A Surprise Guest Has Moved In

Wow. It's been a long, busy, fun day. We got back from Future Farmboy's party at Monkey Island.

It was fantastic to see so many old friends. But I was so starved afterward...pizza may be kid-friendly, but it's definitely an Atkins no no. So is cake, btw.

The 4H Champ and Teacher Man rescued me by stopping at Johnnie's (North Ave. in Elmwood Park) on their way back to my house. At the moment, you couldn't convince me that there's anything better than Johnnie's Italian beef, extra wet, plenty of peppers. No bun for me of course, but definitely satiating.

The iFarmer had the extra pleasure of getting one of Johnnie's famous, overflowing cups of Italian Ice, chock full of lemony flavor.

After the rest of our guests left for home and things started to settle, the iFarmer discovered we have yet another guest. A baby opossum. At least the iFarmer thinks it's a baby. He sure hisses like he could be bigger though. He's taken refuge under our back porch. I'm hoping he doesn't decide to call that home.

Any idea how to rid your backyard of an opossum without resorting to a lethal alternative?

Click on the opossum image to see a photo series of a baby opossum in another family's backyard. The Johnnie's image will take you to a "best beef ever" photo stream.

Tribe Threatened By Deforestation

This story about the isolated tribes in the Brazilian rain forest is fascinating...and sad, considering their territory is being threatened by over logging and illegal logging.

According to the AP story I was reading, Brazil's National Indian Foundation thinks there are 68 "uncontacted" groups around Brazil. Only about two dozen have been confirmed.

The photo (which shows tribe members painted red and shooting arrows at a plane) was released by anthropologists and Brazilian officials worried about the tribe, which could easily be wiped out by simple exposure to the cold & flu.

Le Lan - Mouthwatering Perfection

I had the great pleasure of dining at Le Lan on North Clark Street in Chicago today for lunch. I'm not sure I would have gone there on my own, but I'll definitely go back.

A friend took me and she clearly knew her way around the place. Plus, it was impressive that the host knew her name. I instantly liked him because he heard me say, "Ooo, passion fruit margarita, too bad I can't have that." And he brought me one gratis...for fun. At least I thought it was fun.

Equally impressive was that rising star Chef Bill Kim, a Korean food master, stopped by our table to ask about our food -- excellent and, most fun for me, talk about where he gets his ingredients...as local and as fresh as he can get them.

One of his go-to places is Green Acres Farm in North Judson, Ind. But he had his staff shoot us yet another gratis dish...a plate of candied and lightly blanched strawberries and rhubarb. I've never tasted slightly crunchy rhubarb. But it was mouthwatering perfection.

I wasn't sad to hear that today was the last day Le Lan is open for lunch because I really want to come back and order the Tea-Smoked Duck Breast for supper. Yum.

Hoosier Oil Tycoons? No. Really.

Here's another potential way for us to keep our farm sustainable. Check out Indiana resident Greg Losh who has decided to start drilling for oil on his property.

He's pulling up about three barrels a day. At over $133 a barrel, that could start to add up over a year. Apparently, Losh hasn't sold any of his oil yet, but he's also pumping up natural gas that's heating his home and the homes of several others.

This is definitely not the first time someone has speculated and struck black gold in my home territory. Umm...Gas City. Any idea how that little hamlet got its name? There's tons of natural gas veins and, yes, oil in those parts.

The gas and oil wells were all over the place in the late 1800s. In addition to wells drying up, I'm sure it wasn't much worth investing in drilling equipment until, well, gas prices began to soar.

Apparently Losh's oil is coming from the near forgotten Trenton oil field in Delaware County. More on the Indiana oil and gas boom, here from the Indiana Geological Survey.

Here's a little Brightcove video clip from Reuters about Losh's well and a mention of the oil field, which used to be among the largest in the country.



I'm not sure I'd be all that enthused about an unsightly oil pump or the odor of fresh crude wafting through my house. But, the idea that we could make our own energy...from natural gas, or maybe wind power or solar power, is attractive.

That's apparently what Losh was going for all along...his own natural gas well. The oil was a bonus.

It remains to be seen if we've learned from our mistakes.

Note the IGS's explanation of what ended the Hoosier Oil & Gas boom:

The boom quickly ended in the beginning of the 20th century because wasted resources and unregulated drilling practices caused a precipitous drop in production. Unfortunately much of the resource was wasted or lost through the burning of gas at the surface and the contamination of oil by fresh water within the subsurface reservoir.

Just What Farming Needs, Youthful Enthusiasm

Loved this story in the Tennessean about a new era of family farming: "from weathered and windblown to young and fresh-faced."

