The rain finally stopped and goodness, did the heat turn on! Sunday our temperatures were almost 100 and “feels like temp” was 112! The grass is growing and Dad and Zack are trying to get their clients hay layed down, raked, and baled.

Meanwhile, I’ve been working on some delicious, easy recipes for you! I did want to pop in and share something that I feel like we as farm and ranch wives can all relate to. You don’t have to fix a from scratch, big meal every time. Heck, often does Zack get leftovers, sandwiches, or take out brought to him because I also wear a lot of hats and have much to do. Especially if you have kids in the mix. I’ve been burning up the road between taking the kids to camps, picking up or dropping off the husband when they are transporting equipment to another job, him needing a ride home, etc.

There’s only so much time in the day and the whole mission behind Hayfield Meals when I first got started was solely to take the time to have a meal together. It wasn’t intended that those aprons were a permanent piece of clothing and every meal had to be perfect. Just carve out time to be a family-even if it’s just 30 minutes in the middle of a field, sitting in the wheel well of a tractor tire with a hamburger wrapped in foil. The recipes that are shared are to help YOU! The meal plan subscriptions are to give you time back while having it already figured out! But if it doesn’t work one night, no big deal!

Sunday my mom made the meal (home grown beef burgers) while I worked on this week’s subscription. She and I tag team a lot! I took them to Zack with a bag of chips and sweet tea. Fancy huh? Ha!

I just wanted to share a little note that it doesn’t have to be gourmet. It’s unrealistic to spend your entire day (or evening) in the kitchen. So don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t feeding your family three meals you made from scratch. Sometimes simple and easy is better and all you can do. And that’s OK! You’re feeding your family, you’re the chauffeur, and you are serving them with what you’ve got. It’s appreciated and noticed.

Happy haying, ranching, and long live summer. Let’s get Cookin’!