Betty

My cousin Emily's new corgi puppy Betty

hot toddy

The chickens' new base heater for their waterer.  The waterer came from an 86 year old neighbor of mine who also used to keep chickens.  I bought a new 5 gallon waterer when I got them, but they prefer this one.

and that's not chicken scratch

The chickens like the seed that falls from the bird feeder much more than their own food

she was a fast machine

In cold weather motorcycle batteries can freeze, so you can either take the battery out of the bike and into the house, or hook it up to a charger, like I've done to mine.  The 12 volt gives off just enough heat to keep it from freezing.  I've got it plugged into an outlet in the garage.

Happy Thanksgiving!

battle of the turkey hats

my feast!

Mom didn't have extra pastry to decorate the tops of the pies, so she used hot dog buns

cuddling Bunny Lee

food coma

progression of the fruitcake

wrapped up and soaking in rum for a month

bunny walk

Tiny as a soul, there comes the rabbit
Moving forward in the way of all things
We recognize this scene set, 

with its moon above and stars left on
There are cities one will not see again

late November harvest

Picked these cauliflower this morning - the garden is still providing vegetables even this late in the season

progression of the fruitcake

Baking over a pan of water in a super low oven for hours and hours

creamy tangy delicious

Warm arugula salad with seared sesame crusted goat cheese on sourdough toast

red brussel sprouts

My friend Lori gave me some of her home grown red brussel sprouts - I had never seen this variety before

The harness room at my Maine friends the Winslow's High View Farm

sky study #22

November 12, 2010

grow your own

Today was opening day for the Michigan hunting season, and I happened to be in an appliance store buying a deep freezer.  The salesman said "will you be putting up some venison this winter"?  "No," I replied, "collard greens."

This week I am harvesting the remainder of the greens from the garden, which are still growing despite the frozen nights that are upon us in Northern Michigan.  I cut out the rib, shred them in the food processor and make freezer bags full of them.  When possible, take the time to grow, can + freeze and cook as much of your own food as you can.

sky study #21

November 8, 2010

I'm a fruitcake and I'm proud

About 10 pounds of dried and candied fruits and nuts, which will soak in rum for the next week.

cutting the (stinky!) cheese

Liederkranz cheese is a really strong, stinky washed rind cheese similar to limburger.  Don't knock it 'til you try it:  a few slices of liederkranz with raw onion on rye, and a dark beer to wash it down - kiss me!

farm treachery

The most dangerous thing on a farm is yourself - not watching where you are going, handling the animals in an incorrect way, pitchforks - I've hurt myself on the farm before and this trip was no exception.  The pig wasn't being aggressive at all, just tasting my pants.

pig bite that kinda looks like a heart - pig love bite?

hit my head on the duck pen

Maine mega road trip

Co-farmer Raquel and I just came back from 6 days down East - driving Detroit to Maine, via my brother Steve's house in the New York finger lakes, to spend 3 days farm sitting at Little Falls, the off-the-grid, solar powered organic eden that belongs to my good friends and mentors John + Mary Belding.  

we have so much to learn from John + Mary

goat breakfast time

cow kisses

with one of my favorite people - Darcy at High View Farm

4 little piggies

Flatbread pizza in Portland - butternut squash, mushroom, mozzarella and parmesan, and a 

honey-balsamic reduction drizzled on top - lord have mercy

what is pizza without some beer?

Sky study, Maine edition

John + Mary attended the annual Maine Organic Farming + Gardening Association Farmer to Farmer conference, which is why we farm-sat at Little Falls.  Working there has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life, and it is why I travel half way across the country to continue to spend time there when I am able.  My Mom + Dad generously watched my own farm while I was away, herding chickens and looking after Bunny Lee.  Raquel and I ended our Maine visit by doing something neither of us had done in years:  drove straight back to Michigan all night, a 1000 mile, 15 hour trip - it was great, we played lots of music and avoided all the traffic.  We love you Maine!

Halloween 2010

Raquel + Bob threw a great Halloween party this year!

Day of the Dead lady (shhhh....that's me)

Nate's scary mask

Snookie

Zombie bride

the ghost of Bela Hubbard

look at Raquel's fabulous dress

Boo!