Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

Anupy Singla’s custom-designed spice box is set to debut this weekend at the Chicago Housewares Show. But for those who follow her Indian As Apple Pie page on Facebook, there was a sneak peak today. All the things I had concerns about other spice boxes I’ve seen over on Devon Ave., she seems to haveContinue reading “On My Wish List: The Indian Spice Box”

Roger’s Creek Grist Mill A few weeks ago when I was at the winter farmers market at the Unity Temple, I picked up a package of pancake mix “stone ground goodness” from the Roger’s Creek Grist Mill. We are pretty serious about pancakes in our house. It’s a weekend tradition and we enjoy dressing themContinue reading “Grist Mill Pancakes Hit the Spot”

I’ve been having fun with a Facebook meme that appears to have been around for quite some time, considering I’m seeing blog posts discussing it from 2008. The idea is to grab the closest book to you, turn to page 56, and use the 5th sentence as your Facebook status. You then post the rulesContinue reading “The Books We Have at Our Fingertips”

When I took the Devon Spice Tour a couple weeks ago, I picked up a few Thai green chilies to try in my Indian Slow Cooker dishes. I’d been using serranos in my dishes largely because I am more familiar with the heat level and I can better predict the outcome. Wow. What a differenceContinue reading “There's Hot and Then There's Hawwwt”

Jen Murtoff, or as I’ve been affectionately referring to her at the office, the chicken lady, will be training urban dwellers how to care for backyard chickens. At Angelic Organics’ Learning Center on March 12, Murtoff promises to show attendees how to keep yourself, your chickens and your neighbors happy with your decision to becomeContinue reading “Backyard Chicken Workshop Coming Up”

It’s unusual that an evening, a day or an hour of a planned activity plays out just as I’ve expected. In fact, things rarely go so smoothly as I dream they should. But I’ve adjusted. I’ve learned to manage my expectations, to focus on what’s turning out right or to go with the flow. TonightContinue reading “A Special Valentine's Evening – Just the Four of Us”

When I was a cub reporter in Florence, South Carolina, the recipe section of my paper, the Florence Morning News, was about the closest I ever got to gourmet food. I remember stocking my cabinets with all the food my parents wouldn’t let me have: white bread and Lucky Charms. Plus, there was the foodContinue reading “'White Chili Isn't Frosty'”

In our house divided, we have two Packers fans (me and my husband); a Steelers fan (our son still bitter over the Bears loss); and a Puppy Bowl fan, my daughter, who’s also still battling a high fever and laryngitis. But we can all come together over the food and the commercials. Here’s what weContinue reading “Super Bowl XLV Fan Fare”

Jen and Anupy at Fresh Farms. Thankfully, the weather cleared up enough this weekend so that a friend and I could enjoy a spice and Indian cooking tour of Devon Avenue. Anupy Singla, who wrote the my new favorite cookbook, “The Indian Slow Cooker,” was our guide. We must have spent a good two hoursContinue reading “Indian Spice Tour of Devon”

When we first moved to the Barrie Park neighborhood and bragged about being so close to the Sled Hill, a friend burst our bubble, warning of head injuries and broken bones. I have no doubt there have been some painful crashes and wipe outs on the hill. But I’ve not noticed a steady stream ofContinue reading “Sled Hill Casualties”