Dead Camera

I am as sad as this pup waiting for his friend to come out of the hardware store.

My camera finally died on me after 2 1/2 years of my recklessness.  It never really had a chance since the first day I received it, I took it to the beach and got sand in it.  I am glad it made it this far.  I have a camera in the mail on it's way to me so I will update soon enough!

Placing the Feathery Ladies in Their Places

This is how the ladies and their eggs will be placed onto a big sheet of fabric that will be the blue sky and grassy hills of Wisconsin.  

I made an apple core for Honey because she always came to me in the morning on my way to the farm to have my apple core!

Now all I have to do is finish glueing the backs of everything with wheat flour glue so they don't fray and sew them to the hills and sky.

Finishing Up the Chickens

The Wormfarm Institute 2012 Resident Artist Show will be from October 12-21 and I still have a bit to do for my epic chicken piece.  It's really just a matter of finishing Heneral Lee and sewing the ladies, eggs, and fried eggs to one sheet of fabric but I had better get a move on it!  

Beer Battered Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms!

I try to be healthy most of the time, but sometimes I need to bake a pie and eat the entire thing or fry some zucchini blossoms.

Last Friday on the farm we pulled up the zucchini plants because they were dying and Nick wanted to plant some vegetables for the fall in their place.  I asked to take home the zucchini blossoms since I had remembered eating fried zucchini blossoms when I was in Italy about 6 years ago and they were incredible.

The end result!  The vegan recipe is here on the Messy Vegetarian Cook website.

Homemade Tomato Sauce!

I received 20 pounds of tomatoes a few weeks back.  My Mumah always made a huge batch of tomato sauce each year in the beginning of September with tomatoes she purchased from a nearby farm.  I was excited to make the sauce myself this year.

To get rid of the skin, I had to boil each tomato for 30 seconds then place them in ice, this way the skin peeled right off and didn't burn my fingers.

My tomato destruction station.  A bowl of ice to place the hot tomatoes into, then I cut out the core, scraps to the left, chopped tomatos in the measuring cup.

In the end I had 30 cups of chopped tomatoes and a very messy kitchen.

I threw the 30 cups in my huge pot with the rest of the ingredients and let it simmer for 3 hours.

Now I have 10 meals of sauce in the freezer.  You should come over for spaghetti this winter!

Queen Anne's Lace Jelly!

My friend, Audra, who I work with at the Midnight Sun Farm told me she made Queen Anne's Lace Jelly.  Queen Anne's Lace is a flower that blooms when a carrot goes to seed.  They grow all over the farm from June to August, so I had to make jelly before they were all gone.  I am hoping there will be some flowers left to make one last batch.  This jelly is super delicious!  Thanks, Audra.

The recipe we both used is here on the Farmer's Feast blog.  Make sure to know the difference between Queens Anne's Lace and Poison Hemlock though!

Also!  My friend, Hope and I are planning a canning party soon.  So, if you have ever been interested in learning, but were too afraid (just like I was) and too confused by what you read on the internet, no worries, I will teach you how simple it is!  More details to come!

Opening Reception for Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show

The opening reception for the Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show was great!  There are 22 amazing artists in the show.  The work will be on display until September 23rd.

The Vegan Eats an Egg

Myself with 80 Becomes 40.

My friend and talented artist, Kristina Knowski with her piece, He prayeth well, who loveth well (Campephilus principalis, extinct 1951)

Installing Artwork for the Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show

Here, I am installing 80 Becomes 40 for the Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show.  It is going to be a wonderful show!  The opening reception is tomorrow from 5-8pm at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston.

Farmers Market Bounty!

Today at the Glenwood Sunday Market I went all out.  I have a lot of vegetables I plan to cook!  Half of it is my beautiful CSA share from Midnight Sun Farm.

About 3 years ago I started cooking more seriously.  Now I am starting to feel like I have got the hang of it.  It took a lot of work to get here and I definitely still make not so tasty food...but at least it is always edible.  I learn more about food with each meal I make!