tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801642011-12-27T10:26:30.837-05:00a farm journalmarciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comBlogger721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-729617053678864272011-12-27T10:26:00.001-05:002011-12-27T10:26:30.885-05:00

winter carrots Originally uploaded by pizza on earthIt has been a crazy weather year, so warm even through Christmas. The ground isn't even frozen, so it was easy enough to dig out these crisp little carrots.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-29763079004056307252011-07-29T18:26:00.001-04:002011-07-29T18:27:26.386-04:00

Words of the Day confection enlightenment grotesque lexicon

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-49602473933802255822011-07-22T11:58:00.000-04:002011-07-22T11:58:16.237-04:00

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-28245797091404429922011-07-22T11:52:00.001-04:002011-07-22T12:00:10.462-04:00

Family Memorial July 26, 2011 My family had a memorial for my parents, who both died last year. It was held at my grandma's house in Orange, MA. How strange to be there without them. They had both been cremated, so the day after the memorial, we went to the cemetary for the burial. Got there, no hole. How could the cemetary people forget something like that? Actually, I think my dad would

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-8345568365207558942011-07-12T15:22:00.000-04:002011-07-12T15:22:29.639-04:00

Words of the Day chaffered ecclectic hard-boiled penchant

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-85712047847464043022011-03-09T17:10:00.000-05:002011-03-09T17:10:26.616-05:00

Little book with Champagne tops.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-80865518921275340172011-02-25T15:14:00.001-05:002011-02-25T15:16:32.601-05:00

A funny little tunnel book. It took me way too much time becausee I fussed over everything too much. I am determined to be more spontaneous.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-56843033698718235022011-01-30T15:32:00.001-05:002011-01-30T15:33:15.522-05:00

This book started as a christmas present for my niece's daughter. I thought I could finish it in a few hours, since it is only a few pages, but indeed it took forever. It was a lot of fun to make a soft book, and I enjoyed the freeform sewing, although my vintage machine circa 1973 gave me some technical challenges. I would do several things differently next time, including making sure the

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-68735247152832365592011-01-18T18:11:00.002-05:002011-01-18T18:19:31.735-05:00

For Christmas I made Jay a small book about his collection of Marimekko shirts. He has 10 of them, all different color combinations. I painted the fabric covers to look like the hand screened shirt fabric.The inside pages are a double accordian with reversed cutouts. The images are hand drawn and painted with gouache. I need to make a slipcase for it, and then I will enter it into a show on

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-45611183455248663012010-10-17T10:02:00.003-04:002010-10-17T10:15:42.280-04:00

Michael deMeng Workshop, the secret keeper.A terrific workshop, just the right size. My surprise and pleasure to reconnect with a friend from the past, Lisa, and to connect with a new friend, Elizabeth.Having taken so many workshops, I went without expectations of creating a masterpiece, but with the desire to try every technique. Amazing to see what everyone came up with. I learned techniques

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-50835214606782942682010-08-02T19:15:00.008-04:002010-08-02T19:43:46.020-04:00

The black cloud on my mind has finally disolved, leaving me with sun and energy. How did it happen? I don't know, it's that time of life ( which for me could be any time). My life lately has been filled with long trips and long stays away from home, stressful working situations, stressful family situations, and no time to process any of it. I had signed up a while ago for a workshop called

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-33431760095957488102010-03-21T15:22:00.003-04:002010-03-21T15:30:56.329-04:00

My obsession with woodpiles spawned this handmade book. I was trying to capture the rise and fall of the pile with the seasons. I will submit it for the bookarts show in May.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-88707937649365824322010-02-11T17:27:00.001-05:002010-02-11T17:27:47.193-05:00

barn and wood Originally uploaded by pizza on earthA sunny day in winter is a good day to load wood. I enjoy stacking wood in the summer and fall, and I don't mind loading it into the carts and bringing it to the pizza hut and the house when it is a day like today, sunny and mild. Unfortunately, we also need to load wood when it is below zero and the wind is fierce. That is the hard reality of

