Local Food

When I traveled to Decorah earlier this year, I visited the Oneota Co-op Grocery Store and was in total amazement by the variety of products, the fair prices, and the number of people shopping in there. So, when I read this, I was really encouraged that people in the main stream might be "getting it."

We've been trying to pull our weight at Gracious Acres, too. Many of our meals feature at least one local food. We're so lucky to have Sugar Creek Farm beef and chicken - - yum! We had a roast the other night and then used the left overs to make a hearty beef and (thick) egg noodle dish. So satisfying on a cold, rainy fall evening. I also dug up the last row of potatoes (Red Norlands or Pontiacs, can't remember) and got another five-gallon pail to use over the next couple months; hopefully they keep. We shredded potatoes a couple months ago and they're in the freezer now. We have homemade pickles at almost every meal, and we still have a few garden tomatoes (from my mom).

We can usually get three to four meals off of one of SCF's chickens. I roast it all day at 275, so it's super tender and juicy. The meat on one breast will usually feed all three of us! Then, I make a casserole, quesadillas, and a noodle dish with the left overs. I totally can't throw anything away!

Local. Food. Good!

Family photo shoot

From yesterday:

From zen to zero in 24 hours flat

ZEN:
Spent the weekend in St. Paul at Women of Faith (WOF). WOF was awesome, as usual, and I brought along 14 ladies from church (several who had never been).

I have to admit, the whole time I was in the Twin Cities, I couldn't help but watch over my shoulder in case Cathy Z was around. Ok, so I'm a "fan." Yeah, so what?! We had some time to shop at the Mall of America (lots of time spent at Archivers) and I kept thinking, "is she around the corner and I'm just gonna happen to bump into her?" How would I react - - probably like a star-struck idiot. No sign of cz, but I did buy this.

ZERO:
Then, I come home and go to cz's blog (still on my "links" list "in memoriam"). She's been talking about giving up the blog for a bit. Then, she did the unthinkable! She completely removed it!!! **sniffle**

ZEN:
While I was away, DH was very busy working on projects around the house. He cut a vent into the wall so the warm air from the corn stove can drift upstairs, hung the new front storm door, installed a new smoke alarm, and cleaned the house! He even made a batch of chili and chocolate chip cookies. In fact, he's making a batch of my favorite cookies (oatmeal raisin) right now. Nope, not trading him in for a while.

ZERO:
The chickens have really laid off laying eggs (1-3 a day). We were so spoiled for so long with 4-6 a day! The power was installed in the new building a couple days ago, so we'll drag a line from the new building to the chicken coop to keep a little extra light and heat for the girls this winter. Maybe that will help a bit.

I've been tagged...

by Tracey Kendall to post five weird things about me. Like I can narrow it down to only five?!

1. I try to turn every hobby I have into a business. Duh, just figured out that's why they're called "hobbies" not "occupations." Photography, scrapbooking, gardening, you name it - - I try to make a business out of it. Not every passion has to be a vocation.

2. According to my DH, I fold towels and t-shirts in a strange way and I'm super-protective about it. Got that from my mom. But they sure seem to fit on the shelf and in the drawer a lot better when I fold them!

3. I bite my nails - - but not if I have acrylics put on. I just don't get that.

4. I really like chickens. Always have. Not the white, run-of-the-mill broiler-type chickens, but exotic and heritage breed birds. Blame that on Martha Stewart.

5. Speaking of Martha Stewart, I'd still spend the day with her over Rachael Ray or Oprah Winfrey. Martha ROCKS!

There, now my friends, family, and neighbors can actually prove that I'm weird, not just secretly think it.

Now, I tag anyone who wants to participate. Come on, you know you want to share a little something "weird" about yourself!

A little fall fun

DH and I celebrated our seventh anniversary on Monday! Wow, never thought I could commit to anything or anyone for that long. Must be a God-thing. Love ya, babe!

Mom came over last night and we had the last tomatoes of the season on blt's with homemade mac & cheese. DD has a Gooseberry Patch calendar/idea book and she found some "spider cupcakes" that she wanted to make. It was like Christmas with all the decorations and crazy ideas -- so fun!What's that on DD's face? Well, she got into a tussle with a table at daycare the other day and the table won. The inside of her mouth is all tore up, but she doesn't seem to be bothered by it too much. She ate lots of bacon last night, and didn't complain once about the salt getting into the sore. Ouch! She also has another ear infection, so she's on antibiotics. She had tubes put in years ago, but I think they're not as effective as they once were.

The trip to Vegas was pretty good. I don't really care to go back. Not sure why they promote it as a "family friendly destination." The only reason I would take DD there is to show her what NOT to do! Everything was very expensive. I got a great tan, though! Last one of the year; I really soaked up the sun! Suffice it to say, these guys were not my lunch dates (oh, how I wish):

Heading to Women of Faith in St. Paul this weekend with 15 ladies from our church. I'm really looking forward to that -- I'm needing a little spiritual pick-me-up.

