wild at heart farm

GOODBYE, dear blog!

2010-01-14T20:12:00.000-08:00

HELLO FRIENDS! I know some of you just joined but....

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO http://beyondvagabond.blogspot.com
and also: www.therenegadefarmer.com
PLEASE JOIN ME THERE!
This blog is no longer active!

A New Move!

2010-01-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends!

For sometime now you might have noticed that I've been sort of inactive with this blog. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE farming, and telling these funny stories, but there has been A GREAT DEAL of activity going on behind the scenes for consolidate these stories, my funny little online business, and creating wonderful places that combine my life of art, animals, and agriculture.

SO...

To that end, I present NEW places for you to visit!

Beyond Vagabond

The Renegade Farmer

Please visit me if you'd like to see my brand new projects, learn more about farming, and follow my new crazy adventures.

Plus, on Jan 13th I will have blog giveaways on the new blogs for followers! This blog, meanwhile, will become inactive on Jan 10th!

Hope to see you there!

Changes Are A' Comin'

2009-12-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

Helllooooooo!

Yes, yes, I know...this blog is all but abandoned. So, here we go again! As of later today, this blog will seriously be reformatted into a whole 'nother farmy concept blog. So, hold onto your seats, kids!

Bronx Bees Winterizing Your Bees Workshop!

2009-09-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hello All! I'm sorry to have been hopping all over the place for awhile. It's been summer madness! Right now, I am excited to announce I'll be hosting a workshop: Winterizing Your Bees!

Here's the flyer, below (feel free to click the image to enlarge the text):

The workshop is on Sept 26th, 1-2pm and is at the wonderfully low price of $25! It'll be chock full of information on the fundamentals of getting your bees ready for winter and keeping them healthy for spring! You'll walk away with new insights on Fall/Winter management plus a nice brochure with bee disease identification, hive prep, and more!

We've been wrangling a website, but it doesn't seem that the server will let it online until tomorrow, so check back at bronxbees.com tomorrow for payment options on the workshop, or email me if you are interested in attending!

More soon!

Whooooooa, Nelly!!!!

2009-08-12T07:37:00.001-07:00

Holy Smokes!

Wow, I didn't expect to be away from my little blog for soooooo looong! I am sure there is some sort of blog purgatory for people like me! Apologies friends! It's funny, because I can remember many farmy-blogging friends nearly abandoning their blogs because farm work got too overwhelming, and I thought: "gee, that won't happen to an ultra savvy city-girl like me! And I was right...except for the part where the ultra busy urban insanity, mixed with near unemployment, and wrapped in farmy overtures would eventually take me out! Gahhh!

So, here I am to catch you up on the bedlam of the last few weeks. And I welcome the many new readers! Wow, you really want to read my half baked, crazy ramblings? I swear there has to be some kind of award for that!
...And I promise to catch up with everyone else's writings, also, I just have been soooo far away from my computer this last time....

I am not sure how to describe the past month. My best analogy would bring up an image of a tornado--it's unpredictable arrival and violent crazy nature. Sometimes all you can do is hold on and try to ride it out and watch the pieces of your life flying all around you. Yeah, that's sort of my life right now. To be clear though, not all of it is horrible, but there certainly an uncontrollable element that I can get a hold of and that, piled with so many other little things, sometimes makes it hard to get to the computer, or too crazy to even WANT to write anymore.

Secondary to that, there are certain impracticalities going on that I am trying to alleviate so that I can write in a better and more timely fashion. It is no secret that I write....ALOT. I have this blog, the Wild At Heart Farm blog. I have the Wild At Heart Art Blog. I write for Art Dolls Only (and you know it's bad when you haven't written a blooming thing for ANY of the three).
And now, apparently, I might be adding a blog about beekeeping (not my idea, TRUST ME, but rather the owner of the company for which I am starting all this beekeeping), and yet another blog(!!) on some top-top-secret-blog-which-I-will-announce-later blog. And I'm trying to figure out what to do with BigTownFarmer as well.

You see where this is going, right?? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love writing, adore it but...you know...the outside world still calls. And then there is that pesky thing called a job. Yep, that rent ain't getting paid on this half dozen or so NON-PAYING writing stuff. Plus there are bees and gardens to take care of. So I am trying to think if I should combine this blog with something else?

What do you think? I would love feedback about this!!

I have no idea, and am not sure that any logistics will work, though my mother jokingly (err, I think jokingly) says I should stick to one interest. Pssshaw! Why, when there are so many beautiful things in the world to learn and see?

....so stay tuned, I will try to find a sane way to work with the writing problems, and the other sticky situations I seem to be getting into, lately!

Thanks everyone, for your patience!

Simple Happinesses.....

2009-06-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been raining something like Biblical proportions over here. Okay, maybe not BIBLICAL, but when you consider there have been only 5 nice, non-rainy days out of the last THREE WEEKS, that says something (which sounds a lot like: "it's probably time to start looking into boat transportation").

I guess I can't complain. The water bill for our garden is non-existent, the temperatures have been cool, which means no high electric bill for air-conditioning usage, and while the bees maybe grumpy, there are extra blooms in the neighborhood--so hopefully pollen is being produced into honey at a rapid rate.

Speaking of gratefulness (and rainy days), days like these are a good time to contemplate--and I am always amazed how, increasingly, simple things are at the heart of what I do. I've said it before and I'll say it again--I can easily scare my urbanified friends with how LITTLE I need, and how the smaller, dare I say hokey, things make me happy. Yes, one man's hokey is another man's treasure....or...something like that.

ANYHOO...

Here are a few pictures of what I am getting good vibes from (feel free to insert slow country music, pull up a good chair, put your feet up, and enjoy some sweet city farmgirl thoughts, a.k.a hokey-ness!)

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS

I love this chicken shaped egg basket! I think it was supposed to be decor at a cooking store here in the city, but I could see it being a functioning basket for a small flock of chicken. Right now, it holds my garden labeling supplies. Ahhh, someday I will use it for it's intended purpose. Note my mom's old fashioned ceramic trivets in the background.

Here is a lovely old flour sifter that I managed to find at an outdoor city antiques market. The price? Only $4! Score! This was cheaper than anything I've found in southern "junk shops" or bargains online. I couldn't believe it--and in NYC, nonetheless!

Farmgloves..we currently use them for bee-work. Don't they look great contrasted by the Indian Sari tablecloth of mine?

Homemade food--I always find such satisfaction in creating with home grown or natural ingredients. Here, I made this with farmer's market eggs, spinach, or own tomatoes and basil. I can also say how proud I am because I've never made quiche before!

I love these puppets. Yes, I am a big kid! But you knew that, right? And no, they're not exactly "farmy" but they are "old world"--each of these is handmade in other countries, from a long ago time when puppetry was an artform. I've spend awhile collecting them; they are from India, Asia, and Europe.

And finally, what's a farmgirl without a farmgirl hat? This is a hat my sister gave me...for now, it sits on my wall--waiting. I know this, too, waits for actual farm-time. I can see myself sitting in a huge field of wildflowers in this hat....ahhh, yes, someday.

So, Friends, what are your "simple Happinesses"?

Eat Your Weeds!

2009-06-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

You might remember waaaaay, long ago (you know, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth) I mentioned I would start talking to you a bit about herbalism....and then managed to forget?

Well, I decided to do it--and you can blame it all on a mulberry tree. See, I live in the middle of the city, but traces of wild plant life still seep their way into this concrete jungle. Which I love...persistent plants still stick to the world of concrete! Rock on!

*ahem*...I mean, fascinating. So across the street from me there is a massive tree in a small gated up park. It sits high above the rogue dandelion and chicory and knee high grass. And every May and June, it grows out huge black berries that go ignored by everyone who lives here. Eventually they fall off and rot and get consumed by flies and washed away by rain.

At first I, too, was among the ignorant. I thought, "hey, they must be poisonous. Noone is touching them." Except, the more I moved toward green living and farm living, the more I realized that there might be something more to it....maybe people had lost the conscience to look at this tree as something vital. That's what city living does to you sometimes, it makes you forget the natural world, and your place in it...which is a derned shame.

ANYHOO...

This year, I finally went up to the tree and pulled off a few leaves and berries for identification (see leaf in picture, below) and pulled out one of my trusty plant books. I had long suspected that these were mulberries--because my mother told me childhood stories of "blackberries that grew on trees" where she lived. Hmmm...but didn't blackberries grow on bushes? After looking online and in the books, sure enough, I found that they WERE mulberries.

Mulberries--yum!

So off I went to pick these berries the next day. Boy, you could not convince people living in the 'hood that you were a lunatic faster. Ahh well, their loss. I was getting free food--and will make jam out of it! Hey, free food in these times is good, right?

Actually, this is part of a movement (and not some crazy-haired girl's version of a good time! Really it's not!) that is as old as man's realizaton that many plants around him are viable as food and medicine. The act of gathering herbs/plants from the wild Food grows all around you, and you might not even know it! For example:

Did you know that dandelions greens, when young, can be sauteed like any other green? That its blooms are used in salads, and to make tea and wine?

Did you know cherries, mulberries, blackberries and apples can grow wild?

Did you know garlic grows wild? Heck, I've seen it in parks around the city!

Ive also seen Sweet Woodruff/Sweet Annie growing out of cracks in the sidewalks here--they are very fragrant and can be stuffed into sachets or used as potpourri. There is so much out there that can be used.

If you are looking to wildcraft, there are a few guidelines to follow:

1. Make sure you study up on edible plants--look at pictures, read descriptions, etc.

2. MAKE SURE you can correctly, identify the plants that you will be eating. Several plants have dangerous look-alikes..including mushrooms and other plants. If you have even a teeeeensy inkling that a plant isn't what you think it is, DO NOT eat it!!

3. Make sure the plants that you are using have not been exposed to any sort of chemicals--so the dandelions on Uncle Lou's front lawn are great, unless you've found he's used some sort of chemicals in the last year or two on the lawn. These chemicals can and DO leech into plants, even if they have been in the ground for a year or two.
The only reason I picked the mulberry is because the tree was locked on an abandoned site for 9 years. How do I know it's been 9 years? I've lived here for that long? I also know the current caretaker of the property and he only goes in there to mow the grass--no chemicals!

4.If you are actually picking wild stuffs from the wild, then make sure you are 200 ft from the roadway, so you avoid any residual fuels and "human" toxins that get onto the side of the roads.

If you are picking wild stuffs from cities--make sure you have PERMISSION to do so! Obviously, going to a city park and just randomly picking things will get you in trouble! I know it's common sense, but city parks BELONG to the city! Even "abandoned" lots belong to someone, probably...so just double check.

If you are interested to explore more, here are some books you might want to read:
A Forager's Harvest: A guide to identifying, harvesting, and preparing edible wild plants ~ Samuel Thayer
Basic Essentials Edible Wild Plants and Useful Herbs (3rd Edition) ~Jim Meuninck

Yes, call it a weird and perhaps satisfying way to combat those high grocery bills, or just an interesting hobby, but if you are into plants and nature, wildcrafting is the way to go! Now go out and eat your weeds!!

And More Busy-ness.....

2009-06-08T09:31:00.001-07:00

Hello again everyone!

Last week was a bit hectic--some family issues popping up, with some difficult decisions to be made...and then just the general rigmarole of living in the city (it's a circus around here, I tell ya!) that has me running loopy all day. It doesn't help that I have lost a few clients whose animals I care for--so we will see. Money is tighter than ever, but such is life, right?

In the meantime, I've weeded our city plot garden and installed EVEN MORE bees on the roof! Yes, we have a mighty army of stingers working the city pollen sources.

These bees were not like our first hive--they are package bees and do not come with their own frames of honey or brood. And their queen is also new to them and must be kept in her own little travel box, whereas the nuc hive already has an established queen....so it's a different situation altogether.

Here are some pics of the day of installing (click to enlarge pics):

Here I am, getting into the bee suit (a.k.a. "the Zoot Soot")

That day, I was accompanied by my landlady's employees, and Dwain was taking photographs. Here is Amilcar...

And James....who I think was getting into the role just A BIT much...

Here is the OTHER James, my landlady's husband. He was taking video of the experience.

Here are the three beekeepers! Notice our lovely New York City skyline in the back!

And the stars of the show! THE BEES!

James helped me remove the package components. we had to take off a small piece of wood and remove the sugar water in a can, which came with the bees so they could eat. This is the round circle you see in the middle of the box of bees, above.

We then had to remove the queen cage, which is held on the top, to the side. You can't really see her well in the above image--because she is blocked by the attendant bees, which come with her. One of her workers has identified her and is sitting outside of the box to the left.

Once we removed the queen, it was time to pour the bees into the hive....

...Literally you pour and shake the box sharply down, in the air, to dislodge the bees from the box. The box is then left on its side so the remaining bees can find their way to the hive.

We then placed a top feed onto the hive, but we had to gently brush the bees off of the top of the frames so we could place the feeder on it.

Once the feeder was in place, we poured in some sugar water.

And then put the top cover over the whole thing! Yay! New bees are now here. By the way, we installed TWO of these hives so it was a big day!

More soon!

Beyond busy!!!

2009-06-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks!

Yikes! Where does the time go? I guess, as is usual for this time of year, more stuff goes on OUTSIDE than inside! I can tell you for sure that this is the case with me. Gardens, bees, and general Spring/Summer mayhem ensues!

For those of you who asked, the bees are doing well--we've got three hives now--two new package bees, and one established hive (the one you saw in the last post). The package bees were more tricky to install--because they had no frames to concentrate on, the bees were flying all over the place! We also had to install new queens, who came in teensy boxes, along with the worker bees---these little boxes had to be placed between hive frames--all a bit precarious, but it turned out well, I think!

The garden probably looks like many people's gardens (except for all of the CONTAINERS since this is , after all, a CITY garden):

New eggplants, planted in buckets (we did this last year and it went amazingly well!)

Some new plants (R to L): Eggplant (they don't do well for us from seed), orange mint (we still have the chocolate mint from last year) and rosemary.

These guys are amazing! Accordian tomatoes that I saved from seed. I put them out early (April) and they survived one frost! That's why I love heirloom plants!

Plus, I am looking after another friend's garden in Brooklyn. It's funny, many people seem highly interested in the "green" sorts of things I am doing, but I am still thinking on how to make it a much larger scale operation. Much of this wrangling is part of the over-all busy-ness going on right now, and I will reveal some of this in the upcoming days--however sane or insane these plans turn out to be!! :)

Finally, I didn't forget it was Thursday...and Lovemongering, which means passing on the love. This week, I am literally passing it on, as this story comes from my friend Julie of Art and Life of Ruby's Nest. The story focuses on this sweet 3 year old with cancer. Read Julie's story, then Alexis's story, and help if you can.

Many Blessings to everyone!

It's the Bees Knees!

2009-05-27T12:47:00.001-07:00

Hello There Folks!

Wow, once again, it seems like I'm late to post, but this time I have a good excuse, I promise! I've been hiving bees!

Don't give me that look--it's true! This really isn't another "the-dog-ate-my-homework" sort of excuse! I REALLY did hive bees over the weekend, and am prepping to hive another TWO this weekend!

You will remember some time back we were jumping through hoops to get the bees in the first place. Yes, we live in New York City, and *ahem* yes bees are banned here.

But my landlady is a name in the world of Green Living (you can catch her show on the Sundance channel, actually!) and managed to get a few strings pulled. ( I see you giving me that look again--I PROMISE I am not making this story up!)

ANYHOO...

Despite all of that, it was no easy feat getting the BEES, themselves. As you may or may not know, there is a shortage of bees because of Colony Collapse Disorder, and wave of heavy interest in beekeeping. So, many apiaries were dern near sold out of bees by the time we ordered.

I won't go into the painful--err--interesting bits of finally getting our bees, but the jist of it went something like this:

* Called ten different states, listened to eight different accents tell me they "were sold out of bees for the season."

* Called more states to find out that their delivery of bees would be later than our climate could manage, or that they wouldn't take anything but check, or they couldn't deliver them properly.

* Called more people who, in within the span of the hour when I said I would call right back, had managed to sell out of bees...

* FINALLY located someone who could meet our credit-card-paying-need-it-asap criteria.

*Held breath as bees were delivered 3 days, then had to cart them from post office (by the way you could NOT scare people faster than drag a nuc hive box though the postal window of a packed city postal facility).

*Managed to lug them onto our city roof! Yay--were half-way there!

Next up--hiving. My landlady's coworker, Dwaine, was a willing participant. It helps that he lives two doors down from us, and is curious about learning this stuff. We are also filming a documentary about city bees, so Nadia, a documentary film-maker, was there shooting also.

~~I should note that bees are usually sent in two ways: as package bees, where new bees (newbies?) are sent with a young/new queen in a smaller package or as a nuc (nucleus), which is an established family of bees with their own queen and their own frames with started honey and babies on the frames. We got the nuc, shipped with five of their own frames in a nuc box

Here are some pics from the day:

Here are Dwaine and I. He could be looking at my funny because a) he is really nervous as he's never hived bees before or b) he thinks I am a weirdo for acting like "we look rad in our beesuits..rock on!"

Here is lovely Nadia, and her camera. Although she was just shooting, we made sure she wore a bee suit!

Up first--the open nuc hive, which is set close to the permanent hive, at left...

Closeup of the nuc hive--they were packed pretty tight!

Here I am holding the first frame...yes, it's really me!

Closeup of bee frame...

Dwaine eventually got brave and helped me transfer a couple of frames....

Three frames over, two to go. I loosen each frame slowly with the hive tool...

Here is Dwaine helping transfer another hive...

When all of the frames had been transferred, I gave the nuc box one last shake to remove stragglers. We eventually left that box on its side to let the last of the bees find their way to their new home.

Once the bees are completely transferred, I place the outer cover over the hive...

Closeup of the bees at the inner cover

And the outer cover...

AND WE'RE ALL DONE!!

Dwaine poses by by the finished hive. We are using an entrance feeder (the glass jar, upside down at the outside right), for the day and will remove it. In it is sugar water, which we are giving them after their long trip.

And that is our bee story....until Saturday, when the bee story continues--we will be hiving PACKAGE bees.

Don't forget to visit my last post about how you can help change America (well, sort of) :)

The Big Project...

2009-05-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Yikes! As usual, I'm slow to jump on the bandwagon--so I'm continuing my last post here, instead of Lovemongering Thursday...

Ok, so I mentioned in my last post that I had this idea to do something different with BigTownFarmer. To be honest, I love my little magazine, love the writers and contributors, even the never ending research, etc. But, it's a lot. A lot for a girl looking for a job while maintaining the semblance of the job she has, doing art, and living in the crazy ole city.

It probably--*ahem*--would be helpful if there were advertisers, paid sponsors, or paid readership through subscriptions, but after over a year of investigating this, endlessly looking for advertising, and so on--it hasn't been come to fruition.

Parallel to that, I've always wanted to take a bit of a stronger stand on the preservation of farm life. While I love the stories we've done so far, and will continue with them, my Inner Conscience (yes, it's obnoxious enough that it needs it's name capitalized!) keeps telling me it's no use to pursue these issues if family farms and old fashioned ideals go to hell in a handbasket. With only 2% (!!) of farms being family farms in the entire country(!!!), this slowly seems to be the case, and the government is NOT being encouraging of old-fashioned farming.

Instead, you have corporate farms (and money) ruling legislature on what once was a mighty, and healthy, AND ethical, farming culture. After reading several stories about NAIS, CAFOs (thanks, Barb!) and Monsato (whose head now is the HEAD OF AGRICULTURE at the White House!), and listening to stories of fellow friends, farmers, and green-enthusiasts having a difficult time finding or keeping their jobs..I had a thought...

WHY not convert BigTownFarmer into something that highlighted farming, encouraged it, and spread the word to other urban--but highly interested-- people who wanted to learn about sustainability and adding "farming" into their lives? And maybe highlight women farmers (women are the fastest growing population of farmholders) in the process? Hmm.....

So....

What I am looking for are "experts" who might be interested in writing for us--even short "blog-like" pieces: are you good at raising sheep, cows, potatoes? Baking using organic ingredients? Raising gardens organically or biodynamically? Do you do old-fashioned crafts? Art that reflects farming life? Are you a woman carpenter? Do you do research about factory farming or other "political" issues that affect farming? Are you good at advising "greenhorns" about how to get their first farm?
Well, I'M LOOKING FOR YOU! We will feature you as writers...PLUS, I need good speakers because I am trying to work this into a speaking tour sort of thing--so let me know if you, or anyone you know might be interested!

Would YOU be interested?? Just drop me a line! Now excuse me while I start revamping BigTownFarmer.

THE Project to end all projects....

2009-05-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

....is sort of the story of my life. I feel like I am constantly on the losing side of a race to catch up to myself...I never seem to be able to find the time any more to finish anything, though I will say it's NEVER a dull moment around here! The reason? Projects!

Aren't projects fun? The whole story of my life is "One Big Crazy Project," which is really, a whole slew of projects--some are "for entertainment purposes only" and others are those crazy things you try to think of to make money--when you are a freelancer and artist, such as myself. Of course, these are the very thing that keep a person, such as myself, from *ahem* keeping up with my posts on here (DOH!).....

I mean--here is what's going on at the moment:

*Massive sewing and painting of dolls and other goodies to put on Etsy...
*Running all over the city because of a new slew of pre-summer and summer pet-care gigs have come my way...
*Job hunting for the bigger, better, hopefully more stable job--which includes never-ending online resume sending (and praying!)
* Writing for (at last count) AT LEAST THREE blogs(!)
* Rehearsing for the random paying dance gig
* There's a Sea Swap going on over at my other blog
* The never ending saga of getting bees for our little bee-keeping excursion (currently, still NO bees! But TONS of bee equipment!)
* I have this farmy magazine that I need to get finished every two months (an update on that, momentarily)
* Oh yeah--cleaning the house (ha! That is currently a "wish list project"!)
* Learning to play my new violin (double ha!)

Hmmm...I think that covers it--well, excluding "finding time for sleep," but you get the idea.

ANYHOO....

As you can see, there is a whole lotta project-doing going on. And if that weren't enough--over the course of a few weeks, I added ANOTHER project..but this time, it seems as though this would be the project to end ALL projects...

This story started when a friend of mine, who knows I plant my own container garden every year in the little space that we loosely call a "backyard" here (I swear, inmates probably get bigger cells in prisons!)...and she wanted me to help her with a rooftop garden, since she had absolutely no experience doing it. Before I knew it, her friends had come to help--mostly out of generosity, but partly because they, too, had no experience and were curious as to how to "grow their own food"; much of this city, it seems, is slowly coming back to its own "farming" roots, as the cost of food rockets upward.

ANYHOO...

