tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28571617911098871762026-04-14T13:48:49.079-05:00Helping Moms work Smarter, not HarderKatie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.comBlogger643125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-17158183088181464222020-10-17T19:48:00.004-05:002020-10-17T19:48:57.181-05:00

We are some of the lucky ones, I guess. We chose to do school at home. I know there are many families who don't have a choice - they're forced into school at home or face-to-face, with few options in between.But we feel very fortunate that our careers allow us some flexibility. My husband and I are both able to work from home - sort of. As a farmer, he makes his own schedule, and our kids can

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-40712046090794252912016-05-05T11:28:00.006-05:002020-10-24T09:19:35.539-05:00

This month it's all about the beef, 'bout that beef, no turkey! (anybody else singing with me now?) That's right, I know you're used to hearing about turkey on this blog, but May is Beef Month! Since I started working for the Iowa Cattlemen's Association last fall, I've learned a LOT about cattle and beef production. And when I say a lot, I mean, a lot. Don't tell my boss, but when I

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-54344838373405249182015-12-30T10:58:00.001-06:002020-09-27T14:25:57.089-05:00

My mind is on the farmers in New Mexico this morning, dealing with the aftermath of Winter Storm Goliath. One article I read estimated that 5% of the dairy cows in New Mexico were killed by the storm. Five percent doesn’t sound like a lot. But there were around 150 farms affected. Many of those farms were forced to dump their milk when trucks were unable to reach them. Dairy farms do not have

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-10771001490361380762015-11-10T18:58:00.001-06:002020-09-27T14:13:15.004-05:00

’ I know – the title makes it sound like I’m an expert. I should be, since I am a turkey farmer (or at least I’m married to one.) Interested in learning more about our turkey farm? Click here. The truth is, I cook a lot of turkey. But I don’t roast one very often. In fact, I’ve roasted a turkey exactly once in my life. But here’s the deal. It’s so easy, I promise I’ll be doing it again. 

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-68065847946060112892015-09-09T18:11:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:25:57.090-05:00

Back to school time is so exciting! After a summer of lazy, routine-less days, extra dishes and extra messes from the little bodies at home all day, it’s time for a fresh start! You’ve all heard the back-to school tips…Start bedtime 10 minutes earlier every night for 2 weeks to ease your kids into the new schedule! Try cute little bento boxes to pack their lunch – pack them all up on Sunday night

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-38908628727684816692015-08-05T06:58:00.000-05:002020-09-27T13:58:36.831-05:00

  In my last post, I confessed that I am a Jane Austen fan girl. Well, today, I’m confessing that I’m also a Miss Mustard Seed fangirl. Specifically, I love her signature two toned furniture look – painted base with a stained top. It makes my heart sing. The stained wood adds some masculinity to antique pieces that may otherwise look quite feminine when painted. And since I live in a house

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-25919681585817910152015-07-06T06:46:00.000-05:002020-09-27T14:25:57.088-05:00

  I have to admit, I LOVE garage sales, but usually I’m the buyer, not the seller.  In May, I reversed roles and actually had two garage sales of my own. I made over $1000 between the two sales, and got rid of multiple truckloads of furniture and “junk.” And of course, I learned a few lessons along the way.   Have a Garage Sale: 9 Tips & Tricks 1. Make AWESOME signs. And

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-16831527446212299242015-07-01T20:57:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:20:03.460-05:00

This month, we did Blogger Book Club a little differently. Instead of reading the SAME book, we all read a different self-help book. Because of my transition back to a full-time job, I chose The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo (aka #konmari) with hopes that it would help me get organized before my new job began. And I’m happy to

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-18938951322714016972015-06-17T15:52:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:25:57.086-05:00

A few weeks ago. I shared my free, green weed barrier, and I mentioned that I used RoundUp in my garden. One of my readers emailed, concerned about the safety of RoundUp . She said, “Please find any alternative to weed control besides using RoundUp .  You have young boys and, frankly, even your husband or you should not be spraying this deadly product.” I am emailing her back personally

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-48185804660612867322015-06-14T20:29:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:15:51.573-05:00

  Why not combine good friends, great coffee, and some good old fashioned junk? You might remember that last March, a few Iowa bloggers met at the West End Architectural Salvage coffee shop and I shared a LOT of pictures from the shop that day. Well, I’m part of a small group of ladies that has a monthly “Girl’s Night Out.” And when we were brainstorming ideas for our May GNO, I suggested

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-40134563687280234302015-06-05T11:16:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:13:15.004-05:00

  and turkey farmers in the Midwest could use some extra love right now.   The last few months have been stressful for all of us, but especially for those directly affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu.) I know that many of my readers don’t know a turkey farmer in real life. I try, through my blog, to put a “face” on turkey farming. And your support has meant so much

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-44871761136469323752015-05-29T10:47:00.000-05:002020-09-27T14:25:57.089-05:00

Wednesday morning, we got baby turkeys.  20,000 one-day old poults. Less than two hours later, we got a call – bird flu was found on a turkey farm 7 miles from us. 7 miles! We were scheduled to load out turkeys in 10 days. We market 5 or 6 flocks a year. So loading out is a big deal.  A successful flock means that we get paid.  And it’s a big check. Not only does it cover the

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-78073502807333794622015-05-25T10:18:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:04:33.213-05:00

  I’m really bad at tutorials for DIY projects.  And I’m bad at following them.  I’m much more of a “figure-it-out-as-you-go” DIYer. And this project definitely falls into that category.  File it under the labels No Tutorial and Trial and Error. I think of it sort of like Legos.  You can buy the super expensive kit and follow the directions to build something really cool.

