pens, trucks get flat tires, but do NOT let that defeat you. This is a large lesson in life that I have taken until now and will teach it to my son. DO NOT GIVE UP.

We wanted to stay in that hammock for HOURS

Ah the Farm Life. It is something that I will cherish, I miss from time to time, and I will always ALWAYS look forward to visiting.

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!

XOXOX
Tiff