Hike it, Baby

 

“Not all those who wander are lost.” J.R.R Tolkien

This ubiquitous quote remains one of my favorites because I identify with it so much–indeed I wander to find myself.  I usually feel far from lost while on a trail or not (except this one time in Utah when the sun was getting low, and we could not find our camp site after a post-dinner walkabout).  With a decent map and a fair sense of direction (and the help of today’s technology) getting truly lost can be fairly difficult.  As far as hiking goes, I am quick to qualify many wanderings and walks as hikes.  If I’m wearing hiking boots, walk on trails away from a roadway or take more than 30 minutes, my walk becomes a hike.  It turns out I take lots of hikes!

We found snow in the mountains during this hike on Nov. 24 when there wasn't any in the lowlands.

We found snow while wandering through a mountain meadow a couple weeks back. Yay Snow!

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  1. Maria Reyes says:

    Reading your post was totally amazing. I have been sitting at this same job now for about 21+ years and how I envy your life style. I went to Alaska two years ago, but from a tourist point, no hiking and getting into the wild. Once you get past a certain age you are afraid to do anything mainly fear of the unknown. I commend you for all that you do for yourself your family and your surroundings. Wishing you the best always. Maria

  2. Joan says:

    Fun hike, unfortunately I don’t walk very well so all hiking will have to be done through you and your wonderful family.
    God bless.

  3. Debbie says:

    Hey Alex! You DO look happy out on the trail and so does Ava and your pooch! Reading your post reminded me of the hiking my hubby and I used to do in the Sierra Nevada’s. We hiked Mt. Rose ( a great day hike) with great friends one day with a reward of bbq ribs at the end of the day. Boy did we need it… Trail mix and water only go so far on an 8 hour hike! We also mountain biked, canoed and cross country skied too! It seems like forever ago.. These days our walks are mostly on the beach but you post has inspired me to get out and discover some of our forest walks/hikes. Yes! Even in winter! Max our corgi and my moms dog Barkley would love it! I miss wondering off the beaten path and getting to know a different piece of land well. Blessings to you and your sweet family! Love, Deb, the Beach Farmgirl!

  4. Denise Ross says:

    I run and swim and so exercise class on the bike every week. I used to hike when I was a child with my family, but that was a while back now. I would love to get back into hiking because of all the benefits you mention here, until then I’ll keep fit so when I can get back to hiking I’ll be fit enough to enjoy it

  5. Dori Troutman says:

    Alex, what a great post with beautiful pictures! And your precious little Ava is just such a doll baby. Where in Utah were you when you lost your campsite?! My husband and I lived in Southern Utah for 27 years. Raised our kids hiking all over the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (our property actually bordered it). My son also rode his horse for miles and miles in the Monument land. He “rescued” a number of tourists that, unfortunately, relied on their GPS to get them where they were going and got lost, stuck, or ran out of fuel in that vast Monument land. You can probably relate to that in Alaska too huh? Loved your post. – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Dori! We spent about a month in Southern Utah about 4 years ago and LOVED it. There is something really special about the desert. I can’t wait to go back. We were camping on one of the Bear’s Ears near Blanding when we got lost. It’s so cool that you lived there with land bordering a NM! Your kids must have had awesome (and unusual) childhoods.

  6. Evelyn says:

    When my kids were small, I think I would have lost my mind if I hadn’t been able to get outside and walk, both alone with my babies and with other moms. It was good for all of us. Don’t be afraid of the weather…ours was always rainy…just bundle up and go for it!

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Arbor Vitae, Arbor Letum

{Alternate Title for Photos: My (Adult) Life in Trees}

Have you ever been asked the question, “If you had to choose between living near the ocean or the mountains, which would you pick?”  I have been asked this question numerous times, and I always have the same answer.  Both mountains and oceans are amazing.  They inspire a humbling type of awe that is hard to match.  However, I know (from growing up near neither) that I can live without them near me.  I do need forests.  I need trees.  I need the leaves, the needles, the understory and the animals that depend on forest ecology to survive.

Avalanche Lake, MT, ca. 2010

Avalanche Lake, MT, ca. 2010

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  1. Karin says:

    I love your post. I am still working on the splitting wood thing. I always shut my eyes.. You give me hope.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      You can do it Karin! I like to think about it like swinging a bat–there are many similarities. Keep your eye on the log!

  2. Kristy says:

    The area around the Great Lakes has been troubled by the Emerald Ash Borer for many years, resulting in the destruction of many trees. Last year an Ash only a block away had to be cut down and burned. There is an Ash in my yard which I have been checking anxiously every few days all summer. I love that tree and pray for it. I feel sort of like a Lorax at that. The trouble is that the infected trees cannot be used as firewood and some municipalities require that the tree be ground into sawdust. What a waste.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      That Emerald Ash Borer has been wreaking havoc forever! I remember the dreaded days when city workers would come and mark ash trees with the dreaded orange tape–Cut this tree down, it’s infected. I hope your tree has enough love and defenses to fend off any trouble.

  3. Deborah says:

    Good morning Alex,

    What a beautiful post. There are so many things I would like to comment on that you wrote, that I don’t know where to begin. First about the daily routines that you are going through raising a family and the daily chores that come with it. I have two boys and I had them while I was working at a very stressful job with one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the country. I do CSI in a forensic laboratory and have done so for over 26 years now. (Hopefully retiring to Montana very soon) And I remember going out to numerous crimes scenes in the worst neighborhoods and processing them. After I was done and had packaged up all the evidence, coming back to the laboratory, going over all the photographs, making sure I had gotten everything I needed, writing up the field notes, etc.. I could not wait to get back home and do all the “daily” chores that keeping a home requires. I could have had the most worst day with my two boys at home that I would never trade for the best day at work. Being at home grounded me against all the craziness I saw in the world. And nothing at home would ever be as stressful as one day at work. I loved doing all those chores at home. And yes I would love to chop wood any day. It is a stress relief. It is good work, healthy and rewarding in the simplest and deepest of terms. I guess I saw both worlds, those of the work force and the life of a parent at home. I have to say, I would chose the life of a parent at home. This is the most rewarding. Your analogy of the life of a tree is so much like the life of us… (Note: I have also felt the same way when reading, “The Giving Tree” to my boys to).

