Out at the Farm

This is my father-in-law's farm. Our Little Boy loves going out there to see the cows, tractors, dirt, dogs, etc., and of course his Grandpa. (The pink gloves, by the way, are ones that a sweet little niece of mine left behind when they moved. They just so happen to fit my Little Boy's hands and gloves for a 20 month old are hard to find - these ones are even a tad big.)

What's that up ahead?

Picking up...

...a handful of...

...dirt. Phew.

© Meadowlark Farms 2007

I Can See Clearly Now

We replaced our old windows...

...with new ones! Though I liked the charm of the old wooden ones, they were too drafty and far from energy efficient. No matter what the thermometer read, the air in our house was filled with an uncomfortable chill. Worst of all were the windows by our beds - and know amount of blankets was enough to withstand the icy draft. Our new insulated windows make a significant difference and make the house that much cozier.

My husband, Mr. Contractor himself, did the hard labor - and just about everything else - but I was the official hold-the-window-in-place gal. Quite the title (length-wise at least).

Here Mr. Contractor is taking out the old window. Little Boy Blue is helpful as always, even when he's simply standing there in extra big pajamas. Yes, sometimes (often) he wears p.j.'s during the day - nothing beats that all over wrap around warmth.

Bruce wanted to help too, but believe me - after his last stunt - I don't know if his is the kind of help we were looking for.

Getting these windows in means were getting closer to being able to put this house on the market. Hooray for that because we are more than ready!!

© Meadowlark Farms 2007

Oh Tomatoes!

The First Batch of Canned Tomato Juice!

I didn't grow any tomatoes this year, and my mom only put up a few plants - so what's a gal to do when she's hoping to try her hands at a bit of canning? She gets lucky, she does. Lucky to have a mom, who has a friend, who has tomatoes - lots and up for grabs. (And lucky this friend is also a very kind lady!) So out my mom, my little boy, and myself went to the friends to pick tomatoes on a rather blustery day. The wind was whipping maliciously and chilled us to our bones, but the promise of home-grown tomatoes through the winter months kept our fingers picking.


The Help (He Contributed the Green Ones)


The Fruits of Our Labors

This child-hood friend of my mother's has a marvelous, well-kept garden and the tomatoes were beautiful! We came home with a good amount and went to work canning the next day. On the menu were tomato juice and a basic tomato sauce. Out of a steamy dishwasher, I pulled out hot glass jars and placed them on a flower print cloth laid out on the counter. The light from the window shone through the clear glass creating a cathedral affect. Meanwhile, simmering in a large silver pot were chopped up tomatoes, releasing their juices. In an even bigger silver pot, water was coming to a furious boil waiting to receive sealed jars filled with the red elixir. The kitchen smelled deliciously fresh and wonderful. And oh when we roasted some tomatoes in the oven - sweet, warm goodness.

Canning Jars Lined in a Row

Simmer, Simmer

All the while I felt this energy, knowing I was doing something good for the environment, my community, and my family. I felt a belonging to the natural rhythms of the world and to generations of people before me who took the bounties of their harvest and preserved them in clear glass jars set upon wooden shelves to sustain themselves through winter. My mom's kitchen turned into a gathering place for learning as she passed down the wisdom gained from her mom onto me - wisdom that goes back through the ages.

Check out what other things I eat (cringe) besides tomatoes at my other blog and see the greener side of Southern Idaho and around the world. Join the discussion!

© Meadowlark Farms 2007