This year there have been 100,000 deaths due to overdose alone (a new record) and I thank God it wasn’t her. I know it’s selfish and I pray everyday for those families and those innocent people, but I am beyond thankful she wasn't one of them.

We share most of our life to you, but there are some items we keep to ourselves. Until now, we haven’t shared anything specific regarding my sister or our families struggles. We didn't feel that it was our story to share, and we weren't ready to openly discuss the matter just yet. We have been helping my sister recover from opioid addiction since I was roughly 32 weeks pregnant. While it’s something that has been in the news, it’s not something we had any first hand experience with until now. I had no idea that my sister had been struggling, or how bad it was until we hit the breaking point of her moving in with us.

You can imagine this wasn't easy. We have a one bedroom apartment, we were preparing for our daughter to arrive and trying to get everything on the farm ready for me to be gone, but I felt like God was calling us to be his hands and feet here and help her navigate this journey. It took a lot of prayer for me to decide on saying yes. My sister, like many struggling with addiction had manipulated me in the past and I didn't want to get hurt by her again.

Through this experience we have strengthened our marriage and Talona has become a sister to Charlie. There have been times we have all been in tears, times where we have all yelled, and probably tested each others patience, but there has not been a second that I have regretted this decision. 

Addiction is something that is in every company, on every street, and crosses social lines with ease. For some it started because of an injury, others it was because of trauma or depression. The truth is, it doesn’t matter why it started, what matters is that it has to end. If I am being honest I don't fully understand addiction, I was one of the critics, not knowing how someone could put a high above their loved ones, or even their children. The truth is the patch to recovery is hard, especially for those who can't escape their using environment. My sister was a lucky one, she had a place far enough away from her triggering environment that she could have a safe place to heal, and a recovery center that was not only free, but it was innovative. Those who are struggling with addiction need more than Narcan, they need counseling, they need doctors, and they need meetings to navigate their cravings and struggles. 

Her recovery center didn't require an appointment, was out patient, has a pharmacy onsite, a 24/7 call line for her to call day or night. My advice for anyone who has a loved one struggling with addiction, love them, but set boundaries. Our deal with my sister was that we would do everything in our power to help her, if and only if she went to the recovery center and got help.

My second tip, encourage family to only get medication filled if they plan to use it, and dispose of it if they don't. We have found that many of the pills on the street are from people selling their prescriptions, because they believe they are helping someone deal with their pain. 

My LAST Tip, don't try and do it alone. They need help from someone specializing in addiction, their sickness is a chemical brain imbalance, and it will not resolve itself. They need a doctor, just as those who have heart problems or cancer.

If anyone out there is suffering, we hear you and we see you. We are thankful that we have found resources that are working and are happy to help others in the same way that we’ve helped my sister! 

#addictionrecovery #opioidcrisis #recovery #recoveryispossible #teambasecamp   #youcandoit #wehearyou

John's Turkey with Stuffing

Prior to beginning, thaw turkey in the refrigerator for several days.  Length of time required for thawing will vary by size of the turkey.  Take turkey from a plastic bag and remove giblets from the bag inside the body cavity.  Place giblets in a large saucepan and add 1 quart of chicken broth.  Head the giblets to a boil and reduce to simmer while you prepare the rest of the turkey and stuffing.

Stuffing

Take large bags of Pepperidge Farm stuffing and empty into a large bowl.  I like the regular stuffing mix and not the cornbread stuffing, but either are fine depending on one’s personal taste.  Heat 4 cups of chicken broth in another large saucepan with 6 tbsp of butter.  This doesn’t need to boil, but must be hot and the butter must be melted and mixed in thoroughly.  While this is heating, add 2 tbsp of butter to a large skillet and heat on medium heat until butter is melted.  Add 2 cups of diced onion and 2 cups of diced celery to the frying pan and gently sauté for 5-6 minutes until the celery and onions are tender but not mushy.  Add the sautéed celery and onions to the stuffing mix.  Add 2 tbsp of sage to the stuffing and then add in the heated chicken broth and butter previously heated up.  Mix this thoroughly using your hands.  Finally add in 2 raw free-range Covey Rise chicken eggs and again mix thoroughly.  The eggs will make the stuffing moisture.

Turkey

Take 1 28 lb. Covey Rise Farms pastured turkey and rinse the body cavity out thoroughly using cold water, drain thoroughly and pat dry the inside and outside of the bird using paper towels.  Salt and pepper the body cavity and then fill the cavity with the stuffing mixture and then stuff the neck area cavity.  I often use toothpicks to secure the neck skin to keep the stuffing from falling out.  Salt and pepper the outside of the bird.