    There are no words that I can say here regarding your article that come close to how your article made me feel this morning. Just amazing!!!

    Deborah

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thank you, Deborah! Your words are encouraging–you are right, most days I am SO VERY thankful that I am able to be home with my cute little baby. It is grounding and rewarding, as you mention. Your job sounds very intense! As a high school student I had a few lingering thoughts of becoming a forensic dentist (who knows, maybe that will still happen some day!)…So your career intrigues me. I hope you get to retire to Montana, soon!

  4. Emma says:

    I love seeing Alex-in-trees over the years! How lucky for little Ava that she has a mama who will teach her all these things that aren’t “girly.” What a great post!

  5. Linda Wigington says:

    One of my favorite photos which was on a postcard, is an old-time lady in a long, dark dress, out in front of an old farmhouse. She has an axe held high, which is taller than she is, and is splitting wood! The caption is, “Frailty, thy name is woman” supposedly by William Shakespeare. I,too, love trees, and when the forest behind my house was being clear-cut for pasture, I rode my horse there for the last time on the needle-covered roadbed under the tall, beautiful pines, and apologized… After it was over, I felt as if I were on the moon, and seldom went back there. Not much later, I moved away. But that is an experience I will never forget. “Progress” is often painful. I loved your “tree” pictures and enjoy your stories of your life in Alaska. Thank you.

  6. Barb says:

    I love splitting wood…it is such a satisfying skill. My favorite tool is and 8 lb maul, as a lot of the wood we get is gnarled. I give thanks to trees as I do to all the natural things that sustain us…that I won’t take their use for granted, that I will work hard for beyond-sustainable, that their life has value beyond what they can do for us. Every life is precious even though we use some of them to survive.

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For Everything There is a Season

{Warning  Warning  Warning: The following post may contain offensive amounts of cliched phrases.  If idioms drive you crazier than watching political ads, then you might as well make like a tree and leave right now!}

Fall is the best season for reading a good book.  In particular, it is the best season for reading fiction.  As we head into the dead of winter, the opportunity to cuddle up with a good book and some tea on an overstuffed chair shouldn’t be passed over.  In our neck of the woods, the growing season has been over for several weeks; and I had the opportunity to concentrate on some house projects and read a whole book.  This may not sound like a lot, but I feel very accomplished!

Halloween fun.  Ava was an aerobics instructor,  I made a feeble attempt to be a 60s housewife.

Halloween fun. Ava was an aerobics instructor, I made a feeble attempt to be a 60s housewife.

 

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  1. Alex, I LOVED THIS POST!!!! 🙂 It made me smile through the whole thing. It also made me want to go get that book – like right now. I’m headed to New Mexico for a month with my folks, think maybe this book just might be the ticket while I’m there. Well, I better run. I’m “busier than a one armed paper hanger”! 🙂 – Dori, Ranch Farmgirl –

    P.S. That darling baby of yours? I could just squeeze her.

  2. I related to your post like a duck to water! Hope you stay warm this winter and keep writing your blog. It’s enjoyable to read and keeps me motivated as a writer myself.

  3. bonnie b says:

    Goodness! I don’t think I have been privy to that many cliches in one article ever. Laughed most of the way through it and want to commend you on a great job.

    Ava is certainly growing and she was always cute, but, hey, she may be getting cuter!
    lol Moms are always biased. I always enjoy seeing her pictures.

  4. Karin says:

    Thank you. Ava is indeed becoming cuter. “Cuterr than abug’s ear” You are so nice to share her with me thru photos. I have the book on my reader but have not settled in to start it yet. Love your review and hopefully I will get thru it this winter. In Missouri, I am preparing for winter. This is the time when one day, it is warm and the next freezing. Hey In Missouri it is that way any time of the year… With the addition of a new foal and 3 other new horses, I am getting heaters in extra water tanks and double checking my hay count.. “better late than never” or “in the nick of time” depending on which side of the fence you are on. Shelters are ready. The foal, Pickles, is checkin the fences daily to make sure I did not leave anything loose. Pickles is concerned about my health and makes sure that I get my daily hike in the woods while we play hide and seek after making sure she tramples the fence flat. Take care and snuggle in this winter…..

  5. Therese says:

    Precious baby!!! Little sweetheart!! Love the aerobics instructor outfit!

  6. Deb Bosworth says:

    Alex, thank you for this article on the defense of using ( or over-using ) cliches. Loved it! I’m afraid I’m guilty of using idioms in my writing most of the time! It’s also the way I talk and I had no idea I did this until I was interviews by a writer for an article this past summer. She swore I had her talking in idioms by the end of our afternoon together! Ava IS growing like a weed and oh so adorable…We won’t have to worry about your little family this winter. You’ll be snug as a bug in your yurt! xo Deb

  7. Deb Bosworth says:

    Snug as a bug in a rug, that is!!!
    xo Deb

  8. Maureen Griffin says:

    This post is all fun and games – it really floats my boat. When you got this bee in your bonnet you opened a can of worms and I have to put in my two cents worth.

    Help! I can’t stop!

    Love to my babes in the woods of AK. Have a nice day!