It's a hopeful piece about how young farmers are embracing the CSAs and small, diversified farming models, even while traditional family farms continue to wane.

Farmgirl Nancy VanWinkle put it best: "The reality of the situation is we need local food sources and a new generation of farmers. A lot of people want to farm, and it's a very real desire."

Here's an interesting stat, but not one that surprises me: "about two-thirds of the world population works on farms, but only about 1 percent to 2 percent farms in the United States - a number smaller than our prison population."

Not unrelated, one of the sources in the story relates how he works for an enrichment program that teaches boys without fathers how to grow their own food. The boys get plots scaled down for backyards and are taught how to grow enough food for two people for a year on 1,000 sq. feet.

Cool. The story was from April, but the Tennessean has regular coverage of sustainability movements and environmental issues at TennesseeGreen.com. One of the latest articles is a tutorial on growing organic.

IndyCar Fan Fare

The race is on! To keep us energized throughout the full 500 miles, here's some of what we've prepared...

Every year, we cut out the 33 drivers in the final lineup and glue them to toothpicks. We usually stick them in plain circuit peanuts, but this year we used them for a platter of ham, cream cheese & Sechler hot pickles rolls plus cheddar cubes. Once drivers are eliminated or lose any competitive advantage, we get to eat. Oooh. There goes Rookie Jamie Camara into the wall. Hand me a ham roll.



Future Farmboy claimed the Danica racer toothpick for his lunch plate:



Circus peanut are a longtime iFarmer family tradition. His grandmother had them set out for every race. I put a little Virtual Farmgirl spin on them this year, adding M&M wheels and gummy bear drivers.





These chocolate, pretzel race cars are mostly for Future Farmboy's birthday party next weekend. But I made an extra batch for race fans today:

Girl Power! Three to Root for Sunday!

In case you're undecided about who to root for during tomorrow's Indy 500, I have three very good choices for you. First, of course, there's Danica Patrick.

She's in Car No. 7 in position 5!!! High on her Japan 300 win, she's hungry for a win at Indy. Plus, she's a Team Andretti Green driver, so she's our No. 1 this race.

Then there's the Midwest's very own Sarah Fisher...a longtime favorite in this house. She's Car No. 67 in position 22.

Last, but certainly not least, is Milka Duno, the super fly, super brainy Venezuela native. We just got to see her on Friday...sort of. She played a cameo role in Speed Racer. She's Car No. 23, position No. 27.

Even though I'm rooting for all racers/cars Team Andretti Green (Marco Andretti - in the Indiana Jones car, Tony Kanaan, Hideki Mutah & Danica), I picked Milka in our family's drawing.

Early Birds Get the Donuts

A few weeks early, the Oak Park Farmer's Market at Pilgrim Church opened this morning. We got in line just after 10 a.m. for the famous homemade donuts (sadly not for dieting me).

And even though the market was 'round half the size with just a handful of early-bird farmers, the place was packed. The donut patrol was already rationing donuts (six apiece) and they had SOLD OUT of powdered.

So if you want a dozen or so for your family breakfast or brunch, be sure to get there early.

We loaded up on asparagus...fresh, guacamole and marinated in hot peppers. Besides tons of plants and herbs and preserves, the farmers who were there had potatoes, onions, asparagus and rhubarb. Mmm. I will, diet or no, be making some strawberry rhubarb pie soon.

There were also cheese vendors and two organic meat vendors...poultry and beef.

But, of course, the donuts and bluegrass jam session were the best parts.

Photo by iFarmer via iPhone.

Picture Perfect Grass-Fed Family Farm

Anyone near Asheville, NC, might want to check out the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University. It actually looks like a dynamic museum with a ton going on.

But for us farm enthusiasts, there's an added bonus. The museum has added “Hickory Nut Gap Farm Portfolio: Photographs by Ken Abbott” to its offerings, at least in June.

According to the Macon County News, Abbott's portfolio of 12 images depicts "the living legacy" of the family-run Hickory Nut Gap Farm near Fairview. The article describes the farm as "a regional symbol of social, agricultural and political development" in the western part of the state.

Wow. That's quite a statement. The farm sits on 600 acres and is being farmed by the family's fourth generation. Check out Jamie Ager and his Farmgirl wife Amy Frey Ager, who smartly studied environmental science and business before settling into farm life. One criticism, they've got a lot going on but their website is just on the lower end of so-so.

But here's the most exciting part: the farm is raising pasture-fed cows, sheep, pigs and chickens.

