Don't Point Your Feet

gonna warm my bones

2012-01-16T10:26:00.000-05:00

i didn't even know i wanted an owl

2012-01-11T10:15:00.000-05:00

until just now.

you get what you need -

2012-01-09T21:29:00.002-05:00

- when you need it.

Sunset at Gloucester - Winslow Homer

make dinner not war

2011-10-13T10:15:00.002-04:00

I'm finally embracing that I have to make dinner for myself on the regular. As in: every day. Every day. I just did it yesterday, and dinner will be happening again tonight. It's relentless.

I was happy to find this slogan on a dinner: a love story ::::

Their recipes have to be good. The bumper sticker is too catchy for mediocrity.

Ear Candy: Sunny Road

2011-10-12T10:15:00.000-04:00

keep a record.

2011-10-11T10:15:00.000-04:00

anne and christie are. looks great.

Missed Connections :: Sophie Blackall

2011-10-10T18:40:00.006-04:00

Unbelievable Moustache on the C
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
-w4m - 28 (Chelsea)
You: tall, brown hair, incredibly voluminous moustache, blue/green checkered shirt
Me: tall, blonde, wearing all black and Burberry rain boots
I boarded the uptown C train at 14th Street at around 10:50 on Tuesday morning. You got off at 23rd. You were staring at me. Hard. You're really really really ridiculously good-looking.

Hipster Chick Who Passed Gas
Monday, March 23, 2009
-m4w (Harlem)
Remember? Uptown A train. Sunday at around 9pm. I was the black dude reading Bukowski's Post Office. You were reading the Arts and Leisure section. You passed wind rather loudly and started chuckling. I'd like to see you again. The flatulence wasn't a turn-off.

:::: loving these. more here. buy the book here. ::::

advencha

2011-10-07T09:36:00.005-04:00

A billion years ago (...december of last year...) I e-mailed the photographer that took this knock-ya-back photo to ask his permission to use it on this here blog. He sad yes. I found that e-mail today. Thanks, Nich. It really is something. I'm ready for a snowstorm. Or a Friday working with 30 three-year-olds. same-same.

Photo by Nich McElroy. Go buy some of his art already.

Via Cotty: Jose Gonzalez

2011-08-23T08:44:00.003-04:00

Jose Gonzalez covering Kylie Minogue. Cotty always knows.

Cheerful Conversation and Long Journeys

2011-07-09T20:08:00.008-04:00

Live in rooms full of light
Avoid heavy food
Be moderate in the drinking of wine
Take massage, baths, exercise and gymnastics
Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water
Change surroundings and take long journeys
Strictly avoid frightening ideas
Indulge in cheerful conversations and amusements
Listen to music.
-Aulus Cornelius Celsus, ca. 25 BCE - ca. 50 CE

photo via blackblook

Poppies & Friendship

2011-06-10T14:53:00.002-04:00

Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time.
-Georgia O-Keeffe (painting & quote, both)

oh, anthropologie. you clever.

2011-06-09T10:15:00.005-04:00

"One of our core philosophies," explains Anthropologie president Glen Senk, "is that we spend the money that other companies spend on marketing to create a store experience that exceeds people's expectations. We don't spend money on messages -- we invest in execution."

If you've ever wanted more info on why you're roaming around thinking "I could live here..." while in an Anthropologie read on this.

From the article:
The Anthropologie woman is not so much conflicted as she is resistant to categorization. Her identity is a tangle of connections to activities, places, interests, values, and aspirations. She's not married with two kids: She's a yoga-practicing filmmaker with an organic garden, a collection of antique musical instruments, and an abiding interest in Chinese culture (plus a husband and two kids).

They're wielding a mighty large magnifying-glass over at Anthro, and it is downright fascinating. And probably modeled after one scouted at the sweetest little French flea market you can imagine. I'll admit that I read the article with a mix of respect, captivation, and... well... nausea. Kind of like admiring their wares, and then - oh, right - acknowledging the price tag.

(did you miss the link to the article I'm quoting from up above? here it is again.)

Ernestine Shepherd, Age 74

2011-06-08T10:15:00.001-04:00

World's oldest competitive female bodybuilder :::

Runs at least 10 miles daily :::

Didn't get into exercise until she was 56. amazing.

true story

2011-06-07T16:40:00.005-04:00

"The time to make up your mind about people is never" - Katherine Hepburn via The Philadelphia Story / public :: bookstore

let's go for a run

2011-06-06T16:18:00.004-04:00

I can't remember where I found this, but wish I could give someone the credit! lovely.

