clam chowder gone horribly wrong

this, my friends, is what happens to clam chowder after two months in the refrigerator.  judge if you will.  but it gets to a point when i don’t even want to open the lid for fear of the horrible smells and tremendous colors that will seep out.  i would have thrown the pan away, but it’s my favorite.

at the end of one semester in college, rather than throwing away old food, a couple friends taped up their little dorm fridge that had been unplugged for a few months and tossed it.  i always thought that was so strange.  but i think i understand a little bit.  old food is scary.

l.o.v.e.

flying high

kite festival on reeds lake.  who knew winter could be so much fun?

i’m really not an animal person.  but ever since i went to the dairy and met my first calf while i worked on noah valley farm, i’ve liked cows.  especially baby cows.  i met these precious girls when i picked up my milk from lubbers this afternoon.

melissa and jr

(i’ve been sitting here writing, then re-writing.  so i will make it quite simple.)

melissa and jr are a beautiful couple whose wedding reflected their love for each other and their community.  what an honor to be a part of a celebration so unique and lovely, a masterpiece of sorts.

new shoes

since high school, i’ve had a “before i turn 25″ to-do list.  strange enough, that event will occur this year.  though one goal has changed periodically, it’s spirit has been consistent:  complete a significant, challenging physical feat.  after a ski trip in high school, this goal was to hike a mountain and ski down it.  while living in charleston, it became to kayak down the inter coastal waterway- from maine to florida.  during my time in france, i wanted to spend time hiking around europe.  most recently, the idea was to hike (part of) the appalachian trail, or the pacific crest.  or the grand canyon?  anything!  needless to say, it is difficult to find people whose dreams coincide with mine.  and, well, i just cant afford a big trip before may.  therefore, i thought about running a half marathon.  after all, i can train on my own streets, the necessities cost far less, and the race just so happens to be ON my birthday!

i do hope these new shoes help out.  my legs feel like they weigh a thousand pounds when running outside in 12 degree weather.  advertising has made me believe that this shoe will make running a dream.  frolicking through clouds, to be precise.

(does anyone else think the logo on the shoelace is a little excessive?)

beerhorst house show

the soil and the sun played at the beerhorst house show saturday.  as always, it was lovely.  and once the house cleared out, there was this:

little feet

i attended a house concert saturday.  besides the wonderful music, my favorite part was the kids that were running around the crowded rooms, between legs, under chairs.  a house full of legs, standing like sequoias to a child, an opportunity for adventure.  it made me miss my days of exploring and spying with cari when we were little.  little enough to squeeze into very small spaces; to see the chance for exploration in every other space.

it’s 18 degrees outside, but the sunshine through the window melts the frosting on the cake.

i have a cow!

because the law prevents farms from selling raw milk, one must “own” a cow to drink raw milk.  this weekend i began my lease of bella- a beautiful, grass fed, jersey cow.  for the next year i will pick up 1/2 gallon of rich, delicious milk straight from the cow each saturday.  i am thrilled to be able to incorporate this into my life and be able to support such a great local farm.