The farm's promo is: "At Hickory Nut Gap Farm you will find animals raised in their natural outdoor environment. Pigs in the woods, cows on pasture eating grass and clover, multiple species grazing together, drinking clean spring water and living the good life."

But I digress. No tix required to the exhibit. There's a reception to open the exhibit and featured fine furniture from area artists on June 5. I'd love to see the furniture too.

Yay! Finally An American Idol I Can Idolize

No joke. We were at the announcement phase of the American Idol finally...And...our DVR said our program was OVER. Right after the envelop was handed to Seacrest.

Thank goodness for the Associated Press!

And Yay!!! The adult, talented rocker beat out the vanilla male version of Hanna Montana.

AP via Yahoo put it nicely:

The grown-up rocker triumphed over the smooth-voiced kid as David Cook claimed the "American Idol" title Wednedsay, and it wasn't as much of a surprise as it seemed.

And I loved this quirky bit of trivia:

While Archuleta was showered with praise by the judges all season, online bookies and observers kept the faith with Cook. One Web site, which tracks busy signals on the separate phone lines dedicated to each contestant, projected him the winner correctly Wednesday morning.

My favorite highlights from the show were when David Cook got to front ZZ Top with "Sharp Dressed Man" and the duet with Brooke White and Graham Nash.

Oh...and Donna Summer. How cool is Sayesha for getting to sing alongside the Queen of Disco. I am not ashamed to admit (well maybe a little), that I used to know the words to all her songs and would make up dance routines with my friends on San Diego's Golden Hill sidewalks.

Check the Sugar Content on That Vita Water

If you haven't read it yet, check out this item from Men's Health entitled "America's Unhealthiest Drinks Exposed."

The blog post exposes the sweet but dirty secrets of vitamin waters and supposedly healthy Jamba Juices. The culprit? Sugar.

Pay close attention to the Baskin Robbin’s Large Heath Bar Shake (32 oz), rated THE unhealthiest of all, racking up an outrageous 2,300 calories. Really? I can't say I ever ordered it...but it sadly looks yummy.

[But OMG...when did journalists look, well, so picture of health? Check out the MH editor.]

You can also check out, Drink This, Not That for more healthful alternatives.

Gearing Up For A Spam Bakeoff?

We ended up getting pretty busy over the weekend, so no garden yet. Maybe it'll be ready in time for a winter veggie crop...or I'll have to buy more mature tomatoes, etc., to plant.

Anyway, the only thing we did besides yard work and planting the sunflower ring, was buy a hanging basket. It's beautiful, just don't ask me what it is. Urban Dweller will have to come by and ID it. I bought it 'cause it's pretty and flowy.

I was pleased to see that ONE person noticed the can of Spam that the iFarmer strategically placed on my Napanee Dutch Kitchenette.

Anyone want to pipe up with the reason we have cans of Spam, a Spam cookbook, Spam hat, Spam t-shirt and Spam clock?

In the Garden

While I weeded and trimmed back hedges this morning, Future Farmboy planted our first attempt at the sunflower fort we were dreaming about in March.

We found a nice spot at the back of the yard that will get even more sun after our mature elm gets a haircut. I'm told by the tree-trimmer that it's OK to trim small branches on an elm in the Spring. Apparently that's all she needs, no big pruning in the fall is needed.

I'm going to get a second opinion though. Wouldn't want to hurt those beautiful backyard shade/privacy trees.

Still more yard work to be done today. The iFarmer is going to mow and collect all the weeds I pulled. Then we're going to turn the soil, add more topsoil and get our garden planted....finally.

Before the mower comes out, we'll be hunting for a four-leaf clover. Wish us luck.

That Much More Warmth in My Kitchen

For those of you who've been asking, here's a photo of my Napanee Dutch Kitchenette, not quite fully stocked, but pretty loaded.

I'm still not sure whether I like it so close to the fridge, especially since my garbage can is now completely hidden (thus inaccessible).

But in the morning, as I stumble my way to the coffee maker, this is the first thing I see in the kitchen. And it makes me happy every time.

Hi Speed Action on the Way in May

I know I'm not the only one totally psyched about the new Indiana Jones movie: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.



Tell me...will any of you be lining up sitters to be sure to be among the first to see the movie on May 22 before any spoilers?

Or will you just show your excitement by rooting during the Indy 500 May 25 for Marco Andretti, who will be driving this car?



Too bad Harrison Ford wasn't around during qualifying last weekend. Talk about a lifelong dream.