Ear Candy: Yellow Alex and the Feelings

2011-06-03T16:01:00.000-04:00

I'm Gonna Make It On My Own by Yellow Alex & the Feelings

this is it.

Ear Candy: Tom Zé

2011-06-03T10:15:00.001-04:00

If your day needs a little bit of Brazilian magic, look no further than right here. Digging it.

light as a

2011-06-02T10:15:00.000-04:00

by Claire Scully

grow your own

2011-06-01T10:15:00.001-04:00

via theindigobunting. love it.

Birches

2011-05-31T10:15:00.000-04:00

by Lisa Congdon

Tangelo

2011-05-30T18:43:00.000-04:00

by Anna Wolf

Blue Ridge Berries

2011-05-25T16:19:00.004-04:00

Thanks, Ira

2011-05-13T14:23:00.003-04:00

Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.

— Ira Glass (via mint)
photo by Stuart Mullenberg

flowers

2011-05-11T10:15:00.001-04:00

by Sara Cwynar

Smells like Spring

2011-05-10T16:54:00.003-04:00

via Piero Fissore

Ear Candy: T. Rex

2011-05-06T18:21:00.000-04:00

Ear Candy: Fleet Foxes

2011-05-03T21:48:00.006-04:00

I love NPR's First Lesson Series, and the fact that they share these albums with you for free before you can own them. Just for the listens. Not for the keeps. So please go enjoy Fleet Foxes' delicious new album Helplessness Blues by clicking this excessively long hyperlinked sentence! xo-pg

I love Katy Perry.

2011-04-29T17:33:00.013-04:00

... and her royal nails celebrating Wills & Kate. Amazing ::::

Totally blew it not taking this morning off to watch the wedding. And in the timeless words of Jack from Will & Grace, I quote, "Love [the dress]. Love everything about you. Thinking about being you for Halloween." For real. Halloween 2011. Let's get some Sarah Burton knock-offs up in Party City.

Ear Candy: Dirty Gold

2011-04-28T10:15:00.001-04:00

Thank you, Becca. xo

Ear Candy: Neko Case

2011-04-27T21:15:00.001-04:00

I had never seen this video until today. In fact, I hardly ever see music videos. I like it, though. I like it.

Ear Candy: Josh Ritter

2011-04-24T23:06:00.001-04:00

Can barely handle it.

PROJECT!!!!

2011-04-18T13:35:00.006-04:00

A friend of mine secured us this sweet space to garden. So I guess these are the "before" pictures, but there also serving double-duty as the "right now" photos::::

We're pretty excited about all the terracing potential.

So far we're just clearing, but soon there will be lettuce! carrots! radishes! and then tomatoes and cucumbers!! ahhh! It's really great to have more space to work with.

Tree Identification

2011-03-30T18:03:00.013-04:00

I walked by a group of trees on my way home from work today, and felt encouraged to go up and give some of them pep talks.

I think it would have gone something like this::

What that frost did to you was just so, so wrong! You deserve better. There you were - out in your best spring outfit - ready for picnics, and sunshine and it just snows all over you! ugh. I think you should move on.

But one of the great things about trees? They don't really need pep talks. They pretty much seem over it. Which is good since I think there's supposed to be another frost tonight.

oh, snap

2011-03-29T15:52:00.003-04:00

Just read this quote that was part of a signature on someone's e-mail ::::

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
-Benjamin Franklin

Baby Bats are the New King Charles Spaniel

2011-03-22T20:53:00.006-04:00

I mean, seriously :::

What sort of degree do I need to go out and earn so that my life might involve swaddling teeny, adorable bats in teeny, pastel blankets? The world is just alarmingly cute sometimes. More on these guys here.

PS - I can't remember what site I originally found this on. My b. Whoever you are, you're a star.

Survey (on Virginia's Food Systems) Says....

2011-03-21T19:31:00.005-04:00

..whatever you want it to!

Share your thoughts with Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and the Virginia Food Council on how to strengthen Virginia's local, regional, and statewide food systems. The results of their research will inform a comprehensive Virginia Farm-to-Table plan, research development, extension education, policy, and funding recommendations and strategies. Link is here. Holllaaaa.

SPRING IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-18T10:15:00.008-04:00

Well la-la-la, and bring on the sunshine! So ready for it. I thought it might be fun to document my house's backyard garden, so here we go:::

We have 4 raised beds, and yesterday I was messing about in two of them. I direct-seeded some spinach, chioggia beets (ahem, the pretty ones with the swirly centers), arugula, two varieties of kale, arugula, and some lettuce. What variety of lettuce?

