3 Cats and a Baby

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Sun, 10 May 2009 11:47:17 -0400

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Sun, 10 May 2009 11:46:53 -0400

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Sun, 10 May 2009 11:46:30 -0400

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Sun, 10 May 2009 11:45:54 -0400

Another, bigger raised bed

Sun, 10 May 2009 11:44:19 -0400

Last night, we finally had enough materials to build a new, larger bed - 4x8 feet. We needed a part of the yard that had a bit more sunlight for our tomatoes, and we only half-planted the tomatoes in April - we had them placed too close to each other. Now with 8 new, north facing squares and a plan for trellises, our growing tomatoes are set.

We did a little rearranging, moving the tomatoes to the next box and putting some of our new plants in the vacant areas of the existing boxes. The new plants are: 2 lavender bushes, 4 banana peppers, 1 lady belle peppers, 4 big belle peppers, 4 cantaloupe vines, 4 cucumber bushes, 6 arugula bushes. Now we have 64 square feet of rich soil to grow in. We also have a pot of unruly mint.

Our wish list includes to put another smaller box of just alpine strawberries, more flowers, and some chamomile to complement the lavender and mint for tea.

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Sat, 02 May 2009 11:38:00 -0400

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Sat, 02 May 2009 11:37:00 -0400

A fun day at Full Quiver Farm

Fri, 01 May 2009 11:18:00 -0400

Out in Suffolk, there’s a family operated farm (husband and wife and 9 kids) that pasture the freshest, most delicious meat we’ve tasted. Last weekend an ‘open farm’ day, where you could peruse their freezers, pet their goats, and look around their farm. We ended up bringing home a pound of ground beef and some mixed greens that were harvested and washed just minutes before we left.

Visit Full Quiver Farm

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Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:16:00 -0400

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Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:15:00 -0400

Working the fields (that is, backyard)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:40:00 -0400

With the family decision to become entirely (within reason) locavores, that is - attempting to only consume food from grown or pastured in our local area of Hampton Roads, Virginia - on the 22nd of April we built and planted 2 4x4ft raised beds.

We’re using this blog as an avenue both to show friends and family of our progress and ultimate harvest, and also as a means of internal tracking. In April, we planted seeds and transplants for a total of: 3 romaine bushes, 3 red sail bushes, 1 basil plant, 1 rosemary plant, 1 sage bush, 1 oregano bush, 6 yellow onions, 3 zucchinis bushes, 3 summer squash, 9 green bean vines, 9 wax bean vines, 32 carrots, 2 alpine strawberry perennials, 3 cauliflower bushes, 3 watermelon vines, and 8 marigold flowers. All within 32 square feet of a blend of compost, vermiculite, and peat moss!

Low impact woodland house

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:43:51 -0400

Low impact woodland house

Flickr account

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:32:45 -0400

Flickr account

Welcome, Elisabeth Anne

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:59:00 -0400

Our beautiful daughter was born Thursday, August 21st at 10:16pm.

She weighed in at 9lbs (!) and is 21 inches long.

New Earth Farm

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:59:46 -0400

New Earth Farm

Stress Test + Ultrasound

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:16:45 -0400

We’re all a little disappointed that Elisabeth isn’t wanting to come out of her cave yet (I don’t blame her, personally.) Today we’re heading over to DePaul to take care of another stress test, which basically monitors the baby’s heartbeat for 15 minutes to look for anything abnormal. Immediately afterward, Deborah’s having another ultrasound. We’re all hoping they’re off on their due date projection, which is very possible. A lot of babies are delivered prematurely via induction because the due date was later, but the professionals thought otherwise.

SIGG, our just received Swedish stainless steel bottles

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:08:54 -0400

SIGG, our just received Swedish stainless steel bottles

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:09:34 -0400

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:

Disturbed by knowing that your last night’s dinner probably travelled halfway around the global to get to your plate? Want to move out to the country and grow your own food? Desire to (willingly) restrict yourself eating seasonal fruits and vegetables? Animal, Vegetable, Miracle details the life of Barbara Kingsolver and her family’s year of food life.

Almost there!

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:49:40 -0400

Deborah was due 3 days ago, and the anxiety of meeting baby Elisabeth grows daily. I still have time to pick up some melons at the VB Farmers’ Market, a necessary (and delicious) requirement of childbearing.