This is what happens when "Dancing With The Stars" is on at Gracious Acres:

Vegas, here I come

[photo courtesy of Wikipedia]

I'm heading out to Las Vegas tomorrow for work. Up until yesterday, I was dreading this trip. But, this is my first (and most likely only) trip to the Entertainment Capital of the World, so I'll make the most of it. Take in a few sights, people watch . . . oh, yeah, and do some work, too.

Of course, CSI (Las Vegas) is on right now and I'm back to being a bit freaked out by the whole trip, as I'm going solo . . . I'll keep you posted.

Just a little humor, folks

For those of you who actually thought I was serious (*ahem*) about giving up the chickens and the garden for a full fledged perennial biz, I was just kidding!

My humor sure isn't coming across as sarcastic and caustic as it once did. Guess I lost my funny bone mojo, too.

Taking pictures for others has really put a huge dent in my personal photo gallery - - pretty obvious considering the lack of photos of DD and DH. Hmmmmmm...?! What to do! I'm not complaining about having the opportunity to capture other families, I just have to find the "balance" in it all.

My great aunt & uncle will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary later this month, so I took a few photos to commemorate this wonderful occasion.

I remember when I was little, I would visit them - - it was so much fun. They had a beautiful collie named "Lassie" (of course). They were always so patient and kind to me; I am so lucky to have them in my life.

Getaway weekend

We had a nice getaway this past weekend. DH's former co-worker, Tom, got married in Owatonna (MN). DD stayed at Gramma Kay's and Tucker (the dog) stayed with Gramma Deb. Neighbor Laurie took care of the chickens. (Thanks, y'all!)

The wedding itself was probably the most unique I've ever been to (honestly, I haven't been to a lot of weddings). The ceremony was held in a small country church with about 30 guests. DH was the only person in a suit (including the bridal party). The groomsmen wore black slacks and white shirts with a teal Hawaiian tie. The bridesmaids wore teal peasant skirts, a silk chemise and a white big shirt. The bride wore a lovely candlight satin gown with beading and a veil. The groom wore a sage green shirt with a teal Hawaiian tie. The groom came into the sanctuary 15 minutes before the ceremony and played the harp (he is an AMAZING musician). The ceremony was short (25 minutes) and sweet with no solo or unity candle. No rice thrown as the couple left the church. The reception was held at the Eagles Club in Owatonna. No big cake, no dance. Just a very nice dinner with 80 or so guests. We were back in our hotel room by 8:30 pm. On Sunday, we enjoyed a beautiful walk through Kaplan's Woods and took the scenic route home. On the way, we stopped by Sugar Creek Farm. Matt & Kelli graciously took time from their Sunday dinner and visited for about half an hour - - they even sent some sweet potatoes home with us (yummy!). We picked up the dog and the kid and finally got home in time for Extreme Home Makeover. It's so nice to get away from it all every once in a while.

The Flower Farm

Forget the chickens and the vegetable garden and the fledgling orchard, Gracious Acres will soon become a perennial farm. A good friend shared his amazing wealth of perennials with me recently and Saturday was "planting day." My mom and Uncle George came over in the morning and helped enlarge a bed . . . . . . planted more in the shade garden . . . . . . then neighbor Laurie came over in the afternoon and helped create this. . .. . . then I tore out old, overgrown perennials in the square bed and created this. . .
Fortunately, there was plenty to share with my awesome helpers.
We had a water line installed in the new building and this is what they left me with: DH says it will settle - - huh?!
Our solitary apple tree has produced the most gorgeous and tasty apples this year. They have a full, tart flavor (perfect for caramel apples!). I think their health is a result of having the chickens free range - - fertilizing the ground and eating the insects that normally devour the apples.

This calls for a federal holiday

The price of gas in Bondurant, Iowa yesterday at 4:45 pm. Yippee. Yes, I filled 'er up.

DH and DD are heading to the lake this weekend. DH's mom sold the cabin there and they're going up to help her close it up. I know it will be a sad time for them (so many wonderful memories were made there), but I pray that we can all find a new place to make many more memorable moments.

Add "record producer" to my credits. This project for work has really come a long way! I'm thrilled with the talent of the local performers we have on our holiday music sampler cd. So far, we have a rock band, a string quartet, a bluegrass band, Sweet Adelines, Men's Chorus, barbershop quartet, a guitar & violin duet, and the community band. It ROCKS! We will wrap up the recording on October 3rd and send it off to be mastered and then reproduced in Texas. It will be on the shelves by mid-November...whew!

Any day now

Any Day Now

The leaves will flash their brilliant inner beauty
Geese will fill the skies calling for all to follow them southward
The air will have a bite of cold against the warm ground
Frost will glisten on the tips of the black eyed susans

Nature will glorify God's earthly creations.

Fall is here!

And my allergies & "annual fall head cold" have settled in. Blech!

I absolutely love this time of year when the days are warm and the nights are cold, the leaves reveal their inner fire, and the fruit of the apple tree is irresistable to young & old alike.

Believe it or not, it's also time to think about Christmas card photos! I had a shoot today and here are a few "keepers" . . .

Lovin' this

The local community college bond referendum passed last night -- that means the downtown theater will be restored as a multi-use facility for performing arts and college classes. It also means that a new student activity center will be built on the campus and that a new welding lab/technology center will be built adjacent to DH's building!

