Patience

It's been quite awhile and many little victories have amassed - I grew a whole patch of pumpkins and despite the squash bugs forcing me to put chickens in my patch and pluck several bugs off-plant and into water bowl for the chickens I did get 2 dozen pumpkins ranging from small to medium. I also harvested acorn squash, tomatoes and cukes. The best day this fall was not any of these though, it was the day my husband, Todd, harvested his first honey!!! You have to understand, this is the third year he's kept bees and the fourth colony he's raised - so we joke that it is $400 honey but it is a deep gold and as delicious as any I've ever tasted. We worked together to extract it and bottle it and though we got just enough to share with a few family members and for our pantry it was amazing to finally harvest it.

Finally a Sincere Pumpkin Patch

After three years of little or no fruit I had soil tested, amended and Voila! Finally a small but serious patch of a couple dozen hearty pumpkins! This may seem insignificant to some but it is a big improvement over the frustration of seeing the flowers and vines but no fruit season after season. Our little farm is also rocking the acorn squash this year, along with a few tomatoes and cukes and hopefully some sweet potatoes...

The hens have stopped laying - Hmmmm - molting, earthquake (8/23/11 at 1:51 p.m.), hurricane (8/27/2011) or not enough light (my son is in charge of them and a late sleeper - not an excellent combination). We may be starting with a new flock next year...

The honeybees have come through this year! We should have several pounds of honey in the next few weeks! Like the pumpkins, this has been awhile in the making but we're starting to get the hang of farming!

Wal-nots? F-duh, US-duh and other unhealthy alphabet soup...

Walnuts are Drugs Says FDA
It is heartening that people are trying to get back to whole food - food that energizes and builds your systems and fuels you for good works. It is also obvious that we must work at this individually, locally and with a discerning attitude.

I spotted a saying yesterday:

Real eyes
realize
real lies

It is time to stop looking to (or if you are already working toward self-sufficiency, allowing)the administration of this country to tell free citizens what or what not to do. I don't mean traffic signals or fraudulent contracts - there certainly is a place for building infrastructure and judging acts that violate civil liberties (with appropriate due process, not via an agency designed to skirt the people's voice in lawmaking). But the public servants of the U.S. government (the government being the people) are so desperate to be indispensable they entrench themselves in areas that should be left to each individual, family and community. If I wish to obtain and eat a walnut, or even gather and sell them then I should have the freedom to do so. If I do not do my research then yes I might become ill or I might be creating an opportunity for some other easily led soul to become ill. I will suffer the natural consequences either way. Is it easier to pay a behemoth administration do the research and caution me - probably - but if I give up my responsibility I also give up my freedom and leave my future to the agenda, which may or may not be in my best interest, or others. The odds for a meaningful and fulfilling existence are better if I take care of myself, if my family makes it's own food choices and if my local community reaches out face to face with those who cannot do these things for themselves. We must strive, through research, education and our own hands-on experience to cultivate real eyes so we can think and act for ourselves. Easier said than done? Sure. Are we up to the task? More than we know. Worth it? Definitely.

Isn't water a miracle?

One of my favorite chores is watering. Not only is it sheer pleasure on an August day in the south but there is something so satisfying about providing the animals with clean, clear drinking vessels. They know it too. As soon as it is filled, the chickens flock to their trough, dipping their beaks and raising their feathered heads to throw back the cool drops. Even when the dogs have more than half a bowl I rinse and refresh it - I know the treat fresh water is in my glass and I'm sure they prefer it fresh also. A shower is better than morning coffee to me and cleaning is so much easier when water can wash away the impurities. I'm afraid we take it for granted because I know there are many on this earth who struggle for clean water. Water is life!

Weeds

At a conference I once heard, "A weed is just a plant in a place someone doesn't want it to be." I have yet to try cooking up some dandelion greens but I am currently battling a garden plot that really weeded up while we were away for awhile. There is so much time to think while you are weeding by hand. The sermon last Sunday meditated on the lesson about what kind of ground we are - what seeds planted within us will do. Will they be scorched on barren ground? Will they have trouble rooting in rocky soil? Will they get choked out by thorns (weeds?) or will they flourish in fertile depths? Of course the more you as nurturer are prepared - by yourself, by others, by a higher power - the more likely the latter will occur. It definitely takes some work to ensure personal growth. Yes, sometimes a seed simply falls and finds the right purchase. You've had that surprise cucumber or melon plant next to the compost. Generally though, fruit-bearing plants require some tending. I dreaded digging into that overgrown plot but what do you know? The weeds had spread but much of the ground cover led to central roots. When I found the root and pulled, much more ground was exposed than I had imagined. Where I was sure I saw thousands of weeds there were only hundreds. In the same way something we dread can be daunting but once we delve in and attempt to find the root of the problem, much more is solved than we had imagined. Whether we find a positive use for the weeds in our lives or discern the root and remove them by it, addressing weeds will create a more fruitful life.

Mamas, let your babies grow up to be farmers!

From "Flavor" magazine, this editorial by Joel Salatin encourages moms (and dads) to encourage young farmers for the good of us all:


Noble Farming by Joel Salatin

It is on page 17 & 18 of the electronic magazine.

Happy Mother's Day!

Have a COW, man!

