Eat Local

Times have changed. 100 years, 75 years, hmmmm - maybe 50 years ago was there any other way for most Americans but to eat what they or their community grew? Now it's a movement. Oh, don't get me wrong I love the idea and am in the process of creating a space for my family and local community, Southworth, to do the same.
When we moved out here our daughters teased us every time we said the word FARM! The only thing growing here was an old small fruit orchard.
Tony and I attended several WSU extension courses on sustainable farming and learned quickly that if the land you live on isn't making you any $ you need a plan. So we created one.
We are only getting older so we took into consideration the amount of work and return for it. Heirloom tomatoes are delicious but a lot of work for $4.00 a lb. So the first crop we settled on was blueberries. Upfront labor for preparing the soil, measuring rows, double digging, was hard and took time but our first crop is in! 240 plants. With some TLC, pruning and 3 dogs to help keep deers at bay we are on our way. It is very exciting. In a few years we'll have a small crop to sell.
Contributing to a movement, to our health, and to our community. I like the sound of that.
Last year I was given a book that I loved and learned so much from reading. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. She shares about her families journey committing to eating local for 1 year. Even if you don't have a space to grow your own food anyone who eats should read it to learn about what you are eating. You will be shocked. It was also fun to read about the author as a wife and mother. A very funny lady.
Kitsap Co. is trying to better it's community by creating a food coop. Plans are under way but as with anything it may be a couple years. In the mean time here is a list and map of farms where you can begin supporting your health and local farmers from the ground up.
F.R.

Before I am blog-xiled

Well I must have seen this coming. Otherwise why would I have said there will be some 'fill in the blanks' after the fact. I have been scolded as of late to get back into the blog world, people really do read this stuff.

Trying to condense the past 6 months isn't so easy. Looking back I realize the things that were so important then, selecting sinks, countertops, cabinets, flooring, all that remodeling stuff really took alot of eneregy and filled my head and my sleep with temporary importance. Things got done. The kitchen is beautiful. I even like cleaning it! But you know it's just stuff. What really matters is what happens in your home. The laughter from a grandchild. Cuddling on the sofa with my man. Playing the 'family game' with new friends. Sharing our hearts, our time and love express more than any finished project can.
We are slowing down this year. We admit we took on alot, didn't know how to do alot, but we really did get alot done.

No matter how full and complete we think we are I have learned there is room for more. Unconditional love. Love that comes unexpectantly and in this case very quickly. Our daughter Anya and husband Jeremy are adopting 3 siblings and this process is an overwhelming expression of love. Our lives will never be the same.

Read her story, her words.

I will be back. I hope you will be too.
F.R.

Back To School Haircuts

Our little lambs had their 1st shearing this week. Now they're naked! And I must learn to spin! Ya Right! Well, Maybe. Any hints or helps out there?





I think we are very happy. A sense of accomplishment. Not pride, just happiness. Like building compost bins and designing showers and making birdhouses and selecting cabinets and countertops kind of happy.





If I was a poet I would say...
"Pick blackberries when they are full of sunshine."

I don't think Tony liked the grilled Ceasar salad.

Did you know that Sasquatch lives here?



Farmer Rosie

Celebrations

July was better than June. June was hard. June came with sadness. June also came with many decisions to be made. It became obvious we had never done this before. What, you ask, had we never done before.
Decide on very big changes involving an excavator!

I think Tony and I were divorced about 9 times that month! I soon learned, after whispering with a few dear girlfriends, that I was not alone and even the most civil become down right cave-ish when it comes to agreeing and seeing the same end result. Needless to say we made it thru!We can laugh now and keep moving forward with a sense of humor and accomplishment.

July saw the end to a few small projects. Seeing grass grow was very fulfilling but that meant there were many more rocks to rake elsewhere so that grass could also grow there. Monotonous.

There is a bathroom being built and a kitchen being dismantled. It will have it's turn soon enough. So I am learning how to cook just about everything on the BBQ. Hey, if we could eat like royalty at Banks Lake shouldn't we be able to do that at home. I think the key was the expertise of many hands.

I think I have been decrowned as GC. It is really a hard job. I don't know when to call who and when to call them!

It seemed like every week in August had a celebration. The perfect setting to celebrate my little bro's 40th - Banks Lake. Tony jumped off a 58 ft. cliff, YIKES. Andre learned to wake board and we all climbed Steam Boat Rock. FUN FUN FUN
There were weddings and more birthdays and celebrations of life and long lost friends and more laughter and more wine and more progress.

A fine month, a fine month indeed.

Farmer Rosie

Traffic!

After running errands today with Anya and the boys it took me a bit longer to get home. It wasn't that traffic was backed up, it was a mama duck and her 4 babies waddling across the highway! I love my life!

How long did you sit in traffic today?

Farmer Rosie

The blog, a frog, and Thor the dog,
your sheep, dirt heap, the woodsman creep,
a fawn, the dawn, and new green lawn,
blueberries, red cherries, and honking ferries,
the house, red barn, and plenty more charm,
can all be found on Rodstol Lane Farm.

by 'the hipster farmer poet'

Last week...

Moses and I layed in the pasture and watched the 'Swallow Dance'.
We planted grass, a lot of grass.
Paquito ate his 'llama candy' from my hand.
We shared laughter and peanuts on the porch with family.
While I was watering our 'grass' a hummingbird danced in the water, as did a butterfly.
We raked more rocks.
We raked more dirt.
Our neighbor across the lane delivered organic eggs.
Andre continued to build a rock wall around the shed.
Tony knocked out more walls in the kitchen.
We watched the swallows grow out of their nest in the basement.
Mama Junco sat quietly on her nest in the basement.
Paquito did a 'llama dance' then jumped over 3 sheep!
Daylily LLama.
Daily LLama.
LLama LLama Ding Dong.

Farmer Rosie