Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

We’ll see if we can pull this off. Notice any common underlying flavors?Butter & Sage Rubbed Turkey Cider Gravy Sourdough dressing w/sausage and apples Butternut squash and apple soup Spinach, apple and goat cheese salad Brussels sprouts slaw w/maple-glazed pecans Sweet potato mash with walnuts Green bean casserole (from The Farm) Mashed potatoes (from TheContinue reading “Today's Menu”

I’m not sure my feet could hurt any more than they do right now. I sat down exactly twice today: when I drove to and from the grocery and when I scarfed down a quick lunch. The rest of the day I was on my feet in front of the stove, sink or broom inContinue reading “New Rule: Kitchen is Off Limits For Non-Thanksgiving Fare”

Two major stressors are down: my son’s 2-year cardiology appointment (went great) and the relaunch of my publication’s website (it’s beautiful). So now I can let myself really get into the Thanksgiving Holiday spirit. Tomorrow, it’s all about shopping. And it looks like I may get to do that solo or at least sans kids,Continue reading “Lots To Be Thankful For”

I’m trying to figure out how it could possibly be so complicated to host one meal for my family. For some reason, though, it is. Seating 17 people for a formal afternoon dinner is a challenge, even with this much time to prepare. I’m not even expecting the day to be perfect. My family gatheringContinue reading “Operation Turkey Day: Phase One”

We’re just getting settled back in from our trip to Austin, College Station and San Antonio. It was a whirlwind trip…lots of sights and family. I’ll try to catch up on the highlights here, at least when it comes to the food. A definite high point: Round Rock Donuts, an Austin-area favorite since 1926. TheseContinue reading “Round About Round Rock”

The last time the iFarmer and I were at the Park West in Chicago, it was a different world. We were pre-children and it was pre-9/11. My how time flies and how things have changed. But the Park West remains a lovely venue to see a small band up close and personal. Last time weContinue reading “Date Night Mid-Week”

I try not to give in to every one of my children’s whims or latest interests, especially when those fleeting passions cost money. But there are pretty clear exceptions: when there’s a strong educational component and when there’s a chance to engage them in the arts. So when my 7-year-old son started talking non-stop aboutContinue reading “My Son the Weaver”

The best part of going to the library today was tonight when I had to tell Future Farmboy to turn off the lights more than a half hour after I gave him five more minutes to wrap up his reading. “But mama, I’m almost finished with this page.” I love that he is getting soContinue reading “Mama, Please Let Me Read For a Few More Minutes”

I joined my CSA this year fully expecting that I’d be confronted with unfamiliar produce. That was actually one of the big draws. I wanted to not only get farm-fresh veggies already in our diet, I wanted to be exposed to new foods and new ways to prepare them. We definitely got our chance toContinue reading “Except for the Waste, I'd Give Our CSA Experience an 8”

Just got word from Hoosier Outsider that he harvested the tall corn in the front yard at The Farm.It came down just in the nick of time. Grant County had its first heavy frost last night.