Posted in Crafts, Growing on May 22, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Are you looking for a great trip this summer? The Village de l’An Mil in Brittany is a wonderful site for urban farming enthusiasts to visit. Uncovered in 1902, the remains of the medieval village at Melrand, situated on a plateau dominating the Blavet Valley, have been enhanced and brought to life with the help of [...]
Posted in Cooking, Crafts, People on the Move on May 21, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
This month’s Backyard Barter fair was great! The event was held in SoDo and close to our house so my daughter came with me; each month a different area of the city is chosen. People take an hour to set up and see what is available to trade then an hour to do the exchanges. [...]
Posted in Cooking, Crafts on May 17, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Last weekend I got a chance to visit this wonderful festival on Lopez Island in the San Juan’s. It was held at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts and the free outdoor and indoor events included: Sheep shearing and fleece analysis Sheep dog demonstrations Various breeds of sheep and goats on display Sheep-to-shawl demonstration [...]
Posted in Crafts, Growing on May 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
I love May Day. I love the rich pagan heritage that lies behind it and I love the ending of winter and the coming of summer. In days gone by English villagers woke up early on May first and gathered blossoming flowers and branches and set up a maypole. This poll was decorated with flowers and [...]
Posted in Crafts on April 26, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
I love to press spring flowers then use them on cards or on those rare occasions when I actually write a letter, stationery. My favorite plants to press are johnny jump ups, bleeding heart and variegated hops but almost any thin flower will do. If you want something like calendula then you need to press [...]
Posted in Cooking, Crafts, Growing on April 17, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Do you want to know yet another delightful place to visit on Whidbey Island? Greenbank Farm is a 151 acres of fertile, publicly owned space complete with a historic farm located in the center of the island. Coming through a hail storm my husband and I turned a corner in the road and the sun was shining, meadowlarks were singing and delicious smells were [...]
Posted in Crafts, Growing, People on the Move on April 15, 2013 | 3 Comments »
It’s no secret that I really, really like yarn so on a visit this past weekend to Whidbey Island I had to visit the incredible Paradise Found Fiber Farm. Pygora goats, alpacas and llamas all came up to the fence to greet us while we listened to the history of the site and the animals from owners Mary [...]
Posted in Crafts, Growing, People on the Move on April 11, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Joan Englemeyer, the force behind City Art Farm, is easily one of the most creative people I have ever encountered. Everywhere you look on her three lot property this artistic drive is expressed; a giant goat sculpture waiting for the Rainier Heritage Parade, lyrical paintings of Somali women on her classroom and studio wall, lush [...]
Posted in Crafts on April 10, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
What do all urban farmers in this brisk chilly climate need? Warm knit hats! It’s easy to make these using circular needles. I like to use number 8 needles and usually cast on about 95 stitches to start for an adult hat. Once the stitches are on I do a rib stitch with two knit [...]
Posted in Cooking, Crafts on April 2, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Nettles are an amazingly versatile plant; the young shoots are high in protein and vitamins, the older plant can be used to make fiber and the leaves and roots can be used at any time to make a green dye. Right now is a good time to harvest the young tender leaves. To find this valuable plant, look for [...]