Tryon Farmer

Pond

2006-03-22T10:44:00.000-06:00

Garden Notes

2006-03-21T11:20:00.000-06:00

There will be a garden cleanup on Saturday, April 1st at 10am. There are still plots available if you haven't yet reserved yours. Contact Suzanne (sbaldwin[at]chilitech[dot]com). All are welcome to come by, even those who have never sown a seed. I've even heard a rumor that someone will be serving up Bloody Marys.

New Calendar

2006-03-05T12:11:00.000-06:00

Hello to anyone who may still occasionally read this. I've added a calendar on the sidebar (day) and bottom (day/week/month) of the blog (I'm still trying to tweek the appearance of the full calendar - if I only knew the code :) If this works, it can be easily be updated on a regular basis with homeowner's meetings, farm events and possibly even interesting events in the surrounding area.

This could be a useful communication tool for the farm community. However, I see that another homeowner's website is in development. If that launches successfully with regular up-to-date communication, I may remove the bulky calendar and simply update the links on the sidebar.

The original intent of publishing this wasn't so much to be an official newsletter of the farm, but for members to share individual expression inspired by our amazing surroundings. For example: musings, poetry, photography, scanned in sketches, paintings, recipes, gardening tips, even music clips or sound bites can be added. It could also be used to tell of interesting things to do near the farm that may be off the beaten path, or local causes that you'd like to share.

Because I don't frequent the farm so much during the school year, I haven't been making any updates. I would welcome, welcome anyone at Tryon Farm to participate. I know life doesn't end there when the leaves begin to fall. If any of you aren't so familiar with posting on a blog, but have something to contribute, please share it with me. Email me at dpapa@bigfoot.com.

Warm Wishes.

Dreaming of Summer.

Celebrate Tryon Farm

2005-10-10T23:11:00.000-05:00

It was a lovely celebration. Click on the photo above to view a slideshow of the evening.

(If you notice most of the images are a bit blurry, I was experimenting with a slower shutter speed to avoid using the flash. At first I thought it was a cool effect - the blur adequately describing the cheer and energy of the party. But ultimately, it is just a group of distorted images.)

If anyone else has some good photos, please post them.

Cheers.

Apples

2005-10-03T10:58:00.000-05:00

"We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it..."

George Eliot

We had a terrific time apple picking this weekend at Radke's Orchards. In addition to many wonderful apple trees to climb and pick from, they also have a tractor pull to hop on and off at designated stops - a relief when the bags are full, and great fun for the kids. Don't forget to browse through the recipe file. They're free for the taking. I've heard the Apple Pull-apart Bread is delicious. Yummmm.

Radke's Orchards
8825 W. 200 N.
Michigan City, IN 46360
Directions: 421 south, turn left at 200N (2nd intersection past I94). Approximately 1 mile on left.
Phone: 219-872-3140
Fax: 219-879-0411
Email: dradke@adsnet.com
Hours: Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. mid-September through October.

Pick Those Grapes!!

2005-09-16T17:55:00.000-05:00

In case anyone need inspiration, see this. Next year, for anyone interested, I'd love to do this as a community effort - shared labor, shared results :)

Also, I found many of my grapes infested with a small worm. Any organic ideas to avoid this next year?

Calling All Volunteers

2005-09-16T17:43:00.000-05:00

SHLT is having a volunteer workday on Saturday September 24 at our John Merle Coulter Nature Preserve in Portage. We will be cutting and carefully applying herbicide to common reed (Phragmites) in a sensitive area that is being restored to wet prairie. The Phragmites at this site is interspersed with many desirable native species, so a labor-intensive approach is the best way to minimize collateral damage. We need your help to control this invasive species and restore the wet prairie ecosystem at this site.

We will meet at 9:00 AM at the parking area on the east side of County Line Road, between US 12 and US 20, just north of 5th Ave. and just south of the MonoSol plant. Please wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt. We will provide rubber gloves, but bring your own pair of you can.

Note: If you think you will arrive late, please call or e-mail me, since we will be working in an area some distance from where we park. I will give you directions on how to find us. My cell phone # is 219-878-5609.

See you there!

Paul Quinlan

Stewardship Program Manager
Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Inc.
444 Barker Road
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 879-4725
stewardship@heinzetrust.org

Tryon Farmer

2005-09-12T20:03:00.000-05:00

Concord Grapes!!!