Agri-Touring North of Indy

On our way out of Indy on Monday, we took an off-the-beaten-path route and stopped by a great little organic, grass-fed dairy operation just north of the city in Zionsville.

Traders Point Creamery is just a stone's throw from the burial place of a Revolutionary War hero and neatly tucked among lovely rolling hills.

We have family members who swear by the dairy's non-homogenized whole milk and yogurt, which is sold in glass bottles. You may recognize them at your local Whole Foods. We're hooked now too. The milk is fantastic, hard to resist running your finger over the bottom of the milk lid to taste the cream.

We arrived at the farm just before the dairy bar opened, so we took a self-guided tour of the picturesque grounds before ordering our ice cream cones and yogurt parfaits.

We checked out the barn and hayloft (the iFarmer and I reminisced about our days playing in the lofts on our respective family farms) where TPC's year-round Green Farmers Market is held on inclement weather days.

And then we noticed a Joel Salatin-like chicken tractor out back. The free-range chickens were roaming all over the place, but most stayed close to the tractor where there looked to be additional feed, water and, of course, laying boxes.

Before heading back in to place our order, we checked out the milking barn and watched the cows grazing in the pasture beyond a pond that looks strategically placed for watering animals and irrigation.

We were surprised, after our experiences at the nearly sterile Fair Oaks Farms, how much access we had to the property. I guess the cows are more resilient than the ones at large factory farms, which are fed a carefully formulated diet of grains and antibiotics.

Needless to say, the dairy bar and our chat with our hostess Mary was well worth waiting for. We left with bottles of milk, chocolate milk, yogurt and two flavors of spreadable cheese.

Next time we may need to try the grass-fed meats. TCP claims to sell 100% grass-fed beef. I've heard that cows set for slaughter usually are finished with a diet of corn. So that's an interesting claim we'd like to check out a bit more.

Exploring the Garage and Pits at Indy

I didn’t know that it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to get a pre-race behind-the-scenes tour of the Indy 500 until Saturday…when it came true.

I’ve been indoctrinated and am now a full-fledged IndyCar fan.

I mean I’ve pretty much always watched or listened to the 500, ever since going to time trials XX years ago when I was in high school. The iFarmer went to the race and at least tailgated for years with his frat brothers until Future Farmboy decide that he’d make his first entrance around Memorial Day.

I can’t recall which of them asked this question when we announced the due date: “Does that mean you won’t be going to the race this year?” Um. Yes.

But if I’d had an experience like today, I may have at least said maybe. Getting Pit and Garage passes was, well, how do I Put this? Awesome.

We saw Roger Penske up close and personal. And I was this close (about five feet) from Super Girl Danica Patrick.

It’s clear that she is the new IRL darling. Her merchandise trailers had the longest lines. Even I got into the act, buying a Danica Patrick “Dream Big. Girls Rule” t-shirt for Future Farmgirl.

Thanks to a personal connection to a Team Andretti-Green member, we got a fantastic tour behind the ropes at the Andretti garage and in the pit area…RIGHT DOWN at track level. How cool is that?

I had to leave to go pick up the kids at the Children's Museum, but the iFarmer and Teacher Man stayed until the bitter end of qualifying. They ended up with some great stories and great pix.

They were in the garage area when the Team Ethanol wreck was brought in. Thankfully no injuries, except for the car.

Pieces of the car are being examined in this photo:



Also love this shot from the iFarmer in a men's bathroom. If you can't read it, the scrawl says "Team Andretti Green is a Cult."



Here's a cute series too. Dan Wheldon, who had the pole for quite a while Saturday but was knocked off by teammate Scott Dixon, had to take a real pit stop. The nice guy that he is, Wheldon stopped just before reaching his destination to sign an autograph for a little girl. Then, as you can see, the crowd descend...until the yellow shirts security guide him out of the crowd.

Did he ever get to pee? Don't know.

My Favorite New Reality TV Show

How did I miss the marketing of this one on The CW: Farmer Wants a Wife.

I enjoy reality TV as much as the next Claymate.

But I'm thinking this may be a bit over the top for me.

Then again, is there anything more alluring than a man on a tractor?

Without knowing anything about the contestants other than their online profiles, I pick Krista the "accountant," Brooke the "marketing rep." and Stacey in "sales and marketing" for the top three.

All three have the skills necessary to partner in a modern farming operation.

Baking Fairies Make Surprise Visit

One of my favorite parts about going away this past weekend was, well coming home. And that wasn't just because we cleaned the house before we left and had our own beds to come home to.

Nope. To our delight, we discovered that fairies had dropped in while we were out. Indeed, they were apparently baking fairies. For we found upon our return a fresh loaf of banana bread and a lovely bottle of wine.

