Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

Awesome to hear some good rock on American Idol this season. Fills a bit of the void left by the first season of Rock Star INXS. It’s only too bad the pop/loungish piano backup sucks. That’s why it’s a good thing some of our favorites also can play…like the one vying for my vote…the superContinue reading “Best Idol Yet”

I’ve been looking to get the aluminum and other preservatives out of my baking. So I was very pleased to learn today, while reading my Bon Appetit, that it’s fairly easy to make your own baking powder. How cool is that? All it takes is 2 parts cream of tartar and one part baking soda.Continue reading “Metal-Free Baking”

Here’s one from the archives…It’s Future Farmboy’s first introduction to a house goat, I mean a young Nubian visiting Omi’s house during the holidays.

My gift to the iFarmer today is sort of a re-gift. He’s getting the use of his fancy, but old, Huntsman Plus Swiss Army knife back. We thought it was a lost cause and abandoned it in a misc. box a couple moves ago. But I just dug it up and found this great KnifeContinue reading “What's Old is New Again”

Farmgirl Fare has posted a sweet Valentine. Check out her collection of heart-shaped rocks. Here’s a screen shot of her page, but there are more photos from her collection on her site.

There’s a cute story in Onalaska Community Life about Farmgirl Esther Pertzsch, who after a storm blew the roof off of her barn, discovered a remarkable milk bottle collection from her family’s farm. She’s added to it ever since, and in the process has a history of milk production on display. Esther told the paperContinue reading “Storm Winds Blow Lid Off Bottle Collection”

Between the books I get for review and the iFarmer’s collection, one would think I would be able to find some satisfying evening reading. But no. Nothing on my shelf is particularly inviting. I tried to read Martha Minow’s “Between Vengeance and Forgiveness: Facing History after Genocide and Mass Violence,” but that’s pretty much asContinue reading “Tip: When Looking for Light, Bedtime Reading, Don't Pick Up a Book on Genocide”

Considering how crucial bees are to our food chain, isn’t it completely surprising that so many beekeepers are hobbyists? The Dothan Eagle in Alabama had that same question. The article notes that the USDA estimates there are 2.5 managed bee hive colonies…half of the number in existence in the 1940s. But pollination demands have hardlyContinue reading “A $15 Billion Hobby”

I had forgotten how absolutely beautiful the Chicago Temple is, inside and out. Founded in 1831 by Methodist circuit riders, it’s considered the oldest church in the city. More history here. After slushing my way to noon-time Ash Wednesday services, I got there early enough to take in the intricate wood work and stone walls,Continue reading “A Welcoming Mid-Day Retreat”

I just tripped across this farm near Santa Cruz, Dirty Girl Produce. Love the name and the history of Farmgirl founders Ali Edwards and Jane Freedman. There’s a story in the 1997 MetroActive about the farm when it was beginning to break even. “There is a phenomenal group of powerful women active in [this field]Continue reading “Phenomenal Farmgirls”