Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

Angry Bird babybel. This is the official start of my daughter’s birthday countdown, with her party right around the corner on Saturday. That means I’ve been spending more time than usual looking for party food ideas. Her menu is pretty much already set (pastapalooza), so I’m only looking for extras and finger foods to goContinue reading “Edible Cartoons for Parties (or Just Because)”

No-sew t-shirt bag. My daughter’s birthday is coming up. I don’t even have the invites out yet (today maybe?). But we think we’ve nailed down the activities. I’ve enjoyed doing treat bags in the past. But if you buy all the pieces for those, the cost of that little party element can add up andContinue reading “No-Sew Treat Bags”

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”