We all converged in Brooklyn and began--and by the time we were done, pots lined up neatly with tomato and pepper seedlings, and the beginnings of beans...

Here's the current state o' things for the garden, by the way.....

but something else happened that day--

EVERYONE kept saying I should teach this stuff. Hmmm....
Almost coincidentally, when getting the BigTownFarmer mag together, I noticed that several of my writers seemed to be lamenting their difficulties with the state of the economy as it is; here were smart, hard working people, having a hard time making ends meet...which is pretty much the same boat I am in...hmmm....

It didn't take me long to correlate: City people with money and thirst for knowledge about sustainable practices....country people with sustainable knowledge and the need to make a living---

WHY NOT connect these two groups! It was bound to happen--and I would need to organize it (luckily, I'm an organizational fiend!)...so what did I end up doing? I'll let you know in my next post!

Or--you can read it in the NEW iSSUE OF BigTownFarmer, which is online now! HERE IS THE ARTICLE!

And I'll explain more tomorrow!

Late Lovemonger Post!

2009-05-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

So, if you've been keeping up with my funny little adventures here, you'll know that every Thursday I do a series of Lovemonger posts, in which I highlight a person or group that could use our help--I round-about "acts of kindness," which reinforces kindness from all of us. Obviously, these are not the best of times, and I'm a firm believer that its up to us to help each other...you get the picture, right?

Well, I've sort of strayed for the past few weeks---Life is sneaky like that, convincing you that you are too busy...so, I've managed to be tardy with my Thursday postings. But you'll take a Friday posting, right?

So this Friday, I thought I'd combine a little of my art life with my farm life (and I use "farm life" loosely, obviously!) when I mention a couple of fun projects you can participate in to help a farmy freind.

I've mentioned Apifera Farm here more often than once. Artist Katherine Dunn lives on a farm in Oregon and combines the trials, joys, and travails of farm life seamlessly into her whimsical, sensitive art and writing. To say I am highly impressed with her is and understatement--it's like saying I SORT OF like Cheescake....and that when left alone with said cheescake, I will only eat a sliver of a slice, highly conscientous of the proper propertions for a proper diet....uhh...yeah...right...

ANYHOO.

Katherine makes much of her living off of her art and dreams, but she also takes that lovely spirit to give back to the community. Annually, she hosts Pino's Pie Day--which started with taking a pie to a stranger at a nearby farm, accompanied by one of her beloved donkeys--yes, it sounds strange, but trust me, it's charming---and if you don't believe me..read about it here. You can also read MUCH more, and see pictures of LAST year's lovely affairs by CLICKING HERE.

And whilst you are there, you might see she needs our help making this year's Pie Day spectacular. And this is where the fun comes in. She needs aprons sent to her, and also 8 x 8" cloth squares for people to write lovely "letters" to hospice workers (she will be honoring them for Pie Day). You may send any sort of cloth, but preferably blank...or bordered by a lovely design with room for a message to be written (again, please see above link for examples)--

I say--why not embroider a lovely border, or paint or sew a crafty border and send some lovely squares. Or paint or create a handmade apron? And yes, feel free to send any store made items as well--but the point being, there seem to be so many fun and creative ways that probably aren't too costly, and you'll be adding to the smiles all around.

I will probably be sending some handpainted little farm squares and try some hand quilted aprons.....the address and other information is on her blog site as well, and it makes for an interesting read, as well :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

A Day at the Farmer's Market!

2009-05-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well, since it's been raining for the last few days here, I decided to put up pictures of our city farmer's market from LAST weekend, when it was really lovely. Ahh, I wish this weather would make up its mind!

By the way, despite the fact that we live in the most urban areas in the entire country--there has been a push, by the city, to have quality farmer's markets in various places. It seems to actually be expanding--and it's great because it allows local farmers from upstate New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania to bring their various products over from their farms.

And there's always a great variety of stuff. Yep--no simple fruit and veggie market here! Farmer's markets around here have different bread artisans, various cheese stalls, honey sellers, flower farmers (fresh and dried flowers!), wool and sheep soap sellers, beeswax candle and ornament makers, makers of fresh fruit jams, game bird meat and egg farmers, buffalo meat--you can even buy compost for your garden. So yes, it's a great place to go! And, FINALLY, the city does SOMETHING right!

Our farmer's market sits in the heart of downtown Manhattan, with the stalls circling the famous Union Square Park. The 60 odd stalls really are like a small old world market mecca, and it gets crowded with pedestrians and their children and dogs--it is an outdoor paradise! Here are some pictures that I shot:

A lovely flower vendor

More flowers, but this time someone got clever enough to create dried wreath masterpieces!

Tasty pies!

Someone selling Forsythia branches. While this is lovely, I am always sad about this because I realize..if you go far enough into the country you could get this for free...or, if you had even a semblance of a yard, you could grow these inexpensively. There is something about capitalizing off of people in the city that doesn't gel with me....hmmm...

I didn't have a chance to take too many pics of other things being sold as the crowd was getting rather thick at this point--and I was getting too many heads bobbing into my shots...ahh, living in the city--while I am glad there are wonderful opportunities such as this farmer's market, I still can't wait to be on the other end of those stalls :)

Crowd shot, below:

In other news, we are still patiently awaiting bees...it's not looking too good. The middleman who is supposed to be picking them up for us this week hasn't gotten back to us. I can only pray he is in transit for them, so--waiting patiently...

Also, Big Town Farmer's web server is acting VERY strange lately...we put the mag up last week and seem to be getting complaints that some folks dont see it (maybe it's cached?)...no idea but the server techs are not all that helpful...grumblegrumblegrumble...so I think we might have to reformat what we are doing entirely...

This might not be a bad thing as I am working a business idea that is more dynamic and still involves farming...I'll have those details shortly.

Have a great day!

A "Tradition" Continues...

2009-04-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Alrighty folks, today I am keeping with the tradition of Lovemongering--and am bringing to light two smaller candidates that I think need your help. By the way if you've not heard the story of Lovemongering, or how it came to be CLICK HERE.

The first candidate was brought to my attention through the blog of the lovely artist LEMONCHOLY. Her friend, and fellow artist Joanne Pierrotti needs your help. Her husband, Ron, recently lost his job, and the health benefits that come with it. Of course, it would be a horrible time to get sick--and Ron happens to have just been diagonosed with a brain tumor. Clearly, the surgical and medical costs will be steep, but Lemoncholy has set up a "Chip In" widget to her page to help raise money. Read the story HERE, and see JOANNE's BLOG as well, for some posts. If you want to "chip in," give as much or as little as you can!

Then, on Barb and Steve's The Big Red Barn--her neighbors, and Amish couple named Eli and Lizzie are suffering under the worry of Lizzie's complicated pregnancy. She has had to go to the hospital, and being of very humble origins, they will not be able to cover the expenses. Please read HERE and HERE and help if you can.

Many blessings to you!

Yikes!! A.K.A "Changes"

2009-04-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Wow--yes, I am a horrible blogger! I promise I haven't jumped ship--but there are any number of changes happening that are making it a little more difficult to keep up with the blog than I had hoped.

I'm not sure how much background I've given you about my current situation, but in a nutshell, my "day job" has consisted with freelance pet-care, which is usually a do-able situation in New York City. I go to people's homes and give medicines, insulin and other important therapy to people's animals. I specialize in bird care and reptile care. I also train and walk dogs. It's rather a luxury, for sure--I can think of worse things to do as a job.

However, as with all things in this economy--the trickle down effect eventually reached me smack in the middle of last week. Two heavy duty clients were laid off of their jobs, and didnt need/couldn't afford me. Suddenly, a modest but comfortable job became a sudden rush to find new clients, and then a new job.

Almost simultaneously, several friends had requested that I help them with a rooftop gardening job. Since they knew I knew how to grow vegetable and herb plants, they wanted me to show them how to grow and care for plants. When we completed it last weekend, I was surprised when several of them mentioned I should do this for a living.

"What, in the Middle of the city?" Yes, was there response, many people were trying to grow their own food on rooftops and such.....hmm, so there's something to look into....

Thirdly, it has been a never-ending adventure trying to get bees on our property. The weather of the big bee apiary in Georgia that was supposed to supply us flooded way back in March--so we didn't get any the first round over, so now we are hoping NEXT week will finally have bees.

Fourthly, my little art blog and art swap are sort of taking off, so I've had to tend to that....

Fifthly (is that even a word?), I am having trouble figuring what to do with my little online farm magazine. For the almost two years its been up, I cannot make money, much as we try to solicit sponsorship, etc. It is really a difficult thing to maintain for free, seeing as that energy could be used elsewhere, so I am trying to revamp its format somehow, or I'll have to stop doing it altogether.

And most importantly--while I try to put a funny and witty (well, I think it's funny and witty!) spin on farming techniques in the city, there is some part of me that wanted to start this whole thing as a way to continue this simple, old way of life...farming, that is. More and more, I am horrified by the news of how small family farms are being treated, and how large corporations are getting away with EVERYTHING lately.
I think the final straw for me came when another blog friend Barb of the Big Red Barn talked about the issues of CAFO's coming into the neighborhood of their newly purchased farm dream.

Several lovely pieces, written by author Jon Katz on his blog (he wrote the Bedlam Dog series) sums up beautifully, and heartbreakingly, the plight of what is going on. I sometimes wonder what has happened to us--why government does what it does and why we are letting them get away with it....

Anway, here are a few essays from Mr. fKatz:
http://blog.bedlamfarm.com/index.cfm?&startRow=31

http://blog.bedlamfarm.com/index.cfm?&startRow=27

http://blog.bedlamfarm.com/index.cfm?&startRow=19

Since I'm not really good at sitting around and doing nothing--I am trying to figure how to parlay the whole situation regarding myself, and all of these changes, into something positive...

So we will see...haha, I may have to start ANOTHER blog just for the farm plight issues, but this one will be about my own personal adventures.....hmmmm....

The Secret Life of Bees...

2009-04-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, the title of the post ISN'T about the film, but you guessed that, right?

So,today is the big Lovemonger day, but someone emailed asking me to explain the "bee situation" at our city brownstone, based on yesterday's post.

Ok, so here's the short of it. We live in the city. We want to help increase the bee population and maybe get a little honey out of it. Because my landlady runs a company that focuses on green projects, we might even do a little documentary about it, highlighting the plight of honey bees. So, the bees will be famous--if we can ever get them here. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Anyway, the real point of it all is that it started as my landlady's idea. Just when you thought "crazy cat lady" sounds crazy, it's been one up-ed by "crazy bee lady." However, I think we should ALL be crazy about bees, literally and figuratively. After all, bees save our lives.

Before you stare at me all agog and start calling the number to the nearest phsychiatric ward, let me explain. I mean, you all do know that without bees pollinating everything there would be no fruit and vegetables in the world right? Of course you do. And yet, at this very instant, bees are dying off in DROVES...I cannot stress this enough. Sure, of course we say we know it, but then what can we do about it?

So, my landlady decided she will try to set up 2 hives, and encourage the community to become sort of an urban bee sanctuary. Which means, in between writing, doll making, animal watching and maybe cleaning the house, I will be beekeeping and planting wildflowers and such. All in the hope that we can save the declining bee populations....

It is this decline that is the reason we cannot get our scheduled bees this weekend..because the beeyard where we were scheduled to get them is already low because of high death rates, and of course, this never-ending winter weather is making it hard to package the poor bees.

We would try to call other beekeepers to ship from around the country, but they too, are sold out or oversold--because of decreasing bee populations, difficult bee-rearing weather and increased interest in beekeeping (which is great--more bees out in the world--but not such good news for us!).

So right now, we are waiting for our middle-man (wow, it all sounds so high end, even illicit) to make a second trip down to Georgia and HOPE its sometime by May, because right NOW, everything is in bloom and waiting for it's pollen to be collected! DOH!

I could go more into beekeeping, but it is quite an education. I think many people think you can dump a whole heapin' bunch of bees and they'll just do their thing. It's a bit more complicated than that--like all "livestock"--they need food when it's low, warmth, room in their homes, and general comfortable quarters. Unlike other livestock--they can, and will, make a mad dash for it if you can't make their lives happy and secure.

So, instead of Lovemongering, here are a few links that might interest you if you want to start your own "bee sanctuary"---you are saving a whole lot of little lives, and your own, as well:

This website has a pretty good overview of Beekeeping:
http://www.gobeekeeping.com/lesson_one.htm

Long Lane Honey Farm's Beekeeping Blog (yes, they advertise alot of their product, but they have great advice here:
http://basicbeekeeping.blogspot.com/

If you live in the SouthEast and are interested in the NATIVE bees (yes, they do exist), here's a wordy article on conserving them:
http://www.ent.uga.edu/Bees/bee_pubs/conservation/bee_conservation.htm

I love this blog! She shows you how to make the perfect "Bee Garden" for bees. Even if you can't raise bees, you can help out with your own bee sanctuary:
http://melissa-majora.blogspot.com/

And finally, here is a plant list for bees--you can get a few pots of these for your tiny backyard or grow them on your acreage:
http://gardening.about.com/od/attractingwildlife/a/Bee_Plants_2.htm

Until next time, Friends!

YIKES! I think I need to clone myself

2009-04-08T19:29:00.001-07:00

Alright--I had SEVERAL really good subjects I should've started writing on Monday, but it has been a ridiculously busy week!

Lots of crafty stuff afoot. First, I managed to create these two rascals:

And, lucky me, someone paid for their "train fare" and off they went to a new home! Life was looking GOOD...

But then--it was A LOT of ordering bee supplies! We were officially supposed to be getting two packages of bees this weekend. The supplier was driving ALL THE WAY TO GEORGIA to pick up bees from a reputable supplier.

Everything was going smoothly--the bee equipment came in, and I had to go to our landlady's office--where the bee equipment was sent--and double check all sort of packages and paraphenalia. I WAS really excited! Except, then our supplier just emailed and said due to the bad weather, the supplier couldn't correctly package each bee family, and he may have to drive back without them! DOH! NO BEES!
I am hoping my landlady has a sense of humor about just spending $800 on hives, suits, bee stuff and bee medication. Somehow, I doubt it though, because even I'm grumpy...and I'm just here to take care of them!

I will try to order bees elsewhere, but I think the apiaries in the country are sold out already--or can't create enough bees because the bad weather and other stuff keeps killing them off. Gah! I could write a whole other post about the problems we will have without bees, but I'm just trying to figure out WHAT TO DO NEXT!

Anyway, I'll leave you on a positive note: Another reason I was a bit inundated was that I had to paint the logo, and set up a new DOLL SWAP on my art blog. Here is the logo for the

UNDER THE SEA SWAP:

Click HERE if you are crafty, and you might be interested in joining (or even if you are just curious)!

Ok, after this, I SHOULD be on track. Please forgive me, but next week I should start "Weedy Wednesday" and unveil a whole new schedule for blogging! I will be covering an interesting idea I have in the next day or two, as well!

Thank you for being patient!

Love and Dreams....

2009-04-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing like gettin' the ole shoes dirty!

There has been more than one time I have been called crazy (or loopy, or kooky, or what-have-you) for being a city girl with a yen for a farm. Luckily, there seem to be more and more of my type, lately. Not sure why, but grateful that people seem to appreciate nature, the simpler things, animals...or just maybe a sense of more solitude? Who knows, but I'm glad there seem to be people who have that same desire.

Sometimes, however, it is very frustrating to live "in the meantime." What to do IN THE MEANTIME. While waiting to buy that magic piece o' farmland. While waiting to save those pennies (and LET ME TELL you, sometimes it's literally PENNIES by the end of the month). While figuring out hair-brained schemes about getting more money. While looking at foreclosure listings. While looking in way-out-in-the-boonies-snakes-won't-even-live-here-but-it's cheap listings. While writing a city to farm magazine in the hopes of shaking off some of the "farm yen."

I remember telling myself a few years ago, it might take a couple of years to get a farm. This is before I walked away from a somewhat decent paying, but really difficult-place-to-work situation in 2007. Even with every freelance gig I could take, it easily became a dream that was--and is--slipping further and further away...hmm...

Sometimes, I get lucky--I can run off to a friend's farm and work on wild herbs (those dirty shoes at the top were from last summer's herb gathering project in the Catskills). But even these little excursions don't really stop the neverending ache to get dirty fingers and mucky shoes and all that. Yes, I am a weirdo, but you knew that.....

Just my two cents for the day--especially since I am stuck inside with horrible weather and--you know--stuck IN THE CITY.

Hmm, in the meantime, I will keep writing about things that seem to have some merit in the topsy-turvy little world of mine. This includes Lovemongering, which I keep forgetting should be Thursdays. I think I'll try to couple it with other little daily stories. And of course, there is Weedy Wednesdays, now (thanks for the input about that, guys!) So, there's a little bit of a schedule here.

Today's post on Lovemongering--hey, surprise, it's animals again! That was totally unexpected, right? All joking aside, this husband and wife duo are folks who I have LOOOONG admired.

They are a FARM that takes in all sorts of disabled animals. Blind Dogs, blind horses, three legged cats, deaf animals...and care for them lovingly--paying medical bills (not cheap) and getting them from everywhere (even Afghanistan!) Trust me, you will go to their website and fall in love with them and their tireless work. CLICK HERE TO SEE ROLLING DOG RANCH.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tales of the Herbwyfe...

2009-04-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

So, besides animal caretaking, writing a farmy magazine, making dolls, wrangling two or three blogs, possibly bee-keeping, violing playing (and I use the term "playing" loosely at the moment!), advising people on green gardening, and dreaming of a farm (and apparently nursing carpal-tunnel syndrome from writing all of that)--I happen to study herbalism.

This love of wild weedy things goes back awhile...now, I decided awhile ago that I would devote a whole blog to the subject but it quickly occured to me that I would NOT have time to add another blog to my repertoire unless I found a way to live without sleep.

Instead, I will be adding herbalism to this blog--maybe every Wednesday! Oooh, and call it "Weedy Wednesday"...or, umm, something like that? What does everyone think? Anyone like herbalism, or are interested in it?

While we're all contemplating it, I have pulled the first post from my Herbal blog (soon to be known as the "defunct herbal blog") and posted it here for your enjoyment. Have a great Wednesday, everyone:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn't start off as an herbalist.
I wasn't (despite my appearance), a wild woman living in the foothills of some woodsy, mysterious place.

I was, in fact, probably as far away from wilderness as you could get--having started my life in New York City. I've had at least half-a-dozen jobs in the arts, all of which were wonderful and fulfilling.

Somewhere along my childhood journeys, my artistic bent was swayed--finally--by nature when we moved to North Florida just as I hit teenage-dom. Coming from a bustling, vibrant city to a small town did NOT sit well with me. I was so depressed, that I promptly moved back to New York and got my degree in fine arts, and the rest is history.

Sort of. What I DO remember, fondly, about my time in the South, was my exposure to nature. It slowly romanced me, making me aware of its true awe-someness, it' greatness. I mean, we moved across the street from the forest. This is the view I had outside my front door:

And here are the majestic trees that I would see every day:

These magnificent beings held birds, foxes, rabbit and all manner of reptiles (this was florida, after all)...the sheltered creatures and yet, in their giant-ness, they were as small as I underneath the starry vast sky which they showcased, so well. It was this forest, and it's many plants, that initially had me asking about the identity of each of them.

This love affair was not long lasting, however; the indulgence of youth had me seeking out the bright lights of the big city, where I was sure to find "It" (whatever the It of life was supposed to be at the moment--money, success, etc). Funny, how years later, one can wise up and see that perhaps the more important things were much simpler than one expected. Indeed, shiney objects could only hold one's interest for so long (my friend refers to this as the "Matrix Effect").

Anyway, any number of things eventually contributed to my reaffirmation of herbalism and the plant world. The new awareness of how BAD (and expensive) mass processed food, and "medicines" actually were, the ever climbing prices of food, and my own inquisitiveness made it natural for me to explore organic plant life. People eventually began asking me for advice on growing herbs, and using them....and so, it's a bit of a full circle.

Beyond book learning, I decided to take a bold step (well, bold for living smack in the middle of the World's most well known city) and learn in a hands on manner. While books were good references, those glossy pages can't recreate the smell of fragrant herbs such as lavender, or be as interesting to touch as, say, nettle. There was just no getting around the fact that I'd have to learn up close and personal.

So, after asking around, I finally located a few folks with property upstate. Of course, they had no problem with a girl "just clearing out their weeds" (which is what most plant life looks to the uninitiated)...and a little business was born.

...as was a tradition. I am an Herbwife. Its been an interesting journey so far. Stay tuned for new tid-bits and interesting info and maybe you, too, will find yourself running to forests, which is a great idea, I think!

The Birds and the Bees....

2009-03-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

Mmmm-hmmm.

Don't act like the title of this post didn't draw you here! I'm on to you!

Unfortunately, the subject of this post isn't nearly so scandalous. I'm talking in literal terms, and "the birds and the bees" was actually an email that my landlady recently sent me.

See, for a long time--since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, really--my landlady and her husband have teen talking about adding some farmy elements to the old city brownstone. Since I am the most "farm inclined" of the group of 3 families who live in the building (and isn't it SAD that I would be the farmiest of us all. I mean, have you SEEN me?) I've been heavily included in a say as to what goes on in these "green" proceedings.

For some time, the thought was that we would get city chickens. If you'll remember, some time back, I wrote a whole big honkin' article on this here blog about this very thing--keeping chickens in an urban space. I was inspired by others who wanted to keep chickens in suburbs and cities and, secretly, I sorta was prepping myself for attempting that very thing.

But then things got complicated because there was not enough room for proper chicken housing (at least not in my opinion, since these birds would need to be protected from my landlady's dog AND cat, who also use the backyard)--either in the back (too much space was needed for garden) or the roof (not enough gating to keep them from falling off the sides).

And all that went moot when my landlady attended a green conference in which the plight of bees was mentioned. We all know we NEED bees to even eat fruit or veggies, right? Without polination, we are sunk. And yet, bees seem to be dying out for no apparent reason--now attributed, by scientists, to the general broad term of Colony Collapse Disorder.

Of course, we should all be in a tizzy about this and my landlady-all tizzied up--decided right then and there she was going to get two hives and start on the way to bee-keepin'!

Ok--maybe it wasn't quite as simple as that. I should probably backtrack here and let you know that I had a conversation--wow, it all seems so innocent now--letting her know that my Hungarian grandfather used to keep 40 hives. I MIGHT have mentioned that I took an Intro to class years and years ago (you know, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I tell you!)....

You see where all of this is going right?

So guess who will be beekeeping two hives of bees when they get here in roughly 10 days? YEP! Atop all of the other hair-brained--I mean NOVEL--things I will be doing, I will be attending insect royalty and trying to stay sting free.

