New Growing Location

Aaron clearing off the front yard.
Hoops set in place, still need row cover and sandbags.
Johnny's hoop bender.
Half way to planting.
The neighbor came back the next day with his tiller.
A three bottom plow, a miracle worker compared to a shovel and my biceps!
My neighbor offered to plow up my field. Farmers are some of the most honest, generous folks on earth.
The front of the trailer. It is just the right size for our needs. Afew flower beds will make it cheery.
The backyard!
Gracie making herself at home. The loom settled, much to the relief of those lifting her.
Too big for the front door, the sliding glass entry works. Below, taking her off the truck.

Big Changes For 2010

No posts recently for a very good reason..........we are expanding our farm. Now instead of just teensy, we're tiny. Lots of opportunity for better infrastructure, water, buildings and an increase in land. A bigger bonus is less commuting, less petro.

This barn is going to be our new post harvest wash/pack area. March to do list is long! I'm so excited about having water and a pack area, finally, that work will be a pleasure. Seeds and paper mulch arrived today.

Thanks to everyone who signed up for 2010 CSA. We still have slots open.

Sign Up!!

Sign Up!!

It is that time of year.........CSA Lovers, please make your commitment. February is a rough cash flow month for farmers. Expenses for seed, supplies and hardware are incurred now for your veggies even though there is snow on the ground. Your support is vital. Now is the time to get behind local, organic fresh food. We are very busy planning and sowing flats to secure a harvest of delicious, exceptional produce. So make that decision!! Know your farmer........know your food!

We Want To Be Your Farmer!

More Management

This is the lovely opening page spread. The left depicts the English farmstead. All pictures can be clicked on to enlarge so you can read these gems of wisdom.
Frugality never goes out of style!
Need to know the arrangement for a game banquet layout??

Household Management 1861

I have stumbled upon a most fascinating tome:

BEETON'S BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT , is a 1112 page epistle of all things the mistress of a proper English home would need to master. Apparently this classic has evaded me all these years. I cannot begin to describe all this treasure trove has to offer, on every imaginable subject. It was originally published in 24 monthly installments by Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine. Isabella Beeton was only twenty eight when she died, from childbed fever.

Little Treasures

Basement cleaning yielded some long lost treasures, boxed up for kitchen renovations over 10 years ago. Cookbooks, my much missed waffle iron (the kind you put right on the stove), some of my china, heirloom cut glass and lots of odds and ends were recovered.

An entire collection of Easter crafts, including Ukrainian eggs which are known as Pysanky, were carefully packed away. One of the eggs had the date, 1997 incorporated as part of the design. I loved making these with the children when they were growing up. We made "living" baskets using wheat grass instead of the colored shredded plastic filling.

The cookbooks are particularly fascinating as they were published over 100 years ago. I will try and post some pics of these. The text is remarkable for the tone of instruction aimed at the housewife, almost stern. The woman's sphere was her home and she was to take her duties seriously. Providing three "proper" meals for her family was part of that duty. Considering the enormity of the task: pre-take out, dishwasher and convenience food..........no wonder it took so much effort.

Trench and Regroup

Twins and their big brother having a great visit at grandma's house.
Patrick and Aaron are ready to chow down some Christmas dinner.
Claire telling Aaron a NYC story.


Now that Christmas is past, my energy can be focused on household organization and crop planning
in earnest. The steady rain sounds soothing to my ears. The two foot drifts of snow are melting puddles of gray slush. This afternoon I have decided to tackle the basement clutter.