    Grandma Mickie

    **Have a

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…And Other Life Changers

Have you ever stopped after a seemingly simple moment and thought to yourself, “I think my life just changed”?  I had this feeling last week, and it was such a distinct feeling…I was immediately in awe of how my future could have been drastically (okay, I’m being a bit dramatic) different had this one second of life not happened.  I hope the following doesn’t come off as too creeeeeeepy…maybe Halloween has an influence on this post!

Mmmm, look at that fatty goodness!

Mmmm, look at that fatty goodness!

Several things occurred in building up to this moment.  First, Evan bought me a new chef’s knife.  He’s super into techie websites that find the best of everything without being painfully expensive.  So, he found this knife and got it for me because I’m always complaining about our dulling knives.  The first thing I cut with it was a big four pound rutabaga, and with the first effortless slice I let out an audible gasp.

You see, I have been envious of those with great knife skills for a long time.  It is so impressive to see expert chefs break down a duck or perfectly fillet a large salmon.  The knife appears to find the perfect spot to slice through.  When watching a good knife handler dice onions or even cut an apple, their skills are apparent…but I’ve discovered that a lot of this skill is in the knife!  Now that I have used a truly sharp, nice knife, I am not intimidated by whole chickens or thick skinned winter squash.  The beautiful halibut fillets I’ve butchered in the past will be no more.  Squished tomatoes will be but a memory.  I will no longer be intimidated by whole meats and other foods!

Thank you, amazing new life changing tool.

Thank you, amazing new life changing tool.

The height of this epiphany came last week when I decided to finally roast a pork belly I’ve had in the freezer for awhile.  It was from a pig that I helped raise a little bit–a nice fatty heritage breed.  I’ve been a lifetime fan of bacon, even going so far as to be one of those lame vegetarians who still eats bacon!  However, I’ve heard here and there that a well roasted pork belly is superior in many ways to the salty deliciousness that is cured bacon.

{Commence drooling}

{Commence drooling}

To prepare this pork, I had to score the fatty side of the belly.  It was AMAZING to do this with the new sharp knife.  The responsiveness of it was incredible, I could feel where the fat layer ended and the meat began, allowing me to score it deep enough but not too much.  Writing this out now makes is sound kind of silly or weird–but it really was one of the more illuminating moments in my life.  I think my culinary possibilities have multiplied many fold, and I was already pretty satisfied with how I handled myself in the kitchen.

Is it torturous to roast pork belly in the presence of my canine friends?

Is it torturous to roast pork belly in the presence of my canine friends?

So, I have this new knife…and other life changers.

I used a pressure canner for the first time last week–major life changer!  I love having home made broth, and I usually just freeze it.  I also keep all of my vegetable trimmings in freezer bags.  By the end of the farming season, my freezer is usually overflowing with onion tops, beet peels, carrot tips and all sorts of various veggie parts. We don’t have a large chest freezer or anything, so it was taking up precious freezer space.  So, I borrowed a friends pressure canner and now I have many pints of vegetable, chicken, duck and beef stock.  YUM.  I plan on expanding my pressure canning repertoire in the future but thought I’d start this year with broths and stocks.

Hi Ava! Sing it!

Hi Ava! Sing it!

Another life changer: Ava’s mobility!  She is now able to get to where she wants to be in a relatively fast manner.  She didn’t crawl for a very long time–instead she scooted backwards or did this silly sit, lean forward, move one leg forward, sit, lean forward, move one leg forward kind of thing that took forever to get anywhere.  Now she’s a crawling and cruising machine!  She’s even standing unassisted for about twenty seconds at a time. Her new favorite activity is splashing all of the dog water everywhere and getting soaking wet.  She is no longer a little baby (sigh…) and is well on her way to being a toddler.  Time goes so quickly.

Not dog water...but other spilled water.  So fun.

Not dog water…but other spilled water. So fun.

Before I know it, she will be using a truly sharp knife for the first time…and other life changers.

Have any relatively “normal” things happened to you lately that have changed your life for the better?  I think every Farmgirl has or should have a truly sharp, responsive chef’s knife and access to a pressure canner (as for a newly toddling toddler…probably not a necessity!).  What tools of the trade do you think belong in every Farmgirl’s repertoire?

I hope Halloween next week is fun for all and that you have a sharp knife to expertly carve those Jack and Jill-o-lanterns!

Until next time,

Sending Peace and Love from Alaska,

Alex, the Rural Farmgirl

  1. J Teed says:

    I have really enjoyed all of your emails, Alex, and especially about your new knife skills. Our son lives in the very same area as you do and I understand how your climate works. Hurrah for your new found pressure cooker skills. We have a freezer full of meat that needs to be pressure canned and I will be doing just that this winter now that the summer garden has been put up. I fall into the category of the less than skilled with the knife category. Would you be willing to share the name of your knife and the website Evan uses to find excellent reasonable buys? I am so curious. Thanks for your uber interesting posts that I look forward to each time.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      The webiste is thewirecutter.com and thesweethome.com and the knife is an 8-inch Victorinox chef’s knife! Thanks for your comments! Have fun with the pressure canning. I found it to be a very fun process!

  2. Karole King says:

    Soooooo, what is the name of this perfect knife? I love personal recommendations.This was a real tease to tell us the beauty of the knife and then no further information. Knife information please?

  3. Becky Gay says:

    Try a real ulu (Eskimo woman’s knife). Go to AFN this week and find the one that fits you best. Right or left handed. I filet salmon etc with my big one but I use the smaller version all the time. Easy to sharpen if you keep up. Enjoy your blog. Becky Gay, Alaska old timer and Go K9 Farm and Garden in S. Oregon

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Oh yeah, that’s this weekend, huh? If I make it to Anchorage I will definitely check out a good Ulu. I only ever see the cheapo tourist ones at the farmer’s market and in boutiques downtown. It’s good to hear that you like it so much. I always enjoy advice from a fellow Alaskan!

