Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

Finally…I had a chance to sit down this weekend and watch King Corn. It was even better than I expected, partly because it was chock full of the type of information about processed corn, especially high fructose corn syrup, that I’ve been craving. I was pleased that the documentary, supported by the Corporation for PublicContinue reading “The King of Agriculture: Corn”

Future Farmboy miraculously recovered in the midst of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…I had abandoned the doctor-prescribed BRAT diet and started giving him mild, but energy enhancing foods, like smoothies. He felt so much better so quickly that we hustled, got dressed and headed to break bread with Virtual Farm Husband’s family in NW Indiana.Continue reading “A Very Happy Thanksgiving”

The sweet potatoes are in the oven for our pies. But the biggest success came yesterday with two versions of cranberry sauce…one infused with port wine and cinnamon sticks, the other infused with a hint of orange. My favorite surprise though was the bourbon mashed sweet potatoes that I’ll sprinkle with walnuts or pecans today.Continue reading “Happy Thanksgiving!”

I was looking for some thread to match a torn sweater the other day. And in desperation the Future Farmkids and I started digging through our Aunt Margaret’s sewing basket. In addition to being a feisty spinster Farmgirl, Aunt Margaret was a talented seamstress and quilt maker. [My favorite pictures are of her and aContinue reading “Cloth Treasures From a Farmgirl Hero”

We’ve been prepping for Thanksgiving and practicing some new recipes. For Thursday we’ve been given sweet potato and cranberry sauce assignments. On Friday, we’re starting over from scratch and will be dressing the bird and prepping all the sides and desserts…with some help from some real farmgirls. Tonight, Virtual Farm Husband made Emeril’s sweet potatoContinue reading “Sweet Potato Pie Practice”

The Old Oaken Bucket… that treasured Hoosier trophy…will take up residence where it belongs, close to its historic home in Southern Indiana. That’s thanks to IU’s 27-24 win over Purdue on Saturday. We didn’t celebrate much since we had a nearly devastated Purdue student in our house. But, this IU home is supremely pleased atContinue reading “Oaken Bucket Goes Home”

Here’s a shot of Chicago’s River North, new construction blocking my view of the Merchandise Mart. But there’s still plenty to see. Thanks Purdue-Would-Be-Farmboy-High School-Physics-Teacher-Instead for the visit and the after-supper at Frontera shots. Best news of the weekend…our nephew got a thumbs up from his cardiologist. Nothing short of a miracle and probably thanksContinue reading “A Walk in the City After Dark”

Sad news from The Mountains. The patriarch of our little community when I was growing up died today. Services will be over the weekend. So many memories of Robert. He could be feisty, mean, scary with his rough exterior and stringy black hair. But he was a talented, visionary Outsider Artist. I remember when myContinue reading “Goodbye Robert”

I don’t have much to report in my Corn Diary…today was not even close to corn free. Even my new healthy snack, crispy green beans, were coated with dextrin, which is essentially another word for corn. But…I did have some luck with my other pledge…to Buy Handmade. First, I got a shipment from Bee HavenContinue reading “Shopping is Way More Fun Than Dieting”

Finally had some success at supper with the “King Corn” Challenge…baked potato w/broccoli. Yum. But I won’t be able to handle vegetarian for more than a few meals, at least not without some planning. And fake butter isn’t much fun. I did slip at lunch, had to have the Thai fried rice w/chicken. Don’t knowContinue reading “Baby Steps, Corn Free One Meal at a Time”