DD's elementary open house was last night - - what a riot! Tons of kids and their parents (& grandparents) were there to tour the school, meet the teachers, and meet each other. DD was so proud to show us where she sits, the activity stations, her art & music rooms, and where she eats lunch. Wishing I would have brought my camera.

Kinda lost my mojo lately with taking pictures. I'll call it a "creative lull." Need to get it back by Friday, though . . . Craft Night at church!

Here are a few of the photos I took of the family a couple weeks ago: More will be posted here later today.

It's called "Labor Day" for a reason

As many of you know, there is rarely a time when there is nothing to be done on a farm (no matter how small it is). Especially during long weekends. Such was the case at Gracious Acres this weekend.

DH checked several things off his list this weekend by getting the new corn stove installed. We stoked it up last night and sweated just to enjoy the "first fire of the season." It will be so nice to have that going this winter!

He also accomplished a lot out at the workshop, getting trim on the windows and doors, "skinning" it with metal coil stock (never needs paint!), and getting a good start on the siding.

The lawn had to be mowed . . . again. I guess we're finally paying for not having to mow during the month of June! It would be so bad if the belt on the blades didn't break half way through the job. Thankfully, we have a "standby" riding mower.

Sent these to my friend (the mother of the twin boys) and I got a nice call from her on Sunday as she was walking through Central Park in NYC.

I figured the boys needed something "countrified" being in the big city & all. I made the monogram placards from paper scraps & tied them with ribbon so they can be hung on a hook, doorknob, or corner of the crib. Fun little project.

NO WAY!

The odd little sub-culture of scrapbookers has actually drawn the attention of a documentary filmmaker and this is the resulting product. Who's in for a local movie premiere/crop night?

Houston, we have a problem

DD had a major meltdown at school this morning. DH brought her to daycare late and she had missed the bus, so he brought her to school and ended up having "security" pry her off of him. As he's walking (running) out of the classroom, she's wailing "Daddy, don't leave me here...I'll be good...don't go." Par for the course - - this is exactly what I went through on her first day of Kindergarten.

Rewind to 6:30 this morning when we all get out of bed, happy as can be. And then that silly "Time Monster" steals many minutes from our well-planned morning. By 7:30, we're rushing around the house, trying to get going, fighting about what DD is wearing, what day of the week it is, when Sharing Day is (DD and DH think it's today as I'm looking at the sheet from school that says it's tomorrow).

How can a little family like ours be so dis-organized? I pride myself on being a person who's got it together - - I need help! Any ideas out there?

One of these things is not like the other

Found in the chicken house on Saturday: Friday night was the annual back to school pool party at DH's boss's house. DD swam the whole time. Entertainment by an Elvis impersonator and some "groupies/lounge lady" act.

DH worked on the new building most of the weekend. Mom & Neighbor Laurie came over on Saturday to help can - - 27 pints of salsa and 6 quarts of stewed tomatoes. Gramma K volunteered to watch DD Saturday night so DH & I could go out (woo hoo!). Of course, we took her up on the offer and went to the 99 cent theater in GC and saw "Miami Vice." Not bad.

After church on Sunday, went to Pine Lake to do a photo shoot for the Simpson Family. Very fun (learned a lot). Photos coming soon.

DD and her buddy:

Look what Daddy brought home!

Yes, that's an accordion (or "doodlezak" as my Grampa Carbo & Great Grampa Carl would call it). DH thought it would be neat for DD to have one after hearing all the stories at my family reunion a couple weeks ago. Gee, thanks, dear. We've got a regular little family band going with DH on the mandolin he recently purchased and DD on the accordion. Notice how my little wunder-kind has been sent outside to practice...
Happy Birthday, Gramma K!

I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

by Victor Buono

World, I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress.. with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I Trust You'll Treat Her Well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school.

And never again will she be completely mine...

Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse...

Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.

Now, she will learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called...

She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines...

She will learn to giggle and gossip... and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.

Now she will learn to be jealous...and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside...and now she will learn how not to cry. No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk...

Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew.

Now she will worry about important things...like grades...and what dresses to wear...and whose best friend is whose. Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time... and staying after school...and which little girls like which little boys...And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls.

And she'll find her new heroes. For five full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus...her pal and playmate...her parent and friend. Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right).

No longer will her parents be the smartest, and greatest in the world. Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group...with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies don't laugh out loud...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or watch ants scurry across the cracks in a summer sidewalk...

Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress... and I'll stand on the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman.

So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL.

*sniffle*

My baby went to Kindergarten yesterday. She has been so excited for like the last two months and was babbling about how great it would be up to the moment we stepped into her classroom. Then (out of the blue), my independent and confident little trouper turned into a cling-on! She did not want me to leave, she wanted to go home, she did not want to be a Kindergartner! After some tense moments (as if it wasn't hard enough for me already), some bribing ("ice cream after school"), and downright threats ("no more movies this week"), she finally let me leave.

She was fine, she did get ice cream and she did get to watch a movie when she got home. I know, I'm a sucker!