one proud mama!

The hottest days of 2011 in rural Spokane have us seeking shade. Some crops might be as well, as we seek 90 degrees in the shade. The basil doesn't care too much for the heat, but the pictured "Boston Marrow" squash happens to feel otherwise. This picked today is among many yet to ripen and further grow. Apparently, the marrow is one of the most grown squash in the United States and has been for some time. This one tipped the scale at 14 pounds, which is roughly the average(whatever that means...) I can never thank enough people of the community who have supported us all summer, and continue to do so. It's a great comfort to know people can enjoy the fruits of our labor as close to their freshest moment as possible. Beets continue to grow a bit, but some have slowed and need to be harvested. Small chiogga's and golden beets fill out a couple rows and early wonders still scatter both sides of the barn as well. New carrot growth is coming in and also some lettuces. What really caught my eye today was the red mangel beets in the southwest garden. They are roughly 40 percent above ground and starting to hint at their possible growth of 20 pounds or more. I'd be truly impressed if we could get one that big on love, water and sunshine.. Anyway, y'all have lovely summer weekend and good luck to those of you going back to your schoolin' in the weeks to come! cheers, JR

one under par

The birdies got a coupe remodel yesterday and we couldn't be more pleased. One of the jobs I've been procrastinating for a while, because, well... there's a lot of chicken shit involved. So glad we did it though. Think we finally got the system dialed in. No friends have asked me for produce this year, so I suppose it's time to start pushin'! Been good and warm consistently for a couple weeks now, and stuff seems to grow by the day. Hit us up. You know the number. We might just have to throw another party and feed all of you goods from the garden... until then, strive on! JR

Hot water!

The anticipation of tomatoes is killing me! Maggie is taking some to Italia today for small heirloom salads, so we'll see what the public opinion is. I've personally tasted about five of our varieties, with my favorite so far being Dr. Wyche's yellow, which oddly enough is listed in our catalogue under Orange tomatoes. Almost the texture of a tangerine paired with a plum, and slightly tropical flavor. Yum! Thousands of tomatoes ready to go within the next two weeks will keep us busy, and give us something a little more valuable to sell....hehehe. I understand it now though, tomatoes are a lot of work, especially in terms of watering. We have about 150 plants, all hand-watered. Elsewhere on the farm, the baby chicks are becoming young ladies, loving life in the drag tractor and doing a damn good job keeping the grass and weeds down. Love em! Also, got to have a little fun with my friend Liz and her eagerness to sample some hot peppers. Some of the peppers aren't quite ready, but the filius blue, and the vietnamese multi-color provide a very clean heat to set up a nice platform of more pain to come. Ok... ramble on! Cheers, JR

Un mes..

One week into this challenge, I see this will be harder than I imagined. All I want to eat is eggs, but those we have to sell. How many ways can you eat a beet? Maggie's farm breakfast this week was a winner, consisting of shredded zucchini, potatoes, fresh slaw, and love. Joe made a great vegetable soup and also whipped up a nice stir fry with broccoli, carrots, and roasted beets. Filius Blue peppers have provided a nice spice to a lot of the dishes, along with thyme, basils, and oregano. Commonly seen as an ornamental pepper, the blue provides a damn good punch for how small and cute it is. Don't be fooled! If it wasn't for the chicken I roasted Tuesday, I may just have broke down. Protein is still a must, and probably the hardest thing to come by. It was nice to step back and appreciate the bird as a treat, not something I had just come to expect. All of this has a reason... to cleanse, to purify, to test, to learn. I feel very healthy after just a week, probably mostly due to not drinking at all this week as well... 24 days to go and then I'll have hit my goal. Wish me luck.. be proud. Strive on! Cheers, JR

moments notice...

I see people checking out our blog, so please say something. tell us what to do! anything! I truly enjoy posting to this blog, but it's damn lonely at times.. Anyway, today concludes day four of the farm challenge. Joe and Maggie have been a huge help in gathering meals and preparing them farm fresh with me day by day. It's great to have encouragement and support when you choose to sacrifice as I have. We've been getting quite creative in what we can make with what we got, as each day will continue to present a new challenge. Having chicken for dinner last night was an amazing treat after not having any meat for three days. Makes me think I should cherish the fine things in life many never have the resources to enjoy. Also, just realized today we could make some farm coleslaw, which I might be able to live off alone. This is fun, it's a trip, and it's quite rewarding. My body feels better each day and this also helps a troubled mind. Peace, love, and sunshine y'all. Hope to see you soon, JR

Energy!

Day three of the farm challenge is upon us, and I feel ok. Been living off beets, carrots, zucchini, potatoes, and mostly eggs. Only 48 hours into it my carnivorous ways took over and I roasted a chicken. I've been finding good flavors from herbs and peppers from the garden, but this will be tough. I feel the first week will probably be the worst, but my mood is still good. Even better, my mind is starting to feel right again! Stay tuned, say something please, come visit. We'd love to see you! Cheers, JR

August

And so it begins.. a new month, and a new day. Happy Birthday to my father! Today marks, a challenge, which includes the word change. can I live off the farm for a month straight? Will I live off the farm for a month straight? Stay tuned... Cheers, JR