Drunken woman. Picked because of the name? No doubt.

And on a related note, I also got a little resourceful with row markers ::

It was a Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale in case you were wondering. And it was delicious.

And finally, the addition to the garden I'm MOST excited about :::::

Our new compost bins! Installed by our team of housemates this past weekend. We're going to use the rapid composting method developed by Robert D. Raabe of UC Berkeley. Details here. I'll write more about how it goes, as it all (literally) breaks down.

Anyway, I know our garden isn't the biggest or baddest in town, but it definitely feels good to get it going. Sending everyone spring radish wishes and cherry tomato dreams!

Lunch Line Screening in Charlottesville

2011-03-17T10:15:00.003-04:00

Come one, come all!

Lunch Line will be shown next Friday - March 25th, 7pm at the MLK Performing Arts Center @ Charlottesville High School. Here's the trailer :::

Lunch Line Trailer from uji films on Vimeo.

Hope to see you there/ hope to see tater tots & skim strawberry milk banned from schools!

All Funding Considered

2011-03-16T10:15:00.007-04:00

All the hub-bub about NPR's federal funding reminded me about this amazing video of Mr. Rogers going before the Senate in 1969 to defend funding for PBS. It blows me away, and hopefully Ira Glass is watching this for inspiration. It's well worth the full 7 minutes.

brilliant.

Ear Candy: Vetiver

2011-03-15T10:15:00.000-04:00

yep. it's good.

Salt Craving

2011-03-14T18:46:00.003-04:00

Here's a lil' screen-grab taken just now of Vineyard Haven Harbor from the MV Times webcam

And some sound advice to accompany::

The cure for anything is salt - sweat, tears, or the sea
-Isak Dinesen

Woody Guthrie's (old) New Year's Resolutions

2011-03-08T10:15:00.006-05:00

Go on, Whitney. This was a really good re-post. I'll keep that trend going here. respect. one.

Unsurprisingly, Woody Guthrie’s new year’s resolutions are all great ones.

1. Work more and better
2. Work by a schedule
3. Wash teeth if any
4. Shave
5. Take bath
6. Eat good - fruit - vegetables - milk
7. Drink very scant if any
8. Write a song a day
9. Wear clean clothes - look good
10. Shine shoes
11. Change socks
12. Change bed clothes often
13. Read lots good books
14. Listen to radio a lot
15. Learn people better
16. Keep rancho clean
17. Don’t get lonesome
18. Stay glad
19. Keep hoping machine running
20. Dream good
21. Bank all extra money
22. Save dough
23. Have company but don’t waste time
24. Send Mary and kids money
25. Play and sing good
26. Dance better
27. Help win war - beat fascism
28. Love Mama
29. Love Papa
30. Love Pete
31. Love everybody
32. Make up your mind
33. Wake up and fight

originally via jasontheexploder

Ear Candy: Ivan & Alyosha

2011-03-07T15:57:00.006-05:00

PJ from mvyradio keeps a great blog, and recently had Jesse from Right Arm Resource stand-in for him while he was on vacation.

Jesse had some great suggestions - my favorite being Fathers Be Kind by Ivan and Alyosha:::

and Easy to Love is also really great:::

Thanks, PJ & Jesse!

Gary Nabhan Speaking at UVA Tomorrow

2011-03-02T11:29:00.008-05:00

Ready to go hear a lecture from an inspiring, seed-saving conservation biologist? Me, too.

Gary Paul Nabhan ... has been called “the father of the local food movement” by Mother Earth News. Gary is also an orchard-keeper, wild forager and Ecumenical Franciscan brother in his hometown of Patagonia, Arizona near the Mexican border. more.

Wondering what an "Ecumenical Franciscan" is? Funny you should ask: a body of Christians who maintain a devotion to Sts. Francis and Clare and their interpretation of the gospel life. source.

Nabhan is the author of 24 books, his most recent being Chasing Chiles - Hot Spots Along the Pepper Trail::

I haven't read it yet, but this guy has:

A treasure trove of chile lore and a wake-up call to everyone who cares about real food, Chasing Chiles will amuse and alarm you. These three gastronauts carry a wealth of culinary and botanical knowledge, and their journeys in their Spice Ship uncover an incredibly diverse world of chiles that is changing with breathtaking speed. Stop worrying about the impact of climate change on future harvests; cross your fingers for this year’s instead.

-Rowan Jacobsen , author of American Terroir and Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis

And on that foreboding (and hopefully reversible) note, here are the details: his talk at UVA will be tomorrow, March 3rd at 5pm in Lecture Hall 160, Campbell Hall, School of Architecture (near Culbreth Theater, off Rugby Rd). Parking available at nearby Newcomb Hall. Poster for event here.