  4. Alex, Thanks for sharing the information on your knife. That’s the first thing I was going to ask and then read it in the comments above! 🙂 I’ve been needing a good knife for some time – think I may need to check this out. I grew up with a Momma that used her pressure cooker all the time. Not just her pressure canning cooker but also a normal size pressure cooker. She cooked potatoes, beans, and stew meat in it and so I’ve always done the same. I love it. It especially makes beef stew meat melt in your mouth tender! I loved your blog post and really loved the pictures of your precious baby girl. And yes, they grow up WAY too fast. – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Ahhh, the possiblities of pressure cooking! I can’t wait to become more proficient and comfortable with the whole thing. I do love the knife! It’s given me a whole new determination in life. I’ve even been excited about splitting wood. I am woman here me cut things into smaller pieces!

  5. Oh, I totally understand! We have a nice set of knives, but after years and years and years of being used everyday and sharpened and re-sharpened, they just were not the best. Last year, my husband bought me a new set of really sharp knives. Oh my goodness! What a difference! At first they scared me – I really had to get used to the sharp and quick cutting of the blades! My pressure cooker just died last week…miss it already.

    I have a question for you…what breed of dog is the one pictured on the right? She could be my dog’s “twin”! Mine is a husky/shepherd mix. I bet your fur-baby is wicked smart, too, and very watchful of your precious daughter!

    Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Hi Nicole! RIP to your pressure cooker. I hope it’s replacement becomes a trusty appliance! The two dogs on the right in that picture are my friend’s. I was house sitting for her. Maya, on the far right, is a rescue and a mutt, so we don’t really know her breeds. She was called a “husky mix.” We all think she’s a shepherd/ Alaskan husky mix! tourists up here love taking pictures with her because she kind of looks like a wolf. She is super smart and loyal. I love taking her on walks because my dog, Moki–on the left, behaves WAY better when they’re together!

  6. Barb says:

    Oh, yeah…I’ve had that feeling for both knives and canners…your whole repertoire for food processing opens up! Get a really good, easy to use, professional knife sharpener…it will last forever and you will always have sharp knives…process on!

  7. susana says:

    I hope you saved the fat from the pork belly and made candles. You just have to reboil the fat , skim off the scum from the cooked meat, and cool the fat and remelt with a scent fr candles. Makes good candles. We done that once….with leftover fat from a friends roasted pig-we had the whole pig cooked in reynolds wrap and just boiled the fat with water we sented , and we made quite a few candles from that whole pig.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Wow! what a good use of the lard. I actually used it to deep fry some potatoes, and it was excellent! However, I do have a bunch of pork fat that I still need to render, I will have to use some of it to make some candles. Thanks for the tip!

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A Nice Hot Shower

Vegetable farming in Alaska is fast and furious.  From the cold, possibly snowy days of spring to the nearly 24 hour sunshine of the summer solstice to the cold, possibly snowy days of early fall, farmers are going, going, going. The face of a burnt out farmer is a familiar one around here come the end of September.

 

Cold, cold sun
I recently realized that the vegetable farming season is structured much like a good Shakespearean drama Continue reading

  1. My how that little girl has grown and so pretty too. Glad you will have a chance to get some rest now. I know how hard you work. My daughter in law works for the local Experiment station here in Virginia and she also is a laborer in the fields. She loves her job. But is hard work and she get very tired. But oh so much satisfaction. I’m send hugs to you and your family. sincerely Juanita from Eastern Virginia

  2. Mary Fenske says:

    Alex, I love your stories, your descriptions and most importantly, the pictures of your adorable little girl. She is precious. Stay warm.

  3. Margaret Martabano says:

    Really enjoy reading Alex’s blogs. I have visited Alaska in summer. Hope winter isn’t too bad this year.

  4. Diann says:

    Are you ready for this one? It was 97! yep 97! where I abide, which I am grateful for because it wasn’t over 100!!! We are so excited around here because next week it will be in the high to mid 80’s…woooohoooo! Can’t wait! The nut ranchers (that’s farm anyplace else I’ve lived!) are done with their 24/7 harvesting and the dust is about to settle. But alas, new plantings for corn, hay, etc., are already being prepared to plant. I am still amazed at the farming that happens here in California. I remember the first year I was here buying fresh strawberries for Christmas dinner….amazing! I love the changing seasons…as long as I don’t have to experience winter! So young lady, bless you and yours for your love of farming and tolerance for that cold stuff. As for me and mine, yeaaaa for sunshine.

  5. Tamara says:

    You sure have a short season! Beautiful baby,too. It’s been a very, very hot summer here in Grants Pass, OR and it’s continued into October. At least it’s not in the 90’s, but it’s been quite warm and dry except for one brief rain storm. Next week is supposed to bring more rain and we’re all quite ready for it. My corn is long gone, tomatillos were finished a couple of weeks ago and the tomatoes are waning. My beans did not do well this year, so I’m harvesting all I can after they dry and saving them to plant next year in more ideal locations. The squash were done long ago. I have bok choy and swiss chard that is doing well for winter. I have to force myself to get out and water because I’m just SO done with that…and fire danger is still looming until we get some steady rains. I’m on a well here and it seems to still have plenty of water, but I don’t want to risk it. My boyfriend has been harvesting anjou pears and figs. I’ve been making dried pears, pear butter, canned pears, and fig and pear preserves. There are still tons of pears on his tree, so I’m waiting for another delivery and we’ll probably call it quits before all the fruit is used. In for a major pruning this winter! Thanks for your blog. I always enjoy it!