Take a large cooking bag and place 2 tbsp of flour in the bag and shake it around to coat the inside of the bag.  Place the turkey into the bag and close using the plastic closure device that comes with the bag.  Puncture the bag 2-3 times using a knife to allow steam to escape.

Heat oven to 350 degrees and cook until turkey is done.  This is about 20 minutes per pound but the turkey may be done quicker than this since the bag makes it cook quicker.  A meat thermometer may be used, and 165 degrees internal temperature is done.  The turkey is also done when the leg easily pulls away from the body. 

Remove turkey from the bag and collect the drippings in a large bowl and throw the bag away. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes prior to carving.  Remove stuffing from cavities prior to carving and place in a serving bowl to serve.

Gravy

While turkey is cooking, the gravy can be made.  After the giblets have been simmering for an hour, remove the giblets and slice the heart, liver and gizzard In small cubes,  Strip the meat from the neck and add all of this meat back to the chicken broth  and turn heat off.  Salt and pepper to taste.  After removing the turkey from the oven, bring the giblets and broth to a boil and add in the turkey drippings.  Take 2 tbsp of cornstarch and dissolve in ½ cup of water.  While the gravy is boiling, still in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy.  Gravy can be served as is or it can be strained to remove the giblets if preferred. 

Slice turkey and place on a platter and serve along with the stuffing and homemade gravy.  Enjoy!

So many people worry and stress over canning, however this Ball recipe we used is so easy, anyone can truly do it!

My one recommendation is to use strawberries that are local to insure freshness and sweetness. We prefer the wide mouth jars for storage and usability. We made a total of 22 jars of strawberry preserve for the upcoming year and I am beyond thrilled.

Make sure you follow the ingredient list carefully. You never want to adjust the ingredients when preserving, its much different than baking or cooking. We did use different jars, and didn't crush our strawberries as much due to the fact that we didn't have a masher, but we followed the recipe along the way.

Holiday Gift Guide 

We know that this year, the Holiday Season is a little different, but many people still plan to celebrate the holidays, they will just look a little differently this year. First we would like to focus on small business. Small businesses are the backbone of this country and we know how much our business means to them. Every purchase you make with a small business is another bill paid for their family or another meal on their table. I have included a few other businesses that we support and feel a direct connection with.

Small Businesses We Plan to Support this Holiday

 Covey Rise Farm Gift Boxes

Give the gift of a Covey Rise Farm Meat box. We will be gifting this to our grandparents, and my brother-in-law this year. We offer customizable boxes to meet your loved ones needs, and fill them with joy this holiday. Our meat boxes allow families and friends to create lasting memories! Give the gift that keeps on giving.

 Oreo Card Bundles

Oreo Card Bundles make the best gifts to loved ones! We plan to include these in stocking stuffers and gift boxes this holiday. They are well made and bring joy to anyone who receives them.

Roasted Almond & Honey Roasted Peanut

By: Shell Dust

Our friends at Shell Dust make a premium Roasted Almond & Honey Roasted Peanut Spread that will bring a whole new vision to the word peanut butter. We plan to stock-up on these items ourselves and gift them in stockings this year. Everyone needs some quality staples in their pantry, and this is one you will want to eat.

Lila Naturals

As someone who has sensitive skin, I haven't found a product from them that bothers me. I love their face scrubs, body lotion, hand sanitizer, and I can't wait to try their bath bombs. They strive for quality products with natural ingredients. 

Watercolor Cards

If you have seen our Oreo cards, than you are already familiar with the amazing work of Pepper Pod Art. They not only do an amazing job, they are also very  reasonable. Gift a set of her cards to a loved one, add them to a gift set, or send them out to old friend for some encouragement. Hand painted cards carry so much more meaning and thought. We plan to add these to some stockings and gift boxes we are sending out to loved ones this year. 

Local Macaron Baker!

I never liked Macaron's until I had these beauties. She makes them herself in a commercial kitchen, and the detail and flavor is beyond your imagination. We not only have our own Thanksgiving order in, I placed an order for stocking stuffers for all, including myself. These are better than candy, and have so much more meaning. You could also use them as an "I care gift". We all have those people we like to pass along something extra to this time of year, mail carriers, teaching, hairdressers or even neighbors, and this is a gift they would LOVE.

Rocking Bar H Rancher's Wife Necklace/Wrap Bracelet

This bracelet was gifted to me early this fall and is one of my favorite pieces. It's beautiful, well made, and the perfect addition to any outfit. I plan to gift this piece to some loved ones on their birthday this year.

