Baby, It's Hot Outside!

The clock says it is 11:20 PM. The weather app on my iphone reads 92 degrees. Has Hades unleashed his fiery furnace on us all? But wait, is God answering our prayers??? Did all that drumming and dancing finally penetrate the heavens?? The meterologists  have forecasted the wet stuff that falls from the sky. If memory serves me correctly, I believe it is called rain.

Tropical Storm Don is on the horizon bringing a 40% chance of thundershowers for Saturday. Which happens to be the same day we are headed to Marco Island, Florida, for some fun in the sun. Hubby gets a chance for some well-deserved R&R and I will be forced to step away from the kitchen.

As I am now on a teacher's schedule, due to my son-in-law's career of choice, I had my first summer "off" since attending grade school. My days have been filled to the brim. And just think, my husband thought I was going to lay around, watch soaps, and eat bon bons.

For example, I've had the opportunity to participate in Johnson's Backyard Garden's workshare program once a week. Sadly, Today ended the gig.  Jeepers, I will have to actually pay for veggies at The Downtown Farmer's Market. If you have not been to a local farmer's market in the Austin vacinity yet, GO Texan!  Support your local farmer. Like the sticker from American Farmland Trust says, "No Farms, No Food".
                                          Austin's SFC Farmer's Market

Breaking news!!! As of two days ago, July 25th to be exact, my chickens started earning thier keep.

Perfect First Eggs!

So sorry Kris of Milagro Farms, it's been an eggcellent, and eggciting relationship (okay, I know, enough already with the corn-ball words). Unknowingly, Kris was my first inspiration on the road to chicken mania. His passion for his hens sold me the first time I bought his most eggcellent eggs. Oops, just slipped out. Thanks Kris for spreading the passion. If you're looking for fresh eggs with yolks as orange as a Texas sunset - look up Kris and tell him Carla with the chickens sent ya.

Back to my weekly workshare haul from JBG.....

Workshare tradeoff. I think I came out ahead!

Volunteer Opportunities at Johnson's Backyard Garden

See the beautiful butternut squash? What once resembled a gourd, turned into a creamy butternut squash soup. I brought home enough less-than-perfect squash that would have otherwise been thrown into the compost bin, to make a double batch. A little bit for now... a little bit for a crispy night this fall. Oh cool weather, where art thou?

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Soup - Saving seeds for the future.

The clock now reads 1:06 a.m. Mr. Sandman is calling. Much more to say, but words must wait for inspiration to hit another day. Gotta get some shut eye. This vacation is wearing me out. Although, I'm not complaining, it is a good tired. The feeling one has after a hard day's work on the farm.

Big plans for the garden tomorrow, if... I can get all the packing done and all the prep for our get-a-way out of this Texas heat. Yeah, I know, Florida isn't the mountains, but I'll take an ocean breeze anytime.

Added day after post. Hotter than hell in the Garden :(

Buonanotte Ya'll ~

I Feel The Earth Move, Under My Feet....

Heavens! Fall and Winter have passed since my last post and promises of a glorious spring are just around the bend. As I open Pandora's Box, CHANGE oozes out in abundance and life is somewhat unrecognizable since all the transitions from 2010-2011.

2010 ended with a bang as my grandson, Dane Galen made his appearance on planet earth. I am highly blessed to be able to partake in his daily life as I am now full-time GG to our precious one. The circle of life has made a complete 360, as I hold a part of me in my arms each morning while looking into the spitting image of my daughter.

The Spirit of the Mother calls and the nurturing has begun. Not only as a grandmother, but maternal instincts have branched out in other ways. Tomorrow is the day that I also become "Mother Hen" to a new flock of baby chicks. And... the plants and seedlings in the garden need tender loving care too! Wondering... is this what is suppose to happen after 50???? Since the biological time clock, insured by last year's surgery is cu puts, is this God's way of blessing my "virtual" womb? If so, I welcome His blessings with open arms.

After labor-intensive weekend work, my hubby and I successfully built six raised square foot garden beds. Not knowing what exactly a square foot garden was I enrolled in the "Citizen Gardener" course sponsered by the Sustainable Food Center. Two weekends of hands on learning in the rain paid off. We have already begun enjoying the fruits of of labor. The lettuce and spinach are spilling over their designated square foot boundaries. The carrot, snap pea, and radish seedlings are not far behind. Strawberries, Kale, Onions, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Oregano, Chives, and Pok Choy are coming along nicely too.

Sustainability. That's my mantra. I'm consumed now by the need to  know. I need to know where my food came from, how the animals were treated that produced the meat I buy for Dale, how far did my food travel, does it contain GMO's, what bull*hit is the government NOW up to concerning the FDA and the USDA?

