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.

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

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)

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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

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.”

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

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

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!

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!)

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)

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

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

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.

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!

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

Thank you for the blog. I enjoy reading and watching Ava as she grows.

Happy thoughts for your entire trip. Oh the life of a young new Mother farm-her girl. Sure is a struggle to get it all together and each minute seems to change the next but I found in times as you are in, to have a to do list and a DID IT list, makes one realize all that they did do. Your Ava is a total darling and she will learn to be out n about with you and enjoy God’s earth. God bless.

So far we’ve been pretty lucky in the pest department. Flea beetle on cole crops can be bothersome but row cover pretty much takes care of that. Unfortunately it’s tomato and potato late blight we have to guard against and possibly deer. Nice to read your post. I don’t suppose you’re anywhere near Soldotna are you? My brother knows a CSA farmer piton Funny River Road but hey, it’s the largest state in the union so chances are slim!

I grew up on a farm in west northwest Minnesota. Way back when…. I am 75 five now, so… I loved the farm (dirt poor, as it was .. But we kids didn’t know that) . I mostly did outside work with my brothers. Gardens, making hay, picking any fruit that grew, milking cows, cleaning barn…whatever.. But loved my doll (no plural here) and cooked and baked too. No such thing as “busy work” then. We were all needed. I Thank God for those days. Gave me a wonderful foundation as I went on to become a nurse (RN) and had a good work ethic throughout my career. I so enjoy reading your blog. Helps bring back long-forgotten memories. Thank You

I do remember those gym classes and those one piece gym suits. I was tall and they seem to cut me in half. I would be told to stand straight, I couldn’t. In college I took gymnastics and on the trampoline in mid air…..my leotard seams let go right at the crouch, immediate sit down and scoot to the locker. (It was coed). I thought I would die…. Those days were the best… Thank you for your history lesson, I had no idea even though I do remember JFK Keep fit program. Take care…

Touch down every morning. Touch down every day…. The LP was easier than the regular exercise routine our drill sargent of a Phys. Ed. teacher put us through – so when we heard the music most of us were quite happy. We also the white romper gym suits – with our panty girdles underneath. God forbid anything should jiggle. I saw the ad on TV and the memories did come flooding back to the horror that was Phys Ed. The worst part though were the gang showers – and we had to shower before going to the next class. The instructor stood by the door and checked off our names as we left the shower area to make sure we were thoroughly wet – therefore clean and no longer smelling of sweat and exercise. I sincerely hope Phys Ed is better in this century.