Odds and Ends

Here are some little things that didn't necessitate their own post, but are still considered noteworthy in my book:

I bought this kettle to put on the wood stove! It's no ordinary teapot- it's a humidifier! When the stove top gets hot enough, the water inside starts to steam thereby humidifying the air. I was pretty excited about this, but it turns out the stove has to get really, really hot to get it to steam...oh well, it looks cute, anyway.

I have a penchant for oddly shaped eggs. It's hard to tell in the picture but this was a very skinny, very long egg. Art said it looked like a body part, I'll let you all make your own conclusions (here's a hint: a man part)

This little tidbit is actually pretty cool: Art's in the phonebook! I know, aren't we all? He appeared in an ad for the company he does work for, Crist Electric. I told him it looks like he's big pimpin' with his sunglasses and "Don't mess with me" stance.

Don't Fence Me In!

[cue Bing Crosby]

After months and months, the fence around the barn is finally built. Well, half of it is. We knew we wouldn't be able to get the entire area done, so we opted to do half this year and half next year. This has the extra added bonus of being able to do really small scale rotational grazing. The reason it took so long was because a) Art worked A LOT this summer and just didn't have the time, and b) Art insisited on having a super strong fence (something about the cows not being able to get out. Again.) he made the gates and fence panels really strong- it's so handy that he can use a torch and a welder! A few months ago the county replaced a lot of the power poles on our street and told us we could take the old ones. We used those for the fence posts and, for added protection, added two strings of shock wire. If the cows escape from this, than they are a lot smarter than I give them credit for (because they're pretty stupid).

Helen and Keller checking out their new pasture

Window Shopping

Today my mom and I went to Mt.Vernon for an art open house and lunch. The open house featured a former highschool classmate who does really beautiful work. I bought a window and some really funny gift tags (they will add a little hilarity to the rather mundane canned goods people will be getting as Christmas gifts this year). If you're interested in seeing more of her work (she does all kinds of things) take a look at her blog: http://creativegeniusart.blogspot.com/

After the open house we had a wonderful lunch at the Lincoln Cafe (they have the best guacamole ever).

It's such a dreary day, I think I'll go read my book in the bathtub. Or maybe I'll just take a nap... or maybe I'll do both!

The Window

If There's a Depression, We're Set!

On one of the last really nice weekends of the year (70 degrees!) we got the fence almost finished (post and pictures to follow- it's not quite done yet...but soon). I also picked up a half of a side of beef that we bought from one of Art's customers. My freezers (two chest, one upright and the fridge/freezer upstairs) are pretty much full.

If the depression hits, I told Art we can live off ground beef and applesauce for at least a year!

Colors of Autumn

I have a love-hate relationship with fall. I love the fall colors, pumpkins, Halloween, the smell of woodsmoke and the fact that soon I will get an extra hour of sleep. I hate that fall must usher in winter, with its' sub-zero temperatures, snow and the never-ceasing wind.

The leaves had started to change before I went to California, but they were nothing like this. I'm glad I came home in time to see them. And no, I won't be raking up the leaves- soon enough the winds will come and blow them all away.

Back Home

I spent the last five days in San Francisco, CA for a meeting (an eyeball convention, if you will) I didn't have many opportunities to sight see (although I did seek out the closest DSW) but was able to eat at some really good restaurants. On my first night I ate at a fantastic restaurant known for there seafood, McCormick and Schmicks on Ghiradelli Square. It offers beautiful views of the bay and because it was such a clear day we could see Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate bridge. I had the halibut cheeks (from the face, not the butt) and tried their dungeness crab cakes. I have never liked crab cakes but these were amazing. Never have I had such melt-in-your-mouth seafood.

Another evening a friend and I went down to the Fisherman's wharf, pier 47. We ate at Boudin Sourdough Company and had that San Fransicso staple: Clam Chowder in a HUGE sourdough bowl. It was so good I'll be turned off canned clam chowder for the rest of my life.

I was told that when in San Fransisco I should eat only seafood, no meat (they know seafood, we know beef). I would probably agree with this for the most part except for one restaurant in particular. Mel's Drive In is a retro diner complete with juteboxes, formica and milkshakes. I tried the "12.60 burger"; 12 ounces of beef for $12.60. What made the burger perfection is it's covered with cheese and grilled onions, and when you bite into it there is a bacon and cheese filled center. This burger changed my life.

Surprise!

You'd think after seven years with Art I would cease to be surprised by him, but you'd be wrong. The farmer that Art does some work for bought a truck and asked Art to fix it up. The hood had pretty much disintegrated and the whole truck was in dire need of a paint job. Art repaired the hood (which involved a lot of welding and fiber glassing) and painted the truck. I knew he could paint cars (he painted his '70 charger and it looks great) but I had no idea he could do something like this!