Fall Wreath Kit by Seed & Gather

We plan to gift this to a loved one this year. I plan to make one with them, and spend the holiday making memories. This would be so much fun for someone you wont be able to see or someone you plan to visit this winter. It is beautifully packed and well made. It is a gift on our list and one we say is a best buy this year.

Holiday Gift Box by Sunset Valley Creamery

This is a gift box bound to help your loved ones relax or entertain. They are one of our favorite cheese companies, and have countless holiday boxes up for grabs this year. Prior to Christmas they were only shipping to their Creamery Club Members, so take advantage of this opportunity and grab some of this mouth watering cheese.

Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail by Hank Shaw

This is one of our FAVORITE Cookbooks, many of the recipes he describes within can be substituted with turkey or chicken. Hank is by far one of the best chefs I have ever met. The detail he puts into his dishes and the flavor are by far the best we have ever had. We purchased signed copies for my father-in-law last year and he was over the moon.

New Hampshire Pure Maple Syrup

Gowen Family Farm Maple Syrup is well made, perfectly packaged and tastes exceptional. This is the maple syrup in our kitchen, and we will be gifting it to some loved ones this year. Include a cute family recipe, add this to a gift box, or gift this to someone near and dear.

Callison Ranch Beef Sticks 

We purchased these beef sticks for my dad for father's day and he was one happy camper. They are the perfect gift for any loved one this year. We will be gifting this beautiful box along with keeping it on our short list for easy gifts that ship.

Ranch Raised Cookbook-Mary Heffernan

This cookbook is the perfect gift to any loved one that you want to make memories with. Mary's cookbook is loaded with real recipes for real families. We plan to use this cookbook this holiday season, making many recipes from this book and memories that will last a lifetime. 

Women's NoGA Sculpting Ultra High Rise Leggings

These leggings are on sale today and are by far my favorite leggings to date! Their pockets are perfect, they don't show too much, fit great, and they even hold up to the rigors of farm life! These are on my Christmas List for sure! I wear leggings 90% of the time, so these could be gifted several times and my excitement would only increase with each pair.

Milwaukee Hat 

The best hat for those who work outside. This hat is by far our favorite hat for the winter season ahead. We have some already purchased for my dad and a few friends. Stock up before they sell out, they won't last long.

Ranch School by Five Marys Farms

The ranch school is such a fun idea that your kids will enjoy. With everyone being home for the holidays you will need something they enjoy to keep them busy and ranch school, is not only educational, its fun!

Poultry Netting

We have tried every netting option out there and have been left disappointed. We will be making the switch to the gallagher poultry netting for our layers this spring. Their netting is well made, and ready to handle the daily wear and tear of farm life. Use Code: CoveyRise2020 for 10% off your order.

 i Series Energizer Remote & Fault Finder

Quickly and easily locate and repair electric fence faults. ​The remote pinpoints an electric fence fault within the monitored zone and enables you to turn off your i Series energizer during repair and on again once the repair is complete. We use this item daily! Use Code: CoveyRise2020 for 10% off your order.

Turbo Wire and Reels

If you want to make a regenerative ag farmer happy this holiday give them the gift of no daily move frustration. These reels make the daily livestock move a breeze, while the turbo wire assures that their animals respect the wire and their boundaries. Use Code: CoveyRise2020 for 10% off your order.

The Gallagher Chargers are the perfect starting point for any farmer. We love our charger and their products. Their warranty works and their customer service is superior. Use Code: CoveyRise2020 for 10% off your order.

I have heard mixed reviews on year one of marriage. Some will say the first year was amazing, we explored the world and life together. Others may say nothing changed in their relationship. The other group, the group we fall into will say it was hard. 

We struggled to manage intimacy, our business stress, our life stress, our family drama, and pleasing everyone. Yet, together all of the hard times, all of the rough decisions, were made together. We didn't expect to still be living in our camper, or have to buy a walk in freezer so quickly. Yet, we did expect to have each other, and the support we both bring to the table. We have learned to forgive, and push each other's buttons. We have learned to love the way God loves us, and to forgive the way God forgives us. We have learned to compromise and adjust, but we didn't do this without help.

The one thing that has helped us, has been our marriage journal and the questions we ask each other throughout the week. How can I help/pray for you? It may sound silly, but asking your partner what would help them, takes a weight off of their shoulder and allows you to help your spouse or partner in the best way possible. Each week the journal asks you questions, and provides a little conversation starter to start you off. The reading is pretty small, but enough to invoke thought.

Prioritize 

"Your priorities reveal where you are dedicating your efforts.. Sometimes we fall into habits and routines that don't truly reflect what is most important to us. We get lazy. We fall into the trap of pursuing what's easy over what's valuable".

I asked Charlie, how do I prioritize you?