  6. Alex, I have family in Alaska and have been there many, many times. So I could really understand this post. I have never seen such BEAUTIFUL rhubarb as I’ve seen at my sister-in-laws Alaska home!!! But I’ve also never been so cold anywhere as I was there. That wind blowing off the icy inlet. Oh my word, it was cold! 🙂 It’s a gorgeous place that is NOT meant for wimps! And you my friend, are not a wimp! Loved this post. – Dori, your fellow Farmgirl blogger – 🙂

  7. Barb says:

    Love your blogs, and the picts of you and the little one….gasp, choke…working OUTSIDE together!! My friends all thought I was horrible and nuts to have my kids out hiking, in the gardens, working sheep and cows in all weather. And awesome adults they have grown to be, as I’m sure that little girl of yours will be! So much of the work we do for the love of it is hard, dirty, and discouraging at times…something as simple as a hot shower or cup of tea makes all the difference and lets us reflect on why we do what we do. Carry on!

  8. Linda says:

    Your daughter is just so cute. Aren’t babies wonderful? Fall is coming in at full speed ahead although today it is quite warm. A goodly amount of leaves have already been composted. I planted garlic earlier this afternoon – some cloves from this season’s garlic harvest from my garden as well as a grab bag of an unlabeled mixture I purchased at the Mother Earth News Fair. I also picked some of the remaining eggplants, tomatoes, and yellow squash in the garden to make ratatouille soup. Everything in the soup except the olive oil and salt are from my suburban backyard. Looking forward to eating a bowl of it tonight for supper accompanied by a slice of homemade bread from the freezer. An aside – the zucchini and yellow squash plants are still putting out blooms and squash. Never, ever have I had summer squashe go this late in the season. (Mid Oct. here in Central Ohio) Just a tad weary of them and so are my neighbors. 🙂 The freezer is full of grated zucchini for winter use and there are many jars of dried zucchini chips. Memo to self – be thankful for abundance. Enjoy the winter break from your tasks on the farm. A time to recharge internal batteries even if it is cold and dark.

  9. Joan says:

    Clean-up is my fall thing. Can’t really think after seeing you and your most precious helper – yes I do think she helps you keep that beautiful smile going. Thanks for sharing.

  10. susana says:

    I remember those days working on a farm…..couldn’t wait for the sun to go down and we could go back to the farm house, get the dirt wahed off and food in our bellies. How dry my hands were and he sore my legs and arms felt! And still having to go out in the dark to get buckets of milk to start churning for the evening butter. Such was not fun! But hard work for a teenager, but it instilled in me so many things ….especially gardening for my later years. My family went every summer and my suster and I stayed the whole summer and for several years before I realized it was More hard work than fun…but it was nice getting Paid……it was my first real job. But wouldn’t change a thing from those learning days. It instilled in me the love of seeing things GROW.

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May We Be Them

“Here’s to strong women.  May we know them.  May we be them.  May we raise them.” ~Anonymous

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” ~Virginia Woolf

Fall!  A time for root vegetables, sweaters, back-to-school and chopping wood.  For me, it’s also a time for action!  I find that as I struggle with balancing the end of summer fervor with the panic of preparing for the impending winter that my thoughts go into overdrive.  My mind is keen to overthink and analyze, and lately I’ve been noticing debates about feminism all over the place.  These thoughts have been swimming around in my head for a few weeks now, but they don’t seem to be getting any more organized.  So, try to stick with me and share your thoughts, too!

Late season abundance!

Late season abundance!

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  1. Barbara Purvine says:

    Well-written – I may have to rethink MY definition of the words ‘feminism’ and ‘feminist’. Thank you!

  2. spence says:

    loved hearing your voice and that the process of becoming who you want continues.. have witnessed the farm life burn out over and over..life has a way of shifting priorities, be true to your dreams and be prepared for the doubts as your children grow and question what is really in their best interests. A hearty thumbs up to you from my once-upon- a-time farm.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      “Life has a way of shifting priorities”–I love that, and it is so true. I’ve thought about trying to tally up the longterm plans I’ve made into an “accomplished” and “abandoned” pile, but it might be a bit too revealing about what really happens to those five year plans. I enjoy the waves and the challenge of making things work. Farming is hard on everything, we’ll see how long it lasts! Thanks!

  3. Absolutely loved this post, post-feminist, post-patriarchy in-deed. When I first started my ag business, I applied for a loan. The banker went over my paperwork, called me in and said, “If you can find a man to co-sign the loan, we’ll give it to you.” I muttered something about sexism and told them never mind, I’d figure something else out. Figure something else out I did! Here’s what I’ve observed about women in ag. As it turns out, we’re better risk takers (we’ve definitely invented some awesome out-of-the-box HEALTHY businesses that have “woman-invented” stamped all over them) because, BECAUSE we’re disenfranchised. What did I have to lose? Not much. I wasn’t set to inherit land, money, or machinery, so rocking the boat and trying something different made the decision to jump less difficult.

    A local TV station wanted to film me on my porch reading a book to two young children. To our surprise and delight there was an impromptu exchange between them that said how far we’ve come in a very short time. The boy said, “I want to be a farmer when I grow up.” The little girl got a puzzled look on her face and said, “You have to be a girl to be a farmer.”

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Ha, this is great! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. Where would we be without you, MaryJane? You rock!

  4. Nancy Wallace says:

    Right on, farmgirl sister! I applaud you for your straightforward, facts-based approach to this (unfortunately) controversial issue. I’m afraid you may get some negative feedback to your post, however. I’m a 65-year-old farmgirl who is dismayed that we’re still having to fight this battle.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      I know, I’m ready for it! It is a sad state of affairs, especially with how easy it is to get correct information these days…but it’s just as easy to get misinformation, as well. Best to you and yours!