Hope to see you there!
ps-it's free.

Ear Candy: Ingrid Michaelson

2011-03-01T15:36:00.003-05:00

Heard this for the first time today. Love it. Especially the break-down at the end. See ya in France.

Ear Candy: WTJU

2011-02-14T18:54:00.001-05:00

Just heard this as a part of their rock fundraising marathon:::

uh huh. good call.

Stream it from here.

Ear Candy: The Head and the Heart

2011-02-10T18:47:00.006-05:00

The Head and the Heart opened for Dr. Dog yesterday at the Jefferson, and totally won me over.

It looked like they were having a great time and putting a lot of love into what was happening on stage. The violinist's sparkly outfit didn't hurt their cause. Signing up for their e-mail list above is going to get you a couple free tracks.

Ear Candy: The Outfields

2011-02-04T16:41:00.004-05:00

because it's Friday. That's why.

Eliot Coleman Speaking at UVA

2011-02-03T16:10:00.007-05:00

So I remember the first time that a friend mentioned Eliot Coleman in passing - assuming I knew who he was - and the following surprise and animated explanation that followed when I told her I had no idea who she was talking about. Eliot Coleman is one of those people who does that to others; he's so inspiring that it becomes hard to imagine un-reading his books, and un-knowing about the exciting contributions he's made to agriculture.

And he's speaking at UVA Feb 13th. The event is free:::

details.

So my shorthand on Eliot Coleman is that he's a year-round organic farmer in Maine who uses unheated greenhouses, and wrote a wise, helpful book for beginning farmers The New Organic Grower that covers subjects like soil fertility, crop rotation, and factors to help you determine what an appropriate scale might be for starting your own operation. His books are incredibly readable - and so his gift to organic farming is not only that he's so knowledgeable, but that he also knows how to share this with others. More on him here.

He's also going to be speaking at the Virginia Association for Biological Farming conference. Details on that here.

Everybody be nice to him while he's visiting. Let's try to make sure he comes back often. [Hands in. aaand-break!]

Lucky For Us

2011-02-02T16:45:00.005-05:00

"…feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we’re holding back. They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we’d rather collapse and back away. They’re like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we’re stuck. This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are."
— Pema Chödrön

Photo by Deodato Pangandoyon

TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat

2011-02-01T16:08:00.007-05:00

So I just got a heads-up from Charlottesville's Eat Local listserv about the food-focused TEDTalk style event that is happening this weekend in New York. Representatives and leaders from FoodCorps, the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food program, Slow Food USA; the producers of King Corn and An Inconvenient truth; and other folks you can read about here will all be giving talks.

Can't make it to New York? Me neither. You can stream the talks online from this link or go to a viewing party. There's one happening in Richmond - it's free but they're looking for you to RSVP here.

If it's any extra incentive, the Know Your Farmer guy is pretty cute::

Just sayin'.

@HisHoliness I love that you're on twitter #peaceandjustice

2011-01-31T17:48:00.007-05:00

The Dalai Lama tweets. Right here.

From the past week::

Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts our mind at ease. 2:21 AM Jan 30th via web

The more we succeed in training our hearts and minds through cultivating spiritual qualities, the better our ability to cope with adversity. 2:57 AM Jan 29th via web

When we are motivated by wisdom and compassion, the results of our actions benefit everyone. 12:51 AM Jan 27th via web

Genuine love should first be directed at oneself – if we do not love ourselves, how can we love others? 2:25 AM Jan 26th via web

An affectionate disposition not only makes the mind more peaceful and calm, but it affects our body in a positive way too. 2:31 AM Jan 21st via web

swoon.

Ear Candy: The Carolina Chocolate Drops

2010-12-07T16:41:00.003-05:00

Michelle, my fellow intern at Appalachia Star this past summer, loved this song - but I never knew who it was until someone at work said I should check out the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Right they were. More here.

Maybe some day soon I'll post something besides music. Not today.

Lots of love,
Paige

Ear Candy: Jaymay

2010-12-06T11:47:00.006-05:00

Jaymay does most of the soundtrack for Happy Thank You More Please which I saw at the Virginia Film Festival about a month ago. Loved it. In fact, the only unpleasant thing about the experience was the cringe-inducing q&a session with Josh Radnor (the screen writer/ director/ leading male who is also in How I Met Your Mother) that followed; from which many of the questions can be summed up as "I think I love you. Please discuss." yowsa.

