Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

Other than recycling, switching from paper to plastic, turning up the AC and down the heat, are you feeling powerless about climate change? There’s now a way you can help scientists figure out what’s going on, by joining Project BudBurst. It’s a fantastic grassroots effort to chronicle the timing of leafing and flowering in specificContinue reading “Citizen Scientists Wanted, Needed to Study Climate Change”

It’s not really a Buy Local find (though it is made in Glouster, Ohio, and I found it while tripping through Michigan). But I’m noting it because I’m addicted after one jar of “all natural” Frog Ranch salsa (medium heat). OMG, it’s, quoting Rachael Ray, “Delish.” It’s just like I’d like to be able toContinue reading “Those Buckeyes Know Their Salsa”

The 4-H Champ reminded me that I didn’t even mention that besides cherries, Traverse City has made a name for itself by hosting a pretty fantastic little Film Festival. While we were there at the local beach we saw lines of people at the local artsy theater and lined up around the corner to getContinue reading “Reel Fun: More Than Cherries in Traverse City”

We’re home from Michigan and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Still, it’s wonderful to be home. One more morning in the water park was just enough. So we headed back to Chicagoland and only stopped for potty breaks, several potty breaks. When we unpacked this evening, we finally had a chance to check out what weContinue reading “Taking Inventory”

I’ve learned a couple things about my kids on this vacation. No. 1, my daughter could spend the whole day, I mean hours and hours, digging a hole in the sand or wading in 2 feet of water. No. 2, my son could spend the entire day trying to teach himself to body surf onContinue reading “Day 4: Waterlogged”

It’s our third day and I still haven’t convinced the kids to go cherry picking with me. If they don’t go tomorrow, I may need to go on my own. After all, this is, according to a number of signs I’ve seen, the cherry capital. Indeed, there seems to be a U-Pick cherry or blueberryContinue reading “No, U-Pick”

A pool, a sandy playground, two dune climbs and two beach visits later, we’re a bit sun-kissed and happily lodged beach side on the sleepy end of Ludington, Mich. We made our way up from Holland by hugging the coast as much as possible. That route up Shoreline Trail (B-15) took us through blueberry patches,Continue reading “Michigan Day 2: Sandy & Sun-Kissed”

More on the Great Plastic Bag Standoff today from the Chicago Tribune’s blog The Stew. Apparently, the Mayor’s office is behind anti-plastic bag renegade Henry Brockman 100 percent. Indeed, they’re ready to roll out a pilot program to encourage shoppers to bring their own bags and discourage farmers from supplying plastic unless it’s the expensiveContinue reading “Chicago to Discourage Plastic at Farmers Markets”

After we learned that my nephew would be released from the hospital today (Yay!) and that the iFarmer’s late afternoon meetings had been canceled (Yay!), we had a new set of get-out-of-town vacation goals. We wanted to be on the road by 4:30 (iFarmer), without feeling rushed (VFG). We hit the 290 on-ramp at 4:29Continue reading “Virtual Farmgirl Hits the Road”

For those of you who think you don’t like beets, I’m going to ask you to erase the memory of all the dull canned or pungent pickled versions you’ve ever tasted. Then do this: roast some fresh beets from the local market. A hot oven, plus a little coarse salt, pepper and olive oil willContinue reading “Can't Beat (Roasted) Beets”