  5. Joan says:

    You rock-on super family!!!! no matter what #’s might be added. God bless.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks! Those silly hashtags! When I first read that, I was like, “Yeah, I’m a few pounds overweight, but what does that have to do with it?” Haha, early morning….

  6. Cindy says:

    Great harvest and darling baby!

  7. Diann says:

    You know I have been in law enforcement for 35 years….two more years and I can work one job, the ranch, instead of two. When I went into this profession, I truly was a piriah. Not only because I was small in statue but I was a female. It didn’t matter that I was a third degree black belt and had been competing nationally for years or that I had handled guns since I was seven. It didn’t matter that I communicated really well, talking my way out of difficult situations rather than using brute strenghth…I was a “girl”. I went into this profession for equal pay. And I don’t regret any of it.Yesssss, there were moments when I really wanted to smack some folks but I didn’t, instead I just did my job. And in all these years, it has been my goal to tell young women coming into this profession to just keep on keeping on. Because yes, there is still that stigma of women in law enforcement. But it is a little better and I believe in the women of law enforcement. Feminism to me is strength and steadfastness and the power to keep moving forward one step at a time. So! There’s my rather lengthy two cents! lol

  8. Marji says:

    For 61 years I have been hashing and rehashing this conversation you have so succinctly and eloquently related in this post. My only conclusion is that as human beings we have a long way to go but we certainly have the capacity to get there. I loved this post. Being a northern neighbor in the Interior I am impressed you found time to get ready for winter, take care of an adorable baby and think this convoluted subject through and write about. Just goes to show how feminism is alive and working. Looking forward to the next post. Stay warm winter is upon us. –Marji

  9. Deb Bosworth says:

    I was born in 1961 and grew up in the heat of the feminist movement. As a teen in the 70’s during ( the unisex decade). I think the ever popular jingle, I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never, ever let you forget your a man played summed up the social consciousness of the times. I knew women personally who did burn their bras and protest for equal opportunity and equal pay! I was taught, don’t marry young, choose a viable profession so you can be financially responsible for yourself. The idea of marrying and being domestic was seen as a weakness during those times to the point if a woman chose family over a profession first she was looked down upon by career minded women. There was a war between women who worked and women who chose homemaking as a career. I watched my own mother struggle with these issues as she raised three children. She tried to do it all and like so many women of that time realized that at times it was impossible. Equality for all humans is a worthwhile fight. If that’s feminism then count me in. But don’t judge me if I choose to put my marriage and family above a career. Strength and confidence can be gained in both roles. In my 52 years, I’ve been on both sides of that argument. The first chapter of my life was devoted to a career and business that I loved. The second half to my husband, our children, and our home. Both are rewarding paths. Thank God we live in a country where we ( men and women) truly are FREE to make these choices. And thank God for the feminists who stood up for equality in the first place. Great post, Alex! You go girl! Love, Deb ( beach farmgirl )

    PS. Your sweet Ava will know your confidence and strength too and you will teach her to find hers, by following what’s in your heart naturally. Listen more and think less! Enjoy that sweet little family of yours!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Right on, Deb! I think that modern feminism is about–just like you said–being able to make the decision about what we, as women, do with our time and lives. If that is being a stay at home mother or being dedicated to a career or climbing all of the tallest mountains in the world, we should be able to do any of them without any cultural or societal backlash. Yay, strong women!

      • Deb Bosworth says:

        Right on! I Boy, did we use that phrase ” back in the day” … 🙂 Yay, strong women!
        And, yay MaryJane for showing the world that women are not only good farmers, they can raise the bacon, and bring it home too! And they’ll turn you on your head with a little farmgirl romance to boot!

  10. Jodie says:

    I love every bit of this post!!! From the words written, to seeing Miss Ava’s beautiful face, to seeing pictures with “what feminism looks like”, to the yaks thrown in for good measure. Well done! I’m passing this on and on and on….

  11. Kristy says:

    I am retired now, but my field was construction. Even with practice I couldn’t pound a nail as fast as a male carpenter, but I was just as good with power tools. I was a member of NAWIC, the National Association of Women in Construction. My friends and I did experience some negativity, but it was largely from people from outside the industry. I think people who are really knowledgeable about their field, realize that their way isn’t the only way. People who are not familiar fall back on the stereotypes.
    My great grandmother was widowed with two sons and a couple of Apple orchards. That was all she had. A hired man would have cost more than hiring a girl to keep house, so she hired a girl, tied up her skirts, and climbed her own trees.

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How to Live in a Yurt

It has been one year since Evan and I (with A LOT of help from our friends) erected our yurt.  Although it seems like just yesterday I was waking up in a very cold tent with a giant hole in the ceiling to make a sad breakfast on a camp stove from food that had been stored in a cooler.  We’ve, thankfully, come a long way since then.

So, how are we dealing with the yurt life?  How have we done it?  Of course there are good days and bad, just like there would be in any home, but I’ve come up with a fairly foolproof way to live in a yurt if you really want to… Continue reading

  1. Hello Alex! The closest I’ve come to living in a Yurt, was living in a travel trailer (a small one) for 2 years while we built our home. I really enjoyed it for the first year and then I started getting kind of frustrated! 🙂 BUT, what I learned is that we don’t need all that clutter and “stuff” that we tend to just fill our spaces with. In our new home (it’s small in new home standards, just 1300 square feet) and I’ve been so reluctant to fill it up just to fill it up. After living in the travel trailer I realize we don’t need half that stuff we accumulate! Love your yurt and I think it is going to create the BEST memories for your little family. – Dori – (AKA: the new Ranch Farmgirl!)