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-24407323393410840962015-05-20T16:42:00.001-05:002020-09-27T13:54:07.475-05:00

  I just finished two loooong books, so it’s time to start in on some new ones! Home Is Where My People Are: The Roads That Lead Us to Where We Belong First up, Blogger Book Club is reading this in May. Feel free to join us!         Nobody's Cuter than You: A Memoir about the Beauty of Friendship I read “The Antelope in the Living Room” by Melanie Shankle earlier this

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-30183080230268317782015-05-17T19:23:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:20:03.460-05:00

AKA: Why There are Paint Splatters in my Hair and Caulk in my Cuticles I’ve been meaning to do something with this closet for a long time. I mean, let’s face it.  The 100-year-old plaster had seen better days. The other day, I sorted little boy clothes and came up with 6 garbage bags full of 18 mos – 3T clothes to pass down to a cousin. And with the closet partially cleaned out, I decided it

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-78651278177252647392015-05-13T18:44:00.000-05:002020-09-19T18:56:36.796-05:00

I love house tours.  I love seeing how people use their space, how they make small rooms work for them, and how their décor flows throughout the house. So when my friend posted pictures of this house, for sale by owner, on facebook, I immediately asked if I could feature it on my blog, because there are so many great lessons for Little House owners. Lesson #1: Your little house CAN have an

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-31937518880583630282015-05-06T07:46:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:05:17.740-05:00

When we started considering raising turkeys, we were told it was a lifetime commitment. We couldn’t just try it out for a while and quit if we wanted. We were in it for the long haul. And for the most part, our decision has paid off. We’ve had it good – truly been “living the dream.” Although Bart works long hours and has a lot of responsibility, we’re comfortable financially, and I’m able to

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-43275234842650353502015-05-04T11:22:00.001-05:002020-09-27T13:59:14.238-05:00

I am a thrifty gardener.  And this is one of my favorite thrifty tricks. If you’ve ever used plastic or fabric weed fabric, you know that it just doesn’t work.  Sure, it’s okay for awhile, but after one season, you’re sunk.  You put mulch on top of it, the mulch breaks down and weeds grow in the mulch.  And you can’t just pull them, because the roots go down THROUGH the

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-43858579161425088242015-04-30T08:24:00.001-05:002020-09-27T13:54:07.476-05:00

I drive a lot – more than 8 hours between Monday and Friday – and I like to listen to books on tape while I drive.  I check them out from my library through the Overdrive app and have heard some great ones that way. But earlier this month, I discovered podcasts.  I downloaded PocketCast and most of my “listening” time has been spent trying out new podcasts, instead of “reading.” So I

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-77920760951606856802015-04-23T08:19:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:11:17.256-05:00

Celiac disease, Type 1 Diabetes, bratwurst, running, quilting, conservation, volunteering, parenting – what do these things have in common? They are all topics covered by the bloggers I’ve been working with recently! One of my dreams came true this past month. For the last couple of years, I’ve really wanted to combine two of my passions: teaching and blogging.  And in April, thanks to Iowa

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-7723202172916804032015-04-20T21:56:00.001-05:002020-09-19T17:52:32.962-05:00

  Bird flu is trending on facebook tonight. But truthfully, it’s been “trending” in my thoughts and prayers for weeks now. Ever since the first outbreak in the Midwest, which took place on a breeder farm for the hatchery we use, I’ve thought about bird flu (or highly pathogenic avian influenza – HPAI) almost hourly. The first two weeks, I barely slept.  I had a constant tension

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-84625268298048796842015-04-12T13:00:00.000-05:002020-09-27T13:59:14.240-05:00

I don’t know about you, but potted plants are one of my favorite ways to add color and décor to my yard.  And working with Nicole from Red Granite Farm for the past couple of years has taught me a thing or two. And today I want to share what I’ve learned with you. Potted Plants: 8 Tips to Keep them Alive and Thriving 1.  Containers for annuals should be at least 7 inches deep. This

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-57429928685595264752015-04-11T09:46:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:25:57.089-05:00

  I know there’s going to be a lot of talk about gender in the 2016 elections, and I feel the need to weigh in. As an Iowan, I am proud to take part in our first-in-the-nation caucuses. I’m not sure who I’ll be supporting, and I’m not even sure whether I’ll caucus with the Republicans or Democrats. But you can be assured that I’ll be paying close attention to the early candidates and doing

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-86978413061414085682015-04-10T07:55:00.001-05:002020-09-27T14:25:57.092-05:00

Last night, I drove home in a storm.  Rain turned to blinding snow in my headlights as I crept along through the pitch black night. When I finally made it home, I tucked my boys in to bed, made bottles for the lambs and had to head back outside to feed them, all the while grumbling about the miserable, un-April like weather. Things were much worse for a friend of mine.  Her farm,

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857161791109887176.post-15897028560141786092015-04-06T07:00:00.000-05:002020-09-19T19:03:54.631-05:00

When Adam was just a baby, I remember watching him play in his carseat, trying his hardest to reach the dangling toy above his head.  While I got ready for work, he kept at it for more than 10 minutes.  Later that day, working with a middle school student who seemed to give up before he even tried, I thought back to Adam. He spent more time trying to solve his problem (catch the toy)

Katie Olthoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530237661834412493noreply@blogger.com1