It's My Birthday!!

I still make this face when my cake falls apart

Me, my mom (Suki), my mamie (Delphine) and my great-grandmother (Ruby)

I grew up fishing and swimming in this pond

 

Me and my cousin, Travis (I thought, and still think, he was a pretty cool guy)

My pony Sugar - I rode that old gal all the time. My mom said my butt stuck like Velcro to her!

Me and my great-grandpa (Charlie)

Getting ready to go hunting (oh yeah, country living)

Don't worry, I usually wore a helmet

Don't be jealous.

Slumber Party

Fifth Grade

Sixth Grade

Yay! It's my birthday! Lots of thoughts on life as I hit the quarter-century mark, but for now, I'm going to go enjoy the (rainy) day and celebrate with family and friends!

PS - My birthday wish this year is for a quick recovery in the South.             

Hip Girls Party

I attended the most wonderful party on Friday night, hosted by From Scratch Club. It was part dessert potluck, part food swap, part book signing, and entirely awesome!

My orange biscotti is in the giant mason jar in the top-left of this picture

The dessert potluck part highlighted many gluten-free and dairy-free offerings. I made gluten-free biscotti, then dipped them in chocolate (which probably wasn't gluten-free, oh well). To be honest, I'm not very familiar with cooking or baking with special dietary needs in mind, and I'm very lucky I don't have to typically be conscious of such things. I love milk and wheat too much.

"The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking," by Kate Payne

The book signing portion of the evening was to celebrate the release of Kate Payne's "The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking." I had the chance to speak at length with Kate and learn about her writing process and why she chose to pen this how-to. She is one of the most genuinely sweet, nice people I've met, and still seems so grounded despite all her success!

The food-swap was the brainchild of From Scratch Club (who also hosted this soiree). I brought homemade sweet and sour salad dressing, and received macaroni and cheese, hummus, spinach tarts and paneer palak. Yum!

For more info on the wonderful party, please head over to Christine's amazing blog, Unspeakable Visions. All pictures are courtesy of this lovely lady!


Garden Inspiration

Besides creating a new vegetable and cutting garden, we are also gearing up to do some other landscaping and outdoor spaces around the farm. We'll be replanting several beds around the house and barn, and hopefully building a new pergola where an old outbuilding once stood. Here is the inspiration we are working from.

Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

Country Home

Country Home

Country Home

I can't wait to get started! Any garden plans for you this summer? Where do you pull inspiration from? I'd love to hear.

Weekend Listening

 

I L-O-V-E Johnny Cash. I know he can be a bit polarizing in certain circles (kind of like Bob Dylan - people tend to love it or hate it. I tend to fall on the favorable side in either case). The recently released Bootleg, Volume 2: From Memphis to Hollywood is exactly how I like to hear the Man in Black - raw, gritty, and gripping. So many great songs that I find myself signing when I'm cleaning, cooking, or doing "everyman's" work - songs like "Get Rhythym" and "Big River." This album is great because it features so many forgotten Cash songs, while not being so obscure that the listener can't immediate be drawn to it. If you're in a foot-stompin' mood this weekend, definitely check it out!

What Should I Wear to My Dinner Party?

I'm throwing a dinner party soon and I am having a tough time deciding what to wear. Informal attire is typically acceptable at most of the events we have at Silly Goose Farm, but dinner parties seem to just be a bit more effort. I feel like fashions should follow suit (excuse the pun). I'm not expecting my guests to be wearing anything especially-special, but I think the hostess should show appreciation for guest attendance through her wardrobe. So, would you do me the favor of helping choose my outfit?

Option One: Casually Chic (taking the classic jeans and t-shirt up a notch with fun shoes and fancy accesories). 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Option Two: Springtime Sweetie (since the weather is still a bit chilly, I'm fitting in all the red I can) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Option Three: Ritz and Revelry (bringing the air of formality back to dinner parties) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

So, What Should I Wear At My Dinner Party?

Thanks for your help!

Sustainable Snippets

I fell in love with "Highland Coos" on my honeymoon, and now I'm trying to

convince Dave we need some. Image found here.

I'm torn about this weekend. On one hand, I'm very eager to just kick back a bit and relax; on the other, I have a ton of client and charity work to manage and finish up, and I could certainly use an extra day to take care of it all! Tonight, Dave is taking me on a "surprise date" (we haven't been on a date in AGES). I have the feeling that my constant hint-dropping has worked and he is going to take me to this little Helderberg Mountains restaurant. We might go to a book festival on Saturday, but otherwise I'm only planning on yard and garden work, organizing the basement a bit, and working on some crochet projects. What do you have planned for this weekend? Is the weather supposed to be nice where you are? If you're looking for some reading, here are this week's Sustainable Snippets. Enjoy!

Thinking about "cute cattle" makes me want to employ Meatless Mondays everyday!

Looking to learn more about the industry of food? Start here

If you consider yourself a foodie, you should know about this

These seem perfect for toddler hands

More reasons to avoid food colorings

When sustainable living goes awry

Homemade almond milk

Green living is great, until you hit Nimbyism

DIY wind turbines

Food swap!

Five ways to farm if you're not a farmer

Eric's First Birthday and Party

Thanks for all the well-wishes and congratulations last week regarding Eric. His first birthday was a blast, but I'm a little sad my little baby isn't such a little baby anymore! Pictures of his first birthday (including his first haircut!) are available here, while his birthday party (complete with vintage typewriters, homemade Play-Doh, handmade streamers, and a cake that looks like a cheeseburger) is documented here.

Happy Birthday Eric

Yes, today is April Fools Day. It's also little Eric's first birthday!

Notice the bruise on his head? His sister likes to body-slam him. That's what big sisters are for, right?

My little April Fool. We had all sorts of plans for the day, but because of the snow storm rolling through, we're playing it by ear (though I'm hoping we can take the bugger out for a special lunch and for his first hair cut!). I laugh thinking about the weather today, considering it was a balmy 70 degrees the day Eric was born (I came home from the hospital on Easter Sunday, and it was 80 degrees!). To read about his birth, head over here. We are having a birthday party for him tomorrow. I'll be back next week with pictures!

Happy birthday Eric! I love you to the moon and stars and all the way back again.