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-17357101062491695362010-01-09T17:44:00.001-05:002010-01-09T17:44:24.305-05:00

Musque de Provence, originally uploaded by pizza on earth.The beautiful specimen pumpkin.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-78388117007498756772010-01-09T17:39:00.001-05:002010-01-09T17:39:45.542-05:00

pumpkin innards 2, originally uploaded by pizza on earth.We had some spectacular pumpkins last summer that grew along the edge of our stone wall terrace. At first, the plants just kind of trailed along the top of the wall, but by the end of the summer, the vines had completely taken over, spilling over the wall and trailing into the yard below. Some of them were 20 feet long by the time we

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-28477936191295421862010-01-03T10:52:00.002-05:002010-01-03T11:00:30.615-05:00

I've never really made any resolutions- I think it's silly. But because my life has changed so drastically in the last month, I want to make some daily changes. First, I need to post more often. And I need to attach stuff to my posts, like sketches. I need to draw every day, and keep a sketchbook. I need to explore and resolve the crazy feelings I have towards family, friends, and loved ones

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-83494728049551233032009-12-09T15:05:00.002-05:002009-12-09T15:23:30.132-05:00

Today is our first snow of the season. November turned out to be a glorious month, warm and sunny most days. We've been walking up Mount Philo almost every day for weeks, and it gives J and I a time to talk without other distractions. Before Thanksgiving, we talked about the upcoming meal. Now we talk about our planned dinner parties, and soon, it will be all about the Christmas dinner meal.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-28194876664282658902009-11-17T13:17:00.002-05:002009-11-17T14:02:22.014-05:00

Jay and I just came back from the field up the street where Dave now farms, with a nice head of cauliflower and a bunch of turnips. I am feeling blue, frozen by the loss of my sweet work contract. The mud sticks to my sneakers, reminding me that I have totally forgotten how to dress for the field. Tonight we will have curried cauliflower with lamb shanks, and tomorrow turnip something or other

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-1138911218861117232006-02-02T14:33:00.000-05:002006-02-02T15:13:38.913-05:00

I could not remember my password after 2 years, but easily remedied. I'm glad to have a new one, and a new farm life to write about, since this is my second day of "retirement". But I must respond to the tag:4 jobs I've had:1. sports bra designer2. children's apparel patternmaker3. dude ranch waitress4. fabric store clerk4 movies I could watch over and over1. The Red Violin2. Every Christmas

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-900633892003-03-03T14:05:00.000-05:002003-03-03T14:05:00.623-05:00

Can it be over a year? I'm hoping that my dedicated reader(s)( Judy)haven't just crossed me off. I have stored up lots of trash to rehash, and I plan to do it right here at farm day. A friend of mine died recently from cancer. I didn't realize how very bad off she was until she entered a respite house. Her oldest son used to be Jordan's best friend, but since they don't play much any more, I

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-67834662001-11-01T08:24:00.000-05:002001-11-01T08:24:50.896-05:00

Halloween. Along with Meg, I was also thinking of my favorite costume, and I came up with 2 favs from long ago- first was the japanese woman costume that my Dad made for me on the ancient old sewing machine, before I could even sew myself. The fabric was black with huge gold polka dots, and the kimono had giant wide sleeves. I don't remember anything else about it but I'm sure it was cool. The

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-59302072001-09-26T12:08:00.000-04:002001-09-26T12:09:20.000-04:00

The Friday after the terrorist attack, the company asked us all to spend a moment of silence and remembrance together in the parking lot. It was a warm, sunny day. We straggled out of the building very quietly and waited for a leader. I remember looking around at the faces of a lot of people that I don't really know, but feeling warmly connected just because we worked in the same building. I

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-57800672001-09-19T08:41:00.000-04:002001-09-19T08:41:09.770-04:00

