Finally Free

Finally Free, 3.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches, plastic, beads, copper wire, fabric, 2014

Sauerkraut!

When I visited Wormfarm I asked for a head of cabbage so I could make some delicious, simple fermented cabbage-sauerkraut, which translates to sour cabbage.

It's really simple. I cut up the 5 lb cabbage to my liking, mixed it with 3 TBS of salt, packed it tightly into the handmade Crock (made by David Smith), put the weight on, filled the top where the lid sits with water to keep bugs out, then place the top on. The kraut will ferment for 2-3 weeks. I'll check it every few days, pressing the weight down to bring out the water from the cabbage. When it's at the right crunchy, salty consistency I'll jar it, enjoy it and share it! Fermentation is a beautiful thing!  So nutritious and simple!

It's Run Its Course 13 #8

I woke up this morning and started making this piece. It required 38 holes drilled into coconut shells. I made it through without any neighbors complaining...

It's Run Its Course 13 #8, 6 x 7.5 x 4 inches, coconut shells, seashells, steel wire, copper wire, 2014

And the Chicken Cards Continue

-Arcade Fire

-Rihanna

-Marina and The Diamonds

I explained what TURNT meant to my farm friends...

-Robyn

-The Smiths

Summer 2014 Visit to Wormfarm

I visited Wormfarm for the first time since January with Jami, a friend and fellow artist-in-residence from last summer. It was a short visit but we got to say hello to Jay and Donna, and meet Lawton, a musician and current artist-in-residence, as well as this years Residency Manager, Loey, a flower essence therapist.

The Magical Barn-my home.

The swallow painting Pilar made last year. I thought it was fitting to photograph Pilar's favorite kitty, Jem under her work.

Dear Crookshanks.

I somehow forgot what a great friend he was to me last summer but he made sure I remembered.

Honey, lookin' a mess. I think she was molting.

Little Relly Belly (the black one) always looking so startled.

Dino.

Sunbathing!

This guy...Turkey the rooster was killed and eaten while this rooster remains...

We worked in the garden in the morning like old times.

Wormfarm from across the neighbors corn field.

Jami and Trouser.

Jami and I went foraging for black caps.

We visited Orange Cat Community Farm to see our friends, Laura, Katie and Little Anne (pictured above) and made delicious pizza with fresh ingredients from the farm!

Jami and I spent the night staring at the stars (and lighting sparklers with Lawton) and the day soaking up the sun (and meditating with Loey).

I am a Fartist. A farmer/artist. My friend, Nick gave me the title!

In the garden where we got our hands dirty every day last summer.

I was sent home with these beauties! I have only had one dozen eggs since I left Wormfarm last October. I don't see the point of eating eggs if they don't taste like these.

But not really...

Craft Your Heart Out 2

Craft Your Heart Out 2 was a great success! I am really loving them. I had the first one in June and I hope to continue having them once a month. They are a chance to create and be with great company. It's also helpful to make you do that little project you meant to continue 3 months ago... 

At the July craft night there was fanny pack sewing, drawing, beading, coconut cracking and patching up of dresses.

Here I am drilling holes into a coconut to extract the coconut water.

Desiree brought coconuts to make coconut milk and coconut extract from an Alton Brown Coconut Cake Recipe. The extract has to ferment for 9 days. It's going to be delicious!

Jami continued a beaded necklace she'd been working on.  So cool!

I finally started back up on my chicken book titled Farmer Kim and the Feathery Ladies and sewed feathers onto a hen for page 11.

Another lovely night. See you in August? If you live in Chicago (or the surrounding area) and would like to join in, shoot me an email at kimguare@yahoo.com.

A Day with Merry

I spent a lovely day with my dear friend, Merry. We visited the horse ranch that she volunteers at called The Ray Graham Association Hanson Center Barn.

I met this sweet lady while there. I named her Paddy. We later found out she was a backyard chicken who was given to the ranch because the family who owned her had trouble keeping their hens safe from predators. That explains Paddy's love of humans. She'd probably been cuddled since day one.

Hello!

Merry and her horses. So much love there.

Doing his hair!

His name was Strawberry Shortcake! hahahahaha

Paddy and I.

She's so soft and gentle.

I fell in love.