Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

I’m sorry to say we didn’t take many pix this holiday at The Farm. My excuse is that we were too busy socializing and enjoying the company to pick up the camera. Anyway, we had a lovely visit and, yes, another good meal (or two…the sour cream/buttermilk pancakes and polish sausage and leftover mashed potatoesContinue reading “Our Wind-Driven Holiday Adventure”

Hoosier Outsider has been busy posting photos of adventures in New Mexico. I’ll share a couple here, just to give a flavor. Click to Hoosier Outsider’s Flickr site for more. The VFG is hard to make out…but she’s in the cast iron tub. You may be able to make out the smoke from the fireContinue reading “Farmgirl in the Mountains”

Sustainability enthusiasts will surely be following the latest developments on Chongming Island near Shanghai. The island is poised to become the first major eco-city, designed to minimize environmental impact of residential and commercial populations. McClatchy has this story on the city’s progress…and sadly, though not surprisingly, a new threat…developers. Turns out plans for battery-powered busesContinue reading “Will Money Interests Brown Promise of Green City?”

It’s a start. My Future Farmgirl said tonight that the SnapeaCrips, which look like snow peas, I handed her were the best chips she ever tasted. They’re sort of like a cross between puffed corn and a potato chip, only they’re baked. It’s the little things. The iFarmer says they’re addictive too. Even though I’mContinue reading “At Least They'll Eat Something That Look Likes Peas”

Thanks to iFarmer and his iPhone, here’s a sight…John Deere tractors crossing Harlem Ave., just south of Lake Street in Oak Park:

We have our tree already. Future Farmboy and the iFarmer bought it locally (translation, cheap bigbox store)…though the tree is from Canada. I think we’ll try to switch that around next year…drive to a farm and pick out our own…like our friends do each year, going all the way to Michigan and Wisconsin for freshContinue reading “Can I Grow Christmas Trees on Cornfields?”

I’ve been home sick today…initially to take care of my son, then just utterly exhausted. So I didn’t think I’d have much to add to VFG until I read this commentary earlier this month from Tom Bechman at Indiana Prairie Farmer. Apparently there’s controversy over expanding hog operations in Grant County. Controversy over hog farmingContinue reading “Factory Farm v. (Huge) Family Farm”

We learned recently that one of my dad’s friends and mentors Steve Perin is very ill. Sad news indeed. But the good news is the reconnection and all the memories being shared. Also, it was wonderful to explore Steve’s Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveperin/Loads of memories in these pieces, especially this one of Roberts. Yes, the sameContinue reading “Picture Perfect Memories”

Christmas shopping is slow going this year, but I am having fun shopping for our upcoming holiday party. I hit the jackpot at Ultra with a bunch of “local” products to add to the munchies. Ultra is owned by a family in NW Indiana, so I’m not surprised they try hard to have local products.,Continue reading “Some Ultra 'Buy Local' Finds”