I cooked the grapes that I brought home with just a little water. Strained them in the collander. I did not add any sugar. The juice is wonderful. I was thinking of some kind of frozen slush for our Saturday night beverage hour. Any ideas??

Suzanne

Did I just feel something on my neck?

2005-09-09T12:46:00.000-05:00

Katrina Fundraiser

2005-09-04T23:06:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends. I have fundraising idea for helping Katrina survivors. Check out my personal blog if you're interested at www.wannashrink.blogspot.com (today's post called "Fast for Food").

RELAX YOUR BODY, REFRESH YOUR SPIRIT

2005-09-03T17:07:00.000-05:00

RELAX YOUR MIND, REFRESH YOUR SPIRIT

Date: Saturday, September 17

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Judith Silver's beautiful place (more details to follow)

This is what I call an "easy does it" or playful retreat. There will be relaxing body scans, gentle yoga (VERY gentle) and qi gong, eating and walking and listening meditations and lots of tips on how to gently, humorously, and enjoyably, bring your whole self into whatever you are doing and notice what the present has to offer you, instead of thinking of a million things at once.

Now, I know that everyone here at Tryon Farm knows how to relax; after all, that's why all of us have moved here, right? But this retreat will be fun and help you learn how to relax even more! But if it's not your cup of tea, pass the word on to folks that might like it.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a lunch that does not need refrigeration or to be heated. Ditto drinks.

$40 suggested donation, more if you can, less if you can't.
And a $5 discount for all Tryon Farmers!

Call me at 219-878-8505 after 9/10/05 (visiting my brother this week)

Peace, fun and all good things,
Dominique's Mom, known on the East Coast and even some places in Indiana as Patrecia Lenore

Oh, credentials: Have been studying and practicing various meditation and bodywork modalities since 1972. Have studied extensively with Thich Nhat Hanh and several Insight Meditation teachers since 1993 and taught at TNH's retreats 1995- 2000. Taught Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (Jon Kabat Zinn's work) at Barnard College for 6 years and continue to teach in various venues since.

9/11 Memorial Gathering

2005-09-03T16:57:00.000-05:00

There will be a 9/11 memorial gathering on Sunday, 9/11 at the beautiful Friendship Gardens off Highway 12 (you've probably passed it a million times) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the wedding chapel section by the pond (easy to find, signs point the way). Please join us for a quiet walking meditation through the gardens, followed by reflections by whomever wants to participate. Patrecia Lenore, otherwise known as "Dominique"s Mom" will lead the walking meditation.

Katrina Housing

2005-09-01T22:43:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends. I've found a really great way to help out Katrina victims. Check out Katrina Housing. George and I hope to donate our farm house to a displaced family so they can put their kids in school while they figure out what to do next with their lives. If any of you only use your Tryon Farm home for only part of the year, sharing your space will make a huge impact on somebody's life today. Even a guest bedroom can help. If we do this as a coordinated effort, our community could potentially take a few related families - or neighbors that would otherwise have their children go to school together. This way they can have a small bit of their own community to help ease them through the stress of this disaster.

Please let me know what you think. I'd be happy to help coordinate and find a way to have some prescreening done.

If you have no room to spare, please give.

Many thanks.
Dominique

Saturday 5:00 info

2005-08-27T00:17:00.000-05:00

Everyone aware that Mary Lynn is bringing multi ears of sweet corn to steam in a garbage can at the drink fest this Saturday?

Salsa Scramble: Sign Up Now

2005-08-21T19:50:00.000-05:00

Sign up now by entering a comment for the First Salsa Scramble! A best ball golf outing at the executive course in Michigan City. Prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive. (I'm not saying they are good prizes but we'll think of something). Date: September 10th. Time: 12:00 Noon.
When you sign up, let me know how many times you have played golf this year. We'll try to balance the groups accordingly. No skill required. All age groups welcome. Greens Fees $12 plus a cart if you want one.

Ice Cream Social

2005-08-19T16:05:00.000-05:00

This coming Saturday we have planned an ice cream social-movie-family-friends night. Meet around the barn at 7:00 pm for hay rides. At 8:00 pm the movie "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" will be projected onto the barn. I hope this will appeal to kids and adults alike. I especially enjoyed the credits (strange, I know, but you'll see if you stick around to the end). Please come and bring something to sit on and bug spray. The recent rain has brought out the biting bugs in full force.