Do any of you have bees? I am excited, I must tell you, but there is that part of me that feels like I might be too rusty to do some of the things I remember to be associated with bees. I will definitely be tracking my crazy misadventures here, you can be sure.

In other headline news: I am now taking violin lessons (you remember the violin I got for Valentine's day, right?)--and can play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star " "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and "Hot Cross Buns." Yes, I think I am ready for my world tour now.

Plus, in the art department, I finished these two little cuties in time for Easter and Spring. And they are FOR SALE!

Click HERE to go to my art blog link for more on how to bring these little rascals to YOUR HOME!

Ok, folks! More mayhem soon!

Friday Love Mongering!

2009-03-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Ahhh!

Apparently I lost my head and forgot it was Thursday yesterday. That was bound to happen, I lose my head alot. It gets just a teeeeeeensy bit busy around here!

Currently, I am somewhere in the land of dealing with my landlady and her desire for bees---which makes for an interesting story. Currently, however, it is in the unpleasant phase of negotiating what to do with the beekeeper (that would be me) and how to compensate said beekeeper, since we all know beekeeping isn't exactly a walk in the woods. But that's another story for another day, kids!

Right now, onto more pleasant things! Love! And Lovemongering! This weeks subject was sent into me by reader Jane A. Thanks Jane! Jane leaves somewhere near the Mt. Kisco, NY area (which would be upstate, for you city dwellers), and there is an excellent bakery there--that not only serves super-yum tasties, but apparently donates ALL of their profits to charity! Amazing!

To see more, please check out this super Bakery of Love, Connie's, by CLICKING HERE.

Up Next, Sticky Situations (yes, I'm still talking about the bees!)...until next time, Dear Readers!

The Extreme Frugalist, part II

2009-03-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, so yesterday I started a small list of things you can do to save money.

This achieved two different results: 1. People could NOT believe I actually do not use lights or electricity for one day. I assure you--yea verily--that I do--on Tuesdays. I have a cute owl shaped lantern and a bunch of cheapo candles and it's a good time. It IS possible--but it probably helps to have a sense of imagination and a sense of humor during such times. I usually end up drawing by candlelight--it's very relaxing.

Look, you'll get enough practice as it is during Earth Hour this Saturday, right?

The other response I included many more suggestions for saving money. Ahh, I wish I could write a huge honkin' list of what I think you should do, but I had to make more money and run to my job before said honkin' list could be thoroughly done.

But don't fret, kids! Here is a continuation of yesterday's thoughts! Can I get an Amen?

Ok, as mentioned by Kimmie O. yesterday--thrift stores are a great place for bargains. Unless you live in New York City, which I do.
In which case, thrift is really some other word for vintage, and vintage is another word for "just as expensive as a regular store." I kid you not. Mind you, you can get $400 Mahnolo Blahnik shoes for $150 at some of these places---and I suppose that's great if you're into Mahnolo Blahniks--but I'm more of a $5 Keds kinda girl. Seriously, it is VERY hard to find bargains at "thrift" stores around here. Even at the one Goodwill store I heard of around here, some of the prices are suspiciously high. Ahh, New York prices, I tell you!
But if you are at most regular thrift stores, take advantage. You will find great stuff, and avoid fashionistas looking for "cheap" bargains!

ANYHOO...

Thrift stores are great. As are garage sales and moving sales. Check your local paper or Craigslist for good bargains!

Make Ebay and Etsy your friend --another great source of less inexpensive items is either Ebay.com or Etsy.com. Ebay allows you to get new, antique or creative goodies for a fraction of the cost, usually. My recent find was a cast iron cornbread mold in the shape of little corn ears--$6 instead of the $15 I found in the fancy cooking store. Yes, it doesn't take much to keep me happy.
Etsy is great in that you can buy unique handcrafted items, thereby ALSO supporting an artist..and you know I'm ALL about handcrafted stuff, and supporting items...so go ahead, kill two birds with one stone (err, not literally, though!)

Wholesale Clubs --Ok, I'll be honest here. I'm not a fan of this sort of thing because it supports massive conglomerations and lots of the products in wholesale places (Costco, Sam's, etc) are made in foreign countries. But you're desperate and need to save money, right? So maybe an occasional run to these stores makes sense. Plus, you can use the money you saved to buy something from Etsy. And support handcrafted stuff and artists!

Food Pantries --again, some people think this is beneath them, but if you really need to, lots of churches and non-profits have, or are, food pantries. Go ahead and see if you qualify for canned or boxed goods. There are also food co-ops that have lower priced, tasty and organic food.

Grow Your Own -- well, you KNOW the farmgirl in me is all about growing your own food, anyway, but it actually saves money. And gardening reduces stress (since I live in NYC, I'm gardening. A LOT), gets you into the fresh air, attracts bees and other wildlife...and all that other good stuff.

I've gardened for 3 years and THIS year, I might help set up gardens elsewhere---but more on that later---grab yourself some seeds and start planting. Or a bunch of big pots and buckets, if you live in the city. Gardening doesn't require much land, and is simpler than you think!

You'll know EXACTLY where your food comes from, too. And there is nothing so satisfying as going to your own kitchen garden and picking the veggies that you will cook for dinner. Or making canned tomato sauce. Yum!

Alrighty, then. This concludes this edition of the Extreme Frugalist. Again, I am sure I forgot something, but feel free to tell me YOUR ideas for keepin' it cheap!

The Extreme Frugalist...

2009-03-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Gah!

Again, I seem to have fallen through some sort of time warp! How does time go by so quickly? It's almost like I can hear myself getting older at this sort of breakneck speed! D'oh!

ANYHOO...

So, last I mentioned, I was here to talk about frugality. But not just your average, wussy frugality...nope, I'm talking "I - have - no - money - and - I - want - to- save - up for - a - house - of - my - own - so - I - don't- have - to - pay - rent - to - the - MAN" frugality. Ok, so I might be channeling my own current situation, but just substitute your own needs and wants in between the quotation marks. I'll wait.

Ok--so, now once you have your eyes on your OWN prize, let's discuss.

If you want to go gung-ho with your own budgeting, you need to be prepared to do one of two things: 1. Get clever and 2. Give up stuff that usually makes you comfortable.

I'm gonna let you know now (if you haven't already realized it) that number 2 is usually the kicker. But, if you're gonna be self-sustainable, you might as well start now, and it'll help you roll with the punches.

So, here are some of my ideas for keeping a few of your hard earned dollars..some are simple, some a little strange, but I think they work:

1. Budget--yeah, this sort of sounds like a cop-out, but you'd be amazed at how many people don't keep track of their finances. Yes, we're all used to those free-wheeling 90's where money came easily (well, to many of us, anyway)--and why worry when there's surplus.
Get an old notebook and write down every measly thing you might buy, have bought, or need to buy. Groceries, toiletries, light bills. See what you can cut down on, if anything....and you can cut down via the following---

2. Coupons --again, this sounds pretty obvious, but I get the sense, from the younger generation, that there's something sort of embarrassing in cutting out, and using coupons. Pshaw! No such thing. Of course, the argument is, how much can be saved, but even $5 or $10 adds up. Trust me on this. The only downside to this is that the quality of some of the food on sale isn't that great (in my opinion).

3. Get free stuff. There are several online sites that are dedicated to letting you know how to get free stuff, or who give away free stuff. Take a little time computer surfing to find these little gems.
Here are a few I've been alerted to:
Thunderfap
Cool Freebie Links
The Freesite

Do a little investigation--some of these sites require some sort of vote or login, so make sure they are legit, and not asking for too much information from you.
Of course, another popular website is FreeCycle...which is a megalist posting board of free stuff given away by people in your own community. It's definitely worth it to sign up!

4. Cut down on your electric bill--Sure, you know you should turn off all the lights when not in use, right. Well, not only THAT, but you should also UNPLUG everything that is plugged, when not in use.
Yes, kids--see, electricity still comes through anything plugged in..I believe the term is "ghost load"--in which the metal of the plug still acts as a conductor to the electricity. It obviously is not going to generate as much electricity as when the machine/object that is plugged in is in USE, but it does add to your light bill. So unplug those puppies--you should see a difference (unless, of course, your electric company is some horrible monopolizing monster--but that's another story).

5. Use no electricity for one day-- yes, you read that correctly. Well, I DID warn you that this was going to be extreme, right? So, we're talking extreme self-sufficiency..and maybe a little adventure! Live like your ancestors did! Light some candles, tell ghost stories! Read by candlelight! It should cut down on your heating bills, plus, you get to buy some wicked cool candles...or even cheap candles from the dollar store. I personally like beeswax candles, but that's a whole 'nother post.
And yes, for your information, I HAVE tried the no-electricity thing several times before. I rather like it and it seems more peaceful in the house. I wouldn't recommend it unless I did--what kind of madwoman do you think I am?

And, before you answer THAT, I will end this post here!

NEXT TIME: Lovemongering, and the Secret Life of Bees (no, not the book!)

More LOVE!

2009-03-19T15:56:00.001-07:00

Wow, yet another week flying by! Yikes, I am sorry to miss some posts.

It's been crazy. I'm working on a team blog as well as my own.

I'm pet-sitting a 120 lb dog. Overnight. And he.hogs.the.bed. Yes, I may be a wee bit tired...and I'm not able to get home and play on the computer as much as I'd like.

I'm back into doll making...

AND, I MAYYYY be beekeeping soon. Yes, you heard this correctly. In the middle of New York City, no less...

And there's the fiddle lessons (oh, if you wanna hear some FUNNY stories, ask me about THAT, sometime).

Yes, I promise I will post ALL of the mayhem, but since it is THURSDAY, it's time for another addition of Lovemongering.

This week, as usual, I keep it close to the animal bunch. Actually, this suggestion was sent in by another blog friend, who lives near Billings MT. She knows of a ranch/sanctuary that takes care of LARGE animals..large farm-y type animals, I guess you could say. Llama, Donkeys, horses, and more are the focus of the good work they do.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT Montana's LARGE ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Up next...LIVING on the CHEAP!

Some nice things....

2009-03-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday everyone...

Keeping the sentiments of the last post--here are some nice updates/news:

On my other blog (you know, where I pretend to be an artist. Hmm, I must be getting good at it because I've been doing it for 25 years) I am doing a little dolly giveaway.

It is for followers of that blog, but it doesn't mean you can't be a follower. And, as I've been saying before...maybe some of my art friends on this blog SHOULD be followers over there, instead. Go ahead, make the switch if you'd like, I won't be mad atchya :)

By the way, THIS is the little beauty I am giving away:

Esther the Easter Bunny!

She's ALL HEART!

Can YOU resist this face?

So hop on over there for this little giveaway extravaganza by CLICKING HERE.

Next, my friend at Black Feather Farm tagged me sometime ago in the 6th Folder, 6th picture contest (Hmm, somehow I am sure it's not called that, but now I'm a bit out of it to figure out what it might actually be called..so just work with me here!)....

Basically, I am to find the 6th picture folder in my computer, and pull the 6th picture up and show it to you. Oooh, that's deadly. I mean, I've lived the city life of a performing artist..it could be ANYTHING...

So after checking, it's not nearly as scandalous as I thought, just a pic from my days as an herbalist, lovely calendula:

Wow, how...umm..anti-climactic?

But this leads into a good segueway, in which I tell you that I will start adding some of my herbalist stuff on this blog. They actually HAVE their own blog--yes, the herbs have their very own blog!-- but I can't maintain THREE BLOGS, run a small business, work with animals, write a farmy magazine, make dolls, can jams, clean this house,AND BE SANE...oh wait, I think that last part IS ALREADY down the tubes...but you get my drift, right? I'm trying to consolidate as much as I can!

Until NEXT TIME, dear readers!

I always like to start the week on a high note ~

2009-03-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Now, you DEFINITELY can't tell me that people will not help each other in times of need, nor convince me that Man is a selfish animal, or heartless:

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/03/13/boston-hospital-staff-shows-big-heart/

It Ain't Quite Livestock......

2009-03-13T07:48:00.001-07:00

Woot! Two posts in one day! And all without the use of caffeine or high carb, tasty treats! Man, it's like I'm Superwoman or something (well, until I need the afternoon nap!)

So someone curious about my "working with animals" bit wanted to know what I meant (if you've read this blog long enough---well, firstly, you really need a medal!---but, you'll also know I mention working with animals on and off).

So the secret's out: apparently writing, making dolls, dancing, and trying to sell dolls, jam, and more online ain't paying the rent (hmm...you'd think I'd be more dissuaded from doing those things)...so my "real life" job has always been working with animals. Always. My first job, which helped pay for college, was working at the Humane Society. Before this, I volunteered as a high school student at a local vet's office. I've trained dogs. I've worked with birds. And even a few farm animals. But for the most part, I work with dogs and cats. Oh, and rabbits. And reptiles.
It t'a'int bad being Dr. Doolittle.

As usual, the blame lies with my parents. Ok, not really. It's actually just my father--I've been exposed to animals EVEN BEFORE I can remember, and this is because my father took me EVERY WEEKEND to the National Zoo, even before I was TWO YEARS OLD. According to the stories I was told, I could say RHINOCEROS and PLATYPUS even BEFORE I WAS TWO.

Clearly, with that background, I wasn't just going to be an artist or something (umm...wait a minute!). In fact, I wanted to be a veterinarian--well, when I wasn't doodling or making up stories in my room (yes, I was a strange child, but you probably could guess that, right?)--and the only thing that STOPPED me from that dream was--who'da thunk it--my complete dislike of SCIENCE--doh!

So long story short, I ended up as a vet tech...with a snazzy vet tech job that I left almost two years ago, after 7 years of working there. I work freelance as a petcaretaker, specializing in giving medication to sick animals in their home, and dealing with pets that most people can't---or won't--deal with. Snakes, lizards, ferrets, hamsters, even chicken.

But--it ain't like wrangling a sheep. So, farm dreams are dashed temporarily, but I can't complain about my job (though I WILL, admittedly, whine when I'm running dogs in the park when temps are in the low 20's).

Here are a few pics of my fuzzy and friendly wards. I call them wards because I feel particularly responsible for their well-being when they are in my care. I am particularly fond of the dogs, who seem to have such a hard time in the city. I love helping train them and keep them corrected during their walks. But, I love all my animal clients:

This li'l dude was some kind of lizard that supposedly lives in North America. He would stick his front feet up like this and beg when he thought we had food (which was freeze dried crickets. Yum!!)

This is lizard #1's buddy, a juvenile horned lizard...

Webb, the world's cutest bulldog pup, hangin' out at our house.

Peter and Lulu, also boarding at the house.

A furry feline friend...

another feline friend...

Ricky and Lucy --they know they are cute!

So...yes, not quite wrasslin' a 2 ton steer, but I'll take it! More later, Friends! Have a great Friday!

Dear Winter....

2009-03-13T07:42:00.001-07:00

.....You know I love you, especially when you materialize the powdery white stuff which magically transports us to another time and world, it seems...but, like, can you please go home, already?

It's March. Can you stop teasing us with 50 degrees farenheit (heat wave!)temps, but crappy gray skies one day, then spectacularly sunny weather that's only 2o degrees the next? I can't coordinate my wardrobe anymore. My pores are sick of going ashy, then all sweaty. I'm tired of packing, then unpacking my winter coat.

Stuff should be growing out of the ground right now. Can you quit confusing the plant life? I REALLY want to start my garden, too.

So please, oh please, can you let Spring take hold? What must I do to bribe you? I mean, at this rate, you'd only have to wait SIX months before you return. Isn't that enough, already?

I know--I shall bake you cookies. Noone can resist cookies! I am sure we have come to an understanding!

Smooches!
Zan Asha

Lovemongering Thursday...

2009-03-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it is Thursday again, which means I profile a person, group, or subject that needs your help.

This Thursday is sweet and simple...it combines charity with a sense of farm-woman craftsmanship! If you like quilting, quilters, and helping people...then visit the Project Linus Fund HERE. This national charity collects donations for their quilters to make blankets. You can also start your own chapter (calling all quilters), and check their bevy of online patterns for yourself. And it seems as though they have some lovely books and other items of interest that you might like for yourself.

It's a helpful and fun place, of you ask me!

Up next--more sweetness and some frugal living ideas!

Sweets, #3

2009-03-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

Gah!

How? How is it that every time I go to post, nearly a week's gone by? It may have something to do with my animal wrangling, online magazine editing, doll making, general folly--but that can't be it, right? Let's just stick with the weekly alien abduction theory, shall we? At least it would explain why I have crazy hair.

ANYHOO...

In the ongoing series of "Sweets," this week's sweet was brought to you by the couple of people who decided to comment on the jelly I was giving away in the One World One Heart giveaway. Now, it wasn't just ANY jelly, mind you, but NO PECTIN jelly. Now, while many people are not new to the idea of FULL sugar jams, there are a few (or perhaps more than a few) misguided souls who were surprised that jelly did NOT need pectin to make. Ahhh, poor, poor misguided souls. Like organic food, no-pectin jelly is an OLD idea...way before pectin was thought of--and, in my opinion, the kick butt version of jelly.

HOWEVER--I totally understand the pectin snobbery. I mean, you just don't have TIME to simmer fruits until they break down into mushy goodness and add some sugar to it. You have to go, go GO! Which is what pectin is for--for shorter fruit cooking time, it adds back the cooagulation factor that makes jelly and jam what it is.

For those of you staring blankly at the screen and shaking your head with wonder (and yes, it occurs to me you might do this EACH week, but in this case, I mean that you stare and shake at the PECTIN reference...*ahem*) let us look at what pectin IS...

PECTIN actually occurs naturally in fruits--and is the factor that allows these soft entities (think strawberries, berries) to retain their shape, despite the fact that some of them contain a good quantity of liquid to them (the "juicy factor")....

In jelly and jam making, the idea here, is that the fruit and it's pectin is broken down by heat, but to return it to a more "solidified" form --this is usually done via some sort of thickener. At one point, sugar, molasses or sorghum (to a degree) was used. Somewhere in the 1820's, someone finally managed to extract pectin and sell it in commercial form for "jams and marmalades."

And this brings us to where we are: pectin is lost in the fruit cooking process but, in case you couldn't hem and haw over a big pot of tasty blueberries or blackberries for an hour until it starts to thicken, then add sugar, you can simply re-add the pectin and it will cause a rethickening of the jam. Got that, kids?

OK. So my point is that my Mama came from the school of Slow Food. No. Make that sloooooow food. She was also from the school of full-sugar and full fat. Hey, if it were up to me, we'd go back to that, except she also informed me that those sort of folks harvest their own wheat, grind it themselves, knead it, wait for hours--THEN use full butter, flour, sugar eggs. Hmm...that seems like a bit TOO much work.

ANYHOO.

Since my Mama came from the school of slooooow food, she is all about full sugar jelly. So, I'm adding the recipe here. Yes, I know that fruit harvesting is way off--so stop back then, if you must. Or go to a U-pick right now. Seems like pear are in season, and pear jelly is mighty tasty, lemme tell ya.

The other beautiful part about this recipe is that you can AVOID all the crazy canning equipment--as it doesn't use pressure canning, as several jelly recipes do! AND, you don't need pounds and pounds of fruit--you can make small batches of the stuff! Yum!

Now, on a serious note, for those of you with diabetes, and other sugar issues--this recipe may not be for you. It's ok, I won't be mad atchya. Pectin can sometimes be your friend.

Aunt Elizabeth's Full sugar Jelly
2 cups fruit
2 cups water
4 cups sugar (this ain't for wooses, I tell ya)

1 large saucepan
1 deep pot (for boil sterilizing your jam jar--it should be taller or longer than the jar)
1 Fully sterilized jam jar, lid, and seal
1 wooden spoon (with which to lift sterile jar)
1 VERY cleanly laundered kitchen towel

Prep time: 1 + hour (it's no joke, folks!)

1. Take your fruit and THOROUGHLY wash it, remove stems, etc. It must be completely removed of any debris. If your fruit is skinned (apple, pear, apricot, peach, etc), make sure to peel ALL of the skin off. Soft fruits such as berries are exempt from this.

2. Add fruit and water in a saucepan. Cook on low-medium heat. Basically, it doesn't need to be on simmer, but should be on low heat so the fruit doesn't burn--'cuz once that happens, you'll have a disaster on your hands.

3. Add sugar within the first 10 mins of cooking. Stir the sugar until it dissolves. You will continue stirring often throughout the cooking.

4. Somewhere within the first 30 mins or so, you will see the fruit get mushy. You can break them down with your spoon. Eventually, the heat will keep breaking them down. Continue stirring.

Preping your jam jar
5. During the last 20 mins, prep your jam jar. Take a clean jam jar, unscrew the top and ring, and add to a tall pot of water. The jar should be able to either lay down in the pot, or stand in the pot, and be thoroughly covered by water.

6. Add the jar elements to water, and bring water to a boil. Boil for 15 mins or so. Get a very clean towel to put the jar in. Then, with a clean and dry wooden spoon, fish the jar elements out and place on towel.
The reason you want to use a spoon and not your hands is 1. you will burn your fingers! and 2. You are trying to avoid any contaminants that your fingers might have. Basically, you are trying to keep anything that comes into contact with the sterilized jar as clean as possible!

7. Wipe all parts of the jar completely with the towel. The jar, cover and seal ring must NOT have any drops of water left, because if the jelly comes in contact with water, it will eventually develop mold or fungus there, the longer it keeps.
Remember, jelly is often STORED for a time, so you must keep it as sterile as when you can any other food. Make sure the jar parts are thoroughly dry!
Allow jar to rest on the clean towel, or another clean towel and go quickly go back to your jelly.

Back to jelly cooking!
8. After 40 mins, you will notice your fruit slowly starting to thicken. All of the fruit will not necessarily be crushed down, but most will be, and there is a liquid quality. It will be less viscous and start to look syrupy. IT IS AT THIS PHASE that you can ladle the jelly into jars. DO NOT wait until the jam is pasty, rubbery....because as the jelly sets, it still thickens a bit and you will end up with rubbery jelly. Make sure it is thick but can still run--like a thick cough syrup.

9. Take a clean ladle and ladle your jelly into the jars. Make sure there is 1/2 inch below the top (in other words, you don't need to ladle right to the very edge). Quickly cover the jar with the top and fit on seal ring. Tighten thoroughly. If any fruit that has drizzled over the edge, clean thoroughly with cloth dipped in hot water.

10. Allow to cool. Place in your pantry....will keep several months unopened and roughly 2 or so weeks once opened, in the fridge Tasty!

A belated Lovemongering Thursday....

2009-03-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

So, unless you were abducted by aliens or spent a leeetle too much time partying yesterday, you noticed it is now Friday instead of Thursday, and Thursday is when I do my Lovemongering Thursdays.

