Author: Kasha

C’mon Daddy, Light My Fire!

C’mon Daddy, Light My Fire!

Posted on by Kasha
[caption id="attachment_861" align="alignright" width="158"] The Tools of the Trade (meaning, I trade food for repairs): note the all-important cigar (Fletch!)[/caption] Ok, so my dad doesn’t look like Jim Morrison… OR Val Kilmer…  But he IS handy with doors, as he fixed mine only a few short months ago.  The fact that in a previous life The Doors provided good make-out music probably should have led me to a different title, but eh.  I’ve never been known for being PC. And since I’ve got this horrific earworm now, so should you!  <insert evil cackle here> Many thanks to Dad  who re-lit my...Read More
It May LOOK Like Spaghetti…..

It May LOOK Like Spaghetti…..

Posted on by Kasha
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="225"] A lovely autumn day on Celery Ave[/caption] Yeah... Spaghetti squash wasn't a hit with The Boy.  At least he tried it, though, which is an improvement over the last 2 years or so. He even tried Brussels sprouts this week.  Well, not exactly the sprouts.  You see, Brussels sprouts grow on a tall stalk with leaves coming out in a circular fashion, and the sprouts grow right above the stem of the leaf.  As Dad (Farmer Sonny) puts it, a little cabbage grows out of each crotch.  Not so appetizing when you put it THAT way, right?  Anyway,...Read More
Subliminal Messaging in Blogs

Subliminal Messaging in Blogs

Posted on by Kasha
.... works to MY advantage!  I feel such a surge of power right now. Guess who came home yesterday to a phone message saying, "It's Halloween, so the westerns are being made right  now and will be keeping warm in the oven whenever you're ready to eat"?  Heh heh heh.  Thanks, Mom! They were delicious.  *sigh*  I eat them open-faced, usually, as I'd much prefer to stuff myself full of greasy, eggy goodness than soft bread.  I had 2 sandwiches with 3-4 westerns on each, the last sandwich consumed while I took Thomas to get a warmer jacket because it was...Read More
Boo! It’s Halloween! …or It’s Your Cholesterol

Boo! It’s Halloween! …or It’s Your Cholesterol

Posted on by Kasha
October for farmers is like May for high school seniors.  You get a case of the screw-its.  Or the more vulgar f%#&-its.  Or just 'senior-itis'.  You remember ---- all the learnin'  you needed to do is done.  Graduation is just around the corner and nothing you do now can mess that up.  You're walking regardless of whether or not that book report was handed in. [caption id="attachment_745" align="alignleft" width="300"] Halloween zombies removing tomato plants from the fog-laden fields.[/caption] So here we are in October, with 2 markets finishing up this week.  It feels good.  REALLY good.   We're doing a CSA...Read More
Company’s Coming for Dinner — Quick!!! Clean Out the Fridge

Company’s Coming for Dinner — Quick!!! Clean Out the Fridge

Posted on by Kasha
I can't be alone when I say I have this need to provide food and beverages for guests when they stop by, even if that visit is unexpected.  Last Sunday I had the most amazing afternoon that I've had in a very long while.  My cousin and his dear wife (ok, honestly, they're both pretty awesome) have a brand new baby and we all wanted to see him, and the farm ended up being the most convenient meet-up location. [caption id="attachment_699" align="alignright" width="225"] Another batch of cilantro-chile sauce ready for the freezer.[/caption] Fine with me, really, but I ended up...Read More

The Farm Through Someone Else’s Rose-Colored Glasses

Posted on by Kasha
Those are some NICE TOMATOES! Zsa Zsa (Jenny) was on the farm a few weeks ago and we had quite a memorable visit.  She toured the farm, worked with us in the barn and at two markets, cooked and ate up a storm, and took a bunch of photos.  I talked about it in my post a few weeks back,  but Jenny wrote all about it and posted to her blog the other day.   Please check it out and get a non-farmgirl's perspective on her experiences in the Black Dirt.  This Boston babe rocked Orange County liked nobody's business! [caption id="attachment_642" align="alignleft"...Read More

The FarmGirl Cooks… and So Does Her Dad!

Posted on by Kasha
[caption id="attachment_620" align="alignright" width="223" caption="Sonny preps corn to blanch and freeze for winter."][/caption] Don't get me wrong... Mom does too - just not as much as (or with the enjoyment of) Dad. And most of his creations start the same way:  "Cut up some bacon and put it in a pan, then put in the ________". Do you remember the cilantro-chile sauce I made a few weeks ago?  I shared some with Dad (because SURPRISE!  he popped in when I was making it), and then gave him a bit to take home.  A few hours later, I get a call.  "I took...Read More

Don That Bonnet and Pinafore, Half-Pint — It’s Time to ‘Put Up’ for the Long Winter

Posted on by Kasha
I'm hoping that at least SOME of you will get the Little House on the Prairie reference in there.  I'm also hoping that none of my relatives have either photographs of me in a bonnet and apron or the wherewithall to scan and post said photos (face it - my childhood was waaayyyy over before digital cameras were even born).   [caption id="attachment_550" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="How many forklifts does it take to change a lightbulb?"][/caption] This is a busy time of year at the farm, especially when we hit mid-September and haven't had a frost.  Frost wipes out most summer crops - tomatoes, beans,...Read More
“I love you more than Daddy…. but not more than Santa.”

“I love you more than Daddy…. but not more than Santa.”

Posted on by Kasha
[caption id="attachment_499" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Mutual Admiration Society[/caption] Yeah... this is gonna be a sappy one. Since school started (which, let's be honest, NONE of us could wait for), I've been missing my little sidekick. Kinda. I mean, having him with me (and trying to entertain and keep safe a 6-year-old with equally active mind and body) while I worked was a bit frustrating at times because even a big boy needs cuddle time and sometimes that really interferes with getting my work done. [caption id="attachment_500" align="alignright" width="135"] Boxing Zucchini with Grandma[/caption] Since day camp ended a month ago, Thomas...Read More

The Little Black Dress in the Kitchen

Posted on by Kasha
 * So here I am trying to type and post these recipe ideas and The Boy is being very affectionate and needy.  He's wonderfully happy, and ridiculously talkative, as any young man would be after riding along with Papa in the John Deere for the last hour.  He is emptying the contents of his piggy bank (ie coffee can with slit in lid) on my desk between me and my keyboard.  He reminds me of my cat (RIP, Miss Book), climbing all over me 'in the heat of the moment' like nothing important is going on (no comment) and why can't I interrupt?  This is...Read More