Friday, April 20, 2007

THIS...FOR THAT....


THIS.... is what I have to do in order to protect the baby lettuce and cilantro seeds from being scratched and pecked at! I sowed seed this afternoon, and before I could let the hens out for their afternoon foray, I had to scrounge up some leftover chicken wire and fi-nagle it over and around the newly planted bed!

My trusty watering can, filled with some organic concoction from last years Fulton St. Farmers Mkt...somewhat guaranteed to produce healthier, tastier, better-for-you, produce. I'm for anything that comes with a promise.

THIS is the expected results of todays labor. Cilantro for that extra-special touch to my homemade salsa. And Salad Bowl lettuce lettuce, picked while young and tender. yum...



And at the end of a long day of gardening?
A bowl of popcorn, a Country Gardens magazine, and a dirty martini.
Deckside, of course!

Pin It!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

THAT'S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SUNDAY!



One of the best things about having a big (5 children) family is there is always one of 'em around! This past sunday we had everyone except my son-in-law over for beef on the grill and a bit of outdoor fun.
Here is my 6 yo grandson, Austin. The only grandchild so far, so he's pretty much on his own when he comes to visit, unless his uncle Sam hangs with him.


My future son-in-law John, with Farmboy. I love how John fits right in with the family!

The happy couple!
Our oldest daughter Giselle, and her fiance, John.
Wedding date set for: July 21, 2007
Note the drink in John's hand. John does not really "drink" per se...however...
when in Rome do as the Romans do! And he always takes one of whatever we happen to be concocting that day.
Sunday was Margueritas!!!
Pin It!

Monday, April 16, 2007

HOW DOES MY GARDEN GROW?


How DOES my garden grow?
Not too bad, considering we had an unexpected 6" of snow dumped on us less than one week ago!

One of my favorites: fuzzy Lambs Ear. It has the most unusual flower later in the summer, with a muted lavender color. Spreads like crazy, and is always one of the first perennials up in the spring. That alone is worthy of high praise!

Yellow Yarrow...another perennial favorite. I have other colors of yarrow growing in the perennial garden, but the yellow is my favorite. So cheery and bright, it is a welcome sight in and amongst the pinks and purples that predominate here.

How is YOUR garden growing?

This week I am sowing cilantro, salad bowl lettuce, and lots and lots of white alyssum!
Pin It!

Saturday, April 07, 2007

I'M ALIVE!!!

I LIVE, I LIVE, BECAUSE YOU ARE RISEN!
I LIVE, I LIVE, WITH POWER OVER SIN!
I LIVE, I LIVE, BECAUSE YOU ARE RISEN!
I LIVE, I LIVE, TO WORSHIP YOU!
THANK YOU, JESUS!
THANK YOU, JESUS!
BECAUSE YOU'RE ALIVE...
BECAUSE YOU'RE ALIVE...
BECAUSE YOUR ALIVE....
I LIVE!

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25-26

May YOU have the hope that I have.
The JOY that I have.
The PEACE that I have.

And may you have the most blessed of Easters.
Pin It!

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

AS SEEN ON TV!!


Sometime back in '06 I had admired the fine chopping abilities of my daughter, Gina. Not her doing, she confessed. She had succumbed to a grocery store demo of a handy dandy food chopper and THAT was what was giving her salsa the perfect,evenly chopped veggies.
She remembered my lust, and for Christmas she went online and found me the exact same chopper! So now, when I am making homemade salsa from fresh tomatoes, or soup that uses a LOT of diced onions, I do not turn to my trusty Cuisinart, but to my "As seen on TV...FOOD CHOPPER"! I don't really feel like I am cheating on my favorite kitchen appliance, but just getting my needs met in a faster, cleaner, way!

Cuisinart has nothing to worry about.
I will ALWAYS come back to him.

REALLY!


Pin It!

Sunday, April 01, 2007

FARMGIRLCYN AND THE CSA


No, I haven't joined a secret organization connected with the government. I am definitely NOT involved with the mafia, or drug runners! And I am NOT a menber of the local PTA, PTO, or FYI!

Instead.... I have joined a CSA!

Trillium Haven Farms

Here is a little bit of info off their web page...

At the heart of our farm is our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture); agriculture as it was meant to be, a center for community life. As opposed to purchasing produce in a warehouse-like grocery store, our “shareholders” receive their produce through an intimate relationship with our farm. They know their farmers and the soil their produce is grown in.

The concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is simple:

  • Each year you buy a “share” of the harvest, becoming a “shareholder” of the farm.
  • The yearly share price supports the actual running of the farm.
  • In return, the farm supplies each shareholder with their weekly share of produce based on the actual production of the farm.

Now, what this means for Cyn and her family is this....For a measly $415 a season (1st of June thru the end of Oct.) I will get 2-4 grocery bags of fresh, organic produce, ranging from lettuce, peas, spinach and radishes in June, to pumpkins, potatoes, onions and brussel sprouts in October! Produce that has seen neither hide nor hair of:pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers!
Can anybody shout "Halleluiah and Amen"?
I first encountered Trillium Haven Farms at our local farmers market. (which, by the way, I had to drive half an hour, or more, on a Saturday morning, to get to)
The long lines, and the fact that they were an organic farm, were what first caught my eye.(ouch!) And after purchasing from them week after week after week, I knew I had to have more. I was able to talk with Anja, the wife of the husband/wife team that runs Trillium, and her enthusiasm was contagious! She told me about the CSA and said if I was interested for next year, to look them up in the spring of '07. Thnkfully, when I called this week, she said there were a few spots left for "farm pick-up". If I have a choice, and the choices are separated only by a few cents a pound, I will always choose organic. And organics, raised within 9 minutes of Cyn's pseudo farmette, is even better! So every Tuesday from June thru October, you will find me picking up my goody bags from Trilliums.

So now, what does Cyn grow in HER potager?

Perhaps some heirloom tomatoes (as nothing beats a tomato fresh off the vine!), and some basil, of which one can never have enough of, and maybe some rosemary....who can roast a Sunday chicken w/o rosemary???

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING!!!
Pin It!