Welcome to the Flour Barn Homestead. I’m Kim and I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve watched my five children grow up on this farm and find ways to keep it viable for their growing families. My husband, Todd, and I continue to farm the land—soybeans, corn, and wheat—as well as help our daughters run a small bakery. Todd and I have four grandchildren and they can truly take my breath. The joy of being a grandparent is the reward of being in your fifties. I love it! Well, most of the time.
I teach classes at the Flour Barn, pie baking and bread, and I get so many questions about planning ahead for overnight guests, planning for the holidays, meal prep for the week, and so much more. I hope to use this opportunity to answer some of those questions. I also get a lot of questions about canning! I will definitely be talking about this, and hopefully do some videos, as produce becomes available.
I watch my daughters every day and I feel like I’m learning from them and they’re learning from me. I’m learning I need a lot of assistance with computer related things! They’re learning I need a lot of assistance with computer related things. Seriously though, I love the way Ellen and Lily chose to open a bakery. I think their sisterhood helped them feel strong enough to do it. They try new things when I’m afraid to. I like the sure things, the traditional things, like pie crusts, whole wheat bread, and knowing what I’m going to do from day to day. They like changing it up–laminating dough, browning butter, making pasta late at night. I need them and they need me, and that’s for sure. I look forward to sharing with you the things I’ve shared and continue to share with my daughters and friends. I hope you find them beneficial, but mainly joyful, to your life!
About me:
I’m a Registered Nurse, but I haven’t worked as a nurse since my fifth child was born; but once a nurse, always a nurse.
I’ve always loved to can fresh produce from our garden, like green beans, tomato puree, applesauce, but I don’t like to pick the produce! Todd usually does that part. (Actually, Troy and Ellen do most of it now!)
I haven’t bought a loaf of bread for fifteen years because I’ve baked it—I’m going to teach you how to do this soon!
I LOVE TO TEACH! I love to teach because about fifteen years ago someone taught me to make six loaves of whole wheat bread at one time! This may sound dramatic but it truly changed my life, my kitchen life anyway. I will be writing a post about it soon, stay tuned!
The bakery, when it’s running at full speed, makes me nervous. It is not my place of joy. Todd and the girls seem to thrive there, but I would rather wait until we close and go back and scrub the counters. (And have something sweet while I’m there.)