TV time. Last week, we frantically searched for a TV that could get any kind of reception, since our work TV's are really only for video use. Finally, just as the 2nd tower disolved into itself, someone found a wire coat hanger (you'd think in a place that's all about clothes that we would have a coat hanger!) and we were able to get a local station. The images were fuzzy and black and white,

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-48538762001-08-01T12:41:00.000-04:002001-08-01T12:41:21.486-04:00

I'm sorry to report that I am giving up farm day, at least as it is here. I have been writing a column called farm day for my CSA newsletter, and 2 farmdays are not better than one. Maybe I will try to join the 2, I don't know. My real goal for the newsletter column is to describe the seasonal goings-on of the farm and attach foodie facts/ recipes/ ideas, then eventually combine them into a

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-41797872001-06-21T17:29:00.000-04:002001-06-21T17:29:54.576-04:00

Okay, I lost the post I just made, which was very lengthy and tres intelligent. Now I have to leave work so I'll have to cut it short. last night I read a course workbook called Voluntary Simplicity, a course developed by the Vermont Earth Institute. The first exercise for discussion is to describe a time in your life when you felt the need to simplify. Well, I just described that the other

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-40492072001-06-13T10:07:00.000-04:002001-06-13T10:07:36.303-04:00

Support your local (fill in the blank). I was finally sucked in to pledging to VPR. They made a pitch this morning about supporting local businesses, and since this is a subject so close to my heart, I felt I had to commit. And of course I had to get in a dig about my current employer consciously making the opposite choice. Yeah, it felt good.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-40390672001-06-12T17:37:00.000-04:002001-06-12T17:37:14.850-04:00

A simpler life. While I was writing the CSA newsletter yesterday, I found myself without a voice until suddenly I was thanking everyone for joining up to share in the rhythm of farm. I almost could feel the settling down of my frenzied pace as I wrote the words. My attachment to the natural cycle of the seasons and the moon ( and the weather of course) is a calming center for me, and I guess I

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-39496862001-06-06T09:47:00.000-04:002001-06-06T09:47:59.450-04:00

Now the pressure is on to come up with some incredibly blog-worthy post, since I haven't updated in so long. I don't have one. Originally I started this blog in order to keep up with farm news and exciting weather events. Apparently once you talk about weather more than once, it is less interesting. Unless of course you are a TV or radio weather person, or Arnold the weather automated voice.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-32603002001-04-18T13:46:00.000-04:002001-04-18T13:49:14.216-04:00

I read Meg's discussion of marriage and what other blog people think of it. I belive most of these people are in the youngish age range, still believing in love everlasting. Oh yes, so do I, even though I am not now considered in the youngish age range. I think my most surprising thing about my marriage is how our lives can completely change, our 'selves' become so different than what we once

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-32601172001-04-18T13:33:00.000-04:002001-04-18T13:36:48.330-04:00

There was a shoe in the middle of the left lane of the oncoming traffic at the stoplight on my way to work yesterday. On the way home it was in the left lane on the other side. This morning, unbelievably, it was back on the other side, and at lunchtime, it is right in the middle. It's just a black chunky shoe, probably like a Parade of Shoes shoe or a Payless kind of shoe, not much personality

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-31450602001-04-10T15:15:00.000-04:002001-04-10T15:16:52.740-04:00

You know, I would love to link to other sites, but I find it is just too much of a pain, and if I don't know the address already, I loose the post if I go away to find it and try to come back. So if you are here, you are not going to be sent anywhere until you choose to go somewhere else.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-31450212001-04-10T15:12:00.000-04:002001-04-10T15:14:01.020-04:00

An article on Blogger appeared in the daily newspaper here with a big, lonely picture of Evan. Just a mention of partners past, but no names. It made it sound so mainstream and really a lot less exciting than it is, to be able to see into people's lives through their eyes. I have surfed a few blogs, but I really do enjoy the ones of the people I know, like Megnut and Hey Jud. I was thinking