Problem solved.... Walla! Our garden and chickens less than 100 feet away from the kitchen answers the vegetable and egg question. For all other food consumed, the weekly trek to the Downtown Farmer's Market has earned my business.

Before retiring from my ball n' chain of job, it is safe to say that my passion for local food rubbed off on a few who "got it". Since leaving, inquiring minds have wanted to know more about chickens, food, gardening, etc. I am thrilled.

For now, the baby is asleep, the garden has been watered, and the brooder anxiously awaits the arrival of an assortment of chick-a-dees. Spring, glorious spring is bouncing up and down within me.

Spring has sprung!

Under the Tuscan Storm

Trains, planes and automobiles, Oh My!. Sidetracked on our way to Certaldo with one side trip to Castleferrino. I managed to communicate with shop owner for taxi. Taxi safely brings us to the train station in Certaldo where we wait to meet Mario Masterrenzi, local car dealer and our guide, Shilpa. Our cooking group consists of 1 Aussie, 1 Canadian couple, and 3 Americans which includes Dale and myself. Old men gather at the local pasterria during the towns naptime- noon till' about 4:00 p.m.

Our crew takes off into the winding hills that are ladened with vineyards. Always knowing my Italian roots grew deep, I feel a connection with the soil the surrounds. Upon entering the doors of " Maria Louisa ", I stop momentarily to take it all in. My emotions well up inside my chest with a lump and trickle out a small tear.

We are escorted to our room. A C.S. Lewis size wardrobe fills the entire paint chipped wall. Windows are dressed with plain linen. We tread on tiled floors that are geometrically patterned, colored rust and almond. Spare decor includes an antique vanity and rickety bedside tables. Enormous bed has no bounce but allowed for a good nights sleep.

Al Fresco Dinner at 7:30 under the large tree and brillant stars. Spread out are Tuscan cheeses; perconio, mozzarella, and goat. Fresh foccocia bread, salad, and roasted vegetables of sorts. Red organic wine from nearby farm was finished off as the rainstorm rolled in. The rainstorm blew out the lights of Certaldo and our villa. Lightning and thunder lulled us to sleep. Dreams entertain my subconcious throughout the night. I remember a clawed tub, baby strollers and guests in our room.The dreams went on all through the wee hours of the night. Oh, did I forget to mention the pumpkin ghost. Must of had something to do with the roasted pumpkin at dinner.

Addio ~ Carlotta Carlita

Whoda Buddha?

One of my favorite subjects has always been religion. At the end of my college courses, I had an elective credit waiting in the wings. The University took it upon themselves to enroll me in yet another hotel management course and I could think of nothing else that would be more monotonous. I needed to remedy the situation so I called my academic counselor to request a quick switch into a subject, any subject.

As the counselor quickly read a list of elective courses, she mentioned World Religions. Ah Ha! Sign me up. It was the last and only class needed before the completion of my first degree, Associates of Arts in Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism.

Indeed, I saved the best for last. Besides philosophy, this comparative religions class was the most thought-provoking and grammatically challenging course to date. My professor stretched me every inch of the way and what initially was frustration turned into appreciation. If this world is ever going to "Give Peace a Chance",  I strongly recommend that every human being learn a bit about a  religion outside their own.

The knowledge I gained opened up a plethora of questions that jumped out of my personal Pandora's Box. Since then, I continue to contemplate on a daily basis how the World's Religions fit into my world and my limited perception of God. The fact that I believe in God; the Supreme, Absolute, Divine Being and Sole Creator of the Universe, and that almost every other religion on the face of His green earth also does, I ponder what the unifying truth is. Both philosophy and religion are think tanks and I am but a very small fish, hell, maybe even just the plankton the sucks off the small fish, in this vast ocean of knowledge. So, I give it a go and try to understand.

Understanding one's purpose of existence was the topic for my philosophy final and comparing two different religions was assigned for the religions class. Both subjects tie together at so many levels. I concluded that one's purpose of existence was to know God and Love. Plain and simple. Granted, I had to fill in the final with a lot of big words and impressive quotes beginning with pre-Socratic Greek philosophers such as Empedocles, Parmenides’ and Heraclitus’ (say that 3x fast). But overall, I walked away from that class with a broader mind and new enlightenment.

My foundational views have not changed, although the class allowed me to look into my ideas and thoughts from several different perspectives. I have discovered there are untapped facets within my belief system that are similar, yet contrary, to many religious philosophers. For example: Buddha received his enlightenment not from this physical realm, but from a transcendental realm. I agree with Buddha in this respect, but disagree with his argument that there is no God. I question the reincarnation and karma beliefs that Eastern philosophies postulate, but that is most likely because I am a Westerner who has been taught since birth western values, philosophies, and a western viewpoint of metaphysics and ontology.