Well as of Thursday we own a cow. Well, part of a cow anyway - a Jersey. Her name is Daisy and she lives at Myrtle Acres Farm. This is an amazing arrangement whereby we don't have to milk twice a day but get some of the milk and cream she gives! We did some research into raw milk before we chose this path. Apparently those against the consumption of raw milk present the argument that someone MAY get sick from drinking it, since the pasteurization process has not taken place (and btw most of the cons are from government and, I suspect, dairy industry lobbyists). The pro side suggests that there are many health benefits to raw milk and that the good organisms are done in along with the bad when you pasteurize. Unless your system is already compromised in some way (weak immune system, for example) and provided the milk is handled correctly (which is true of store-bought milk as well) then it is just fine. The family that boards the cows told us that they had extreme lactose intolerance in the family and once they got the cows and started with the raw milk they were able to eat/drink it in any form and no problems (except they've had to clip their fingernails more often). Let's face it, if raw milk was a problem we wouldn't be here, would we? Generations grew strong on its benefits. It is also delicious! We have made butter and a Banana Cream Pie from scratch so far. Just a cold glass is heaven!

What are you worth?

I was discussing this beef article:
http://www.alternet.org/environment/144904/yummy!_ammonia-treated_pink_slime_now_in_most_u.s._ground_beef?page=1
with my husband this morning and he made a really good point. If you buy or choose not to buy from a major food/retail chain, you are a fraction of a penny in their eyes. If you buy or choose not to buy from your local farmer you are $7 a pound, a $26/mo. CSA share, and, over time, much, much more! The source you can look in the eye will always be the source that cares more - about your business, about the quality of the product, about you. When we shopped at Harvest Market the other day my son was much more interested in the process than he usually is when I grocery shop and when we left he said, "Those people were friendlier than the people at the other groceries." What are you worth? Are you worth a fraction of a cent or much, much more?

Harvest Market - Spotsylvania County Eat Local!

People of Spotsy County no longer have to wait until Saturdays from April - October to find local foods! A new business has opened at Spotsylvania Courthouse called "Harvest Market". They have meat and vegetables from local sources and many organic and whole food brands as well. We had some Pop Weaver's pork last week that was fabulous! Food from small local farms tends to run more expensive than large chain food, but you know the source and reduce the cost to our environment, while keeping your dollar in our community! In a recent article in the Free Lance Star ( http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/042011/04142011/619642 ), the owners cited health as their main impetus for opening. There are so many long-term reasons to eat local, whole food. I sometimes have sticker shock, but I've made a goal to buy a certain amount of my groceries from them each week - helping them stay in business while staying within my own budget. Harvest Market actually seems to be doing well - they are on the way to everywhere for anyone at or south of Spotsylvania Courthouse! Check out their link below and happy eating!

Everyday is Earth Day

I heard a story a few days ago about a new day of recognition, "Whole Food Day". My gut reaction to this compartmentalization of concepts that should be innate and organic is puzzlement and frustration. I suppose it is all well and good to draw attention to the cause but inevitably the commercial agendas creep in, in fact probably created this false focus to begin with. The people who truly support these concepts try to live them consistently even when no one is looking. I'm sure there are well-meaning participants who wish to pass along the practices of stewardship and nutrition to their offspring. What's wrong with a little fun and celebration of precious natural resources? Nothing, as long as we don't lose the awareness and the effort the day after. Usually the worthwhile result eludes the easy fix. So when the soy banners come down, the fumes from the food vendor trucks settle and the grass grows back from all the foot traffic, we must remember to revere Mother Nature in the small hours of each and every day.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

One of the first books I read going into the quest for whole food. This family endeavored to buy only local foods to eat. Interesting and informative! Go to: http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

Farmers' Markets Opening Everywhere

Our local farm market has been open here in middle Virginia for a few weeks now. Find a local farm market or farm store in your area and take the Eat Local Challenge! (See "String Bean" links below for resources).

Oh yeah, I'm human...

So whole food and the quest for it is a rewarding journey but, as with anything worthwhile, it isn't always easy. Last week I got the inevitable blister from raking a garden bed to prepare it for planting (yes, I was wearing gloves - they were loose - so "wear snug work gloves" should be the warning, I guess)and today I got stitches. I was making a dish for a potluck and, being out of an ingredient, was attempting to make my own. While I thought I had proper control of the food processor blade (it was on its way to the sink) it slipped and grazed my hand. Knowing how sharp these things are I backed up but my feet didn't get quite out of the way. 10 stitches later I have my foot propped up and never did make it to the potluck! In this case, homemade was NOT best!! :)

Farming Friends

Not only am I making new (and edifying) friends all the time as we get our place up and running, but I have discovered that many friends I grew up with are pursuing efforts fostering nature as well. Susan writes grants to endow the nature center where, as a youngster, I first held a snake, encountered a three-legged opossum, and observed an owl up-close. Jeff is delving into catfish farming among other agricultural pursuits. Beth keeps sheep and horses and border collies (see her blog too at ewechicksandallama.blogspot.com ). These are fun,intelligent people helping to sustain their families and communities. The best part? There is always room at the table for more!

Black gold

Found a lovely horse farm with tons of "black gold" - nicely composted, thank you! Better yet it is complimentary (thanks, horses!) - this year is the year of the pumpkin patch at our house! Let the soil amending begin!

The Beauty of Creation