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-30751112001-04-05T09:43:00.000-04:002001-04-05T09:44:16.770-04:00

It is a sad time here in Vermont, although the sun has been shining for 3 straight days ( that is very unusual). The company I work for has announced their relocation plans, moving 110 jobs from Vermont to North Carolina. I am one of the few lucky ones that will stay in Vermont with a job. We will have a new little design studio all for ourselves. But I really think the spirit has been broken

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-30288412001-04-02T08:54:00.000-04:002001-04-02T08:54:51.430-04:00

I'm sitting at work, imagining myself a. in the greenhouse, b. in Paris with Judy, c. anywhere else but here at my desk. Although the weatherman says cloudy with a chance of meatballs for the next 3 days, it is beautifully sunny. Maybe some of the TWO FEET of snow on my garden will disappear today. The little green plants are starting to show up in the greenhouse, but I'm getting worried that

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-28742912001-03-21T13:10:00.000-05:002001-03-21T13:25:12.756-05:00

I have been reading Steven Covery's 7 habits because a friend of Jay's said it helped her through some difficult times at work, which I am experiencing. I am surprised at how humanistic the approach is, thinking in my mind that it was a hard-core business book. My favorite thing so far is the concept of visualization. What a revelation! I have been using visualization my whole life, but I have

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-27065632001-03-09T13:21:00.000-05:002001-03-09T13:33:39.313-05:00

It is embarrasing how infrequently I have posted, considering all the thoughts I have been thinking about posting. Spring, for instance. I was really down in the dumps last week when everyone was in Barbados or Cancun or Venezuela, and I was here in grey town. But after 2 feet of lovely snow that makes you feel all surprised and amazed by weather, I am renewed and ready for a few more weeks of

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-25528342001-02-27T08:30:00.000-05:002001-02-27T08:40:10.030-05:00

Finally, it is light out when I get in my car to drive home from work. It just happened yesterday, all of a sudden. Now today I noticed tons more birds, and when I stepped out of the house, it smelled different, like earthy and yummy. Maybe it's all in my imagination, but I'm really looking forward to mud season. We stopped getting the daily crappy newspaper for a while, but they called and

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-22843932001-02-07T17:07:00.000-05:002001-02-07T17:12:49.643-05:00

Tonight is a full moon( that's funny, I just typed fool moon) which may explain why I and everyone around me it seems has been cranky today. I don't have any great insights into this phenomenon, but it does ring true to me that the moon makes you crazy. Also it is more likely a pregnant women will go into labor on a full moon, something about the gravitational pull. On one of the morning shows

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-20777522001-01-22T17:18:00.000-05:002001-01-22T17:18:44.230-05:00

In an old issue of Preservation magazine, an article appeared by a woman who had found a pile of diaries from the late 1800's, written by a farm woman. She was fascinated by these short, not too descriptive entries, like "I done what I could, " and tried to recreate the woman's life. I laughed at the similarities to Gramma Pete's diaries, which often said things like, "Had a good wash," or "

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-20346982001-01-19T08:33:00.000-05:002001-01-19T08:33:06.783-05:00

Ashcroft. I meant Ashcroft.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-20234662001-01-18T13:00:00.000-05:002001-01-18T13:00:51.353-05:00

Gladiator. I've been thinking ever since I saw the movie Gladiator, about people who have that kind of charisma that inspires and exhilarates. There is an aura around these kind of people that you can almost see, and certainly can feel. Can I get some of that please? People who have it: Tom Peters, my friend Lisa who works for his wife, Leiberman, Oprah. People who don't have it: Bush,

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-20093712001-01-17T13:03:00.000-05:002001-01-17T13:03:52.713-05:00

Still no names for the cat, although Slinky seems to be sticking with the girl. The boys and I were all home sick yesterday, so we got to watch her slink and slide around, trying to be invisible.Yesterday I sat in one of the old wooden rockers from the porch up in Orange, and rocked and read by the intensely hot wood stove. I closed my eyes and could almost imagine myself sitting on the porch