Gah, big apologies guys! I've already missed a few because of the pneumonia bout, and it seems as though the fates are conspiring something against it...so boohiss on those fates.

Unfortunately, much as I'd love to do nothing better than write all day, I actually have to go out in the world and make a living. And yes, though this takes time, I will NOT complain about a job that lets me play with animals all day (which is a story that I will save for a whole 'nother post).

ANYHOO.

Because I've missed a few of these Lovemonger sessions, I've decided to highlight TWO subjects that I think are worth helping. As always, if you feel someone is a valid candidate to highlight during my Lovemongering Thursdays, please let me know!

This week, I've decided to take note of worthy candidate, fellow animal lover, and fellow friend Kathy Steven's Catskills Animal Sanctuary.

I've actually volunteered at the sanctuary, and written about Kathy before. Raised on a horse farm, and with a background in education, Kathy made it her life's mission to save farmed animals, and educate others on the horrors of factory farming. She also takes in abused, abandoned, and neglected farm animals. The 80 acres in this peaceful upstate retreat is now at capacity--especially with animals being brought in due to the many farm foreclosures.

Especially sad is the plight of horses, which she also takes in. These animals are simply turned loose by people who suddenly find them a costly luxury item during this volatile economic climate.

Kathy has already built TWO extra barns and she is completely at capacity. If you live nearby, consider volunteering or adopting an animal...and, of course, donations are always appreciated. Simply click the link above to find out about the many ways you can help this wonderful organization.

By the way, Kathy has written a wonderful book about her experiences called, "Where the Blind Horse Sings." On the cover with her is one of a FEW blind horses she has rescued and ridden. If nothing else, pick up the book, you will love it and I think some of the proceeds go to the sanctuary:

The second candidate this week pertains to the horrible brush fires in Australia. These wildfires have ravaged a great deal of forests, killing and making homeless countless animals--like this sweet little creature, whose story you can read HERE.

The wildfire also burned homes, automobiles and killed many people.

There are many ways you can help directly. You can donate to the Australian Red Cross. You can also help Australia's Animals through the Wildlife Victoria Fund.

Another more interesting--and crafty--way to help is through Etsy. They have set up a store with donated items...all of the proceeds going to relief of this tragic fire. If you are interested in purchasing an item, you can visit the OzBushFireAppeal site HERE.

So far, they seem to have collected $15,000 Australian dollars...great job everyone!
As always, I am hopefully that each of us can help one another....

Until next time, Friends!

"The Forgotten List"

2009-03-04T08:09:00.000-08:00

My last posting got me to thinking of this subject, one I dwell on often. If you're like me you love old fashioned stuff. Not necessarily just "farmy," but you have a yen for items and etiquette from long forgotten days.

I'm not sure if this is because I've always loved history (I wanted to become an archeologist at one point), or it has been somehow influenced by my parent's era, or not.

By the way--*Jacob*--while I appreciate the email you sent regarding the post on my mother, please do not be fooled. My parents can, indeed, be of the World War II era; they had my sister and I much older than most folks do AND, I'm alot older than I look. Really. You won't guess my age correctly. Trust me on this.

ANYHOO.

For a long time, probably more subconsciously, I've been intrigued by violins. My mother played violin as a child. These noble instruments seemed like some distant beauties, unattainable and hauty. But then one of my friends mentioned the whole "Fiddle" aspect, and that a good bit of that was learned by playing by ear. Old Country music and no note learning?? I'm there.

But other sorts of objects intrigue me in a similar way. I keep promising myself that if I ever get this dream farm (and isn't it sweetly ironic that a city girl could yearn for a farm, when there was a whole era of rural people who thought "IT" was moving to the city?)

So that's what I call the Forgotten List. I guess I could call it the "Old Fashioned List" except I'm not sure how old fashioned some of these things are.

Here are some of mine:

*Pitchers and maching wash bowls in wash basins
* Lacy monogrammed or embroidered handkerchiefs
* Cast iron cookwear (I'm a sucker for the ones shaped like corn for cornbread).
* Hand made bread and fresh churned butter
* Beekeeping
* Shaving kits. Silver hairbrushes and matching ladies' mirror.
* Bonnets and Sunhats
* Treenware, Calico porcelain, wooden butter molds and presses, antique dishwear, goblets, bone dishes
* Victorian herb gardens
* Harmonica playing
* Fireside cookouts
* Old woodstoves

Hmmm... I think this list could go on for AWHILE. What about you? Do you have something to add to this list, or your own list? What do you have on your forgotten list?

Mwahahahaaa....

2009-03-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

Cold Outside.....

The temperature reading on the outdoor thermometer yesterday.

HOT inside....

My recently arrived FIRE RED violin!

Ahh, the sorts of trouble I will be getting into whilst getting acquainted with my new toy!

Sweets, #2

2009-03-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

Oy vey, I am long overdue for a post. My apologies! This walking pneumonia is a sneaky thing...one minute it seems like you're turning the corner then, next thing you know, it's like the monster under the bed, lurking until your guard is down. Yes, it has been another week of antibiotics, dehumidifiers and coughing up ALL SORTS of fun things! Yummy!

Ahh, but I've already digressed (gee, I must be feeling better already!) Anyhow, I know I'm delinquent on several counts, and I wanted to get the next installment of "Sweets" in. If you want to know about the first installment, just go to the previous post.

This one was inspired by my friend of BlackFeatherFarm when she initially asked about the old picture of my mama. You know, the one with the picture in the sidebar. Just in case you don't wanna scroll down, here is the picture. Interestingly, this is my father's favorite picture of her, and she is about 16 here.....

She is the Original Farmwoman and if credentials were listed by who you knew, then I'd be a bonafide farmer right now. She is listed under "sweets" because she is the ultimate sweetheart. Yes, I know I'm biased, but it's true. She is like everyone's favorite Gramma, but she is also one tough cookie.

To know the story of my mother is to understand a place in which she lived, where farming was not necessarily a lifestyle choice, or some last bastion of a forgotten era, as it is in this country today (although I'm happy to say people are taking it back up again). You not only COULD make a living as a farmer, most people WERE farmers, or heavily depended on them. No massive food chains, department stores, mass produced plastic items. Nope, it was all locally made, handmade, artisan stuff, folks...that's the way it was--and if you ask me, the way it should be.

Anyway, my mother was born in Hungary, during WWII. And I mean literally DURING; my grandfather served in the war and didn't even meet her until she was 7 years old. She lived in a tiny farming village outside the large capital, and lived in a time with no indoor plumbing refrigeration or central heating. And her mother died when she was 16. So, if you want to understand my overachieving, nit-picky, perfectionistic attitude, just know that I compare my life to THAT everyday. What do I have to complain about? My job that I have, the food in a referigerator, everything at my fingertips? Bah!

Anyhow...here is a requisite black and white photo...since I love old family photos--and know that maybe some of you do, too:

Isn't she a doll? I love little girl photos of this sort. Yep, mama was a looker even then!

ANYHOO.

She lived in a large magnate of farmers, and my grandfather was an electrician and beekeeper with 40 hives. Before this, he had a rather successful business renting his services as a crop harvester, but then the communists took over and seized his equipment and some of his property. Because the government couldn't be counted upon, many people were staunchly self-reliant (hmm...does anyone see a similarity that could apply in today's world?) depending on neighbors and their own small communities for help. My grandfather was "The Honey Man" and he would trade or sell his honey for meat from the next door neighbor's chicken, or for handmade wood furniture from the local carpenter and carver, and so on.

After my grandmother died, my mother had to quickly learn to do EVERYTHING, and I mean everything: bake bread, cook, knit, garden, beekeep, embroider, sew clothes, can food, gut chickens...I could go on and on. Luckily, her own mother taught her to do these things, especially cook, as she had been a cook for one of the German nobles (Grammy was German).

Even today, my mother is a master baker. No one can stay skinny at our house!

Anyway, the point of all of this is...I get the first hand accounts of all of this sweet goodness, without the trauma of living through everything that my mother did. And the second point is, my mother, for all of that trauma...is NOT traumatized. She is a sweet person, and not bitter. So---*ahem* if a woman can live without indoor plumbing, food from a refrigerator, fashion designer clothing, ipods, cars, the latest toys, going out to dinner every night, and the latest, newest, hottest, coolest "x" (insert your product of choice), and not be jaded or whiney about it.....what is the problem with this country?

Hmmm...I didn't see myself going in the soapbox direction, either, but you know what I mean, right?

So, that's the story of sweet mama, also known as Aunt Elizabeth!
Up next: another Aunt Elizabeth recipe--which also is another installation of the "Sweets" series!

Sweets, Part 1

2009-02-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, back during Valentine's Day, I wanted to post a whole series of nice stories under the wording "Sweets"...seemed appropriate, no? Of course this was before the dark plague smited me verily. Umm, or I got seriously sick. Ahhh, good times, good times.

Anyway, I wanted to go ahead and post these, and I'll start with a very timely award that the lovely Judy of Full Freezer just gave me. Wow, I am really humbled! This is actually the first award for this blog, so THANK YOU Judy!!

Anyhow, here is the award:

So, from what I understand---

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.

The rules to follow are:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog, together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to another (up to) 15 blogs that are worthy of the acknowledgement. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award

Wowsa! I didn't realize that my li'l blog was doing all of that. Really? I almost feel important--haha, that shall pass quickly! But another thank you Judy!!

Ok: wow...so many good blogs that I read and like..feel free to accept the award, or not, but here goes:

The lovely Maria and her TOTALLY green lifestyle at: Dirt Under My Nails
Enchanted English Farmy Living and Art at: Moonlight and Hares
Farm, Family and more great art from Jen at: Gypsy Mares Studios
And more farm, art and horse love at: Black Feather Farm

Actually, there are WAAAAAY more than this that I have in mind, but I think the list would be endless...wow, thanks again, guys!

More "Sweets" coming soon!

DOH!

2009-02-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

Wowsa!

Sorry to be absent from the online realm, but I ended up with walking pneumonia. Yes, you read that right! The old fashioned, Little House on the Prairie walking pneumonia complete with hard lungs and no breathing. It doesn't help that my side job consists of being outdoors at times--walking and training huge burly dogs in sub-freezing weather.

Which is exactly what happened last week, when temps were at least 10 degrees beneath the freezing mark and one of my regular clients, a 110 lb Mastiff/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix decided he would LOVE to run in this kind of weather! Heh, who was going to stop him? Not me, that's for sure. I was too busy trying to figure out why I was coughing and having a hard time breathing and why it wasn't going away, since it was just a winter's cold, right?

So please forgive my absence, there is definitely more city farminess soon (like tomorrow)... Just trying to catch up with everything---but really, I haven't abandoned this blog, I promise!

It's a sorta farmy kinda love around here.....

2009-02-15T08:45:00.001-08:00

Ok, ok, the title post isn't exactly true, but let me keep this little facade of me living on a farm up, ok?

Yes, I know those of you who live on a legitimate farm are rolling your eyes at me--heck, those of you in the suburbs with TREES are rolling your eyes. What can I say, I work in the arts: I've got lots of imagination!

I mean, look at this cute little cow at the top of the post. It's not my cow, obviously, but I found this story somewhere on AOL. It's actually a little ox and he was born with that mark and lives in Japan and his name is actually "Heart." So, how perfect can you get?

Anyway, this is really a little post about my Valentine's day. How was everyone's? I hope you had a wonderful time and that you had someone to be "Valentiney" with. Hopefully, no anti-Valentine situations going on where you are.

Now, because I've known what it's like, in the past, to have a LOT of anti-Valentine's day--where you swear that the holiday was probably created by some seriously narcissistic or masochistic fool--I have extended this cute little post over to my other blog (yes, it was JUST THAT good of a holiday). So if you want to see the way cuter and detailed version of that, hop on over.

Anyway, my sweet boyfriend has a sense of humor to combat my own (which is probably why he hasn't utterly been frustrated with the animal loving, fairy-tale obsessed, farm mongering Virgo that he lives with)....and sometimes this will show itself in the most demonstrative ways.

So when I told him, in a fit of frustration, to do something "unexpected" for Valentine's day (as opposed to your "typical" cards and roses--and yes, I know that I deserve a boohiss for that), here was his response, which I found when I went to the bathroom:

Yes, it is written on the toilet paper!

Haha, but you can't say it wasn't unexpected! We both had a good laugh about that.

Then, because he knows I am an imaginitive farmy sort, he bought me a fiddle, which I had been coveting for many months!

Can you hear me going "Squeeeeee" in delight? And, very girlishly, might I add? Now, you know it's love when a man will put up with the horrible grinding sounds of a violin being played incorrectly for months at a time!

So what about you? How was your Valentine's Day?

OWOH Winner!!!

2009-02-12T16:58:00.001-08:00

Wow, guys! Sorry for the big delay--I've actually TRIED picking a winner based on favorite comments but--geesh--you guys are too sweet, I couldn't do it!! I tried visiting your websites, but could find not a one of you better than the other SO...I finally had to work with a number generator to get a number, and then apparently I couldn't count and had to go back and double check---wow, all this for some homemade goodies, right? Ok, ok,....so without further ado: finally, the WINNER OF OWOH!

PANDORAS ART BOX

Woot! Congrats, and I'll get an address from you shortly!
Thanks everyone, for participating! Who knew more than 200 folks would like jam and salve?

Also, I will be looking through everyone's blogs, now that the event is over and there isn't so much mayhem!

I can now take a moment to relax because....

2009-02-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

....the latest edition of BigTownFarmer is now online!

So, if you are looking for some Valentine's Day hints, or are interested in the story of someone who raises wool and fiber animals....or are just interest in general city to farm (and vice versa!) sort of stuff--hop on over and check out the shenanigans I pull when I am not blogging....or caring for animals...or doing art....DOH! You get the idea!

Ok, and now I have a question for you, dear readers: I also have a herbal blog but--between that blog, this blog, and the art blog--well, there's little room to, umm, go outside---if'n you know what I mean. I am thinking of combining the herbal information on a day or two here, instead. Let's say Monday and Saturday, or some such. Is anyone interested in that sort of thing? I know it's not important, in the big scheme of things, but would people actually want to read about herbs?

OWOH Reminder!

2009-02-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!
If you haven't done it already, you might want to get your comments in at The One World One Heart Giveaway because it ends tomorrow! You still can comment on MY GIVEAWAY, HERE.

I will accept posts for until midnight EST tomorrow, Feb 11th (that would be 9pm for those of you all the way on the West Coast).

At midnight I WILL POST A COMMENT at the end, which will probably say something like: "No More Comments, Please!" At that point, anything submitted afterwards will not be accepted.

Anyway, since there seems to be a LOT of interest in the giveaway items (jam and skin care, who knew??), I will probably use an online random number generator , or something--since it is really hard to pick just one of the really lovely comments left on the post. It has been so nice meeting new people and reading your blogs as well!

The winner will be announced mid-day tomorrow and I will get in contact with the lucky winner! Good Luck everyone! And thanks for participating!

Now hurry up before time runs out! :)

And THIS is why I support cloning (myself)....

2009-02-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

...or, something like that....

I mean, how else am I supposed to get all of the stuff that I am doing done? I've already TRIED speaking with the Powers That Be about extending The Hours past the 24 hour mark. Nope. It's been in place for milennia, so why would it be changed for some weird haired city girl with a little too much on her plate?

What have I doing that warrants this kind of extreme Time bargaining? Here's the run down (hold onto your seats!):

I've been in the enchanted lab, mixing up all sorts of lovely farm ingredients to make the same sorts of creams, jams, soaps, and even knitted things that you have seen on my giveaway. I will be offering these up on Etsy, HOPEFULLY the end of the week. Hmm...I notice that each time I write it down or say it, I seem to jinx myself...so I'll definitely keep you posted, if you are interested in pure product goodness!

Also, with the new mantra of "downsizing," I have decided to try to sell the never ending treasures that have taken up my residence. These are unique jewelry, art, costumes and more, that have taken years to collect (read: horde). Because they are technically NOT handmade, I will most likely be selling them through either Ebay or on YET another blog (I swear I'm gonna eventually be IVed to the computer, all Matrix-like, for all this computer work!), so I'll let you know when--great items for really good prices!

ANYHOO....

My art dolls are featured in the latest edition of Small Town Living, an excellent online magazine about either whimsical, old fashioned, or country living. It's really a wonderful resource, if you're into any of it, so go check it out!

Meanwhile, I am at the last stages of editing and reformatting OUR current edition of BigTownFarmer. This month's magazine has wooly goodness, doll magic, herbal info, and other city to farmy stuff that I try to cover here--but you know, it looks a lot savvier THERE. Cross your fingers, the next edition should be out by Wednesday!

In further art doll news, I am finishing up some spring sprites and other enchanted creatures, and I have also just finished a Valentine swap for the Prim and Whimsy Girls. You can check out all of those details at my ART BLOG.

Speaking of which--and I think I probably mentioned it before-- I noticed a few of our new members (helloooooo!) seem to be more interested in art, and I can't be sure that you aren't here on accident, since I DO HAVE AN ART BLOG, which you may find more interesting than, say, chickens, herbs, renegade rooftop gardening, etc. So, please, don't hesitate to "unfollow" me here, and "follow" the Wild At Heart Art blog instead. I won't be mad atchya, I promise! Or, if you reaaallllly want some love, you can follow BOTH blogs...but...it...occurs to me that it may seem overtly selfish on my part, and we won't have any of that! At least not blatantly, I tell you!

Anyway, before I start rambling off on a tangent (or maybe I've been doing that the whole time), you can now see WHY I need a clone--though, knowing me, she would find ways to keep herself ridiculously busy, too!

Some Love and some updates...

2009-02-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

Wow, I almost missed out on the Thursday Lovemongering session! That definitely wouldn't have been good, especially since I have an update from the previous Lovemongering session.

If you missed it, last week, I got word that Gentle Giants draft rescue needed immediate assistance with their recent rescue, Molly, who had developed colic--which in this case is life-threatening. Well, I don't know if you donated, or at least prayed for this gentle equine soul, but Molly HAS MADE a FULL recovery! While you are saying "awww," feel free to read the wonderful news HERE.

Well, that's got me fired up to continue this little Thursday Lovefest. This week, I will nominate a fellow One World One Heart Giveaway recipient (and you can see my giveaway if you click here, by the way) who I think is worthy of some praise!

Hmm...oddly (read: by happy coincidence), it is another animal rescue. It's Meow Or Never (cute name, eh?) is a Miami rescue that helps dogs, cats, and occasionally exotics and farm animals. They currently need help funding their spay and neuter program, plus I'm sure they can use donations of blankets, food, and other similar items...so hop on over there!

And now, dear readers, it's off to bed for this old dame--up next, the shenanigans I've been up to! Article writing! Doll making! Playing with herbs! Running the dern online store! Valentine's projects gone amok! General havoc--oh, yes! No rest for the wicked...I mean...BUSY...yeah, that's right!

Our Daily Bread!

2009-02-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

Whoa! Sorry again for the delay in writing, but any number of things is keeping me away from blogging (and will probably make me sound like a crazy whiner in the process! DOH!)

ANYHOO....

Ok, no doubt, if you are anywhere in the upper Americas, it's cold, freakin' cold. Yesterday, I walked out in the middle of a snowstorm. It started late last night. Normally, I really don't mind the snow, except that in NYC, that stuff stays pretty for about two seconds before it becomes nasty, dirty snow from all the cars running through, and people walking through it. Uggh. Plus, it was wicked cold yesterday. Like, 12 degrees below Hell Freezing Over. MidWesterners, don't roll your eyes at me.....Ok, ok. Maybe where YOU are it's 40 degrees below Hell Freezing Over. But, just allow me my whiny moment, ok?

ANYHOO.

Comfort food would come in pretty handy right about now, donchya think? Forget about diets, that's what all the winter layering is for. Even if you're a size two, nobody's gonna notice under the long-johns, heavy pants, 5 sweaters, parka, BIG coat, windbreaker, 2 layers of socks, gloves, scarf, and hat with the funny pom-pom at the top. C'mon people, get serious.

So, comfort food. In my book, bread has got to be about the most basic "winter food" you can get. Yes, it works in summer, but not quite as well. By the way, I'm not talking about the Wonder bread stuff you get at the store--sheer blasphemy! I mean home-baked, like your grandmamma-used-to-make-it-I-have-the-80-year-old-recipe-here-
somewhere-in-the-attic.

Yep, folks, this is the kind of hearty bread that just seems to make winter, WINTER. It goes with just about every home-baked lunch or dinner dish, it's filling and, while most people eschew bread as "bad for you" these are WAAAAY healthier than any bread at the supermarket.

Now, I know what you're thinking (well, I know what my ultra-cityfied friends are thinking)....that you'd rather pull your teeth out than hand-bake bread. People, you're on a farming blog, for Pete's sake, and you love a challenge, I know you do! Plus, if you're a wuss with all the kneading, they've made bread machines now, you know. So, no excuses!

The ingredients for basic bread aren't all that complicated...though you'll probably find it interesting to note that different people have their own versions for what the ingredients for "basic bread" are. If you search on the internet, or check out different books, you will soon find a half dozen versions of this, I think. You can easily adjust these to bread makers. If you find bread makers to be a bit pricey, you can often find them in garage sales of second hand shops, as it seems that many people get them on a whim, thinking they'll make all kinds of great bread, then lose interest in the whole thing. Or *ahem* they might realize that it's a whole lot nicer to make pure homemade bread by hand.

If you are interested in the handmade bread, start basic, then add other ingredients. The kneading makes for a whole lotta upper body strength, but this is a great kitchen "project" for you to do on a cold winter's day. Plus, you will be rewarded with some great tasting bread to slather butter or jam on. Or both, with some cream. Or dunk in some tasty creamy soup. Remember, diets be damned!

ANYHOO.....

I've included my mama's family recipe for basic bread, but since she's European, her recipes sorta "one-up" a few basic recipes, so we will go with BRAIDED bread for our recipe today. However, if you're looking for a basic loaf recipe, you can find several of these if you investigate a little.

Here it is: KALACS (Hungarian Braided Bread)

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1 egg
1/4 cup melted butter
1 1/4 cups warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
melted butter for brushing

DIRECTIONS

1.In small saucepan heat the milk until it is warm. Remove from heat. Add yeast to the milk. let stand. You will see the yeast "expand."

2. Place flour in a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast/milk into the flour. Stir like the devil.

You can see the thick yeast here, as the milk is being poured into flour.

3. Add in flour, salt, butter, and egg. Stir some more until you form dough.

My mother stirring...

And stirring some more. Trust me, it's not easy...she can whip your booty doing this. I tried and got to about 5 stirs before I gave in! Yes, I am a weakling...especially when compared to a 5 foot tall, 65 year old woman!

