Category Archives: Uncategorized

After a few days of feeling nauseous, it’s becoming painfully clear…I have the flu. And I even had a flu shot. Actually all of us did. But this is no ordinary late-winter cold. All but Future Farmboy have been struck. I thought, no way could we have the flu. But I woke up this morningContinue reading “When Will This Winter End?”

I finally got my copy of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day from Amazon. I’m eager to try out the recipe for Olive Bread in the Peasant Loaves section. And I know the family will like it if I test out the Pecan Caramel Rolls. I have a good idea of what I willContinue reading “Getting a Rise Out of Fresh Bread”

For the raw milk enthusiasts, there was Making Their Case for Raw Milk, in Sunday’s New York Times. The article notes that continuing and unwavering warnings from the FDA, its popularity continues to grow. Connecticut is one of only a handful of states that leads the pack in raw milk sales, making it possible forContinue reading “Connecticut Embraces Raw Milk”

This article in the Chicago Tribune — Farmer Bob turns water into swine — wins the prize for the most captivating story featuring agriculture v. urban sprawl. Here’s the gist. Farmer Bob, aka Bob Wargaski, is fighting a proposed water tower that city planners hope to erect near his Island Lake area property. At aContinue reading “Pigs or Clean Water? Neighbors Pick Pigs”

I’m hoping to be around next weekend so we can attend the Winter Farmers Market in Austin, which is one of the westernmost and among the most troubled neighborhoods in Chicago. Apparently we’ll be able to buy organic lettuce, herbs, meat, cheese, syrup and soaps…in the dead of Winter! I was feeling like it’s tooContinue reading “A Farmers Market to Tide Me Over Until Spring”

Love this story in the Chronicle-Telegram about Oberlin, Ohio high school students who trek to school once a year aboard their farm machinery. How cool is that? The coolest car anyone drove at my high school was an old hearse painted green. But I digress. About 20 students drive tractors to Firelands High School duringContinue reading “Forget the Beemer Dad, Buy Me a John Deere”

Missoula, MT, has the right idea with a film festival featuring three farm-to-table friendly films. The festival, “Real to Real Food Film Festival,” will screen three movies. I’ve blogged about at least one: The Real Dirt on Farmer John, about the exploits of a Northern Illinois farmer. But also showing is… Eat at Bill’s, aContinue reading “Reel Farming, Reel Food”

Today I learned there was a true farmgirl in my city midst, for years, and I had no idea. I also had no idea she was ill or suffering from Alzheimer’s. Apparently that’s the way she wanted it. Her passing came as a surprise to many. So here’s what I found out today at herContinue reading “Remembering a Farmgirl Hero, Trailblazing Journalist”

Thanks to some prep work last night, I came home from a long day to a full meal…Carolina Barbecued Pork. It’s frankly the best pulled pork I’ve had since I left the South. I’m only slightly embarrassed to say that this vinegar-based recipe comes from my old Rival crock-pot book. I don’t have that crockContinue reading “Comfort Food Waiting After a Long Day”

All I can say about tonight’s American Idol is that I have a suggested new title: American Elevator Musician. Seriously, as the iFarmer says, do these guys have ANY taste in music? Best of the pack, Michael Johns, who took on The Doors. As for American Idol partnering with iTunes so fans can buy theContinue reading “American Lounge Music”