So as my title of today's blog reads - Whoda Buddha? - you may have already guessed who caught my interest. Although, unknowingly making matters increasingly difficult, I didn't choose Buddhism, but instead Hinduism. Go figure.

After recently watching "The Buddha - The Story of Siddhartha - by David Grubin, I discovered again why I liked ole Sid. Basically, he was just another soul searching for answers in a world of suffering. As the Buddha would say, "Life is Dukka (suffering), yet I have found a serenity that you can find to." Siddhartha Gautama's one quest was to share his enlightenment with those who suffered. Honorable aspiration if I do say so myself. The Buddha said, "You are already enlightened, the capacity for nirvana (bliss) has always been in you." Comparing Buddha to my Lord, Jesus Christ, it sounds reminescient of Jesus when He taught "The Kingdom of God is within you". The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Keynote speaker Ananda Guruge, addressed the Buddha’s contribution to humanity and world peace at the
2005 Buddha Anniversary Celebration in Paris, France. To quote Guruge, “The Buddha’s ideal of loving kindness, which expresses itself with a deep commitment to peace, unity and harmony, tolerance and accommodation, nonviolence and selfless service, remains the fundamental basis for all human relations- person to person in family and community and nation to nation in the world. This is his contribution to sustainable world peace."

Are U da Buddha?

To be continued....

All Cooped Up

The close to another workday is quickly approaching, and not without incidence. It appears that the computer that interfaces with our server is toast. Perhaps my co-hort can revive the old bird with his voodoo magic. Perhaps not.

Technology doesn't turn me on and I'm feeling cooped up with a million other things I'd rather be doing. Learn more, do more, be somewhere else more. Anywhere but behind this ball n' chain of a desk. Office air-conditioning wars are peaking as August's fiery furnace beats down on the exterior suites. Yes, our eight units are having a hard time keeping up during these dog days of Texas summer.

Speaking of feeling all cooped up and old birds, I have recently discovered a subculture of "chickinists" on my trail to chicken-enlightenment. Although, the label doesn't quite sit well with me. It could be very well confused with a chicken-religion or even a political party that backs chickens. Chickenista better suits my style. Granted, I've never raise any chickens of my own,therefore, I've yet to earn my feathers and the right to be called a true chickenista.

Many years ago my grandmother purchased 100 baby chicks and rented the horse-stall next door to our Tennessee Walker, Outline, to house them. Grandma piled the cages 6 high, a sort-of homemade factory chicken farm. I don't recall much free-ranging going on and never got the chance to really appreciate the chickens for who and what they were. Looking back, it must have been grandma who instilled my curiosity about chickens.

My husband has promised to build me a chicken-coop this spring. This should give me ample time to gather all the information I need to raise healthy, heat-tolerant chickens that will provide our kitchen with fresh eggs. I have decided that veganism is a lofty aspiration and one that I am not totally committed to pursue. Shying away from all animal products is a hard one for me to swallow, so to speak. It has taken a couple months to find my balance and I am comfortable with eating dairy products, IF, and that's a big IF, I know where they came from. I didn't have to worry when I read this email from PETA:

"Half a billion eggs were recalled by the Food and Drug Administration, and more than 1,000 people were sickened by a strain of salmonella. When you consider that a hen spends more than 34 hours suffering in a crowded battery cage to produce just ONE egg, it puts a whole new perspective on the true cost of the egg industry."


Gathering the eggs of information has proven to be fun and a bit bizarre. I was amazed to learn of Austin's Funky Chicken Coop Tour.
The second annual chicken coop tour brought in 6000 chicken enthusiasts who all share a common interest in their fowl-feathered friends.

The chicken community is undoubtedly growing. The Funky Tour has a facebook page (who doesn't) that offers a well-spring of insight and one that I will frequent often. I have many questions. Which breed is conducive to Texas heat? Which are child-friendly? How many eggs will my layers produce on average? How long will they live?

After emailing http://www.mobilechickencoops.com/, a few of my questions were answered within moments.