4. Allow for dough to rise. Most people leave the dough in a bowl, in a quiet place to rise--my mother speeds up the process by placing a towel over the bowl, and then putting THIS bowl on a metal pot and THAT all goes on top of the oven, which is heated up. The idea is that the heat is conducted up the metal pot, to the bowl and aids the dough in rising.

Here is the bowl atop the pot atop the oven.

Once the dough has risen to double its size (it can take up to an hour for this to happen), punch dough down, place on floured work surface and knead it for a few moments.

Kneadin' the dough!

Then, cut the dough into two equal pieces.

Take a rolling pin and roll one section of dough out, then slowly shape into a 1/3 inch thick "rope" or rectangle-ish shape. Do the same for the 2nd section of dough.

Take the two ends and "twist them" around each other so they seem braided. Tranfer to a greased baking sheet. Brush the top surface of the bread with butter.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake until loaves are golden brown, roughly 30-45 minutes.

Wait until cooled, cut, and enjoy with butter and syrup! Or butter and cream. Or melted cheese, or....well you get the idea! Yumminess!

Some Heart-Felt Addendums...

2009-01-31T05:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know in my last Lovemonger-ing post, I didn't mention ways to help, but then I stumbled upon a few people who can urgently use your help.....isn't always true that the minute you are not looking for something, it finds you anyway?

Now, if you know me, you know I love draft horses--well, any kind of animal really. I've really admired Gentle Giants Draft Rescue, and they are trying to save this really sweet 9 year old mare that they just rescued. I know times are tough, but maybe if everyone chips in $10, maybe they can save her? Plus, all your donations are tax deductable!
Well, anyway, if you have it in your heart, please read the whole thing on their website: http://www.gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.com/Molly.html
If you can't help, please pass this info along on your blog--hey, we've saved someone from losing their farm, through blogging, it can't be that much more to save one horse! So PLEASE pass it along! Please?

And, this other entry I just stumbled on, randomly, by just backtracking someone who left a nice comment on my giveaway. I hope this sweet lady can forgive me, I didn't ask her to do this, but I felt compelled to post. Please read this entry, and help if you can. I cannot even fathom such heartbreak.

Wow, I didn't mean to start Saturday off on a lower note, but at least you can go out in the world and perhaps realize that not all of your troubles are so huge! Have a wonderful and BLESSED day.

Lovemongering--Love in other blogs...

2009-01-29T05:26:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday again...

For those of you who might not be familiar (and, by the way: Greetings, New Readers!), each Thursday, I put aside the hijinx, and give you the weekly dose of love. By this I mean that I set aside some heartfelt moments to try to help others by highlighting organizations or people that I think need our help. It is the best way I know to spread love and make a difference. Yes, it is maybe a small, probably pathetic way to do so, but I'd like to think each of our small endeavors eventually add up to something. The case in point I always use can be found by clicking HERE.
Yes, I am totally aware that Phelan is prolly sick of me using an example but, hey, it IS a great example!

Anyway, the other part of this sort of Lovemongering thing is as a meditation on GRATEFULNESS. I mean, if YOU can help someone else, you aren't as HELPLESS as you think. And these times seem to bring on the feeling in helplessness for many of us, I know. But even in MY jobless, worrisome state, I CAN choose to help others. I can post about people who need help, I can volunteer....heck, I can do lotsa stuff and that makes me feel good.

This week, I wanted to highlight some special blogs. These are not people who have organizations that help others, or who are asking help for themselves...but..these are people brave enough to talk about being sick. These people have cancer. They are not blogging for sympathy. They are bravely sharing their fight online, without pity, perhaps in the hope of helping others.

Why do I think it's important to share their information with you? Hmm, I hear so much fear ou there lately. So much negativity. My thought is that, no matter how bad you think you have it, how much you think you might lose, you HAVE YOUR HEALTH, and the ability to change your circumstances, at any time. We take our health for granted; our health is a gift.

So please, go see these blogs. Leave a note of encouragement. These folks aren't even asking for that much, but I bet you will feel better doing it:

Blogging in B Minor - This musician speaks in sweet, honest words about the many aspects of life
Rose Colored Cancer - I love her! A fellow farm-girl, she is witty and sarcastic about the healthcare system. Who wouldn't be?

Until next time, Readers, MANY BLESSINGS!

GIVEAWAY!!

2009-01-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, folks, it's giveaway time...a first on THIS blog...but not your average giveaway.

You might have already seen this giveaway mentioned on a few other blogs out there, and especially my other blog. And if you haven't VISITED my other blog...what's wrong with you? I mean, what else could you possibly be looking forward to? A job, going out, washing dishes? Phooey, I tell ya!

Anyway, One World One Heart is this HUGE, ginormous blog event that was first orchestrated 3 years ago by the incredible (!) Lisa Swifka. From humble beginnings, this thing now involves ALMOST 700 different bloggers (and that was at last count!!)...it's basic premise is simple. Each person with a blog gives away an item of their choosing. You can then go on and enter ANY and ALL of the giveaways. The idea is that you learn about new people through their blogs---A great way to meet people, donchya think? I'm all about that!

And now here's your chance to win some WIlLD AT HEART FARM stuff----
All YOU have to do to be entered is comment ON THIS BLOG.
You need to have your own blog.
If you don't have a contact on your blog, please leave your email in the body of your comment.
You can do so until Feb 11th. I will choose a winner on Feb 12th, when this event ends.

I got all hopped-up on my art blog about giving something away and so, when I thought about it, I thought, "why not give something away here." I mean, it adds up the good karma points, I say!

So, my giveaway is as follows:

Since this blog is about farming, even for city folks, we are offering our Wild At Heart Farm products:

(click to enlarge, if you like)

1. 1 jar HOMEMADE blueberry jam, made by my European farming Mama, Aunt Elizabeth. Fresh organic Blueberries from a nearby farm (we went to the U-Pick ourselves, TRUST me on this!) and sugar. NO PECTIN--just cooked the old-fashioned way. Yummy!

2. One small jar of Wild At Heart Herbals Healthy Skin Salve. This stuff is great, especially in winter. Super moisturizing, I handmake this stuff myself--shea butter, cocoa butter, bergamot, apricot oil, lemongrass oil. 100% organic.

3. 1 box of Numi Tea. I love Numi Tea--it's tasty stuff and certified 100% organic--with a few interesting flavors. You will get their box containing 1 packet each of: Chamomile Lemon Myrtle, Jasmine Green Tea, Black Tea Blend, Orange Spice White Tea, Moroccan Mint Tea, and good ole Earl Grey Tea--Italian Bergamot.

Ok, sound like a good deal to you? Leave a comment and I'll see you back here on the 11th! In the meantime, visit the One World One Heart blog for some MASSIVE giveaways!

Whatdya Mean I'm not a farm-girl?

2009-01-27T10:06:00.000-08:00

So in a casual discussion yesterday, my friend's boyfriend (whom we shall keep anonymous, to protect his reputation of being a pain in the booh-teh) mentioned that I had some nerve to be writing a whole blog about farm-life.

Ok, to be fair, he DOES have a point. My "livestock" barely weighs a pound and my tiny city plot is about as far as acreage as one gets. Nope, I ain't farmer Brown.

But, I've never SAID that. This blog, from the get-go, was about trying to get city folks to add more farming life into their lives. It's also for those of us living "in the meantime." I mean, what if you can't GET OUT to the country life? What if living in a place with open space and some grass isn't possible?

What if you want farm fresh eggs? What if you want to do all the stuff that your Gramma used to do, even if you won't admit it to your ultra slick, museum going, high end shopping friends?

So, that's this blog's job...to make you feel a little less dorky about thinking about those things, and maybe to give you a push to do those things. I mean, if you look at the way the things are going, WE ALL will have to find a way to garden and farm--even a little---to get our own food sources...and then some.

And anyway, who says I'm not all about the farming? Why, my house has all sorts of farming clues all over it!

Here are the heirloom family plates:

Ok, they MIGHT not be your typical family plates.....

But here is my farmy kitchen:

Alright, the cookbook rack MIGHT hold a Halloweeny book and some whimsically magical spoons....

But then what about my primitive fall wall-hanging?

Disregard the creepy owl lamp behind it! I must've forgotten to put it away after Halloween..yeah, that's it...

Alright...I know you're not convinced. So then, what about my favorite tea pot and some old fashioned bear sugar shakers?
Yes? You mean these ARE farmy...at least somewhat??

I TOLD You so...I have farm-y stuff around the house! Which is proof positive that I am now qualified to run a tractor and tackle a bull...

Uhh, yeah. Let's just stick to fire escape gardening and learning to knit...

For now. Mwhahahaaaa

Eggselent!

2009-01-26T03:26:00.001-08:00

Whoa!

Where the heck does the time go? Wasn't it Thursday, like, a minute ago? I guess in the hoopla of the One World One Heart giveaway, getting my li'l online magazine together for mid-February, creating a few more dolls, and--you know--looking for a REAL job, time sort of slipped away from me. By the way, one of these days you'll have to remind me to tell you the HIL-AR-I-OUS escapades of finding a job. It would be funny, if it weren't so dang tragic.

ANYHOO.

So, with all of this talk of chickens, I've got eggs on the brain. I mean, you're gonna need to do something with all those eggs, right? Haha, I STILL envy people that can do the whole raising chickens thing. I won't deny it--I, too, have thought of sneaking chickens into the city brownstone. I am still working out the dastardly details (which probably just involve the very complicated process of asking my landlady if we could have chickens. And her saying "yes." It's crazy, I tell ya!)

ANYHOO.

So, back to egg recipes. Or, rather, recipe. Because I'm sure, by now, you've probably come across just about every egg recipe you'd ever want to know about, right? Usually, it's the good ole standards: boiled, scrambled, sunnyside and poached.

Whelp, I have a recipe just as easy--heck, maybe even easier. Because if you're like me, you really don't want to futz around with breakfast...or even brunch (which, by the way, doesn't exist in the rural parts of the world--take note, city friends!). I mean, who wants to put in all that effort when you're half asleep? I'd be lucky if I don't scald myself making coffee. Don't get me started on sitting in front of a pan with HOT OIL, trying to will some egg into some cooked masterpiece.

So, if you want REALLY low maintenance food--where you actually get to walk away from the stove!--come closer. No, closer than that. I have a secret....I call it the Egg Muffin. Shhhh!! Don't look at me all wide eyed. And, no, it is NOT an Egg McMuffin. I said Egg Muffin. And, it's baked, NOT fried! Because you put it in the oven. Yep, you basically put the eggs in MUFFIN tins and bake them like muffins! Which means you can run around and get the rest of your morning done AND, it's healthier for you. Yes, I know, you're welcome!

Here's a tasty vegetarian version of this. For you cooking-phobes, it's WAAY easy, very time efficient and it's Yummy with a capital Y!

* 5-6 Medium eggs
* 1/2 cup FRESH spinach, torn into teensy pieces
* Two sundried tomato slices, chopped into VERY fine pieces
* 1 teaspoon of dill (fresh is better, but fresh or dry is fine)
* pinch or two of salt and pepper
~OPTIONAL: slice of cheese to go on top. I love smoked mozzarella, smoked swiss, cheddar.

1. Break eggs and scramble them in bowl.
2. Combine cut spinach, tomatoes, dill, pepper, and salt into eggs.
3. Take your muffin pan and generously coat with butter or use cooking spray to coat the insides of pan.
4. Pour mix into each circle. MAKE SURE NOT TO POUR MORE THAN 3/4 up the pan because it will rise
~OPTIONAL: Add small slice of cheese atop each mixture:

Here is my smoked mozzarella slice. Tasty!

5. Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Place pan into oven. It takes roughly 20-30 mins for the eggs to bake (you can raise the oven temp to 400 for speedier bake, but watch that the tops don't burn this way). Feel free to run around and get morning errands done!
6. Eggs are done when toothpick inserted into them comes out clean. Their should be a faint, light golden color to the top of eggs.

Here are my eggs, almost done.

7. Wait 10 mins for cool and remove from pan. Eat on top of english muffins or plain, with some tasty dressing or hollandaise sauce!
You carnivores out there can adjust the recipe to include ham, bacon, bits o' sausage. In any case, get ready for a lip-smackin' good time!

Nick of Time..more Lovemongering...

2009-01-22T20:12:00.001-08:00

Holy moley...how does this happen?

Seems like every time I turn around, another Thursday has rolled around, and I'm having to skid in my regular Lovemongering sessions under the gun....which I really dislike. Because, TRUST ME, there's always some sort of suggestion I have for how to help people. There is alot of ache and need out there, folks. Really, the more I look around, or the more people bring me suggestions for Lovemonger Thursdays, the more I realize, I'm really lucky.

Yes, my sad, no-regular-job-having, barely-there-medical-benefits, don't-know-how-I-get-the-rent-paid self, I am lucky. I don't have a child with a horrible illness. I haven't lived, first-hand, through a war, or seen my family slaughtered in one. I am not freezing on the street, I'm not an animal that's being beaten or starved, or a child being beaten and starved.

I'm just short on money. Ok, MORE short than I'd like, but I still have the capacity to try to change my circumstances...that's more than enough. You KNOW it's a big deal when I stop my usual shenanigans, once each week, and give you the true run down (but don't tell the rest of the world, it'll ruin my street cred!).....

Anyway, there are several interesting entries I've been made aware of. In the spirit of this interesting new time in America, and it's call to action, I'm giving you MORE THAN one offering.

The first, still in tune with the Obama theme...is the clever YES WE CANDLES. This business is run by two gentleman that clearly ran with the "Yes We Can" theme. One young man, one older man, created candles. What's the big idea, you ask? The proceeds from the candles go to help each man's MOTHER...both of their mother's have dire illnesses (I recall the younger man's mother has cancer) and the money helps pay hospital bills. I've seen the site, it seems to have many well-known backers, at this point...but it's up to you to see if you'd like to help: www.yeswecandles.com

The second offering I have today continues my never ending aim at helping animal suffering. I was alerted to this wonderful video, which comes from the Tenessee Elephant Sanctuary. Yes, people, there is an elephant sanctuary in America. Where the heck to they get the packederms? From abusive conditions in circuses and zoos. They are, as far as I know, the only elephant sanctuary in America, so help them continue there great work--it can't be CHEAP to feed these huge beauties, so help this non-profit out. Donate, or find out more at: www.elephants.com

And don't forget to check out this heartwarming vid. I dare you not to choke up, just a little (but we'll keep that between us, I promise!)

The last was a completely random entry I found while "blog-surfing" a couple of nights ago. Apparently, there are quite a few blogs by some very sweet parents, about their sickly babies. Actually, I WAS quite surprised to find that there are A LOT of these sort of blogs, I guess I'm a bit overwhelmed because it's sad to realize so many little children have problems. Anyway, this blog got to me. I don't know that there is anything to do but what they parents ask: pray for this wee sprite. Or, maybe contact the parents and send gifts? A card? Something to maybe let them know they aren't alone? If you are interested in helping, please go to: www.jennasjourneyblog.blogspot.com

Thank you, and many blessings!!

Proud to be an American...

2009-01-20T02:56:00.000-08:00

Ok, I lied.

As it was pointed out to me by a friend (thanks Carol!), my last post was not meant to be a negative rambling, but more of a practical consideration. Like many of you, I WANT to believe in our elected officials. I DO BELIEVE, that Mr. Obama may be a suitable candidate for truly helping this country. And I want him to do well. I want us to do well. I TRULY believe that this nation is great and it is OUR responsibility to continue things as complicated as, oh, say, KINDNESS, generosity, humility. It's a lost art on some people, I think

I will say this, Mr. Obama is one damn fine orator. Today was just wonderful. So, let's manifest those words--let us take civic responsibility--help each other, help our planet and shine.
Yep, each of us is a Superstar, with a capital "S". We each have gifts to give...so, bring it on, Babe! Show the world whatchya got. Who's with me?

Big News, Small News

2009-01-18T20:06:00.000-08:00

Whelp, today is the day...out with the old and in with the new, so the saying goes!

I am not sure what to make of today's inauguration. I know the historic implications, and I want to feel the excitement of the idea of Hope and Change. But I'm a skeptic, and I know the world of politicians are far removed from "ordinary men." For some time now, I've sensed that government carries on as an entity unto itself. Maybe this last round of elections HAS served to remind them that the government WORKS FOR the people, and not the other way around.

Hmm...so, I still dare to hope, and instead will choose to believe that people will do what is ethically right, and compassionately correct. And that WE all will shine, and do great and helpful things for ourselves and for one another. Yeah, I'm a big nerd, thinking that way.

Or, I'm a big nerdy ARTIST.....so, in MUCH smaller news: I now have one of my art dolls up for auction on MY ART BLOG (click here). That would be the doll pictured at the top of this post.

The giveaway is in conjunction with the huge world wide blog giveaway lovefest known as One World One Heart. The brainchild of Lisa Swifka, this huge event encourages artists and bloggers all over the world to give away FREE items on their blogs.
People...PEEPUHL! This thing is MASSIVE. Like, 250 bloggers are participating this year, so burn serious rubber to join in!

And, don't forget to hop over to my art blog and leave a comment for a chance to win Rose E. Hare!

Snowy Day Herbal....

2009-01-18T19:30:00.001-08:00

This was the view when I stepped outside today:

This is probably a sweeter picture: look closely and you'll see this fella eating lunch underneath a car--someone decided to feed the resident stray cat amidst the snow. Not quite the barn-cat life, but maybe similar?

My garden did NOT seem happy with the snow, but it was pretty:

Anyhow, the reason I was out in this weather (not that I mind it, I actually like snow, and it wasn't so heavy, or piled so high, that it was difficult to get through) was because I was on my way to teach an herbal class in downtown Manhattan.

Shhhh...yes, my other (other, OTHER) secret life, when I'm not being a performing artist, doll-making, vet tech, magazine running girl with hippie dreaded hair, is that I work with herbs. And, yes, I am trying to learn and do everything before I die (Mama always said: "I'll get plenty o' sleep after I'm buried).

ANYHOO...

I've actually come BACK to herbalism after several years because, well, you're just not gonna find alot of green stuff growing smack in the middle of a city like New York. And because people give you that sad, pathetic look, when you say you teach herbalism...you know, the one that says: "You poor, deluded, Tree-Hugger, there's NO MONEY in teaching herbalism."

Haha, they would probably be right, but that's NOT why I teach it. I teach it because there is no greater satisfaction than having a human realize that they can be very self-sufficient. By this, I mean, the study of herbs, plants, and food plants quickly gets a person to understand how much the FACTORY FARM industry and the PHARMACEUTICAL industry have got us all under their thumbs.

Personally (and let me warn you, I'm about to have a soap box moment), I really feel that it's not accidental that, over the decades, there's been much advertising and propoganda touting better fruits, veggies, meats, and drugs of all sorts. What they don't tell you is how they get all of this stuff to you...synthetic drugs, chemicals, hormones...to grow everything bigger and faster. Millions of dollars are at stake, people, so they will tout the beauty part, without giving away the beasty part of how they get it there, and we fall for it hook, line, and sinker. I mean, I don't KNOW any perfectly round parts of chicken, but there they are, in your freezer sections as CHICKEN PATTIES....hmmmm.... (ok, end of soap-box rant...grrr).

ANYHOO.

The beauty part of herbalism is that you learn how plants were (and are still) used for medicine. Salacin, the major component of aspirin, is actually White Willow Bark; the name Salacin actually is an indicator of this trees latin name: Salix Alba.

Any number of other herbs have been used for centuries to cure anything under the sun. Growing your own herbs, or garden foods, in fact, gives you the power to control the quality of the food, and there's nothing more satisfying than going to your garden and getting chemical free, home-grown food that hasn't been trucked for 2 days from some very far away country. And the flavor can't be beat. ALL at a price you can't beat! Trust me, I didn't think this would be a big deal until I did this for several years in a row behind my city brownstone. My favorite garden food, hands down, are the heirloom tomatoes...I mean, you're not gonna find THESE babes in just ANY grocery store:

Yes, I grew these puppies myself!

Trust me, try it--it's not as hard immersing yourself in the green world, as you think. If you are really interested, I now have a blog on my herbal adventures too (did I mention I would do EVERYTHING on the planet before I die?)---CLICK HERE if you're still interested in my plant shenanigans!

...and Another Lovemongering Thursday

2009-01-15T22:43:00.001-08:00

Wow! I almost missed out on Lovemongering Thursday!

One of the reasons for this was because I was caught up in a moment of Lovemongering, in the form of a tragedy gone right.

Lemme explain. This man is a hero:

Earlier today, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III ( I already love his name!) was just your average pilot, flying like so many pilots do, around the country. His plane was scheduled from LaGuardia Airport, right here in New York City, to Charlotte North Carolina. The plane would never make it there.

Within minutes of take-off, the plane apparently collided with a huge flock of birds, which shut the engines of the plane. The pilot was too far away from any airport to safely guide the planes there, too far away from land, in fact. The pilot radioed the incident in, then told the passengers to prepare for a hard landing.

Then, miracle of miracles, he managed to control the descent in such a way that he glided ONTO the water, instead of crashing headlong into it. This act alone probably saved the entirety of all on board. In fact IT DID save all 155 passengers, no one died in the crash.

The other piece of the puzzle is that, within mere instants, rescue efforts of other boats, even TOURIST boats, had the passengers out of the water before they could drown, or before hypothermia could set in (it was pretty cold out there, maybe 30 degrees). And this is what I love about the story.

In fact, my favorite picture, if a favorite picture of such sadness could be had, is the picture of so many different boats encircling the circumference of the rapidly sinking plane. There seemed something comforting knowing that there were concerned people on each boat, and that they had rushed there to offer aid. I had heard that the tourist passengers on the Circle Line and NY Waterways (for those of you not in the know, these boats usually just give tours around the Hudson River, they are definitely not rescue boats) actually ran outside and dropped the life rafts that are mandated on tourist boats, out to the plane passengers, who had started to stand out on the wings of the crashed aircraft. Amazing. I hate to say it but, I think these efforts are the highly improved result of other tragic plane crashes one September, and that if anything good can come of that horrible time, it may be in the form of rescue response in New York being PHENOMENAL. Yes, we are a bunch of rude, loud-mouthed lunatics, but we'll band together like nobody's business when it comes right down to it.

Here is one of many such pictures of the boats coming to help. I can imagine if I am scared stiff in the middle of such a terrible situation, that the sight of all those boats would be a relief!

This is the kinda stuff I'm all for, people. Don't tell me that this lifetime is simply to acquire everything we can. Are we here to help fellow men, use our hands to help, or to create, or are we truly a "take-away" society, taking everything for ourselves. I'm about the warm-fuzzies. I love hearing stories like this because it gives me hope that there is bravery and comraderie everywhere. Somehow, I think you believe it, too.