Turns out some would-be house guests, who got a better lodging offer, took me up on our offer to at least drop by for a while and use the bananas that were black and bread ready.

Not only did they leave me treats, they left a photo essay of their experience on our old eMac.

Love it!

Fairy M and Fairy B, you're more than welcome to return at any time. If we're away, I'll be sure to have my pantry stocked.

Furry Visitor Chased Away By Feathered Friend

While I was waiting impatiently for my coffee to brew, I noticed we had a visitor in the backyard.

So cute. Too bad the kids weren't up yet to see Little Bunny FuFu.

I probably won't think he's so cute once I have my garden installed.

While I was watching FuFu eat weeds among my grass, I saw something new. One of our very territorial robins chased FuFu out of the yard. Have you ever seen such a thing? The robin hopped after FuFu on the ground and Followed her through a gap UNDER our back gate.

Maybe I won't have rabbit problem after all. I might just need to take good care of my robins.

Furry, Feathery Friends at The Farm

It's the final week of the Farmgirl Blog-a-Thon hosted by Garden Goose.

Yet another perfect theme: My Barnyard Buddies.

Check out the photos of the Future Farmkid adventures with our furry and feathery friends this past weekend.

Here's Future Farmgirl showing the broiler chicks their new outside home.

The chicks are getting big and yummy:


Here's Sammy playing with the kids at the river:


Plus, here's the iFarmer taking care of the rest of the barley.



Thanks again to Garden Goose for rounding up the Farmgirls for the blog-a-thon. Here's the list of participants, many of them MaryJanes Farmgirls, if you want to check them out:

Jeannie at: http://www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com/
Amy at: http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com/
Julie at:http://willowtreecreek.wordpress.com/
Heather at: http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/
Karin at: http://madrekarin.blogspot.com/

Meg at:http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/
Heather at: http://www.plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/

Bonnie at: http://beequilting.blogspot.com/
Luna at: http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
Virtual Farmgirl at:http://virtual-farmgirl.blogspot.com/
Laura at:http://2lmzfarms.blogspot.com/
Jenn at:http://primitiveewe.wordpress.com/
Peggy at: http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
Denise at: http://homeschoolblogger.com/mominpa
Jessica at: http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
Frannie at: http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/

Judy at: http://grandlakelife.blogspot.com/

Alee at: http://farmgirlalee.blogspot.com/
Aunt Jenny at: http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/
Kay at: http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/
Amy at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SimpleFolk/94259/

Monica at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Mennobrarian

Belle at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteading/

Linda at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/ourlittlehouseintown
Tammy at:http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Emily at:http://auntieemshouse.blogspot.com/

Ruth at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth/517198/
Karen at: http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
Frannie at : http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/
GP at: http://fvclassic.wordpress.com/
Betty Jo at:http://bboopster.blogspot.com/

Tractor Lessons, Round One

Where to start.

I wanted to blog about the two wild boars we saw scavenging in the cornfields. Or maybe write about the two coyotes the iFarmer saw south of Indy and just east of Indy.

But the best was, no surprise, at The Farm.

We only spent a couple hours at The Farm to pick up the kidlets, but we had a blast. We got there just in time to see the broiler chicks moving to their new movable pen outside so they can begin their corn/grass-fed short lives.

Then...I got a tractor driving lesson. So freaking cool. I thought I'd just take it a few laps around the yard.

But I had the pleasure of mowing down the barley cover crop over by the strawberries...which by the way...look to be in excellent position to produce some plump yummy berries this year. I can already taste the strawberry rhubarb pie.

Oh...and while we were enjoying lunch I noticed that our tenant farmer had been busy, planting corn this year. Or, as Hoosier Outsider likes to call it, the ethanol patch.

A Good Excuse to Go Hat Shopping

Sorry 4-H Champ...I may not be updating here much over the next couple of days. I'll be in the Hoosier state trying to catch a glimpse of Hillary and Barack as they vie for votes. Who would have guessed the Indiana primary would be so closely watched...by Democrats!

Hopefully we'll be near a television or radio during the Run for the Roses. We're missing a party our friends are throwing, complete with a fancy hat contest, mint juleps and Kentucky Derby trivia.

Sounds fantastic to me. Before the iFarmer and I were a couple we went to the Carolina Cup with our respective dates. It was a great time.

There are few things as fun as going hat shopping with the girls in preparation for a horse race.

Did you check out these super chic hats? Love them, from Mary Ann Koch Couture Creations.