Regardless, definitely recommend seeing HappyThankYouMorePlease when it comes out in a theater near you - which I think is happening in February. More Jaymay here.

Ear Candy: Cults

2010-12-03T17:37:00.002-05:00

booyah.

Ear Candy: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

2010-10-28T10:15:00.001-04:00

Charlie the Cheez-It

2010-10-27T18:22:00.004-04:00

.... I don't think there's much I need to add to this one.

Love,
Paige

Ear Candy: The XX

2010-10-13T16:31:00.004-04:00

Cotty put this song on a mix she made in Feb:::

::: and it's still awesome. AND she's heading this way this weekend. AND I'm posting something on this blog. So many things happening at once!!!

Later loves,
Paige

Lucy in a Bottle with Ginger

2010-08-03T10:15:00.001-04:00

yum, yum, yum.

So, I can fully imagine that local brewery Starr Hill's summer ale Lucy might be receiving more than its fair share of down-the-nose looks at barbecues this summer.

With coriander, lime and ginger, it might be easy for beer snobs to typecast Lucy as the slightly more wordly cousin to Bud Light Lime; but let's open our minds a little bit.

Lucy is drinkable on a hot day, refreshingly different, and its playfulness is better grouped in with Magic Hat's #9 or Bell's Cherry Stout.

Loosen up. I'm not trying to serve you Smirnoff Ice.

oh, hello!

2010-08-01T13:04:00.010-04:00

so... remember when I used to post things here? haha, yeah. me neither.

Things on the farm are going really well - but also quite busy, hence the drop-off with this here blog. I think my new goal is to have at a least a post every Monday morning.

There was some crazy hot weather for a bit, but there was also some crazy cold weather this winter, and so I guess it needed to be balanced out? Or global warming? Mother Earth having hot flashes? God letting us know what we might be in for?

ohhh, vengeful theories. Can't get enough of 'em. But anyway, it was hot. And now it's not nearly as hot. So that's pretty great.

I took some nice pictures at the Nelson County Farmer's Market yesterday, but I can't find my camera cord; so how about a movie recommendation instead?

City Island starring Andy Garcia. Best enjoyed during 100+ degree weather in full blast air conditioning. Or really probably any time that you want to watch an excellent movie.

Lots of love,
Paige

6.29.10

2010-06-29T10:15:00.000-04:00

photo by Michelle

6.28.10

2010-06-28T10:15:00.002-04:00

photo by Michelle

6.25.10

2010-06-25T10:15:00.000-04:00

photo by Michelle

6.24.10

2010-06-24T10:15:00.001-04:00

photo by Michelle

6.23.10

2010-06-23T10:15:00.001-04:00

chickens on parade!

photo by Michelle

6.22.10

2010-06-22T10:15:00.001-04:00

Introducing....

Woody the goat!

photo by Michelle

6.21.10

2010-06-21T10:15:00.002-04:00

by Michelle

6.18.10

2010-06-18T10:15:00.001-04:00

by Michelle

6.17.10

2010-06-17T10:15:00.000-04:00

Last Week at the Nelson Market

2010-06-16T22:32:00.002-04:00

Via Ashley: Farm Fresh Wedding

2010-05-28T10:15:00.000-04:00

Ashley passed along pics of the lilacs, Maremmas and nekkid goats that all got to hang out at this beautiful wedding:::

More info on the farm at Watermelon Moon Farm available here.

Jeunes Agriculteurs turn Champs-Elysees into temporary farm

2010-05-27T10:15:00.000-04:00

C'est fantastique, no?

More from the BBC.

Moby-Dick Marathon

2010-05-25T10:15:00.002-04:00

Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.

Got to thinking about Moby-Dick earlier today. Which got me thinking about the marathon reading that happens each year at the Museum of the Sea in Mystic Seaport hosts a 24-hour reading of Moby-Dick on board the Charles W. Morgan which is the last remaining wooden whaling ship in the world.

This year it's happening July 31st-August 1st. Love that this event exists. Details here.

whale image by Tom Neely

Ear Candy: Salt of the Earth

2010-05-24T10:15:00.003-04:00

Some Rolling Stones to celebrate the re-release of Exile on Main St.

Via Ashley: Mobile Garden

2010-05-21T10:15:00.002-04:00

Have you ever been driving down the highway at 65 mph, and remembered you forgot to water the basil? Have you ever had the luxury of then being able to pull over and water it since it was riding on the roof of your car?

Now you can.

More on this crafty Parisian invention here.

Ashley. Let's call it. At this point you're really a co-blogger.

Farm Happenings: Welcome Michelle!