  2. Karen Pennebaker says:

    We lived in a camper with our 2 granddaughters for a year while we built our house. 4 years ago, our house burned down and we are now living in a trailer that isn’t much bigger than that camper with our youngest grandson. I had hoped we would get a house built before winter but the way the weather is this summer, winter may already be here!

  3. Deb Bosworth says:

    Howdy Alex,
    You have accomplished a lot with your dear hubby and generous friends. Without your sense of adventure and positive attitudes we would be reading a much different post from you today! While we’ve never lived in a yurt, I liken our 391 square foot -off-grid cottage to similar constraints and freedoms! I love BE SHAMELESS… What else can you do when you have three or four people staying in such a small space. There were many summers when our children were small that we gave over the sleeping porch in our cottage to them guinea pigs and all! What a sight…stuffed animals, blankets, lego’s, barbies, art supplies, glow sticks, candy, wet bathing suits and towels, flip flops and, and, and…While we do have solar power, and a flush toilet. It wasn’t always that way. We used to have gas lights, and had to fill a bucket with water to pour down the toilet in the bathroom… Now we have a solar powered pump that pumps gray water from a tank into our toilet so we can flush like the rich folk! Your blog is such an inspiration… Love your posts! Farmgirl hugs, Deg ( the Beach Farmgirl Blogger)

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      How cool, Deb! I’d love to take a tour of your systems (and maybe some other Farmgirls would too :)) Thanks for the love!

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The Farm

“We’re going to the farm.”

“I think it’s back at the farm!”

“When we were at the farm…”

The Farm. When in certain places and in certain company, “The Farm” means the same thing to everyone who is in the know.  I work on one farm, but when I’m referring to “The Farm” around these parts, everyone knows it’s in reference to Spring Creek Farm.  Even though these two farms are only about a mile away from each other, one is “The Farm” and one is “Sun Circle.”  When in North Dakota, where there are hundreds of farms, “The Farm” is Evan’s parents’ farm.  When in Minnesota, where there are also hundreds of farms,”The Farm” is my mom’s place in central Minnesota.

The old horse and cow barn.

The old horse and cow barn at the Minnesota The Farm

Continue reading

  1. Diana Henretty says:

    We live on the edge of a little town, Noel Mo. But our favorite thing to do is go on country drives and look at the farms. We will take the back roads rather than the freeways or turnpikes going to Oklahoma. Some along the way have gardens that are larger than the farmhouses, as their front yards, what a welcomed greeting.
    But right now we are home for a few weeks, feeding and caring for orphaned kittens left by an old, stray mama cat that usually has them under our shed every year, but this year had them where I could get to them, since she cannot care for them.
    We keep telling each other we must take down the old sign on the back door “Strays Welcome Here”….:O) The feedings every 2 hours are not easy for me, but the love
    and lessons from these little critters are worth it all!
    Happy Summer’s Ending! Diana

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Your drives sound beautiful, Diana. Thanks for sharing! Caring for kittens isn’t easy–my mom, brothers and I used to care for litters when I was younger. They grow so quickly, though, and those kittens will be great cats with all of the human interaction they are getting. Happy Summer’s Ending to you, too!

  2. Charlotte says:

    Looks like your Mom has a ‘hit and miss” engine. It may have been used to run a milking system or any of a dozen things on the farm.
    Our farm was divided and sold to several neighbors when my father died. My husband and I were able to farm some of it for awhile but eventually ended up with only 20 acres that we beef, truck and chicken farmed for a while. We stopped when my husband got sick and we gave 5 acres each to our 3 children and kept 5 for ourselves.
    Our one daughter and son-in-law are interested in goat farming to keep the weeds down and for fiber. Maybe we will be able to get some chickens back, I really miss them.
    Now we have bears, coyotes, fox, deer, bobcats, and the typical rabbits, squirrels, etc. roaming the woods and fields that I used to play in. Very different from when I was a child and never saw anything wilder than a groundhog.
    Our old barn and the houses and outbuildings are still there but they are homes for others and no Holsteins roam the pastures anymore.
    Enjoy your years on your farms, our children say they were the best times for them and I know they were for me.
    Charlotte

  3. Gail Pederson says:

    Dennis (on the ND Farm) says your mystery item is a vacuum pump to allow the use of a milking machine…figuring there’s a stanchion there. Did it turn? He says they are quite rehab-able.

  4. My “Farm” is my 2/3 acre in a small fishing village on the Eastern shore of
    Virginia. I love this place and when I married after my husband died and my sons were grown I moved to a town 8 miles away, It makes me sad to see my little piece of heaven just sit, I go every chance I get to see how things are. I have someone to mow and keep things straight around the outside but trying to rent it became terrible. No one keeps it like you would and I haven’t rented it now for 2 years. You know what they say about a house that doesn’t have living breathing souls in it. It dies too.

  5. I’ve lived in a yurt for over. 7 years and loved every moment and we are only a few weeks away from moving into the house we built!
    Keep farming !
    Love
    Terces

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Terces! Sorry the yurt post wasn’t up when you checked. I was having some technical difficulties on my end! It is up now. Living in a yurt is a treat. Congrats on your new home!

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Spark of Madness

Oh, Robin…I miss you!  Isn’t it curious how we come to “know” and miss these famous people that never know of our existence?  The passing of Robin Williams has been weighing over my creative mind (and many others’ minds, as well), so I’ve been mulling over how to come up with a tribute to him while also keeping to my intended writing.  While he was never a huge part of my life by any means, I grew up watching and loving his movies.  I grew up in the heyday of Williams’ films: Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Patch Adams, Hook, Aladdin, Jack…I’m in my childhood home, now, and feeling nostalgic for those carefree days of childhood. As a teenager and young adult, I came to appreciate his films for older audiences: The Dead Poets’ Society, The Birdcage, Death to Smoochie, Good Morning Vietnam, and Good Will Hunting. Then there is his infamously hilarious and raunchy stand up.  

