Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of helping host eight bloggers and their families for Harvest Tour 2011 in Franklin County, Iowa. It was a weekend filled with friendship, fellowship, field fare and loads of fun.

We began with star gazing at Maynes Grove on Friday night. (Editorial Comment: If you’ve never before seen the moon through a telescope, add it to your Bucket List. It’s a must see! From the “oohs and ahhs” I overheard Friday night, I believe several others share my opinion.)

Saturday began with an 8 a.m. tour of Machinery Hall, followed by boutique shopping on Main Street in Hampton before a feast of field fare at Roy & Jeanie Arends’ farm in Alexander. Their soybean field was just a stone’s throw away from Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, where our scales were busy with growers bringing in varieties of Latham® brand soybeans.

Sunday brunch at Country Touch B&B with bloggers Jocelyn Wallace, Nathan J. Taylor, Claire Celsi, Jody Halsted, Laura Gaulke, Sara Broers, Heather Lilienthal , Nancy and Jon Swanson.

Carrying on Grandma Evelyn Latham’s tradition of hospitality, we offered our guests coffee and homemade apple cider plus apple crisp and pumpkin bars. Since I received so many compliments on my baking, today I’m sharing both recipes on TheFieldPosition.com.

One of my favorite comments made on Saturday came from Jocelyn Wallace. You can see her quote, as well as comments posted by other bloggers, below. Click on the links and see photos they’ve posted, as well. Click here to read a related blog, “All In An Iowa Mom’s Day.”

_______________________________________________________________________

jocelynwallace_ Jocelyn Wallace
In the cleaning room – does that thing do laundry too? @LathamSeeds [pic]: http://4sq.com/n5iTDH

allauremkt Laura Gaulke
I have to say, I’m pleasantly surprised at how interesting the #ag conversations have been since I don’t know about farming! #harvesttour

naswanson Nancy Swanson
corn, soybeans, combines, trucks, wind turbines, stars, Jupiter, Old Stone House, Maynes Grove, friendly people. #harvesttour

saramomof2 Sara Broers
Hampton, Iowa is the place to be~ Check out this awesome crew on the #Harvesttour 2011~ going on this weekend

deb works Deb Works
I posted 24 photos on Facebook in the album “Harvest Tour for Bloggers 3rd day” http://fb.me/MW1uAlO8

_______________________________________________________________________

APPLE CRUNCH

• 6 apples, peeled
• 1 c. water
• Dash of cinnamon
• ½ c. brown sugar
• ½ c. sugar
• ½ c. flour
• ¾ c. oatmeal
• 4 T. butter

Slice the apples into a baking dish. Add water and sprinkle with cinnamon. Combine brown sugar, sugar, flour and oatmeal.

PUMPKIN BARS

• 2 c. flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. soda
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 c. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 c. pumpkin
• 1 c. oil

Sift dry ingredients. Add to slightly beaten eggs, pumpkin and oil. Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes two, 9×13 pans.

Top with cream cheese frosting.