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-18490212001-01-03T17:15:00.000-05:002001-01-03T17:15:29.683-05:00

Wow. It is a new year, and I have great intentions of making an intelligent post every day. As you can see from the date, I have not yet had an intelligent idea. I must still be recuperating from New Year's Eve. I'm sure most people have stopped reading anyway since I can't seem to say anything at all for months at a time. Anyway, we have two new adorable kittens, who are still nameless, a

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-15979902000-12-08T08:28:00.000-05:002000-12-08T08:28:37.806-05:00

Last night I had a hard time sleeping. Thoughts of my Remy and our cat Molly who hasn't been seen for a full day now, jumbled around in my head. I also woke up with a stinging pain somewhere behind my right shoulder blade, one of those ones you can't quite pinpoint where the exact source of the pain is. Anyway, this morning Jay informed me that I was a bad partner during these wakeful times,

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-15661772000-12-05T14:00:00.000-05:002000-12-05T14:00:57.393-05:00

Work is taking up way too much of my time lately. And there are so many things to do at the farm, like get ready for Christmas, one of my favorite times of the year. Yes we have a very big tree, as usual, and once all our favorite ornaments are on it, I can't imagine a smaller one. The kids and I made some great new ornaments this year, gold pizzas with pepperoni or cheese. Remy was the

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-14825672000-11-27T17:03:00.000-05:002000-11-27T17:03:50.980-05:00

I promise I will post tomorrow.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-13738232000-11-15T13:25:00.000-05:002000-11-15T13:25:02.056-05:00

Weather again. Where is the damn sun? I've never felt like Vermont is as grey as they say, but this week I feel like it has never been sunny, ever. And I still feel bad. And there is still no definite winner.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-13270922000-11-10T13:19:00.000-05:002000-11-10T13:19:00.180-05:00

Another grey rainy day. I guess that's November for ya. I'm trying to stay awake long enough to get all my work done so I can go home early. The flu or something has got me down. Election: I'm thinking now that it really doesn't matter who finally is determined to be the winner. But I wonder how the decision can be determined impartially now. Both sides have got their dander up, and if the

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-12865282000-11-06T17:15:00.000-05:002000-11-06T17:15:01.836-05:00

A grey rainy day, and another reprieve from traveling. Last week I spent each night stringing red peppers, the long paprika kind, and hung them up to dry. Each day since, I wake up in the morning to a mound of moldy peppers on my table and floor underneath the ever smaller string. Maybe they are the wrong kind of peppers for stringing and drying. Obviously. But they do look pretty, and I'm

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-12608662000-11-03T15:47:00.000-05:002000-11-03T15:47:10.476-05:00

Okay here is a link I know you'll like. I found it in my mag reading, which I find much more enjoyable than clicking. At this econcierge site you pay a monthly fee to be able to call them and ask an unlimited number of questions. They search the web and report back to you. It is truly decadent.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-12575702000-11-03T08:41:00.000-05:002000-11-03T08:41:16.320-05:00

Election 2000. It is ugly here in Vermont. I've never felt so strongly opposed to a candidate. In fact I've never felt very strongly in any political race. On my way to work, a tractor in front of a rather upscale house is covered with what I perceive to be bigotry-laced slogans, but which are in fact just words and candidate names. I'm surprised at the reaction they arouse in me. I

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-12370312000-11-01T08:41:00.000-05:002000-11-01T08:41:04.163-05:00

Halloween fun. Last night after trickortreating with the boys, we watched some of the Greenwich Village parade on TV. How odd, I thought, that this parade that used to be a cult event, is now a mainstream televised action packed celebrity hosted party! I would put a link to it, but I don't have time to look for one. In this article about weblogs it describes what makes a good weblog. Again,

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-11869652000-10-26T15:14:00.000-04:002000-10-26T15:14:59.650-04:00