So on that note, onto this week's Lovemongering. As you might have expected, it's another animal cause. Glenn Highland Sweet Border Collie rescue is located smack in the middle of New York State, on more than 100 picturesque acres of farm land. All of this land is just perfect for dogs that deserve to run, and border collies are definitely do that!

Lillie and Allen are remarkable rescuers, adapting a regular shelter into a spacious, accomodating sanctuary for these high energy dogs. I know this because I almost worked for them (ahh, if only it were SLIGHTLY closer to the city). Their methods, and level of care, are impeccable, and they truly do find the right owners for so many of these wonderful dogs. As with many shelters, they could use volunteers or donations. To see more, check them out HERE!

News!

2009-01-12T11:22:00.000-08:00

Alrighty folks,

All sorts of new insanity to add to the hum-dinger of a time that usually goes on here!

New Stuff to report:

I'm still working on the new Wild At Heart Art (you do know that I have an art blog, right?) which I hope will be done by the end of this week. Yikes!

Still working on our Big Town Farmer magazine. Expect stories of valentines, wooly-ness, seeds and other farmy-goodness on February 9th. Can't wait that long? Mosey over to our current issue, then!
By the way, if you'd like to WRITE an article for the mag, feel free to contact me! We're always looking for interesting stories.

And, if that weren't enough, Big Town Farmy Living and Small Town Living have teamed up! Uhmm...sort of. Tina Michelle (known as GardenGoose), purveyor of her own stellar magazine, Small Town Living, and I are writing on opposite ends of the spectrum. She is the country mouse and I'm the city mouse in the world of farm-goodness. We've got a NEW BLOG, which of course, is called Country-mouse-city-mouse. Expect to find whole passels of information on how to make the simple life work for you, no matter WHERE you live, by folks who've been writing on this subject for quite some time.

And, Tina has been kind enough to extend the writing projects out; I'll have an article on a project that I'm doing in her mag, and she'll be in mine---in the NEXT coming issue of BOTH of our magazines! Yes, folks, Farming and writing is about to take over the world, so HOLD ONTO YOUR BRITCHES, people!

Plow Day

2009-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

A fellow artist friend inspired this entry. Jennifer, of Gypsy Mare Studios, this is all your fault!

You see, one of the many reasons that I admire Jennifer, other than for her amazing art is that she's sort of a farmgirl. In fact, her art entails stunning renditions of horses, farm animals, and nature scenes. Truly, check out her work.

A couple of days ago, her blog covered a local horse show, with draft horses figuring to be a huge part of the pictures in the blog. This reminded ME that I had a few pictures of draft horses too. Not from some New York City show (it'll never happen), but from a long ago event I went to in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Plow day happens every mid-October there. It's a heritage show that utilizes someone's huge unplowed field. The community then brings out their finest plow horses and mules, and the whole day is spent with these people and their wonderful animals showing off a few skills by plowing a few lines. There is also an alternate ring for people showing off their draft horse riding skills. The day wouldn't be complete without a huge cookout, people bringing their working dogs and trick mules...and their kids, of course. It's a really lovely community event.

I was there whilst traveling for a possible farm job. Which was one of MANNNNY jobs I almost had..gee, I could write a whole book on the many *ahem* interesting job offers I got about helping people with their farms, or organizing farmers markets. That'll be for a whole 'nother blog.

ANYHOO....

Here are some pictures of the lovely animals at Plow day. Of course, run on over to Jennifer's blog to see more of these magnificent animals. Thanks, Jen!

A black "gypsy horse" hitch trio.

These three beauties belonged to "Frankie," who was practically the mayor of this event. A jolly, happy farmer in his fifties, this guy had all sorts of jokes and war stories and invited EVERYONE over. He didn't care who you were, or what you looked like. Everyone knew this guy, and I loved him AND his horses!

I also loved that they were the only white/grey horse team in the entire place--Percherons. To top it all off, the lead horse (the one smart enough to "turn" and listen to commands) was the MARE. The others are an older gelding and a younger male.

Beautiful coming from the right (Clydesdales)....

...and coming from the left (Mule hitch team).

Andy, the trick mule.

Andy's "sidekick" (who knew mules could have sidekicks?) and best buddy, Aussie, the trick Australian Shepherd

Look at this lovely mare...

Cooling off at the end of a long day....

Yes, I know, I know. But you already KNEW I was a little off in the noggin. I refuse to apologize though: I am a TRUE, unabashed horse-lovin' kind o' girl. There, I said it. So go ahead, make your "horse whisperer" jokes. The way this economy is goin', we'll probably need to get more of these anyway. They cost less than gas and you'll probably get into fewer massive accidents, that's for sure!

Chickens Again? Fo' Real?

2009-01-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, ok, ok, ok....

So, apparently, chickens are a hot deal. I know this because I still have someone emailing me about what to do if you live in the city and feel uncomfortable about having chicks come through the mail in order to get some chicken.

Before I delve into that, let me first address this: People, people, PeePUHL. I am flattered, nearly mortified really, that you think that I am some kind of candidate to talk about chicken. Heck, I'm amazed to know that some of you--more than two--even read my blog. And think I'm qualified to answer questions on farmy-type-stuff. I mean, have you seen me? Read my little profile? Don't get me wrong, writing a farmy sort of magazine for people in the city has led me to all sorts of info on this exact kind of scenario, but really. You'll only encourage me to be big headed. About chicken. And you don't wanna create that kind of monster.

But now that the can of worms has been open, here's the long and short of it. I asked my friend, the one with the two chicken on the roof of her brownstone, where she got hers. Alas, she has relatives on a farm a couple of hours from here, and got them from there, over a year ago.

So, after speaking with her, rereading, and rethinking, here's my Two Cents. There are two or three ways to go about getting chicken for your citystead.

1. (As I mentioned before) make sure you can keep 'em legally, and how many you can keep.
2. Usually, you can order from several hatcheries (see my previous post on this), and most are even online.
Now, the problem with this is that there is a minimum order of 25 chicks, or some such, from such companies. Mypetchicken.com does a minimum of three, and this is ideal but....

Secondarily, there are those of you out there who are squeemish at the idea of having tiny vulnerable fluff balls packed in a box and sent to the post office. To be fair, reputable hatcheries know that a baby chick hatches with its body adepted to going without food for an extra day or two (credit the yolk sac absorbed into the body). However, this IS a very small window of time, and you'd have to get them right away.

Also, somehow, people get sheepish with the idea that the post office will be handing you a peeping box. Literally. You have to TELL the post office that you will be receiving a package of live animals. This means--*ahem*--that you wouldn't be able to receive them illegally. This also allows the post to call you immediately when they arrive, thereby saving on precious time.

I have heard of stories of a few babies of the lot being found dead in the box upon arrival (probably due to overstress or not eating in time). I have also heard of stories of the babies all being perfectly fine. And, I've heard stories of the box being delivered to the wrong area, thereby forcing the new owner to drive desperately to get the box before the post office closed. Just putting all of the information out there so you can make an informed decision. It is up to you as to whether you will use this method to bring chicks into your life.

By the way, you can also order older chickens from most hatcheries. You'll miss out on raising those cute yellow balls o' fluff, but you probably will get hardier birds for travel, and you'll get to the whole egg laying bit. You will still have to notify the post office and pick up the birds as promptly; I can't imagine a whole bunch of squalking pullets sitting in a stuffy box for days on end. They will be as hungry and thirsty from their long ordeal as the babies.

Anyhooo.

You will need to prepare for said shipped birds: babies will need some sort of heat lamp for warmth (you're subbing for a whole lotta mama-hen feather warmth) and food and water for the chicks. You'll need to find someplace that has chick starter food, and SHALLOW dishes for babies to easily get to food and water ('specially for water--you don't want the dishes deep enough for babies to drown).

Pullets get chicken food plus some source of calcium for their egg production. Oyster grit should do very well. You can find much food, grit, and food and water dishes specifically for chicken through online livestock supply stores, or often the hatcheries will sell this equipment, as well. Make sure you have ALL of this stuff ready and set up BEFORE your new flock arrives. You really don't want to be rushing around for food when a whole heap o' starved babes arrive at your door, do you?

Anyhooo...

OK--having said that....let's say you want to skip the whole shipping shenanigans. Where can you get fowl, without creating an international incident at the post office?

Like , you can look immediately outside of the city, at local farms that may be selling chicken. If you have a car, a cat carrier (or cardboard box), and are willing to travel, there are farms that are only an hour or two away from major cities that sell chicks each spring. Check Craigslist ads (the Garden/Farm section) and you are bound to find a few ads. Then, rev up your car and go. City folks, this will be an adventure, considering ANYTHING outside the city is like going to Narnia. But it's worth it. You'll get to see the animals on the premises, see how healthy they are, and get some fresh (read: smog-free) air in the process of your journey.

The final idea is not the greatest, but it's been done. I KNOW this because I actually helped a friend out in this manner. Slaughterhouses. Yes, I wrote it. And yes, they are many, in various cities. And, yes, some of them are unscrupulous enough to sell LIVE animals to people, even though it's technically illegal for them to do so. I think these sort of establishments just want the money, and will sell the animal processed or unprocessed, in order to pay rent.

Now, besides these surprising revelations, you may be asking WHY in the WORLD I would advocate this, and how could one do this. Now, I don't know about you, but in New York City, you can actually walk into these warehouses, packed with sickly, cramped animals, and pick out your own "meat." I never understood how these places operated, with the idea that people would NEVER get "fresh" meat from places that were as nauseating as these. In fact, when working as a vet tech at the Humane Society, we'd been CALLED to these places to SHUT them down. Which was my first introduction to this...umm...delightful world.

How could you look at sickly, droopy chicken, rabbits sitting in their own urine, pigeons suffocating in overcrowding, and THINK: "Gee, just get that ready for me so I can cook and EAT it?" But apparently, people do. Yep, it's scary.

Anyway, I don't want to get my knickers too far in a bunch about it because THAT issue is an entirely different matter. My point is to talk about saving an animal from a slaughter house, in this case, a chicken or two. Which is what you'd be doing if you took one or two of them home, LIVE, and out of harm's way.

Now, I know I just spoke about the horrendous conditions, and I won't contradict them---in this case, I will say CAVEAT EMPTOR--buyer beware, dude. This is NOT my first choice for getting chicken, because they may be sick, diseased, or too weak for your egg laying purposes. You would REALLY need to check to see if the animal is bright eyed, with all of it's feathers, and alert. As is often the case, not all of these signs of health will be present. If you find a slaughterhouse near you (and you might actually find them in the phone book under "meat processing" or "Vivero", or "live market), make sure that you DO not get a droopy eyed, skinny, nearly bald chicken, or one whose breathing is labored or who has discharge from nose, mouth or eyes. Every so often, you DO see these birds.

How do I know? When I was still working at the Humane Society (a good 10 years ago), another worker, and friend, wanted to take a few doves (yes, people eat doves, don't give me that crazy look!) from a slaughterhouse that was TWO BLOCKS from HER HOUSE in Queens (Yes! Queens, New York!) and I was to go with her as moral support. So we went and she asked for two beautiful ringneck doves and a pale orange dove that looked just fine. Without flinching, the guy operating the place that day allowed us to take them live, and even got a box to take them home in. Plus, the birds were cheap. Like, five dollars apiece. At the pet store, one would cost twenty bucks (and they ended up being very healthy and spirited pets).

I noticed, then, that huge brown chickens were $7 and they even had ringneck pheasants for $20. Hmm, could you imagine asking to take one of THOSE home? But again, make sure they are healthy, or be prepared to try to nurse them to health if you get them home....I've heard of this being done too, but you can't guarantee success in that case. You also can't be sure of the chickens age or whether they will be good layers in accordance with this (chickens decrease egg laying as they get older), but you will at least be saving the animal from misery and death...

So, that's the best advice on chicken-getting that I have. So, go out and get yourself some chickens!

LOVEMONGERING '09

2009-01-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

Alrighty!

Well, it occurs to me that it's Thursday again (and yes, lately, awareness of THAT is a big thing around here! Wow!) and this means it is time for Lovemongering Thursdays again. If you don't know the story of Lovemongering (or, heck, even what Lovemongering means), then check it out HERE.

As part of my New Year's resolution, I promised myself that every Thursday would be about pure, unabashed Lovemongering. Since the past TWO Thursday were for the big Winter Holidays (when, ironically I suppose, Lovemongering should have been at its height), I missed out, so I will now add TWO extra suggestions for those two weeks missed, which would catch us up to THREE worthy candidates that I will now present to you:

1.Project Night Light: This non-profit children's charity comes highly recommended by a dancer friend of mine who lives in San Francisco. Their mission is to give new blankets and toys to children living in homeless shelters. I can't imagine ADULTS living in shelters in a country as abundant as ours, but this sad fact is really heartbreaking, as is the idea that children must endure this. Apparently, there are several ways to help, with the easiest being to donate items, but there are plenty of ways to make a difference, so please lend a heart and hand, if you can.

2. Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue: Yes, you knew my little animal loving heart was gonna go there. This non-profit in Maryland rescues abandoned, abused, neglected, and sometimes headed for slaughter draft horse breeds, rehabilitates them, and tries to find compatable, compassionate new owners for these animals. It's not a huge operation, but it's got alot of heart.

I've always loved horses, much as I don't have tons of experience with them. The draft breed holds particular sway with me. They, and their lighter brothers, built the West, and built this country. Before you zipped around in your cars, humble yourself in the knowledge that, at one point, horses moved EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE. We owe much to them. If you want to help this Draft Horse Rescue, see THIS PAGE.

3. Finally, a much smaller, more personal request. I was randomly browsing Mary Jane's wonderful site and stumbled upon THIS REQUEST to send her sick grandmother a card. Now, as I'd mentioned in the previous LOVEMONGERING rules, that I would sometimes pick a smaller cause, and that it was up to you to choose if you would participate. I can't see how it might harm anyone to spend 40cents on postage, and send a card, and it seems heartfelt.

Hopefully, MaryJane and her lovely daughter Meg will not beat me too thoroughly for reposting, but I'm a big fluffy bunny about spreading warm-fuzziness.

On THAT note, if you have an organization or individual that you think should receive some LOVEMONGERING help, I'm always open to it! I will be putting it all up every Thursday, so spreading-the-love sort of helpfulness can be endless!

Alright, NOW it's about the CHICKENS, Babe!

2009-01-06T16:11:00.001-08:00

Ok, so this is the second part of my two part chicken post. To be fair, my previous post WANTED to be about chickens, really it did, but I had to explain the story of my doves...it's just one of those weird, random tangents that sneaks up on you....

ANYHOO.

The original idea was to give advice to a few people who wanted to know how to keep chickens in a non-chicken environment. Suburbs, cities, and heaven-knows-what-else. You may well be asking what the heck a city girl knows about this. Hmmm. Since I've been a vet tech here, we've actually SEEN a few chickens. And ducks. So something is going on. I also happen to know one whipper-snapper who has one on a roof. Haha, actually, the story of the things going on atop city roofs is legendary. Chicken coops, dog kennels, illegal beehives, heck I'm sure there are some man made PONDS, for crying out loud, right up there. It's a secret world, for sure.

Before I digress, the matter at hand: this actually was something I looked into awhile ago for BigTownFarmer. Though it never quite made it into the magazine, I've learned lots o' interesting information that I will now dispatch to you. So, you wanna keep chickens or other agrifowl, but you don't live on a farm, eh?

Here's the skinny. The key to keeping them lies in the legislature of your county. City Hall, or your local ag extension office, should have this information. Note that these ordinances vary from county to county, not just state or area, so double check. Sometimes, an area MIGHT let you have poultry, but they will limit how MANY you can have in an area.

A good place to check on this info is at City Chicken. There is a section on chicken laws, by city, and a wealth of other great information, too.

Ahem, now, if your life includes plenty of legal chicken keeping, and you have tons of outdoor space, then you are set. You can try your local feed store for advice on where to get chickens (and sometimes they have baby chicks there in spring!) a local farmer, or order online from such places as Murray McMurray Hatcheries or Strombergs Hatcheries. You should probably realize, though, that these places require mimimum orders, usually of 25 chicks, so that they can huddle for warmth when they are shipped. In case you don't want to start with a big whackin' passel of chicks to begin with, My Pet Chicken might be a good place as they allow you to order in minimums of 3 chicks. Not quite sure how they are shipped, so you might want to do a little research.

Make sure you have a place for them to live, which is immune from severe cold and rain, and a place where you can easily get chicken feed. In case your conditions are less than ideal, or perhaps you...umm...would like to raise your chicken in a rather *ahem* renegade or "secret" fashion, there are a series of questions I would ask myself:

How many chicken do I want, and what do I want them for?
My thought is that FEWER chickens are LESS noticeable, if you catch my drift. 2-3, MAYBE 4 of them would work. They will need less space, need less food, are cheaper to keep, and make LESS noise. Also, obviously, NO roosters. Most cities completely ban them, and even if you live with neighbors a short distance away (as opposed to right next to you), they might complain to authorities that you have a rooster constantly crowing, and that will give you away. Roosters are usually banned in most metro areas, anyway.

Also--I'm assuming the chicken are for eggs? I can't imagine anyone raising it for meat and then slaughtering it, but then, I'm from NYC, nothing is too far fetched.

Do I have a place that will adequately shelter said chickens?
If you have enough space in your backyard for a home-built or bought coop AND some type of walking space for the chicken. They really need some walking space. Even if you get a big dog-run type kennel and put a coop or some sort of shelter in it, this would be great for 2-3 chicken, and it keeps them protected from dogs/cats/predators. So I guess even a small plot of backyard might work. BUT: Make sure that any animals, even your pets (if you have any) cannot gain access to the chicken. Make sure that the place is really animal proofed and don't assume that your animals are "chicken friendly"...even small puppies can accidentally kill a chicken while just playing with it.

Also!! The space should be roomy enough that you can keep them CLEAN. This means you can easily sweep up poop, replace bedding without becoming a contortionist. If the space is small that it is demolished by the birds easily, or the poop piles up quickly, then it's going to be a real headache, later.

If they are on the roof of a building (not unheard of in urban areas...make sure they have fencing around them. My friend Tammy and her hubby have two one the roof of her brownstone, and they put them in this huge kennel meant for larger breed dogs. A big long thing, maybe 7x 5', with a smaller chicken hut that they got HERE.
Do I have a nearby source for chicken feed?
While many people feed chicken veggies, soured milk, warmed oatmeal, and other table food, laying hens need extra sources of calcium and also other foods that are sometimes found in feed stores. If you can't find a nearby feed store, then you'll have to find other foods that are adequate (or order online but..umm...can we say "hassle"?)..........

Is there a way for them not to be seen by others?
This goes for you "secret" chicken-raisers. Make sure your girls are QUIET and try to keep their enclosure in the most discreet place, away from pedestrian traffic, or in some clever, seperate enclosure. And, of course, if you are "secretly raising" chicken, keep it a secret. DO NOT TELL anyone, as even seemingly innocent conversation has a way of traveling right back to those who you wanted to keep it a secret FROM.
However, if it is really illegal to keep them, I will let you know now, they can take the chicken, and fine you pretty heftily. So, keep chickens at YOUR OWN RISK. While the idea of having FRESH FREE eggs right at your doorstep is really lovely and, frankly, something I think is everyone's right, at the end of the day, you are subject to the laws of where you live. You should definitely check your local city hall or ag extension office to see if you can have chicken, and the consequences/fine you might receive if you CANNOT have them.

And that my friends, concludes today's talk on keeping chickens in non-chicken-like circumstances!

It's All About the Chickens, err..DOVES, Babe!

2009-01-06T16:08:00.001-08:00

Alrighty, then! Well, just chuggin' along.....

Now, I don't know if it's some sort of new-found New Year's resolution to go more "self-reliant" or just some odd coincidence, but in the past 3 weeks, I've gotten FOUR requests to talk about chickens in the city. Yes, you read that right. Chickens. IN the CITY. Alright, to be fair, it's more like, chickens in NON-country, and possibly regulated places.

Now, before I dive right into the whole shebang, I have to tell you that I don't know what's more surprising. That people are INTERESTED in keeping chickens in their backyards and rooftops, or that you'd ask ME for advice on this!

And yes, I realize a couple of you have pointed to that little "About Me" section of my blog (the one right there, in the right-hand column, underneath my little profile pic that is either too weird looking, or too cool looking) to the phrase "I secretly raise doves.."

Alright, here's the deal on that: if you've known me for any amount of time, you'll realize that besides a life in art, performing art, and writing, I've worked with animals as well (yes, I know, my life doesn't make sense). In fact, most of my "day jobs" involve working in some capacity with animals. I've been an animal tech in New York City for a good ten or twelve years, if I thought about it.

ANYHOOO...

My last job was a multi-pet place that saw birds. All sorts of birds, even chicken and ducks-- which we'll come back to momentarily, but--this included doves. Don't ask me why, but I'd always loved doves. I mean, I never had pets as a kid, but I've loved them, and I loved doves. I think because I realized that parrots were very complicated animals. Specialized diets, toys, training...wow, almost like dogs. And the larger ones could really do a number on you with those huge beaks! But doves seemed so docile, with their sweet faces and plaintive "coos."

Haha, I would find out later they were sometimes VERRRRY incessant with those sounds, to the point it was as annoying as a rooster crowing all day, which is alot of the reason that city dwellers, living in closely packed, thin-walled apartments, would give up their doves when the sound of their singing would get them in trouble with the neighbors. Or when they would be driven crazy, themselves, by the noise. Which is why so many doves are up for "adoption" in big cities. And which is why I ended up with so many, 7 to be exact.

Now, I have a large brownstone, and the birds are in several large cages that take up the ENTIRE back room. Yes, the back room is THE bird room. The whole dern room is theirs--not a freakin' other thing goes on back there.... I want to be clear, here, in that when I say I "raise" doves, I don't breed these guys. Nope, that'd be too crazy. I just have two that were very young fledglings that I helped "growed up" and I just do my daily duty in keeping these guys safe and happy. Which means plenty of companionship for each other (which is necessary with doves), good food, water, clean cages, a few interesting perches....nothing fancy or outrageous.

Ok, now the "secretly" part. When I got to the point of having over 5, the ordinances around here get kind of "iffy." Just as you wouldn't have too many pigeons on a roof coop, it became a question of whether or not doves were classified as livestock or "utilitarian animals." And for awhile I got conflicting reports on this. So I didn't tell my landlady, as sweet and accomodating as she was, once I went past five birds that--well--I had more than 5 birds in the Big Bird Room in the back. And that was no fun, sweating over whether she'd somehow find out. The other part of the "secret" was that I wasn't just ANYONE know I had all these cute animals hanging out at my house. A city girl, a DANCER and director of a dance troupe doing FARMY stuff? Wow, I couldn't think of a faster way to destroy street cred, could you?