2010-05-20T10:15:00.000-04:00

Appalachia Star's second intern Michelle has arrived and it's wonderful to have another set of hands on the farm! Michelle has done trail maitenance in New Mexico and Colarado, and organized a trip from her college to a local farm on Saturdays this past year.

Today we harvested some garlic scapes:::

Explanation of the garlic scape from the Washington Post:

Garlic and its relatives in the allium family, (leeks, chives, onions) grows underground, where the bulb begins its journey, soft and onion-like. As the bulb gets harder (and more like the garlic we know), a shoot pokes its way through the ground. Chlorophyll- green like a scallion (maybe even greener), the shoot is long and thin and pliable enough to curl into gorgeous tendrils.

This stage of growth is the garlic scape, folks. If left unattended, the scape will harden and transform from green to the familiar opaque white/beige color of garlic peel. Keeping the shoot attached will also curtail further growth of the bulb. So, in an effort to allow the garlic to keep growing, the farmer is getting a two-fer with this edible delectable that cooks are just beginning to discover.

Also figured it was time for an update on the ducks. Remember these guys?

Because they're huge now:::

And a preview of the apples and plums to come:

Why Wooden Boats

2010-05-19T10:15:00.001-04:00

Really enjoyed this article on wooden boats as a reflection of nature's beauty. Excerpt:::

The esteemed biologist Edward O. Wilson invented a word that explains our attraction to the forms of nature: biophilia, which he defined as "the innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes." Even as babies, we humans tend to be drawn toward living creatures (or their representations) more than to inanimate objects. We're more likely to develop a relationship with a stuffed bear than a ball. This tendency is embedded deep in the human-instinct circuitry as a matter of survival and reproduction.

So the wooden-boat revival was no anomaly. We willingly pour the considerable labor and love into building, maintaining and restoring wooden boats because they lead us to participating in something greater than ourselves. I have nothing against fiberglass, but a boat made of synthetic material simply reflects human culture back at us. It is purely a product of technology. A wooden boat is a partnership. It's not literally a living thing, not quite, but it evinces respect for the life that exists outside the clubby circle of human intelligence.

I love it when people explain things I feel and don't explain well. Thank you, Lawrence W. Check.

Photo by Benjamin Benschneider.

Island Farmers

2010-05-18T10:15:00.000-04:00

ohhhh, quotes like this and a paper that will print them do make me miss Martha's Vineyard and its farmers --- from the MV Gazette::

Which brings us back to the Allen family farm, where Clarissa’s husband Mitch Posin sat in the kitchen this week and talked about the state of things. He wasn’t just feeling sorry for farmers like himself, though; his major sympathy was with the consumers.

“Poor America,” he said. “Its food is all [expletive deleted].”

The Gazette just put out a series of articles on the island's food scene last week, and it's a great round-up available here.

Ear Candy: Rafter

2010-05-17T10:15:00.001-04:00

Take a listen to Fruit by Rafter here. nice.

Via Ashley: CSA Rep Tunic

2010-05-14T10:15:00.001-04:00

Didn't you know? There's official CSA gear:::

"When you wear this au naturale tunic to tend to your own rich soil and strawberry vines, you'll be representing the farm shares of your hometown in style."

Available for purchase riiiight here.

excited to read this book

2010-05-13T10:15:00.001-04:00

Growing for Market review: Every farmer, organic or not, should read this excellent guidebook to increasing farm profits. Wiswall is a veteran vegetable and herb grower who has a gift for explaining financial matters to be relevant to small-scale farmers. He challenges the paradigm that farming doesn't pay well, and shows how to identify profit centers, improve efficiency, get the most from employees and overall improve the bottom line. This book is practical and an inspiration; it will motive better recordkeeping and give you the tools and knowledge you need to figure out how to make your farm more profitable.

uh huh. Sounds good. Available for purchase here.

Farm Happenings: Summer Squash and Cucumbers

2010-05-12T21:05:00.005-04:00

The summer squash and cucumbers are in the ground as of yesterday, and in an excellent move on Mother Nature's part we've had some rain both yesterday and today.

Lachsa pretended to be annoyed by the rain::

:: or she was actually annoyed that I stopped petting her to take her photo. Probably the latter.

The Journey

2010-05-12T10:15:00.004-04:00

by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Go on Midwest - Grow Your Own

2010-05-11T10:15:00.003-04:00

Really enjoyed reading this piece from the AP covering an Iowa State Univ. study that looked into the food growing potential of the heartland:::

"The Midwest is known more for growing corn than cauliflower, but if its farmers raised the fruit and vegetables eaten in the Heartland, they could create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in income, according to a recent study.