Future comedian?! Probably.

Future comedian?! Probably.

With this large and long catalogue of work, he left behind many wonderful quotes–quotes that are not only funny, but insightful, as well. 

Continue reading

  1. Emma says:

    You always manage just the right balance of funny and thoughtful. Lovely! Can’t wait to see you in AK.

  2. Linda says:

    Thank you for wise, thoughtful words, I loved Robin.

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Kids Eat the Darndest Things

“Ask not what you can do for your country.  Ask what’s for lunch” ~Orson Wells

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” ~ Virginia Woolf

“We have to bring children into a new relationship to food that connects them to culture and agriculture.” ~Alice Waters

I have been on the road a lot in the last couple of weeks, first riding from Bozeman, MT to Valley City, ND and then from Valley City to Minnetonka, MN.  On these long road trips, we partook in meals that my partner’s dad comically refers to as “gut bombs.”  He is referring to the salt- and sugar-laden grease feasts that are so readily available from fast food joints along the interstate.  That is exactly what they feel like after eating them: gut bombs.

At one of the stops, my attention was grabbed by the “Kids LiveWell Menu.”  The meals weren’t exactly what I’d consider healthy, but they were definitely better than fries and chicken nuggets. It’s a program run by the National Restaurant Association to help parents find “healthy” options for their children at restaurants.  I checked out the website, and one of the more notable goals of the program is to please children’s palates, and it alluded to the fact that this can be difficult to do.

So, why is it so hard?

Let's bring kids into the agricultural process early!

Let’s bring kids into the agricultural process early!

Continue reading

  1. Joan says:

    Ouch! Encouraging!!!!! Enlightening!!!!! Hopeful!!!! this would be the only way to live and if only we all would, not could, get on it. I commend you on helping Ava to get used to real food and for sharing your knowledge with us all. Hope you are having a fine time in Minnesota and I know Ava is being enjoyed. God bless.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Joan! This is something I’m very passionate about, and it can be hard to keep my judgment in check…but I try :). Our trip has been a blast!

  2. Laura R. says:

    You hit the nail on the head with this important food issue. Real food vs. Gut Bombs. AND teaching our young to grow their own food. In the name of progress and convenience we lost some of the quality of our earthly delights. I look forward to you blogging into the future and changing the way our next generations think about food. In my perfect world, the children of this country (and world) would be young farmers, multilingual citizens, musicians and artists 🙂

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Laura! We are spoiled for convenience, aren’t we? Who can blame us for choosing the easy to prepare fare over the labor intensive job of growing and processing our own food? I think the change comes once we realize how much better it tastes and makes us feel! It’s fun sharing these discoveries with everyone, especially little kiddos.

  3. Tamara L says:

    Over 25 years ago our middle daughter was critically ill. We moved towards an organic, mainly vegetable diet. That along with herbals made a major difference in her health. With 5 children I made my own baby foods, searched for organic foods, foods with no dyes or additives and discovered I had to simply make my own. Remember this was 25 or more years ago so access was not there. So I bought fresh veggies and fruit. I cooked the green beans, carrots, potatoes, ect and made my baby food. Our older children enjoyed homemade yogurt with berries for breakfast and green drinks ( yep we were doing them before they were in lol). My children now range in age 35 to 24 and they have always eaten their veggies.
    I really think there are a few keys to this. It is great to introduce this early but we made a change in eating habits with a 9 and 10 year old! We did grow some produce and the kids loved this. I had planters with their own cherry tomatoes and spinach. But the big thing was letting them help in the kitchen and with the shopping. I remember introducing green drinks. You should have seen their faces lol. But what I did was let them begin by putting the fruits in and the base of almond milk. They tasted it. Then we added in the spinach or kale, blended and tasted again. IT WAS GOOD. They loved them. The kids helped make yogurt. They loved veggie pizzas when made with their own hands. They shopped with me and helped pick out lunch items. They grew up “just knowing” additives, dyes, and processed foods were not good and real food taste better!
    Today I love seeing my grandkids enjoying our 10 acres, picking fresh strawberries, gathering black berries, wanting fried green tomatoes, and thinking nana’s green drinks are the best thing ever. Blessings to you!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Way to go! Nutrition is such a vital part of our health and recovery from illness. I’m so happy these changes were successful in your family. I whole-heartedly agree on the aspect of getting kids involved in the preparation and cooking of foods. It’s another thing that involves all of our senses and kids love it. Thanks for sharing your stories with us!

  4. Victoria says:

    This won’t be something “local”, but the first solid food I gave my baby was avocado. From what I knew at the time, 40 years ago, it was considered a “neutral food”, perfect for babies. My little one was breastfed for the first year, then I introduced avocado and banana. She’s a very healthy tri-athlete with four big boys!!! Guess it worked!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Yeah! Avocado is a great first, food, too! I think I’ll be introducing Avos in a few days. They are such an amazing fruit. Glad to hear your success story!

  5. Rose Eskridge says:

    Hi Alex,
    I love reading your Rural Farm Girl blog. I feel nearly giddy when it shows up on my computer & I read it in print also…..
    It is great getting to watch Ava grow & I love hearing about her.
    She is going to be an amazing flexible country girl who loves all types of food.
    She is really blessed having you as her Mom.
    Keep up the good work!
    Rose

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Wow! Thanks for the lovely complements. Being a mom is the best thing I’ve ever done. I can’t wait for the experiences and memories to come. Best to you and yours!

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