There are a few things I miss, and actually have forgotten about, like a toasted bialy for breakfast. The taste is just not something you find in Vermont. The fog was so thick last night, even with my fog lights on I couldn't see where I was. It is the first time ever I felt totally lost, except when I was getting my diving certification in some crazy quarry in New Jersey. I blew out my ears

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-11868882000-10-26T15:07:00.000-04:002000-10-26T15:07:54.540-04:00

Yesterday. What a beautiful day. Flying into New York, the pilot took us on a route right across Manhattan to New Jersey, turned around, and flew us right back over the city again. I could've reached down and touched the twin towers. When we took off froml Vermont, the sun was just barely coming up, so I couldn't really see much except a little pink in the horizon. I always think it's funny(

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-11641592000-10-24T08:20:00.000-04:002000-10-24T08:20:05.373-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for so long! But I remember thinking last week, I just don't feel the need, and then I got busy at work and I had Friday off so here it is Tuesday and la di dah, maybe later. Gravel. (gripe, gripe, gripe) I have gravel everywhere in my yard and in my house. There must be a better material for pathways, something that doesn't travel with your

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-10707862000-10-13T10:15:00.000-04:002000-10-13T10:15:54.326-04:00

I love weather. I don't mean whether it's raining or sunny, I mean how weather affects every little thing. Like for instance, chickens. In the winter they don't lay as many eggs because of the lack of light. Okay, now that has all sorts of implications, doesn't it? It means that light is essential for production or reproduction. The same is true for plants. In the fall and in the early

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-10627522000-10-12T13:08:00.000-04:002000-10-12T13:08:18.826-04:00

And tonight is another dinner at Shelburne Farms, this time for Jay's 46th birthday. Although we will miss cocktails in the garden at the Inn, it is still a very special place to drive to and to imagine all the things that have happened there, and all the new things happening there now, like O'Bread Bakery, Shelburne Farms Cheese making, an organic garden, and a wonderful inn and restaurant. I

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-10364672000-10-09T16:18:00.000-04:002000-10-09T16:18:43.560-04:00

Dedicated to pleasure and taste in dining and living, the international group, Slow Food is trying not only to preserve all that's fine in the world of food and eating, but to teach children to really taste and know good food. We had a wonderful dinner with the Italian founders of this group about 2 years ago at Shelburne Farms. Local producers were invited to share their products and the

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-10363382000-10-09T16:05:00.000-04:002000-10-09T16:05:14.170-04:00

In the Free Press today, an article about the linking of Vt farmers and educators to encourage learning about food and agriculture in the local schools. I really wanted to participate in this program through NOFA, but I just don't have the time. But I wish my school would participate and stop feeding my kids fried, prepared food for lunch, or at least give a healthy alternative. I understand

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-10114052000-10-06T08:41:00.000-04:002000-10-06T08:41:10.623-04:00

Here's the scene from my movie today. Driving to work, it's a drizzly gray day. The leaves are almost at peak foliage, and a flock of Canadian geese are flying in V formation up above the treeline. I feel energetic and full of possibilities for today. I get to work, 2 of my co-workers have called in sick, and one friend's father died last night. It's very October.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-10060142000-10-05T16:58:00.000-04:002000-10-05T16:58:21.170-04:00

No, I haven't given up, just been away. In North Carolina, the landscape near the mountains is actually quite a bit like Vermont. And the small town stories seem to have similar themes. Like how people hang out at the corner store and drink the same cup of coffee for three hours, just shootin' the breeze when there's nothing goin' on. But the scary part is all the signs on the road

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-9573262000-09-29T16:56:00.000-04:002000-09-29T16:56:43.700-04:00

A killing frost. A bright morning with a sparkly white coating on everything. The cold air settles on the warm ground and sticks, when there is no wind to blow it around. Now where is my ice scraper? It's been under the seat for the whole summer, but somehow today, it wasn't there. Only a water bottle, three empty creemie dishes, some rainbow sprinkles, and a lego guy. I have to remember to

