June 27, 2006
Our Local CSA: East Farms
CSA, or community supported agriculture, is something George and I started doing last year. You can buy a share in a local farm and receive a part of the harvest. We purchase a half share from East Farms for the year and every week, from late May until late October, we get a box full of whatever they've harvested out of the fields that morning. As an example, our share this week included three different varieties of lettuced, peas, zuchinni, radishes and turnips. Next week we're anticipating cherries, more squash and possibly corn. This is a great, inexpensive way to get fresh, pesticide free produce and in turn feel like you're supporting your community and doing your part for the environment. I especially wanted to do it this summer because Owen is now just beginning to start eating solid foods and I wanted to give him as great a variety as possible of veggies and fruits. While George and I are pretty heathful and hearty eaters, there are some produce picks that aren't ever going to make it into our cart. Getting a CSA share guarantees we'll try different veggies and fruits than we normally would purchase. It'll give Owen a chance to develop his love for brussel sprouts and spinach, even if his parents never do.
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearn Goodwin
I don't know anyone who is as enthralled by Abraham Lincoln as I am. Call it my unhealthy political obsession, but I think Abe was pretty cool shit and it has little to nothing to do with the whole "log cabin" business. Abe was a shrewd politican and nowhere is this more obvious than in "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Not just another Honest Abe bio, this is the story of the men that Abraham Lincoln defeated in the election to become president and why he later appointed these rivals to his cabinet. A fascinating account of the era in politics from the stormy pre civil war days to the last fateful hours of his assination. I highly recommend it for these who dabble in politics. It's account of the election is a reminder that politics in the good old days was just as drag down dirty as it is now, when newspapers picked a candidate to support and slanted their columns in that direction and every kind of coercion and deviousness was used to get people and keep people from the polls. The thickness of the book might be daunting for some... it's in the 600 page range. But just think of how smart you'll look with it in your bathroom.
June 14, 2006
Baby Bjorn: Look Ma'- no hands!
How did my Mom do it without one? This is one instance in which third world countries had the right idea long before we started to catch on. Strap your baby to you so you can do the important parts of daily life and still offer the comfort of intimacy to your little one. The Baby Bjorn makes this possible with an inventive styling that allows for front carrying (baby facing out) or chest swaddling (baby facing in). This disadvantage to this particular carrier versus a sling is that you can't breastfeed while carrying, which some slings claim you can do discreetly. But it allows for baby to sit up and observe the world from your view, which is a big bonus once your little one is older and more interested in life on the outside. The Bjorn is great for hiking too since most full fledged carriers only accomodate children that can sit independently and have full head control. The biggest advantage of a carrier like the bjorn, however, is of course that you get both hands back. This little gadget has been invaluable at the airport, on short hikes and other outings, and for buzzing around the house doing chores and making dinner. So if you or someone you know is breaking into the baby business, get a bjorn. Because life doesn't stop when you have kids. It just gets more complicated.
Yard Sales
The eureka of modern commercialism, nothing excites me so much as finding shit I didn't need but suddenly feel is irreplacable for under $5. Our house is filled with finds from in and around Utah. I didn't get into this phenomena until the last few years and at first it seemed weird to paw through other people's trash and cast offs, like standing in line for a free holiday turkey at the mission every year. But I got over it quickly once I realized the cool shit people were willing to throw away. Some of my favorite finds include a set of antique liquor bottle decanters ( I use them for soaps and such throughout the house. Much nicer looking to set out on the counter.), our funky never used coffee table (which was sold because it was missing the glass inserts. We chose to replace this with durable, cheap tile flooring squares in granite tones.), our big, green suede wingback chair that adds oh so much 70's style personality to the living room, a greenish stained wooden folding bookcase that is perfect for Owen's room, and a set of those wooden Playskool puzzles that every kid should have. We try never to invest too much time in scouring for stuff, since most of the sales end up being junk anyway. But if you happen to up at the ungodly hour of nine in the mornign on a Staurday anyway, you might as well go yard saling.