the sounds of farm life here are now of a 'new to us' tractor... Jason cannot work the farm by hand like he used to... he knows this... and we don't know the first thing about having Jordan (the horse) pull any implement, and so happy to say, this little blue beauty is now hard (and I mean hard) at work here...
dare I tell you in advance that the size of garden we are putting in is most likely going to cause me to have many more hours than i even imagine planting, weeding (oh the weeding), but able to bring more to the local restaurants, our family, and in storage... eating all the organic vegetables we want... (and there is a slight possibility that this excitement is also because the corn crib is going to be my potting shed/studio... just a slight possibility...)
the girls and i tried our hands at making 'Carnitas' and then the next day using that pork, 'Tamales'
enough to feed this hungry army... and pretty much the whole town nearby...
as the night falls, the three candles are lit and this little farmhouse is glowing
i even found time to knit and cuddle and listen to tales of old...
After you have harvested your herbs -dry them in a very dark place — hang them or put them in a paper bag — top open — until brittle
grab your most cheerful child at that moment...
crumple crumple crumple
(just sit back with your fresh cup of tea and take your cheerful child's photograph... encouraging them along the way with tales of adventure)
we have so much sage that we use large plastic bags to preserve them
the more delicate (and not as abundant here on the farm) herbs get to reside over winter in beautiful blue mason jars... respectively...
To confess: autumn is my absolute favorite in the garden... we are organically growing our vegetables, so at this time of year I can gloriously pull off a slug here and there on the pepper plants and throw them to the chickens since we have had a frost already, there aren't any other bugs (hallelujah) but it's now time for cleanup and more garlic to plant I'm hoping to find some time today to sew a pair of booties for Daniel and even my own cloth diapers (from an old sweater:) peace + blessings,
I just got back from dropping some flyers at Blumen Gardens Today and Tomorrow they are hosting an an antique/vintage sale at an outdoor flower and plant market... Worth the trip!! This building above featured and the other industrial building is filled to the brim with plants, flowers, antiques, vegetables... and my oh my the inspiration!! My sister Laura works there:)... if you see her say hello! xo+blumen blessings,
As Anne, from Fiona and Twig, so eloquently said on her recent post... "we have a responsibility to support local businesses"
You all know how we had a CSA for a time... but how the garden space is devoted, as of now, to our growing family... but how I am in full support of helping fellow farmers (of organic practices) of both vegetables and meat This "local thinking" doesn't stop with food... but for shopping too!! Even though you may never visit these shops I have been featuring this week for the Boho-Ball here on the farm in May, I am truly hoping that you help support YOUR local businesses too... there are always great stores nearby that feature unique items — of both old and new - MOXIE is one of them for me
Megan Morrison is so sweet and so creative... and her shop always has things in it that I like to buy..
from bags to jewelry... to new clothes to this...
DO YOU SEE ALL THAT LOVELY VINTAGE CLOTHING?? some great stuff... shoes that would rival any Anthropologie store!
Megan is ALSO doing a 20% OFF discount on any vintage clothing and accessories at her shop for the Boho-Ball!! (mention you are going to Farm's Boho-Ball) Thanks Megan! HAPPY SHOPPING!! (and a special thanks for your beautiful model:) (and Jenn took all the pictures once again... because her friend was immobile with an enormous child in her tummy... how's that for a good excuse eh?) I forgot to mention that both Cracker Jax and Moxie are only 15 minutes from the farm (make sure you visit them both when you visit the farm too)
how often we run to the store to get pre-packaged items back just 70 years ago, you didn't do that you didn't even have that option, except eating at a restaurant things were from scratch... fresh... and that was 'the every day', not just because your girlfriends are coming over and you want to serve them some homemade muffins with coffee... how very lazy we have become as a society yes I said lazy
there is nothing wrong with using a food processor, or Bosch mixer, but there is something wrong with pre-packaged food from the store... think of this: when you are walking through the grocery store, stay to the perimeter of the store — that is where all the fresh vegetables, meats, dairy, bakery, etc, is... if you need to, head into the dry goods area for flour/beans/rice... but try not to get that oozy goozy stuff that they are selling from tubes that you squeeze into your mouth because you are too lazy to put it into a glass jar and use a utensil
does this sound harsh? saying that we are lazy?? I'm right along side you with the big fat "L" on my head I don't grow my wheat, then grind it to make flour, then bake bread with it every day... I do know of woman who actually do this... and my apron strings are off to you... and someday, I would love to do that... in between raising my sheep in pasture to spin my wool, to knit my sweaters while I wait for my goat's milk to simmer to the right temperature for my goats milk soap, as I pull out my bread from the oven, after I just finished graduating my son from homeschooled high school, and taught my daughter how to Irish dance stronger and steeped my tea from the chamomile plants I grow in the garden... "L" we aren't all able to do those things... quite frankly... I don't know anyone who does all of that in one day we pick and choose what we want... like a great oatmeal muffin recipe... whip up the egg whites, add them gently into the mixture already in the bowl then you sit back and watch it puff in the oven and give the whole house a breathe of homemade goodness
and if that's all this woman can accomplish in one day, then go ahead, slap that "L" on my forehead, I deserve it, but before you look at me and judge me and think that everything smells delicious like these muffins, know this: a lot of hard work goes into my kids first, not my appearance... not my house... not my farm... my kids
there is way too much "look what I did" out here in cyberland, and quite frankly, it's making me nauseated I have so much I'd like to share with you, that I am working on, or that I have worked on, but truthfully, it is all a bunch of vanity... telling you what I've done or doing or going to do (I will, in time, share when and what I want) reading the written word, especially on the computer screen, you can read someone's words and take it the wrong way — I do hope you all understand that I do not ever want you to feel like I'm rubbing it in I can't stand that I share what I do here, because it is my space — my journal and I love all of you who come to visit, and I enjoy getting to know some of you even more through emails — and your comments - There was a friend of mine very recently who told me that all she can get done is a load of laundry, and here I am doing this and that and the other — I know she is not bitter about it, but if she only knew how special she is by doing what she does... I am a very organized person — and can get a lot accomplished in the day because of two very important reasons: 1) I do not watch TV, we don't have one and 2) I plan meals with six children and a husband to feed, these meals and baked goods I do are planned at least a week in advance — minus the sporadic baked goods my daughter or son like to do (or me:) negativity, doubt, and vanity all lead to one thing: depression stop thinking of yourself and do something for someone else — break the cycle of "me" create something good today by not talking bad about anyone look at everyone you come in contact with today (everyone) and know that God loves them just as much as you... you aren't the cat's meow... you are one of very very many in this world what can you do today? for someone else?? go bake something from scratch for your kids, neighbor, friend, priest, aunt, mom, husband... they'll love it peace + blessings,