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-9489862000-09-28T17:02:00.000-04:002000-09-28T17:02:28.733-04:00

Ketchup. There is no substitute for real homemade ketchup. It makes even frozen fries (which of course we never have) taste really good. It takes a long time, but on a chilly autumn day, it makes your whole house warm and fragrant. Contact me for the recipe, or drop a hint about it for your Christmas stocking.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-9396522000-09-27T15:34:00.000-04:002000-09-27T15:34:44.653-04:00

Frost. Is coming soon. Why is it that not everybody is showing up for their vegetable pickup? It won't be too long ( two more weeks) until it's over. The incredible variety and quantity of red and green stuff in that farmstand is more than I can stand. I just want to eat potatoes, tomatoes, and red peppers until I can't stand no more. Now if only I could cook...

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-9296162000-09-26T11:33:00.000-04:002000-09-26T11:33:23.263-04:00

Wood piles. I also have a mountain of wood in my yard. When we first moved to Vermont, friends and family visited more often, and somehow the wood got stacked very quickly. Now however, the woodpile looms as one job that can wait, since you're going to burn it anyway. But in other yards, people get quite creative with their woodpiles. My favorite one was the circular stack around an old tree

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-9006582000-09-22T11:02:00.000-04:002000-09-22T11:02:49.406-04:00

Busy Busy. I have a mountain of dirt in my backyard, and a moat between the pizza hut and my house. The wonders of indoor plumbing are about to bring the pizza hut into the 21st Century. When we first moved here, the hut was a toolshed with girly pictures on the wall and pencil marks indicating the amount of hay baled each year. Maybe Jay could use that tried but true system to keep track of

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-8769522000-09-19T13:33:00.000-04:002000-09-19T13:33:56.763-04:00

Last night I was walking out past the farmstand, past the greenhouses on the dirt road leading out to the cutting flowers. I was just passing the last greenhouse when the sky turned pink with sunset light, and I realized I had about 5 minutes to cut 2 bouquets, or I would be searching for sunflowers in the dark. This morning at breakfast, I realized the sun was not streaming directly into my

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-8496982000-09-15T16:01:00.000-04:002000-09-15T16:01:35.310-04:00

Harvest festival weekend. Thank you for a bountiful season. Thanks for holding off on hard frost until most of the tomatoes have turned green. Thanks for plenty of rain, but not too much. Thanks again.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-8440782000-09-14T20:38:00.000-04:002000-09-14T20:38:29.123-04:00

How do I know if someone is reading this, or is it all about me, as I've recently been told?

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-8440652000-09-14T20:36:00.000-04:002000-09-14T20:36:14.466-04:00

Nutritional Value. Evaluation of nutrients in vegetables has shown a marked decline in nutritional value of, say, broccoli. The USDA spokesperson cannot account for the decline, however local grower guru Shep Ogden of Cook's Garden fame, says " It's the soil, stupid. Obviously, the vegetable cannot have more nutrients than the soil." If the soil is poor due to overuse and continuing reliance

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-8329982000-09-13T12:58:00.000-04:002000-09-13T12:58:55.093-04:00

Fresh eggs. Can't you just picture it, the farmer going to the chicken house with a handmade basket to gather the eggs? It's a bright sunny day and the air smells fresh. He opens the door to the milkroom and (rustle rustle) the biggest rat he's ever seen looks him straight in the eye and says thanks for feeding me, sucker.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780164.post-8233592000-09-12T06:40:00.000-04:002000-09-12T06:40:59.843-04:00

My first post was a wonderful ode to the end of another season after a frosty clear night. Now I'm just trying to get the thing to post. Ahha, so it was the firewall where I work (yes most farmers have a day job) that was not allowing me to publish. Pity, I only have time to write when I'm there.

marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573819895086401802noreply@blogger.com