The study from Iowa State University looked at what would happen if farmers in six Midwestern states — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin — raised 28 crops in quantities large enough to meet local demand. It found that if an ample supply of produce could be grown regionally, it would spur $882 million in sales, more than 9,300 jobs and about $395 million in labor income."

But wait! There's more! keep reading here.

Photo by ViaMoi.

Ear Candy: The Be Good Tanyas

2010-05-10T10:15:00.001-04:00

For your Monday::::

The Littlest Birds by The Be Good Tanyas riiiight here because I do - after all - love you so dearly, love you so cleary.

Farm Happenings: Tomatoes and Bees

2010-05-10T06:47:00.005-04:00

Well, for starters – I learned an important lesson this week: if I want to remember what has been going on – I really need to write it down.

Here’s what I can remember from this past week: transplanting 27 kinds of tomatoes including 13 heirloom varieties, 9 cherry varieties, and the remaining hybrids; weeding the asparagus; spotting the 2nd planting of tomatoes; learning how to use the irrigation system since it’s awfully dry in central Virginia right now; seeding watermelon (yesss); congratulating Kona the cat on catching a mouse; selling spinach, lettuce, radishes, asparagus, tatsoi, mizuna, and kale at the market while not being blown away by the impressively breezy Saturday; witnessing a bee swarm.

wait. what? bee swarm? that’s right. It was awesome. The hive that had been on the farm for the past two years didn't make it, but some bee hive in the area must have needed an upgraded home, because around lunchtime 2 Fridays ago there were hundreds and hundreds of bees milling around, following their queen, and waiting to get to work on their new home.

More info on swarms here.

Dream Travel: Morocco

2010-05-07T10:15:00.001-04:00

yowsa. I think it's time to faux-go to Morocco and visit Villa Kadiri - the home of Jaouad Kadiri and Priti Paul::

Bhavna wrote all about it, and posted lots of wonderful pics of the home here. Guh-guh-gorgeous.

Hopper Pilgrimage

2010-05-05T10:15:00.002-04:00

I think I'd like to get up to DC sometime in June to see one of my favorite paintings at the Corcoran::

Ground Swell by Edward Hopper. I basically attribute my having lived on Martha's Vineyard for as long as I did, and having lived on boats to falling really hard for this painting at around age 15.

Other things I'm looking forward to seeing:::

Destiny's Bracelet by Jim Goldberg. --- which I realize is a little more sexy than things I usually post on this here blog -- but it's stunning. So there it is.

And the Eadward Muybridge exhibition::

Plate 640. Jumping a hurdle; saddle; bay horse Daisy

-- but really it's mostly about seeing the Hopper painting.

Kaboom! by PES

2010-05-04T10:15:00.003-04:00

How about a little stop-motion film excitement?

I especially like the keys as cannons, and circuit board as the landscape. Although the clown heads are pretty well used, too.

More by PES - here - including Western Spaghetti which is also pretty awesome.

Ear Candy: Yim Yames

2010-05-03T10:15:00.001-04:00

Yim Yames is the solo project of Jim James from My Morning Jacket.

He released a tribute to George Harrison last July, and his cover of My Sweet Lord is really great and his version of All Things Must Pass is appropriately heartwrenching. Check them both out here.

Save the Date: Vintage Virginia Wine Festival

2010-04-30T10:15:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately I can't find a full image of the supercute logo for the 2010 Vintage Virginia Wine Festival, but here's at least part of it, ha:

The festival is happening June 5th & 6th in Centreville, and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe is headlining the Saturday night music line-up. I saw Karl Denson play in 2002 when I was lucky enough to work at the Newport Jazz Festival, and he was great then, and so I'm sure he'll be great in June.

More info on the festival from their site here.

I had my first foray into Virginia wines last weekend when I had a couple of friends in town, and we visited a few vineyards. We were all pleasantly surprised with what those Blue Ridge grapes are up to, and so get yourself to Centreville if you can.

Farm Happenings

2010-04-29T19:50:00.008-04:00

This week on the farm has included -- transplanting fennel, lettuce and parsley; spotting peppers, cilantro and dill; getting the plastic down and mulch all set for the tomatoes; weeding the cabbage aaaand welcoming a cat to the farm! The cat's name is pending, but her cuteness is firmly intact. Pictures to follow.

In flower news, the irises are blooming in central Virginia::

-- and on an unrelated note, I've decided that Madison County and its bridges might just have to step aside and let Nelson County and its beautiful barns have their day in the sun::

Peaceful, no?

