Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

It’s been such a busy summer I’ve hardly had a chance to spend any time at the Irving Garden. There are some new features this year, a compost system that’s built and looks like it’ll be ready for fall. And, as was the case last year, a bumper crop of veggies…especially cucumbers. I was thereContinue reading “Irving Garden: Thinning, Weeding & Harvesting in Late Summer”

Early corn in front of the house. My kids spent 13 days at The Farm this summer during my busiest couple weeks at work. It’s a win win. My employer gets my undivided attention for 10-12 or so hours a day and my future kids get a taste for rural life, which involves a lotContinue reading “Making Memories at The Farm”

Tastes much better than it looks. When I first tried this recipe for the Best Carrot Cake Ever, I didn’t follow the directions precisely. I only had two cake pans and I was supposed to make this with three. I also didn’t grease the pans near liberally enough.  So when I found myself swimming inContinue reading “Seasonal Recipe: Judy's Best Carrot Cake Ever”

I’ve said many times that it can be a challenge to consume a full CSA share within a single week. We sometimes share our share and I often blanch and freeze whatever I can’t eat or throw into a stock. Only a few times this summer have I had to discard or compost uneaten, rottingContinue reading “Seasonal Recipes: Garden Salsa & Tomato, Basil & Feta”

After a couple very long weeks of work and long days at the office, I’m taking a much-needed day off. Well, sort of. I just have a little work to do. Then errands. Then painting. Then back-to-school shopping. But I know I’m getting a respite because I’ve had a chance to start catching up onContinue reading “Follow the Farmers' Recipe Trail”

The Chicago Tribune has a heartbreaking story today about a McHenry County farmer who was killed after a woman slammed her car into his farm tractor while trying to get around him in a no-passing zone. I’m betting whatever this woman was rushing to will haunt her for the rest of her life. The TribContinue reading “Sad Reminder to Slow Down, Yield to Farmers”

I forgot my produce bags and didn’t have time to run home before picking up our CSA share this evening. What else was there to do but to shove gently nestle the week’s bounty into my work tote. I’m thinking these aren’t the items my sister had in mind when she picked out this sleekContinue reading “My Coach Bag Runneth Over”

I’ve been admiring these little spaceship-like yellow squash I’ve seen hovering at farmers markets for quite some time. I’m told they’re excellent on the grill. I’ll definitely try that. But this weekend, I opted for a sauteed version from a recipe I found over at Taste & Tell. I really enjoy the mild flavor ofContinue reading “Seasonal Recipe: Spaceship Squash, Feta & Basil”

Chives, thyme, rosemary, oregano, cilantro & mint. This morning I assembled these aromatic herb bundles for a Daisy Scout activity later today that I’m calling, “Ooh, what’s that smell?” It’s not a test and no right or wrong answers. Instead, I think it’ll be fun to see if the girls can associate foods with theContinue reading “Ooh, Ooh That Smell”

Click for step-by-step instructions. I’ve been testing out the making, filling and watering of my own biodegradable newspaper seedling pots. It’s a dry run for a Girl Scout project we’re doing this Sunday. So far so good. I made a few modifications to this method from yngla at instructables. I used a smaller bottle, aContinue reading “Next Scout Project: Biodegradable Seedling Pots”