On the subject of weather, Quote, The old Farmer’s Almanac 2026 Edition, January 22-24, Snow showers north, sunny south: colder.  It looks to be right on schedule for this weekend.  

Another quote, Bring diversity back to agriculture.  That’s what made it work in the first place.  David R. Brower, American environmentalist, (1912-2000).

For farmers today, Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.  Farmer’s Markets seem to grow bigger every year.  Everyone, me included, really likes to by from the locals. Vegetables are so much fresher and really look good on the tables and baskets set on the tables.  Many farmers today do just that.  My nephews that live in corn country have second jobs.  One is a state trooper as his main job, and corn farmer as the second.  His son, JT, a 9 years old grows and sells sweet corn.  Everyone in the area meets him on the side of the road to by their corn for the freezer.  That is a good start for his college.  People sell eggs, beef, and vegetables.  Once you get used to the good stuff it is really hard to go back to the grocery store.  The eggs we get from our friend, Bobby Foster, are so much better and fresher than the grocery store.  We just got some beef back from Parish Meat and there is no comparing to the grocery store.  

Well, let’s get winterized for the weekend and what is to come with the weather.  Get in the kitchen and try new recipes.  I did yesterday.  A tasty bundt cake and homemade bread.  I’ve been trying new bread recipes for a while.  This one was good but I’m still looking.  I’ve tried the sour dough route.  I keep killing the starter.  I hope one day I can figure it out.  The cake was great.  It was from a recipe that Sara’s, my daughter-in-law, grandmother sent me.  I’ve never made a cake that had nutmeg, and mace.  The mace was new to me.  The cake was really good.  She also sent me a recipe for fresh apple cake.  I’m gonna try it soon.  

Stay safe.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)