Via Ashley: Eat Local Prints

2010-04-27T10:15:00.002-04:00

A WWI poster from the US Food Administration::

available here.

And a sweet reminder from Claudia Pearson's etsy shop that eating a Walnut & Chocolate Rugelach can also be a agriculturally thoughtful act:

Thank you, Ashley!

Ear Candy: The Black Keys

2010-04-26T10:15:00.001-04:00

New Release Brothers from The Black Keys being released May 18th. Check out Next Girl and Tighten Up heeeeere.

Via Cotty: Doo Nanny

2010-04-23T10:15:00.002-04:00

ohhhh mannn --- this is all sorts of beautiful. Twigs as windows, rusty bedsprings as wall decor and a art/music festival organized by the creator of this dreamy cabin? In rural Alabama? yesssss.

Get the details and the rest of the slideshow here because my computer is running out of juice.

Love it.

Today on the Farm: Soft & Cuddly Edition

2010-04-22T20:07:00.012-04:00

The baby ducklings have arrived! And they're adorable!

I especially like the little guy in the top left standing on top of the feeder. I feel like it's a duck maneuver that can basically be understood as "I came for the starter feed, but I stayed to party."

This lady was very excited for her close-up:

The ducks arrived via USPS from Iowa, and the Bertonis had picked up the peeping package by 8am. The ducks are a mix of Blue Runners, Fawn and White Runners, Khaki Campbells, and White Pekins.

The female Runners and Campbells should start laying eggs in about 5 months - just in time for their egg production to slow down with the shortening length of days, and then once Spring 2011 comes around hopefully they will become Mama ducks and get excited about tending to their nests.

The White Pekins are being raised for meat, and are already a little bigger than the other breeds.

In less fuzzy, but equally exciting news, I had some Martha's Vineyard visitors on the farm yesterday! My lovely friends Meredith and Emily came with their friends Kelly and Dawn, and it was so great to see them. Meredith is starting up Singing Frog Farm in Leesburg, VA specializing in fresh cut flowers and heirloom vegetables -- super excited for her, and to get up there and see it for myself.

I forgot my camera, but we drove by this pretty vista before going to get dinner, and I was lucky enough to drive by it again today with camera but without their lovely faces:::

Other happenings on the farm have included::: seeding carrots and parsnips; mice digging up the recently seeded sunflowers and having a feast; mice being strongly discouraged from continuing previously stated activities; replanting the perennial garden with lupine, sage, seeds from Kathryn's brother's wedding, and guerrilla style seed planting/ tossing of coriander and dill; Lochsa the dog killing a rat and snake; planting the potatoes; seeding beets; transplanting some dill; seeding fennel; spotting black eyed susans; making really long lists; continuing to make really long lists; ok fine I'll stop, but I do love me a good list.

And I will end with a picture of beet seeds, because in their funkiness they add to my rock and roll beet dreams:::

Photo by Angelina Williamson.

When & If

2010-04-21T10:15:00.002-04:00

If you're in the market for a boat, I'd go ahead and start your looking here::

:: or better yet - steer your friend who is looking for a boat in this direction.

When & If is a 63 ft Alden Schooner that was orginally built for Gen. Patton to sail around the world "when and if" he survived WWII.

I'll be available as crew for you. Don't worry.

Read Your Vegetables

2010-04-20T10:15:00.002-04:00

After taking a silly-long time, I finally finished Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle this past weekend::

I'm going to pass the buck on a proper-style review, but I will say that it is totally delightful, and encouraging. The NYT has more to say here.

Reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle was also the push that I needed to order the goods to make mozzarella at home and then enjoy it on top of the homemade pizza crust made from a recipe in Kingsolver's book -- and really, when was the last time a book led you to making your own soft cheese? (...besides maybe when you checked out Ricki Carroll's Home Cheesemaking from the library last week. If you haven't given it a look yet, I'll also add that it's pretty fantastic.)

Ear Candy: Dr. Dog

2010-04-19T10:15:00.000-04:00

Dr. Dog released a new album a couple of weeks ago::

Hope you enjoy the single Stranger here

Happy Monday!

This Week on the Farm

2010-04-18T20:41:00.001-04:00

Lots of yummy things got trans-planted this week -- chard, beets, and cabbage -- and some of the potatoes got in the ground as well.

Saturday was all blue skies and springtime at the Charlottesville City Market, and we had those beautiful radishes in the photo above, arugula, mizuna, spinach and plenty of plants waiting to go in your garden for sale.

Hope everyone had delicious, fresh meals this weekend!