We hope to see you then.

PS: I believe the 5:00 garden hour is still on. Meet at the community garden for libations and comraderie.

A Very Happy Hour

2005-08-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

Oh dear, those were a bit potent...

As requested, below you will find the recipe for Saturday night's Cosmolitos - a refreshing and, as I said, highly potent summer cocktail.

Dominique and George, thank you again for opening your home to the recently-developed- Tryon-Farm-ritual, Saturday Happy Hour. When Tom and I saw the rain pouring down at 4:30pm we assumed everyone would cancel...not this group. A little rain was not going to dampen our spirit! Great turnout and great fun. Thanks also to those of you who brought munchies.

In the future, someone suggested that we gather in one of the garages if weather is a factor so we can keep up the impromptu spirit and not impose on anyone too greatly. Seems like a good idea.

The ceremonial jug has been passed to next week's cocktail couriers, Dwayne and Ann Waugh (my apologies if I haven't spelled names right but I don't have the list with me). A bit of advice..I filled the jug at least 3 times due to demand.

COSMOLITO
1 1/2 ounces of white tequila, 3/4 ounce of triple sec, 2 ounces of cranberry juice, juice from 1/2 of a lime, chilled martini glass. Combine the ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Clearly Saturday's Cosmolitos were low on presentation but high on spirit. See you next week.

Good Eatin'

2005-08-14T11:57:00.000-05:00

For any of you all tired of the local franchise food fare, I've discovered a lovely authentic, Mexican restaurant that deserves mention. El Nopal, located on 9th Street between Washington and Franklin, is a cozy spot decorated in Mexican folk kitsch. I've been there twice, and both times the restaurant was empty. Typically that is a warning sign, but tired of the 40 minute wait for bland, fatty, and oversized food at Chili's, Red Lobster, Hacienda, etc., I was willing to give it a try. I've had the seafood enchiladas, and mole poblano enchiladas. Both were excellent and served in reasonable portions. Give it a try and spread the word if you are just as pleased.

Tidbits from Eve

2005-08-10T17:53:00.000-05:00

* There will be an upcoming family movie night on 8/20 with hay rides and other family fun activities. Bring your kids, someone else's kids, or bring the kid in you for fun by the barn.

* Many thanks to Jeremy and his crew for removing the woodies in the prairie.

* Swing by to see the recent prairie plantings atop Kathy and Karl's house by the pond.

* Drat - the hay bales have been removed before getting some good photos of them. They've been sent to nearby farms to be devoured by the livestock.

* Ed G. has been seen up and about after his recent leg injury. We hope you are feeling much better.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Our condolences go to Susann B. Her mother just passed away last Saturday. Susann, our thoughts are with you and your family.

What is this stuff?

2005-08-08T22:22:00.000-05:00

This strange white stuff has overtaken my pumpkin patch and is extending to my much anticipated cucumbers. Does anyone know what this is? And what can be done about it?

Also, bugs are consuming my tomatoes before they get the chance to ripen. Any suggestions?

PS: I'm going to keep posting until this catches on. I hope others will join soon.

A Strange Sound

2005-08-07T22:07:00.000-05:00

The caterwauling heard in the meadow Saturday evening could be attributed to the Papa and friends campout (but not to be confused with sound wafting from the school - strange how sounds travel). The mix of campfire, stars, guitar and Sangria brought out the folk-singer-wanna-be's in most of us. Even the kids performed. Sorry if we scared anyone.

In Case You Didn't Get the Email

2005-08-02T11:03:00.000-05:00

There wasn't one. Well, farmers, there is an unofficial social/happy hour on Saturdays at 5:00pm in the garden. Drinks are provided by whomever takes the flask home the previous week. This coming Saturday is my turn and I'll be serving up Sangria. Any excellent recipes anyone would like to pass along? Post it as a comment.

What is ironic is that this came about by mistake. Eve had arranged for some filming of the farm scene. She asked Kathy to gather some folks together in the garden to contrive some communal event to be filmed. Except Eve forgot about it. Someone brought drinks, and well the rest is history. That's how I heard it.