Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

I’m loving a blog piece I read today about 400 goats who were let loose on a Wilsonville, Oregon, park overgrown with invasive ivy and blackberries. So does it work? Absolutely, says Oregonlive.com blogger Kimberly Nelson. The part of the park that the goats have devoured is devoid of the ivy understory that once chokedContinue reading “Need to Eradicate Invasive Plants? Get a Goat.”

The first was while the iFarmer and I were eating a fantastic meal of perfectly cooked breaded pork tenderloin (me) and liver and onions (him). Imagine our delight when Ms. Indiana walked in and was seated near us at the historic Hob Nob Corner Restaurant. So much fun. Then, the next day, we had theContinue reading “My Two Celebrity Sightings”

If you’re looking for something to can and you have access to a local garden or farm…you might find beets, apples and one of my grandpa’s favorites, swiss chard. The iFarmer’s cousin took advantage of another seasonal favorite this weekend when she made black raspberry cobbler. Perfectly tart. More on that and other family favoritesContinue reading “What's in Season?”

My local find today is only local because it’s near where the iFarmer grew up and we’re in town for a birthday and family reunion. For at least five years, we’ve had our sights set on a dining room table and chairs we ordered from one of our favorite Brown County artisan galleries. I wishContinue reading “Craftsmanship is Alive & Well in Brown County”

Just a quick note to give a Roger Ebert “Thumbs Up” to Leelanau Wine Cellars Autumn Harvest, smooth, dry red. The cherry and currant undertones make it smell sweet. But it’s not. Simply a nice dinner wine. And the price was right. I think we spent about five bucks for the bottle. The winery hasContinue reading “Mich. Wine Update”

I had the pleasure of dining with some very knowledgeable reps from throughout Indiana on Wednesday. These folks knew their stuff. Not one of them pitched me an idea that they didn’t really know something about, from either doing serious research or experiencing the product, visiting the restaurant or meeting the artists and farmers firstContinue reading “This Chef Celebrates the FARM”

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So why on earth do fish in Chicago need a hotel? Well on the Chicago River, as it happens, there are several reasons. They check in to: flee from boats, grab a some shelter and (thanks to insects attracted to native plants), a bite to eat. That’s what I learned when I looked over theContinue reading “Visiting a Fish Hotel”

Ever wonder what to do with that old, out-of-use windmill? In the spring, you can string morning glories up the skeleton. If you have the creative mind of Hoosier Outsider, you can find another use: a sign for your farm. In our case, the blade was already taken down, before a storm knocked it ontoContinue reading “New Sign, Old Windmill Blade”

So, it’s only been two months since I’ve been back at The Farm and driven through Gas City’s Main Street. But it’s hard to miss the latest and greatest addition to the downtown…a golf cart dealership. Seriously…there are mini Califoria Roadsters, Hummers and even a yellow Magic Bus that seats at least 6. Not longContinue reading “Slow Ride, Take it Easy: Golf Carts Take Small Towns By Storm”