Eventually, though, the whole thing managed to work itself out in that the ordinance really DID apply only to rooftop pigeons, and really the limit was in place to protect landlords in this particular from unscrupulous renters and leasers who had too many messy pigeons. I eventually told my landlady and she was fine with it (well, she's an animal lover, but you never know).

So that's the story of my doves. Here are some of the li'l boogers:

These are white phase ringneck doves.

My other pair, this time true colored ringneck doves.

Diamond dove pair. This is the world's smallest dove, and originates in Australia. They are about the size of a sparrow.

Which is my intro into the world of keeping animals, legally or illegally. Since this has become a rather long post, I'll just put the chicken info into another post!

So this is Life, huh? Can I go home now?

2009-01-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

And maybe hide under the covers?

Wow, this post holiday is knocking the wind out of me. I usually am not fond of one aspect of the New Year, and this is when I reflect on what I got accomplished, and didn't. Since I suffer from Virgo-ism (which, true, is not a real disease, but it should be--as any bonafide, overanalyzing, super-organized, super-serious Virgo will tell you), I usually beat myself up and knock myself down for not achieving the things that I'd like to.

Which is kinda hard this year. Lots of cross-roads. Hmmm, actually, I CONSTANTLY find myself in all sorts of confusing places in regards to my life. It's frustrating. I like to think it's because I live in the mad-capped world of the arts, and I am constantly in wonderment of those who can pursue art without the drama, the not-knowing-how-to-pay rent, the dealing with unscrupulous people, the fly-by-the-seat-of - your-pants factor. Well, ok, I sort of LIKE the fly by the seat of your pants factor, to be honest.

ANYHOO....

Right now, I am trying to merge citified art and writing, with rural peace and tranquility. How's THAT for a small goal? Crazier things have been done, though, so don't give me that look. You know, the look that tells me that you'll probably start calling Bellvue when my back is turned. Trust me. I'm from New York City. It's the capital of CRAZY. Merging two totally different worlds are small fries compared to what I've seen.

ANYWHOO....

After a LOOOOONG stint in performing arts, I'm suddenly without a real community to belong to. I sort of feel like I'm starting over, and it's not really fun. City folks CONSTANTLY treat me like I have two heads for even mentioning that I would move away from city planned water and sewersystems and museums and Prada, and Gucci. How DARE I, for crying out loud? Country people stare, agog at my weird hair and weird clothes and give me THAT look, the one that says: "city slickers not welcome here." Now, I realize I am generalizing, and that there are actually truly wonderful and kind and open hearted people and, to be fair, I AM funny-looking with weird hair...but something is...off for me.

Looking back, I suppose this was bound to happen. My father comes from an exotic country. My mother is a simple farm girl from Europe. The precursor for one of their children coming to live in an exotic large city, but long for the country life was probably a foregone conclusion. In other words, I was gonna be that girl. Which looks great, and exotic, and lovely on paper. But makes for a big mess in real life. Ifeel, sometimes, that despite all my crazy journeys, my hard work, and all of the interesting things I've done or experienced, lately, stuff ain't amounting to a hill o' beans. Hmmm....

So, I got an idea to maybe help me along on this little journey. It's based on a New Year's tradition of writing your wishes on paper and burning them so the smoke reaches the heavens. It's full of the same crazy magic that pervades much of my life---or, maybe it's just plain crazy, no magic included....in any case, skipping the pyrotechnics, I just decided to write a letter to the New Year. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly...

It goes a little something like this:

Dear New Year,

I realize you are very young, days old, even. I realize, too, that you've already had so many things requested of you, and so many things promised in your name. Thousands of promises--untold number of pounds shed, new things learned, new journeys taken, all in your name. People will try to kick smoking, drinking, and all other manner of, umm, interesting vices, all because of you. People will decry war, hope for peace, look for friendship---all to your credit. Yes, New Year, you can be wonderous. You fill us with hope and wonder.

I am not unlike these unsaid millions of people. I am just one small voice in the big sea of Humanity. Unlike so many of them, though, I am starting to lose hope in your bright shiney Beacon of Newness. I've sort of given up on resolutions, mostly defeated by the idea that I would never keep them, that it was all a pointless tradition--more of a set-up for failure, really.

Right now, though, I really would like to set better goals for myself. So, here I am, trying to promise myself a few things.

~I really would like to do something that combines art and helping people. I have these dolls, see, and other crafted things that I make with my humble hands. I really would like help placing them with people. Heck, I have no idea if people even LIKE them...hmmm

~I need a job. You'd think a girl with a bachelors degree in Theater and Film, one with extensive writing and editing experience, who's produced a theater and dance company for 5 years, and marketed it, wouldn't have a problem.
But, nope, I've been looking all year. Wait. No. A year and a half for some semblance of a sane job that pays a liveable wage. You know, one that assumes that I DON'T live with my mama. Is that too much to ask for? Well, that, and one where you're boss doesn't belittle you every moment of every day.

~ I am trying to save a few thousand toward this funny little dream farm, I have in my head. You know, WITHOUT having to show a little leg or do something I wouldn't tell the grandkids about. Apparently, again, this might be too much to ask for.

~ I am tired of dating this boy I've been seeing. For SIX years. Am I gonna need a fortune teller to let me know if we will get MARRIED? Don't get me wrong, I love him to pieces, but it's always about money, money, MONEY. Well, that, and he's stubborn about change. Yes, New Year, I know--all men are stubborn, and well, SILLY, let's face it (and I say that with the vast confidence of someone with a blog that is most likely read by WOMEN)...but for the love of all that is right, just, and hunkey-dorey in all the world, is there a good and SANE man out there?

~ Lovemongering. Eegads, I am really off on speaking on this subject, but I'll make a big effort of doing it more regularly, since I think it's pretty important.

~And, of course, losing 10 pounds won't be too bad either.

New Year, I know that you will make it right. I know I will have to go out there and do much of the work, but I would appreciate your help in all of this.

Thanks ever so,
Zan

So, whatdya think? Maybe this way, I won't have to hide under the blankets so much.

European Pancakes....

2008-12-28T21:31:00.000-08:00

Part of the Christmas tradition at my house, after the whole holiday paper tearing, jumping up and down, and hugging over presents, is to sit right down and eat a big hearty breakfast.

I mean, no one is going anywhere; it's a big relaxation day at my house, folks. And, it's smack-dab in the middle of holiday season, so you're right in the middle of the 10 pound weight gain debaucle. It's expected. Diets? Please, are you kidding?

So, following that logic, Christmas-time breakfast was usually eaten "European style" (read: what my nice Hungarian mother's family used to do for Christmas)--this included fruit, boiled or poached eggs, fried meat, and any number of sweetened breads or little breakfast cakes. It was the bread factor that was the killer. This stuff had dates, nuts, jams and powdered sugar all over it. Yep, this definitely was an insulin-spiker, for sure.

The one traditional foodstuff that trumped this, year after year? Eastern European style pancakes--hands down the best Christmas food, in my opinion. The pancakes themselves are thinner than your average "American" style pancakes, and less sweet. They are sort of like crepes, but are hearty and the beauty is, they aren't too bad because they don't have sugar--you can control the sugar content based on the toppings/fillings you put on it.

My mother traditionally put out jams (my favorite was either blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry jam), honey, maple syrup (the real stuff from New England, folks, otherwise, it's not worth it, in my opinion) or whipped cream (store bought's ok, better yet is the homemade version). A sprinkel of freshly chopped nuts was also nice.

But the key topping ingredient? Butter. Plenty of it. It's pretty much the "base" of all things European. Slather the stuff on, then add on any of the above ingredients, or maybe a nice combo of the two, and enjoy as you silently kiss your diet goodbye....

And, if you want to be "good," you can sub fresh fruits over the pancakes. But you'll be booed by the rest of us and envied immensely for your complete self-control. I mean, all that caloric consciousness isn't NATURAL on Christmas morning, I say!

Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, I've got the recipes for the pancake (called Palacinta, and pronouced Pal-ah-chin-tah) below. In true "old-fashioned" style, there are no real measurements, just a roundabout "look" and "feel' to it. Which I can't really explain, but if you've been cooking for awhile, you'll know what I mean. For those of you who haven't, I apologize profusely, and I'll try to be as clear as possible, as I'm getting this recipe straight from my mother, and she got it from HER mother, with the same instructions...well, you know the drill...

Anyhow, here goes:

Palascinta (Hungarian Pancakes):

INGREDIENTS

Roughly 1 cup Flour

Roughly more than 1 cup Water
1 medium egg
Salt to taste
1-2tbsp sugar

Oil for griddle
EQUIPMENT
Skillet
Ladle

1.In small bowl or large cup, combine the egg, a pinch or two of salt, and 1-2tsp of sugar (more sugar if you desire a faintly sweet taste to your pancakes).

2.Whisk egg mixture until the grains of sugar are fully mixed and the mixture is smooth. * My mother liked to use a small cup so she could "crush" the sugar and salt grains along the side of the cup walls.
Set egg mixture aside.

3.In medium size bowl, combine flour and water. Mix/beat until the consistancy is smoothe.

Combine egg mixture into the flour mixture.

4. *Now the tricky part: the consistency of the mixture should be rather soupy. This should look like a slightly runny cream soup. Definitely MORE thin than a syrupy looking mixture. It really should be thin and pour like a liquid, and the mixture should NOT stick to a spoon when the spoon is placed upside down. However, it shouldn't be purely "watery" either. Think of it as a slightly "thinner" version of your regular pancake batter.

Thus, if your mixture is thicker than this, you may add water to the mixture until it reaches this "thinly creamy" consistency.

5.Once you reach this, heat your stovetop to medium setting. Place a well oiled skillet ( I prefer almond oil in my griddle because of its light and slightly sweet qualities, but veggie, peanut, or canola is fine, too). Once the skillet is hot, you're ready to go.

6.Get a good soup ladle, and ladle that bad boy evenly to cover the bottom of the skillet. Below, my mother demonstrates the technique on our home stovetop. The top right corner is the overturned ladle.

7. The batter should immediately form little air bubbles and griddle nicely. After half a minute, you can turn one corner up with a spatula to see if its ready. The cooked part should be a soft golden brown with a slight fleck of darker brown. It is at this time you should flip the palascinta over to it's other side, not unlike flipping a pancake.

8.Again, wait until the opposite side is golden brown, then remove from griddle. You can put it on a paper towel lined plate..this will soak up any extra oil.

9.Repeat the process, until you are finished. This makes about a dozen or so tasty golden pancakes..which look a little something like this:

After that, feel free to add all sorts of tasty toppings. A few recommendations:

~Cinnamon, brown sugar and baked apples ( you can also substitute applesauce, but it ain't the same, I tell ya!)
~Fresh Strawberries and whipped cream
~Homemade cream, raspberries and granola
~Sour cream and chives (the neutral taste of the pancake lends itself to either sweet OR non-sweet foods)
~Sweet jams or fruited yogurts

In any event, be prepared to kiss your diet goodbye and delve into a whole new world of taste!

What It's Really About

2008-12-27T20:56:00.000-08:00

Wow. I've been really remiss about posting, and I'm sorry about it.

But between the fenagling of all sorts of insurance issues, figuring out how to get back AFTER the holidays, without a car (and please don't MAKE me hafta explain the four hours on the phone to just about every plane, train, and bus company before I FINALLY found the correct connecting flight from the middle-o'-nowhere car rental drop off point! DOH!) and general mayhem, somehow, the idea of writing wasn't such a keen one.

I could explain to you a million reasons why I should be grumpy this Christmas. I ruined a perfectly decent car (although, it was also decidedly an ancient car, at 10 years old). It ended up being totalled out, and I'm not sure if I have the money for another, so I guess I'm lucky to be going back to a city with extensive public transportation system...but still...

I suppose I could sob about the big priced ticket I got for causing an accident I rather well couldn't avoid. I mean, I hydroplaned into another car, and I can't quite blame the tire or brake manufacturer for faulty car equipment, or the public roads folks of the town where I crashed because they couldn't keep their roads less wet, right?

I could lament about the expense of getting back after the holidays, I'm barely making money as it is...or wonder what I did to rack up such crazy karma all at once.

But all of this immediately vanished once I got home. And by home, I mean, where my parents live. Where my sister and I ended up, so that we could all be together for the holidays, since we hadn't been "all together" for several years. And here it was, the idea that I might not have made it at all.

Yep, that's what it's all about, folks. It's the reason why I drive down, year after year, for 10 states and 20 hours each fall or winter. For Thanksgiving or Christmas. Why I trekk through ridiculous weather and risk my life...just for a few moments of people who love me, who encourage me, and who feed me copious amounts of food, no questions asked. Homemade food. Old Fashioned food. From Europe.

Can you blame me? I mean, other than gaining 10 pounds within a week, here are some other wonderful moments:

Our Christmas Tree, in front of the fireplace...

(click to enlarge)

THE stocking hung by the chimney with care. In this case, it holds a little owl friend, as my father's favorite animal is the owl.

(Click to enlarge)

My favorite friend. I mean, a farmgirl's gotta have a farm dog, right? Well, I adopted this girl about 10 years ago while I was still living in Florida, and she ended up staying with my parents when I left to the big city.

Gypsy is a border collie mix. She had three days to live in the animal shelter, and she was such a sweetheart I adopted her on the spot. She's been the family's favorite since, a clown and a protector and a love and my mother loves her to pieces. I miss this mug whenever I go to the city and lament the fact that the city is no place for a working dog.

Here she is, "Big Fuzzy." Next to her is my sister, "Little Fuzzy." If you've ever seen my sister's hair, you'd know what I was talking about.

Christmas was filled with humility and fun. We didn't have nearly as many presents under the tree as we usually do, but that's because we already HAVE everything we ever need. Too much, maybe. We've been blessed throughout the years, that's for sure. My sister was super sweet and got me a doll making book, and I, meanwhile, ended up spending a good deal of time making some creative presents for her, and my mother---wow, those projects lasted me quite some time(which also kept me offline),but I think they were well worth it.

Here is a quilt art hanging for my sister, entitled "Sisters."
(click to enlarge)

The frizzy haired sweetheart on the left is meant to be her, the little one with the hearts on the shirt is meant to be me.

I also spent time walking down the farmgirl lane with my mama. We knitted and baked, and baked and BAKED.

Luckily, in between all of this baking (and eating!) I managed to write down some of these tasty recipes..which I will share with you shortly.

In the meantime, there is roughly another week of sharing all this family goodness, before the real world tries to devour me. Back to the rough city and into the unknown. There is a fledgling art business to worry about, and no job, and an animal care business that is not helping me pay the rent in a massive city that can be a bit merciless. There are my retired parents that might need my help, and any number of hopeful options that aren't really panning out.

So, it's sort of a circus coming up, but for now, where I am in this wonderful moment, that's really what it's all about.

It REALLY is NEVER quite like you planned....

2008-12-23T20:57:00.000-08:00

Well....I'm sorry it's been a few days since I've last posted. Right now, I should be finishing wrapping presents, writing a second or third post on city farm goodness, and maybe even drinking cocoa.

But, my trip here sort of changed that; I was in a car accident on the way down to visit my parents.

No worries, though--I'm not hurt, and the poor guy I rear ended is fine. Wow, the weather was horrible, from NY to FL. I won't go into the details other than my poor 10 year old car could not handle too much water and hydroplaned out somewhere in VA. And it's front end got smoooshed in the process. Which basically totalled it out, as far as my insurance was concerned. So I was stuck in VA for awhile, with no car to speak of, before I managed the last leg of the trip in a rented car, with my sister. I also realized that my trusty sewing machine, on which I sewed my dolls...and which I was bringing with me to finish projects, was seriously damaged during the crash.

I am not complaining, I fully realize there could be WAAAAY more complications. I literally walked away with just a slight bruise to my wrist. Not even whip-lash or soreness the next day (which seemed to perplex half of my friends who have also gone through car accidents). And although I feel bad about losing a car with my job status being close to nil, I know that it'll resolve itself (at least I keep telling my guilty conscience that!)...

So here I sit, realizing what I've already realized, but let me reiterate. There is nothing that money can buy. Nothing really important, anyway.

Happy and Blessed Holidays!

Where does the time go?

2008-12-18T17:41:00.000-08:00

I mean, wasn't it just the beginning of December like, two minutes ago? And how the heck DID we just get to the end of the year? That's alright, though, I have a feeling that most people would be ALL TOO HAPPY to see this year go by (or is it "go bye"? Hmm).....

Anyhow, I PROMISE I have actual farmy information, but in addition to the madness of getting prepped for the holidays (and making gifts for the family, to top it all off), I am also cleaning, doing last minute errands, packing, and so forth in order to DRIVE DOWN to visit them WAAAAY down South tomorrow! It's been sort of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, race-against-time past few days around here!

But, because I promised...and I have a great hope for this idea, I will kick off this THURSDAY LOVEMONGER FEST today!

So, very quickly..right now, I nominate Katherine Dunn. If you don't know Katherine through her Apifera Farm blog, well, you're missing out on a treat, kids. I suppose I love her because like me she is an artist who lives on a farm, AND she loves animals. Ok, I don't live on a farm...YET, but by golly, I can really relate to her. At the same time, her world is so beautiful and so well played out through her words, it's like little else I've seen. And, it's also enough that it made Blogger's "Blog of Note." She's been doing this for some time, as well as her art, and seems pretty darn sincere, in my book.

Well, like all artists, it's all about eking a living, and though Katherine is a relatively successfully published artist, it's always about figuring what to do with all the rough spots. Which is hard when you're supporting yourself and some odd animals that you are also caring for and rescuing.

Katherine has tried to do this rescuing in a wonderful few ways. And I think it's something you might be interested in helping her with.

First, she supports, Old Dog Haven, which is a rescue that is specifically geared toward senior animals. You know, the ones that tend to get abandoned when they lose their cuteness, "usefulness," or become sickly. Katherine is creating art which will help these senior animals, and will donate proceeds from her work to Old Dog Haven. So go out and purchase some great art and help some sweet li'l ole animals.

Second, she has taken the idea of caring for senior animals to heart by adopting a senior animal herself! She's adopted a sweet 15 year old Pygmy goat named Guinness, but she seems to need your help. She has a donation button up, and I think this is for the adoption and initial coverage for his care. Mosey on over and see all the details HERE. You might also want to shoot Katherine an email just to double check that the costs are taken care of, in case you are interested in helping out.

I understand that I'm mentioning my first Lovemongering as a money donation subject (when I said I would try to avoid it) but in my book, Katherine is tops and a sincere person. At the end of the day though, it is up to you (and all of us, really) to choose if we would like to help.

Alrighty then, off to pack some more. Maybe I can get another blog in by Friday? One will definitely be up by Sunday! Yes, maybe I WILL get around to some soap making...DOH!

The last time I'll bring up this topic (sort of)...

2008-12-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know, I know.

You are sick of reading about my writings on Lovemongering. I don't mean to keep bringing it up. Really I don't. I mean, this was supposed to be a blog about learning self sufficiency in the city. It's a blog--for all intensive purposes-- about FARMING, for goodness sake! I had this whole post about soapmaking all ready, dern it!

But this Lovemongering thing...it just...keeps...creeping...back into my thoughts. A lot. I keep telling myself it has to do with the holiday season. Heck, I even wrote an article in BigTownFarmer about it.

But the idea of Lovemongering has been with me for a long time, for years, even. Like all children of this era, I solidly blame my parents for this. Yep, it's their fault. Old fashioned values like honesty and caring for people. They were about that. You could seriously get in big trouble for lack of character at my house. Those sticklers! How dare they....try to instill values for others into their children. Some nerve!

So what ends up happening is that I actually feel that I, and YOU, are here to help each other. Yes, horrible notion, that. That we are all on the planet to help each other. I know, serious fluffy bunny idealism, but I can't apologize. It's just my belief. And secretly, maybe you believe it too.

I'm not saying to throw off your shows, open your hands, and run through the flowerbed of Happy Naivete. I'm not saying that the world isn't full of people that don't deserve trust, that don't do heinous things, that don't let ego get in the way, that don't cause tragedies, wars, strife. Perhaps that is what human nature is: selfishness, mediocrity, anger...it's all EASY to do.

But I also find that there are people striving to be the best that they can be, and there are people who are honest and who care about others and the planet they live on. They CHOOSE to do the hard work, to be kind, to help.

I also know that none of us are perfect; heck I'll have moments of doubt, frustration, anger. I have probably disappointed people, and have been disappointed by them. But in the end, it's all ok.

Now, why am I rambling on like this? Ever since last week, when I really witnessed something I have NEVER seen, and been impressed (and I promise I'll leave THAT subject alone already!) by the wonderful things people can indeed, do for one another, I thought...could this really be done on a larger scale?

I wondered, what if people were no longer tolerant of hurtful things, what if we were all actually Lovemongers? What if we really treated love like a verb? And in so doing, help each other? Since I think we now need to be the best "neighbors" that we can be, even if it's online....

SO what if we took this Random Acts of Kindness one step further. What if we could help, one person at a time, until...well, I can't expect wars to stop or peace on Earth (but I can hope) but, if we could save one person's farm, we could help a hungry child or a person out of work, or an abused dog.

I know it seems overwhelming, but if we do it one step at a time, we CAN make a difference. Any difference is better than none!

So, what I propose is this: If you know of someone that needs help, let me know...every Thursday, I will post that subject, and the need for donation....but there are some conditions.

1. You can submit an individual, family, or organization to the LOVEMONGERING Campaign, if you feel they are worthy but....

2. Please be SURE that the subject REALLY needs help. I hope I am not sounding harsh here, but there are the non-fluffy types that will take advantage of charitable people for their scams. Please make sure you know the person/family personally or know about them, have volunteered for the organization, or someone you know has....just double check and REALLY know that the subject for consideration is legit....

3. To further alleviate any scamming, I will post those subjects that could use ITEM DONATIONS...for example, a family that needs toys or new clothes for their children. The items to give then would be clothes or toys, etc. No money should be exchanged UNLESS...

4. You submit a proven and legitimate organization which needs donations for their operations costs. I ALSO might consider people who can have MANY people vouch for their character, for possible money donations, but I'd have to feel comfortable with them to place them here for money donations. Obviously, if I do so, it is YOUR choice as to whether you want to give donations.

5. I will also put up suggestions that I might find, and I reserve the right to refuse suggestions that I feel might not fit. I hope that it doesn't sound too self important but the more I live in the city and organize, the more I find that "the devil's in the details" and I am trying to be as clear as possible...and help as many people as possible!

