Me: What's in the bucket, Edie?
Edie Strawberry Shortcake: 'member we talked about this Mum? My name's Strawberry Shortcake Barbie Cinderella but my nickname's Strawberry Shortcake. These are strawberries and mint from the garden.
We made some ice tea with the mint, and jam with the strawberries. There's oodles and oodles more. And some flowers, too:
I know, my puns are getting weaker and weaker; I'll blame it on the hormones like everything else. Our little not-so-underground-anymore (they asked me to take pictures for the local paper - you know, because they know about the blog now - kidding! Because I was the only nerd with a camera) farmer's coalition meeting this weekend encompassed a tour of these two member's farm. It was really quite outstanding. The husband having been born on the homestead in a little cabin still standing there across the garden way and his parents have been farming there forever so everything is super established. The amount of food they produce is inspiring. They only spend about $100 a month on toilet paper I think they said (don't drink the water from the tap). We had our usual amazing potluck and our hosts brought to the table borscht made with only ingredients they grew or raised, fresh baked multi-grain bread and the most amazing canned peaches straight from their orchid. It was heaven. Among the eye candy we saw ducks, chickens, beehives, cows...
...cutes looking at cows...
... and cutes hiding under their mamas' new skirts they just made.
This is the under skirt I wore to the tour and I then finished the apron overlay on Sunday just in time for our dinner guests' arrival (can you tell my energy's creeping back?) but haven't had a chance/keep forgetting to get a picture of it. Chances are good it will happen soon since I've been wearing it everyday since (well, it's only been two days this morning I guess, but I want to wear it everyday). And that's my girl, Peggy! She's my sewing/knit buddy and I'm her cake tester. She makes amazing cake. AND, she's the farmer behind the famous Fabulous Farms. Her fabulousness has been captured here before. Oh yeah, she's a natural building specialist, too. She helped us finish some plastering in our house before we moved in here. There's nothing this woman can't do!
It's been a dreary week but it's promising to be a scorcher of a weekend. Perfect for gardening. Unless it's too hot. Man, I'm picky these days. I'm looking forward to sewing up another gardening outfit. Turns out we're going to take care of our next door neighbor's garden as they'll be away this summer. This works out just fine for we're just working on getting our soil establish, saving up for some serious deer fencing to keep our pet deer out and general need to get organized.
So this works out for all parties involved. This garden's a short, magical stroll/tricycle ride away and is nicely established and brimming with strawberries, raspberries and a cozy vine-covered gazebo that grows tasty grapes that will also nicely shade Edie's turtle sandbox.
And the progression of the Happy House garden. Craig rototilled a large circle (ooooo, circles!) around the pre-pubescent maple tree and (now) we're thinking of overlapping circles around and around, kind of like Olympic rings (not to get all controversial).
One of the many original plans that have been scrapped. But the fun is in the process and team-building exercises, right? Here's a fun website for other garden hoes. Happy gardening/gardening outfit making!
I went to this farm to get a good cow shot but they saw me whip out my camera and booked. Our little family joined a newly formed Farmer Coalition in the area. Man, I love our world here. Where else would a farmer's meeting begin with an "OM" chant? Our intention is to grow as much of our own food as our time and energy can muster. We're talking veggies, fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, chickens, lambs, goat milk; hmmm.... so much to take on but the time can add up. Start small is the sage advice given to us from some of these long time farmers.
Edie and I went yesterday to visit this farm which has been established for generations. The husband was actually born and raised in this little cabin! Can you say air conditioned? Their operation here is really inspiring. Pretty much completely self-sustainable. They claim to only spend around 100 bucks on grocery a months. Imagine how much fibre that budgetary freedom can buy! Although, plans are still in place for Horniman Sheep.
Spring is just around the corner in these parts and we're getting really stoked on seeing our green dreams fruitate (did I just make up a word?). Aligning with these kind, enlightened people is really a huge blessing. Lots of talk during the breakfast meeting was on sharing (and committees) of knowledge, tools, machinery, bounty, ideas. Even a cow share program. Ooooo! And another thing brought up was a Farmer's Market in town on Sundays! I'm going to get cranking and pump out more wares and see if I can trick the tourists into buying some of my creations. The local seed exchange is happening this Sunday and Craig and I are
registered to take the Permaculture course together this year. It's a
two week intensive in May (I'm already bracing myself for separation anxiety from my monkey). Like Edie sez "I'm so excited!!" (in case you can't tell from my hyper-blabbering)!
There was actually seven but the seven garden tour wouldn't sound like the Gilligan's Island theme now would it? As you may notice, I added a new catagory to the left. We went on the local art and garden tour yesterday and now I'm super inspired to build us a gardening oasis wherever we decide to plant our roots. I have so much to learn but man, things grow pretty here!
This has been a month of reflection for us - flip flopping between building our little strawbale dream house or foregoing the stress of building and added expense (now that building costs have risen to $230 per square foot!) so to see all these lovingly cultured homes and pep talking with their owners has really instilled in us again the desire to make a go at the Horniman.
Either build on our blank canvass but if one of these places came up for sale... hmmmm...
