Thursday, December 31, 2015

old friends will not be forgotten!



we'll take a cup 'o kindness yet
for auld lang syne!

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

tally me banana



Bananas are ripe and at their best when they're just like this - I found these two piles of organic bananas on the going-bad rack at the super market for $1.90 - perfect!  Peeled, frozen bananas are a must for any smoothie - they taste and act like ice cream and are so good for you!

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

from Abe to Charles


About a year ago, the peeling finish in my bathtub bore a resemblance to Abraham Lincoln (original post here).  Many showers and another year of use later, it's beginning to look like Charles Manson


 



Monday, December 28, 2015

Sunday, December 27, 2015

consignment jackpot



seasonal red St. John knits jacket with great detailing and buttons


little kelly green vintage cardi with a tag that reads KINGSLEY - this was meant to be mine


who would ever get rid of a delicate pale blue knit sweater with gold lightning bolts?


and the score of the day: Brand new Frye harness boots, in my size.  New, these retail for $320.  
My price: $25



Saturday, December 26, 2015

Little Falls love



John & Mary, my teachers who make cheese on the farm where I apprenticed in Maine sent me a Christmas box containing a piece of their wonderful organic aged goat's milk cheese, and a pile of vintage post cards from Maine, England and Spain

Friday, December 25, 2015

* * * MERRY CHRISTMAS * * *



detail from David's Christmas card

Thursday, December 24, 2015

the force is with them



In the parking lot at Star Wars 

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

oh Jimmy



Thank you Agnes, for one of the best Christmas presents ever!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

old timey jammin



Been having fun listening to amazing archival music from a couple of great sources






Saturday, December 19, 2015

sky study #140 plus a story



You completely can't see it in this picture, but there was a complete rainbow in front of this dark rain cloud over the gas station.  This was December 15th and we were having a seasonal warm, balmy rain storm.  I went in to pre-pay $20 of gas, and took note of one of my weaknesses: seasonal scratch off lottery tickets.  I told the gas station people about the rainbow, and went out to pump the gas.  But my tank only took $18.90, so I had $1.10 in change coming.  I decided the rainbow and unexpected $1 was a sign that I should buy myself a Holly Jolly Jackpot ticket


And I won $6!



Friday, December 18, 2015

found: old hippie publication



At the farmers market, there's a take a book/leave a book box that's usually filled with romance novels.  But last Saturday I picked up this weird booklet, which is filled with essays, quotes and poetry juxtaposing the topics of gratitude and greed, as it pertains to the environment.  Huh?


Thursday, December 17, 2015

in huevos grande news



another jumbo egg from the girls

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

the nose



Bestie David has always been a true connoisseur of scents, and this year started experimenting with making his own candles.  I got a box of some of his work in the mail last week - can't wait to try them!  I am so happy when people have creative hobbies and explore making things - this is exactly how my cheese career began.  Go David!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Forest Hacienda



There is a vendor next to us in the Winter market who sells locally foraged mushrooms, as well as his home made "crafts" (think pieces of wood with rocks painted as turtles on them) and jewelry (think piece of bone with a fake diamond glued to it). I mentioned him in a blog post from 2012 here.  On Saturday he was very proud of a drawing he made of a photograph of mushrooms he found, on which he drew little faces.  This picture doesn't do the scale justice - he blew the picture up on a copier to 11x17.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

fresh, saucy and sweet



This weekend's farmer's market trades: fresh pea shoots and a bottle of home made sriracha sauce


half box of organic apples

Friday, December 11, 2015

the resale center



I had a meeting an hour North of where I live on Monday, but more importantly got to visit a supremely amazing thrift store, The Rainbow Shoppe in Charlevoix, Michigan


vintage book about budgies $0.25


a pristine 1970s floral bomber jacket complete with vintage snow-suit style elastic cuffs - half off pink tags, $3.50


vintage slip that looks like a Prada cocktail chemise - look at those pleats! $3.00


maxi skirt with gold glitter detailing $2.00


Thursday, December 10, 2015

sky study #139



sunrise to the East December 2, 2015


same sky, same time, looking West


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

made for walking



knee high black suede boots - Goodwill - $5.99


Tuesday, December 8, 2015

but the butter was safe!



sometimes your cold smoker catches on fire

Monday, December 7, 2015

Sunday, December 6, 2015

stormtrooper wallet



My friend Kat with her fabulous wallet

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

meet Freeway



I am very proud of my friend Raquel for saving this little kitten - please read the story here:
Raquel brought Freeway with her when she came up for Thanksgiving last week - he is a happy, bright, playful, normal kitten - we don't think he even realizes he is missing a leg.  We interchangeably call him Freeway, Tripod and Triple.  

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

black Friday



Last Friday Raquel and I hiked Pyramid Point on the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore - a cold, blustery and beautiful day! 

Monday, November 30, 2015

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Friday, November 27, 2015

farewell Roosty Jr.



My friends Jack & Joelle have 6 hens, and had a very mean/aggressive rooster, who they got rid of.  I offered to relocate one of my two gentlemen Roosty Junior's  to them.  I hear he has acclimated very well, and is happy in his new home with his new ladies.  Three roosters was too many at my farm, so it worked out well all around.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

this Winter's tenant



There are many seasonal occupants taking shelter from the weather out in my big barn, the cutest being my friend Amy's UK-made 1967 Sunbeam Minx - classiest little classic ever.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

chicken scratch


'

When I feed the chickens, sometimes the rabbits camp out underneath the feed table, because they LOVE chicken scratch, a mix of corn and other coarsely chopped grains. Here's my bun Blackie, happily parked underneath the chicken table at feeding time (the chickens don't mind her at all), eating her fill, with chicken feed all over her head.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Thanksgiving bartering: a series



serious trading happening at the Saturday farmers market this week: above, carrots and more carrots, frisee lettuce, brussel sprout staff, hot & spicy Smelt City Pickles from Boyne City


Spinach, spinach, spinach, and chard


Beets, beets, and purple kale


a nice squash, fingerling potatoes, and fancy dried mushrooms (honeys and hedgehogs)


Sunday, November 22, 2015

sky study #138



No filter at all on this fully purple sunrise Monday, November 16th, 2015

Saturday, November 21, 2015

for the weird egg file



Thick, wrinkled shell on an egg collected this week - sometimes they have a few pleats, but I've never seen one like this


Friday, November 20, 2015

inspector Buffy



Cheese room renovation update: concrete footings approved, plumbing approved, insulating foam board down - next up: concrete floor being poured.  Buffy the hen approves!