So, what do you think? Please leave me feedback or suggestions on this idea, I'd mightily appreciate it!! Would you be interested in participating in something like this? Hmm....

Wow, what a week!

2008-12-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

Well, that's how I feel. Yes, I am fully aware that the week isn't over yet, either. And strangely, there hasn't been a whole lotta ACTIVITY-- just lots of hanging around the house, SEWING, marketing, trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing with my art, writing and editing and trying to get a handle of the monster of the house I have at the moment (a.k.a The MESS of 2008). Well, I have a dancer's background, so sitting still is something I'm not quite used to...

However, I am so happy to be helpful to people. I am also happy they are helping me: Thanks Phelan! Wow, one teensy shout-out on a blog, and my traffic has increased by 50%!

Which reminds me: I have some serious new ideas about Lovemongering, but I'll leave that for another post.

Actually, what I CAN tell you, is that I stand corrected: You are not a Lovemongerer
when you push love forward. You are simply a loveMONGER. However, I don't know that anyone's verified that lovemongerING is a verb. Ahh, the English language..beautiful but so very, very complicated.

Anyway, since I've just finished a whole slew of projects, I just thought I'd quickly post them here. My online magazine (yes, I also edit and online city-to-farm magazine, amongst other things. Clearly, I have NO need for sleep), BigTownFarmer is now up.

**For some forsaken reason, we are having problems changing out the cover issue pic...we think the template file is somehow corrupted, so we're working on it, but the rest of it looks great and we want to have everyone be able to take advantage of the charity and craft articles we have in it sooner, rather than later.

ALSO...New ART dolls available at WILD AT HEART ART! Actually, you can see the li'l boogers at the top of the post, but the art page is waaaaay more detailed about them. Please come see my work.
~By the way, it occurs to me that several fellow artists have joined this blog (thank you!)--perhaps not knowing I actually have an art blog. Just in case, I'd let you know I do--so that you don't have to sit and watch me talk about canning veggies and gardening...unless of course, you like that kind of stuff!

Have a great day everyone!

UPDATE!!

2008-12-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Alright, I just managed to check the blog today, and Phelan of A Homesteading Neophyte has reached her goal!

I am so happy I am jumping up and down AND crying (well, less jumping up and down..it just makes it too difficult to type!) I noticed, too, that so many other bloggers, in their attempts to help, also posted Phelan's story on their blogs. Yay! Now, imagine ALL of the other things we could do if we banded together like this?

By the way, I wanted to note to you, I don't know Phelan at all...I am a faithful reader, as a farmchick who doesn't have a farm yet, of her blog...which is filled with so much helpful homestead information. But there is no reason to withhold kindness, even if we are strangers.

Lovemongering, pass it on :)

The art of Lovemongering

2008-12-09T17:53:00.001-08:00

I live in one of the toughest places to live in America...New York City. Over a million people live in these tiny boroughs...if I'm not mistaken, I think one million people live on the tiny island of Manhattan alone. It's hard sharing a world that crowded. Too competitive, sometimes loud. Expensive. I guess I could complain about it a lot.

Or, I could worry about not being gainfully employed at the moment. I could be frustrated that my little art venture isn't generating money. I could worry, and worry, and worry.

It occurs to me, though, that there are far worse things to have happen. I currently have a roof over my head. My house isn't being taken away. My family is alright.

So, my thoughts are, if I can help others, I will try to do so. My new term for this: Lovemonger. I constantly hear the words hatemonger and warmonger. Ugly words, but they do exist. How does one combat hatemongering? I think there need to be more Lovemongerers in the world. People who are more tolerant, more willing to help, and more willing to foster tolerance and helpfulness. People who help li'l ole ladies cross the street, carry groceries for others, hug openly, share jokes and bake cakes for strangers. Yes, Lovemongerers are a rare breed, but so very necessary!

So my first official act of Lovemongering is to help a fellow farm-girl. Alright, yes, I am still aware that I am not an official farmgirl. Livestock and acreage are not a reality...but let a girl hold onto a little dream, alright?

Anyhoo...back to the topic at hand: If you've been in the "blog-o-sphere" for awhile, you will know Phelan of A Homesteading Neophyte. She, in fact, has something of a following, and her witty banter about farm dreams, and skills, has been long known. Recently, however, she posted that the bank from which she get her mortgage might default her (you can find the post regarding her house worries a couple of posts down the blog) She might lose everything. Please read her story, it's sort of heart wrenching, I think, and I couldn't imagine losing everything like that.

Of course, after reading, I quickly realized, again, that I have NOTHING to complain about. So, after much badgering, we managed to get Phelan to put up a donation button. If you have the heart and means, and the idea of community, please donate. I know Phelan, herself, might be annoyed I am spreading the word like this, but she really needs help. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, and I know it seems weirdly partial on my account, considering that so many of us have so many woes lately....hmmm...

Maybe this blog will serve in helping each case that needs help, one at a time. Now, there's a thought! Blogging for love! Lovemongering at it's finest! Now that's an idea!

The Power of Helping

2008-12-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

The beauty of living the kind of life I do is that I have so many friends from so many interesting and varied backgrounds. I love that sort of thing, learning about various people, their interests, and what makes them so specifically them.

I also notice that most of the people I know, or want to know, are clever, witty, accomplished people, no matter what their profession or background.

I say this because lately, these hard working, artistic, imaginative independent people are all saying: "It's hard to make a living. How do we live in these times?"

Hmmm....

I say THAT because this post is really about help or, rather, helping. Long ago, when I was a wee lass, I remember having the incredulous notions that most of us do when we feel invincible--and a bit arrogant--that it was great to have POWER. Money, power, the ability to do what I wanted and control everything....

Enter SuperMama--like all good mothers,she cooks, she cleans, she can leap tall buildings in a single bound (and not break a nail!), and she quickly put me in my place. "There is no good power, but the power to help others. And even then, consider it an ability."

Ahh, who knew then that SuperMama would be my first Zen teacher and spiritual leader? And she was right. It is a privilege to be ABLE to help people.

So...flash forward to now. I am typing this blog that you are reading (you know, all two of you trusty readers that I love!) and I am thinking...I have this online farmy magazine. And I am doing a holiday issue...SO, if you have a farmy or crafty business, PLEASE RESPOND BY THIS MONDAY Dec 7th and tell me about your business in a couple of lines. I will go ahead and add it into an issue that pegs homemade, oldfashioned, crafting or farming businesses...so then some city folks (you know, the kind of folks that live in the kinds of places I live), will get exposure to homespun stuff and buy it. So, win-win situation? Let's cross our fingers!

Please let me know by this Monday if you are interested! It's a privilege to help!

The week so far --city farm good-ness...

2008-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

So a friend asked how I could POSSIBLY implement sensible farm-like living into daily city life. Why, very easily. I find it very interesting, the rules "civilized" city folk put onto themselves, which usually involve things they find chic, or sexy or expensive...these are things they want to be associated with. Wealth, fashion, or sexiness.

But now is not the time for these things. Suddenly, people who might have laughed at "the girl with the crazy hair that walked away from a performing arts career to do what??" are coming up to me and asking how to garden, make their own clothing (which, to be honest, I can talk to them about crochet but the rest--hey, they're on their own!), and other spiffy stuff you don't think of around here. Unless you're stretch for a dollar. Trust me, that's an understatement; the job losses are worse in the city, because the price of EVERYTHING else, already sky high, ain't goin' down anytime soon.

So suddenly, the inside joke is "gee, the government really DOES care about farmers and farming--the way things are going, pretty soon, everyone's going to learn about self-sufficiency, whether they want to or not!" And sure enough, people are starting little gardens on their roofs, or fire escapes..heck, I've even heard of people smuggling chicken into their building courtyards just for the free eggs.

Hmm...while I wouldn't go that far, we've definitely done the garden. And other fun stuff. Here's a little run-down of some of the things I've been up to so far this week:

* Finishing Big Town Farmer's Holiday issue....should be out Monday Dec 7th

*Cleaning up...again. The house is constantly a disaster. The dolly crafting constantly has me spreading supplies too far out around the house...

...hmm, I'm gonna hafta implement a system or else my Virgo sense of orderliness will just be shattered.

*Making soap. Not as hard as one thinks, and the stuff lasts forever. It's a rewarding past-time. I just really started, with a very basic recipe. I can admire those soapmakers who can make stuff like Raspberry Lemon Truffe, Cream Supreme, and other fanciful stuff. Mind you, the above names are just something off the top of my head, but having seen the many soaps out there, it's really quite that good!

Here is me finishing a recent batch of soap. Nothing fancy, in fact, I have the final mixture settle in simple greased tupperware before they are cut and set out to cure.

I mostly use the soap for home use. This is the basic lye recipe, though I scent mine with peppermint, or sometimes verbena oil. Very clean and basic scent.

To note...as with the various batches...some seem to lather more than others with the lye based recipe...not sure why...but anyway....

*This week, also setting up Etsy for the Wild At Heart Farm Store (woohoo). It will have dolls, but ALSO, crafts, jewelry, and farmy related stuff. I am also working with my farmy mama on some things. She just sent a whole passle of homemade jelly and jam that she made. Real basic recipes. Here are all the shiny jars of tasty fruit jam..mind you, we've scarfed down a couple of these since then.

I think I will also put these on Etsy..they are "handmade" after all...hmm, something tells me I should probably check the regulations on that. They aren't quite your typical "crafts," after all. Hmm...anyone want jam? Fruit and sugar, that's it...no fillers, chemical, not even pectin? Just good ole fashioned cooking! Blueberry, fig, pear. Small jars $5/Large $10 (This doesn't include shipping costs, though)...

I will also list some herbal stuff I am working on. Where do these herbs come from? I wildcraft them on a friends farm in Upstate New York. I have been working with alot of them lately...herbs, that is, and farmers!! Kate runs a lavender farm....she is one of many that I hope to incorporate into a nice network of small artists, farm businesses and independent crafters that all support each other. So, if you are a crafter, small farmer with items to sell, or artist, please contact me...maybe we could set up reciprical links? I think I will eventually try to add this to Big Town Farmer, as well. I am all about creating a supportive network of honest, hard working crafters, farmers, and more. Now, more than ever, I think it's a good time to help each other!

And that, friends, is what city-farm goodness is all about!

News! AND A BLOG GIVEAWAY!

2008-11-27T23:45:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

Alright, after many mysterious hints, and going back and forth, I can present this news:
I've finally decided to launch my little art/doll business! I am moving away from performing arts, and more towards my FIRST love, the fine arts. Right now, I am working on jewelry, painting, and MOST ESPECIALLY making one of a kind dolls (because, who doesn't like dolls?).....

Below are the most recent one-of-a-kind dolls I've created, and they are all for sale!

Christmas Heart Angel

Santa's Little Helper

Oldegarde The Owl

Rose E. Rabbit

Priss, The Wizard's Kitten

Double Devil Doll (more for the Halloween-y sort of person, I think!)

AND, to celebrate all the changes going on in my life, I've set up a blog giveaway! Haha, now, to see all the details of the giveaway, and see the dolls for sale, and descriptions, PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MY ART SITE

Please EMAIL ME with any questions, interest in dolls, etc, at wildatheartfarm@aol.com if you are interested in any of them.

Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T15:11:00.001-08:00

May Everyone be blessed with family and friends and realize the beauty and wonder that resides with each of us.

Thanks to all my crazy friends and my patient family for allowing me to dream and do the non-sensical things that I do :)

I wish you all sorts of laughter and tryptophan-free comminglings tonight and send you all sorts of mushy warm-fuzzy feelings!

I'll have more news (FINALLY) about serious artistic goings on where YOU can participate.

Happy Holidays!

And...more thankfulness...

2008-11-24T21:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am in mushy-grateful mode, and proudly so, by golly!

Top 10 thoughts of gratitude:

1. The things that I am most grateful for aren't THINGS.

2. I have my health. I rent an apartment in a house I love. I have heating and air-conditioning. I can eat whenever I am hungry. I want for very little, and my tiny little corner of the world has many opportunities

3. A new little art business I am starting

4. A new little herbal business I am starting

5. I have this funny little farm magazine that I love doing (crazy as the deadlines can be!)

6. I don't have much money, but I have no want of anything.

7. I can, as a woman, say and do as I please, whereas this might not be so in some other places on the planet

8. There is a cute boy out there who loves me for me, cellulite, weird hair and all.

9. While I'm not employed in a traditional job, I make money doing the things I love.

10. My friends and family are healthy.

Hey, I WARNED you that I was in hokey-grateful mode! Happy Thanksgiving!

New announcements coming soon!

Thoughts on Thankfullness .....

2008-11-11T21:48:00.000-08:00

I wanted to write something meaningful for the Thanksgiving holiday. I can think of no finer example than the dancer in the photo, above. Her name is Kaihea, I consider her a friend. You would think I was crazy, considering the entirety of our "friendship" consisted of 20 minutes during a dance festival, and a few emails. She died of cancer a couple of weeks ago.

Before this, I had heard so much about this stellar young woman; everyone I knew, who knew her, said that she was the type of person to radiate light and happiness to those around her. And, yes, this was her personality even BEFORE she became sick. And even when battling cancer, she seemed so full of hope--and yes, fear, and frustration, but NEVER sheer negativity--that she blogged about very candidly. And thus, I got to know her, and was encouraged that, even though I could easily complain about any number of trivial "problems" I face each day, the fundamentals of my WELLNESS are something I am truly blessed in. I have my health, family, friends...and so, the doors of great possibility are always there.

And that was also why it was sort of shocking to learn she actually died because--while the truth was that she could VERY likely die of cancer, the spirit in which she wrote about her cancer made it seem that she would overcome it. Call it crazy, call it wishful thinking, but that's how I look at it.

I will miss this lovely person, for however brief we have known each other. Her story is a lesson about how brief life is, and how fragile we all really are. If we truly kept that awareness in the forethought of our minds, shouldn't we dare to take the many opportunities in front of us? And treat each other better, with more dignity and kindness? Perhaps forgive each other for our very human flaws? Spread joy? And be thankful for the things we have?

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving everyone :)

The City Farm Experience...

2008-11-11T20:26:00.000-08:00

So you may be asking yourself "How does a city farm work?"

Or, you may not be asking yourself this, but rolling your eyes with the thought that there is no such thing...and you'd be mostly right, but I'll try to tell you what I mean...

As you know by now (because I've beaten this concept into your head WAY too much in this blog), I live in the city. In order to simplify my life, I've taken on much of the farm and craft life that my mother--a cute little European farmgirl--has taught me, and have created my own little semi-semi-rural (read:barely rural, but we try) oasis in the heart of the concrete jungle. Much of this is put together as I go along. There are no real rules to this, except that I've simplified just about everything I could --some by choice and some by economic necessity--to fit what I feel exemplifies the best of "country philosophy" whilst living in the city.

What you get is a girl who researches farming, writes about it in her online magazine, sometimes washes her clothes with the wash board (thanks Miss Wilma!) and hangs it out to dry on the outdoor fencing in her tiny little city brownstone gardenspace.

I have a little garden out there, too. Growing 9 kinds of heirloom tomatoes, 3 types of peppers, mint, dill, even carrots! All amongst the tiny garden cages, concrete and weeds. Here are some pictures from this past spring and summer (WARNING: to all my dancing friends who think I'm too chic to be doing this sorta stuff--the following pics will blow your mind!):

Cinnamon Basil, tasty with Thai dishes or tomato sauce!

...and here are the various heirloom tomatoes I grew!

On the vine

A pepper that is finally yellow

White eggplant in a bucket!

And my finest achievement! Growing carrots in a deep rectangular pot!

It IS POSSIBLE. In fact, I'm starting to teach urban plant growing to friends and neighbors. They want to be more self-sufficient and, more to the point, many are interested in growing their own food in order to offset the ridiculous price hikes at the supermarket (hmm...so maybe the government has finally gotten us to be "green," after all?) I also teach herbalism once a month in the city.

I make soap, I actually bake and cook on a stove (what microwave?) and enjoy it. I dream of woodstoves but, hey, I'll take what I can get. I am a regular fixture at the local farmer's market. Heck, if I could keep bees, I would!

AND, I am getting back to my art. There is something about creating art that seems to go well with the idea of farming. Maybe because both are mostly gotten from nothing ("made from scratch") and both require alot of faith and involvement to see them to fruition? That's just my take on it....

Anyhow, Wild At Heart is a farm in the making. It's its own little dream and its own contradiction: I intend to have a farm, but I will try to save animals, grow food to give away, bring people to the farm to learn, and do good things with art whilst living on it. Crazy? Oh, absolutely. I've done equally crazy and equally rewarding things...

So wish me luck! Coming up: A few interesting projects I'm working on!

CHANGE is GOOD.

2008-11-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

Alrighty, folks,it's not what you think. Granted, "change" is the lightning rod, catch-all phrase lately, but I wont even DARE talk politics ("T'isn't ladylike," my mother would say)
But, in a round-about way, I guess I'll talk AROUND politics....just bear with me.

When I say "change" here, I really am talking about my life...and I'm also answering a couple of you (you know, the actual TWO of you who comprise my entire blog readership)who wondered what the heck happened to "vet tech Zan" and, consequently "performing arts Zan"..who now seems to have morphed into yet another person...

Well, I won't deny it. Not unlike Cybil (yikes!), there are many personalities...err...interests that I've had, and I'd like to think I'm evolving into yet a better, more well rounded person.

Lemme explain. For a long time, I've worked with animals. In fact, I still work with animals on a limited basis. I have, and always will, love them. Like all good kids, I'll go ahead and blame my father for this one: As a baby, we'd go every weekend to the zoo...so what's a kid to do but become a vet tech.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I also loved art. Can't quite explain where this came from, but from the time I could remember, I would draw, paint, tell stories, make up little skits. So what's a girl to do? Move to NYC, of course, and continue both an arts and animals career. I became the founder of a dance troupe, and dancer. We did theater and dance by night, and I worked with animals by day, in the most exciting city in the world. This should have been a perfect life, except...

Something was going wrong. The people in this city can..*ahem* be cruel, unforgiving. And the unique dance career that I had gotten into to try to foster my own dance aspirations AND community became a different creature when it seemed I was becoming successful. It was becoming harder and harder for me to justify the "drama" around me.

And there was something else. I wanted to help people. Yes, I am, unapologetically, that naive goody two shoes you'd probably roll your eyes at--don't let the weird hair and city veneer fool you! Really, I'm your average girl next door...with sparkly clothing, a garden in the back of her city apartment, who dances, wears aprons, writes stories about farming...oh, nevermind...

But I did want to help people, and animals, while practicing art. I also became much more interested in simplicity. Where to combine all of this? In farming, or at least the IDEA of it, where putting on many hats during the day to "keep the place up-and-running" is not unlike the world of art.... Wild At Heart Farm is really a hopeful wish based on the heart's wild dream...the dream of a farm, of course, but so much more. Can a place be a beacon for healing, helping people, promoting art, growing wonderful things from the earth, and more? I don't know. But that dream seems even better than what's going on now....

So slowly....very slowly...I am pulling away from the world I once loved and I am trying to make yet another attempt at finding myself and helping others. Right now, I am working on the magazine and working on some new artistic things I plan to unveil.

So how are you changing? How are you making your mark? What light will you shine on the world?

WELCOME!

2008-11-08T18:18:00.000-08:00

Greetings all! Welcome to the new blog. If you've been following my misadventures via the old Big Town Farmer...I want to humbly thank you for switching over and even bothering to read this little blog. I am aware that there are SO many interesting stories to keep up with online and elsewhere, and I appreciate anyone who finds this to be one of them.

Now you may well be asking yourself WHY I would switch over from a perfectly good blog that is attached to a perfectly good online magazine (ok, you might not call it a good magazine, but a girl can dream, right?)...and the answer is simple....like much else going on in the world right now, CHANGE was well underway.

The funny thing about my life (oh, wait, it's ALL funny) is that I started off as a perfectly respectable and average urban dweller with a relatively normal job working with animals. My secret life, however, involved a life-long love affair with art. In truth, much of the reason I moved to New York City was to continue the creativity that started in the corners of my room, as a child. Eventually, the solid urban lifestyle gave way to creativity...and then, something else happened. The turning of my brain, such as it is, yearned for something FAR simpler than the high stress, high drama world that even the art life that I love offered. I eventually became turned off by the very thing I loved; there were far too many toxic people involved in it, and too little to gain.

So, what does one do? In my case, I decided to pursue an older, more secret love: I turned to the world of farming, old fashioned crafts, and old world knowledge (yes, I know it doesn't make sense, but work with me here). I loved what my mother loved, and she was a sweet little European farmgirl...so, the tranformation is slowly happening...
If you top that off with a crippling economy, leaving a job that was going sour, leaving the ART world that was going sour, and starting a WHOLE other set of work...leads us to this blog (I warned you that my life was "funny").

I really wanted a blog that encompassed ALL of the varied interests that make me the crazy person that I am. I don't know too many other city dwelling, farm loving, dancing, animal oriented doll makers and herbalists. It felt strange to flip flop these various aspects, almost as if I was keeping one part of myself from certain people, and the other part from the other segment of people I knew. After awhile, it felt like it was becoming illicit; certain parts of my personality had to be hidden so that I would be approved of...but I will hide no longer! I stand for every city hippie with far too much creativity and curiosity on their hands! I stand here, merging both city and farmy life in one! And proudly say they are all valid parts of ME, by golly! And hope you don't call Bellvue whist you read this blog!

Ahem...anyway, since I've wanted, for sometime now, to run away and live on a farm--and can't--I thought that it could live on, here, and maybe if I think and do enough around it, it will manifest. Yes, right now, Wild At Heart farm is just an idea, rather than a flesh-and-blood place. It is a tiny dream and, like so many tiny dreams, it contains just enough hope in its existence to keep me going.

So, as of now, I still run Big Town Farmer, and occasionally dance with my dance troupe. I also teach gardening and herbalism to urbanites, and have started to focus on other arts as well. To that end, and because I clearly need NEVER to sleep, I also have two other blogs (it seems as though I can never pare the blog count to below three)that showcase those other aspects: WildAtHeartArt (one of a kind art dolls and much more), and WildAtHeartHerbal (mostly for my beginning herbal students and anyone curious as to how to deal with herbs in the city).

If you are interested, as a city person, on information on adding a bit of rustic life, of simplifying, this is probably your blog. If you want to read bits of creative observances, inspiring stories of animals, learn about gardening, sewing, cooking, and being kind to each other in certain ways, I plan on showcasing these very things. I will have bits of BigTownFarmer news, and other interesting tidbits! As always, I am interested in the world of artist, agriculture, and animals. Dream all you Dreamers! Again, thanks for keeping up, and buckle your seat belts, it should be an interesting rid!