"Carla,
Thank you for inquiring about our chicken coops. Generally speaking 4 to 6 hens will share one nesting box for laying eggs. If you have sitting hens then you might want additional nesting box space but most people don't hatch their own eggs anymore. I have found as many as 3 of our hens in one box at the same time all trying to lay their eggs. I have 6 nesting boxes in our largest coop and our hens use 3 to 5 of the boxes and surprisingly use the smaller boxes over the larger ones. Unless you have sitters, hens generally are only on the nest for 20 to 40 minutes. What is more important is having adequate roosting space. Most standard breeds need about 9 inches of roosting space per bird. In the heat of the summer I would allow up to 12" per bird. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
Thanks,
Josh"

Thanks to Josh who replied so quickly. I'm leaning toward that bright yellow Mega Coop. My hubby is still deciding whether to do-it-himself (which is he very capable of doing), yet doesn't know if he really wants to commit 4 weekends to this project. Either way, it's not like I'm asking for a million dollar house. A chicken-coop will do just fine, thank you very much!

Food for Thought

Food is constantly on my brain as of late. Not because I am hungry all the time, rather it appears that the study of food is leading me further on my quest towards self-enlightenment. As one who has just taken her head out of the genetically-modified dirt, I want to know my food on a more personal level. I keep hearing myself say, "I'm not going to eat or buy anything I don't know where it came from". The old adage, "You are what you eat" is apropo, to say the least.

Time is on my side now and I have the opportunity to spend a great deal of it harvesting a daily bushel of "food for thought". Since the completion of my first degree (Arts in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism), I have a choice. I can allow my brain to turn to mush or I can "feed" it with credible information gleaned from sources of my own choosing. Granted, most of the information comes from the almighty Google search engine, but one thing I learned in school was how to determine a credible source. Thank you University of Phoenix.

Yesterday, a dear friend shared a link to Boggy Creek Farm in East Austin, Texas. The farm is a USDA-Certified-Organic Urban Market Farm owned by Larry Butler & Carol Ann Sayle. I have spent the majority of the morning reading Carol Ann's whimsical and entertaining blogs concerning her beloved chickens and life in the Hen House. Carol Ann spins tales about Rooster, Rusty Roo's escapades and hens she has raised from chicks. Step aside Beatrix Potter, Carol Ann has thoughtfully named her chick-a-dees, "The Lucilles" (Golden-laced Wyandottes), "Toesy", the hen that lost 2 toes as a pullet, "The Pattys" (Silver-laced Wyandottes), and other Potterish sound-alikes.

What I find most endearing is Carol Ann's tributes to her faithful egg-laying hens. Respectfully, Mrs. Elvira Bentley, who was commonly referred to as Mrs. Bentley and Aunt Penny Barrock (Spokes Hen for the Farm, Head Hen of the Hen House, Feathered Friend of the Farm), and Rooster Buffy.

I do believe that Boggy Farm will be my next Saturday morning market journey to support the local farming community. I'm all about From-Farm-To-Table, and having your veggies picked that morning doesn't get any more FFTT than that!

Albert Einstein said, "Information is not knowledge". True. That is why I will endeavor to learn, process and put the information I retrieve into action. My course of action begun when I made the choice to become healthier followed by the conscious decision to buy locally and organically whenever possible. Although the journey is still in it's infantile stages, I do believe that my steps are headed in the right direction.

Knowledge is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).

Countdown to Certaldo

As I spotted the calender today, the realization hit me that less than a month from today, my husband and I will awake in a 19th century Tuscan villa. The wisteria-laden, old soul firmly stands upon 340 acres of olive groves and vineyards. Oh Italy, my heart longs after thee...

As with many of my self-imposed endeavors, I have failed the regimental task of the well-intended daily post. I confess that I have not delved into Pandora's Box for many a day. The road was paved w/ good intentions, yadayadayada.

First excuse: Much has happened that thwarted my desire to write, mainly the second most common type of major surgery known to women, the dreaded hysterectomy. That in a nutshell should suffice. Nuff said about that for now. For today, I'd rather focus on "la bella vita" (the good life).

Back to my inspiration: Italy

The birthplace of my maternal-grandfather(Donato Rocco Pompeo)'s people. Affectionately known as Papa, my love for all things Italian no doubt rooted from his loins. My temper, passion, love for Chianti & Cabernet, and anything w/ olives, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red bell peppers, and artichokes. Yep, these are a few of my favorite things.

I am discovering that my Italian taste buds lend well to many delizioso vegetarian recipes that I've recently found on my quest for organic, vegetarian cooking.

Certaldo, Italy. Destination Organic Tuscany Cooking School. 4 Cooking classes in all. No doubt, when and if I find the time to blog while there, the details of the meals, complete with vibrant-colored pics will be posted.

So as I sit at my desk, with my head tipped back, I close my eyes and fantasize about indulging in the fruit of Tuscan vines. Back to reality. I'm actually eating a Ziploc bag full of tri-colored grapes whose potential to ferment into a fine wine is alas, no more.

Addio ~