Sunday, October 19, 2008

You don't really know Ollie...

...until you know that he's all about lacto-fermentation. Lacto-fermentation is a process whereby special bacteria transforms sugars and starches into beneficial acids.

Pickle, anyone?

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Bounty

These are pics of a typical daily harvest. They are a thing of the past. Last night was the first hard frost in my area. All the summer crops, ripe or not, were brought in. And now you can barely walk in the kitchen and there's certainly no room on the counters. Because there is food EVERYWHERE.

And that is what cheers the soul.

Monday, October 6, 2008

The Hip Garden

*Garden #3 in a series about local gardens. Click here for the Serving Time Garden, and here for the Well-Tended Garden.

Gardeners: Scott & Katri
Size: .3 acres
Location: Maeser Neighborhood


Katri & Scott, both young artists, live in the grooviest-magazine-ready brick pioneer home. But it's their back garden that has captured my heart and held it ransom. "Back Garden, you had me at Hello." The entrance is a long gravel lane which leads to a two-story barn that they converted into beautiful studio space. There are courtyard areas with potted plants; arbors and patios define separate places to party (which they make use of a lot!)

and overlooking it all...

This 10-foot long rhino made by Scott is the coolest garden ornament EVER. It lights up at night.

My first visit to this amazing garden was years ago in the dead of winter. We were invited to sit in their sauna.
Thanks Scott & Katri for having a sauna! p.s. Katri is from Finland, AKA saunaland.

The Haycocks have an orchard of fruit trees, and their veggie patch is HUGE. Momma Mia came with me to take pics and she was impressed. And motivated to grow even more.



Their entire property is wired with lights on a timer. At dusk when it all turns on it's a sort of Bellagio MAGICK, only much classier.
studios at night...
Last night at their Harvest Party
they served food made from their garden's bounty! Laid out on the grass was extra produce and the Haycocks gave us bags to take home whatever we could use. We took beets and carrots.

Sneak peek inside the studios. Scott is part of "Puppet Grinder" which opens for the "Monkey Grinder" show every Halloween at Velour. Talking skeletons and much more.Short of seeing it with your own eyes, this place deserves a more thorough treatment. Andi Andi Andi, do you want to bring your camera? And pitch a piece to a magazine?

Thanks Scott & Katri! You're wonderful hosts!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Bartering 101

Sometimes i like holding a dollar bill and wondering about all the people who have touched it. It makes me feel closer to humankind to share germs.

but other times, like when i have a hankering for a Raw Melissa dessert and Real Foods Market is closed, who needs filthy lucre??? Not me!


hmmm...what else to trade...