Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

Today was lovely. Hopped in my jalopy and drove around the Chicago suburbs. Stumbled upon this cute little town called Itasca, where you can catch the Metra to Union Station. Ate at a cute little diner called Daddy O's, where I filled up on delicious greasy diner food and that silently enjoyed the world's-my-oyster feeling that always creeps over me on days off. I love days off. Found my way to the Itasca Library today. Awesome little library, very well organized and tidy. Snagged a couple of their kids and teen booklists--suggested reading lists are always a helpful thing for us to see, for when we're feeling uninspired.  Farmers Market nom nom for lunch! Found my favorite flowers at the Farmers Market this morning Next I found a Farmers Market in Schaumburg. The city, as well as the FM, were bustling. This is what I bought.  Today has been grand. Already feeling eight million times more rejuvenated. Now off for some more of those sweet tomatoes a...

Photo found here About a month back, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan announced that $470,000 (from the Farmers Market Promotion Program ) would be set aside for Michigan farmers markets, affecting 9 farmers markets across the state. Good news! Full article here .

Photo borrowed from here . Support ilovefarmers.org! Did you know that in the U.S. the week of August 7-August 13 is   National Farmer's Market Week ?!   So, check out the Farmers Market Directory and go support your local economy and your local farmers! Here are some other cool links: (U.S.D.A.)'s Chefs Move to Schools Program: " The Chefs Move to Schools program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will help chefs partner with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools’ dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choice." --U.S.D.A. website  What's in Season in Summer food awareness by the U.S.D.A. Rural Tourism in the U.S. Loads of helpful links. All this information and more available from the National Agricultural Library. "The National Agricultural Library is one of four national libraries of t...

After arriving home from the Farmer's Market I decided to make dinner for the roomies and myself; our list eventually growing to include: TSO, RugbyGirl, EvanAlmighty, Christy, FLGirl and myself. Lacking the creative juices to come up with a dinner menu, I started by baking a strawberry rhubarb crumble; wanting to make this crumble was the whole reason I had seeked out rhubarb (and non-local strawberries--I know, I know). I was basing my crumble off of Heidi of 101cookbooks.com 's  Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble found here . I simplified my recipe a little bit: 1. Chop rhubard into 3/4 inch thick slices 2. Slice 1 lb. of strawberries 3. Toss rhubarb and strawberries in 1 Tbsp. of cornstarch, 3/4-1 cup of sugar (white is fine) 4. Dump mixture into a sprayed (oiled) pan. 5. **This is where I cheated to save time** Sprinkle already made granola on top of the strawberry/rhubarb mixture. We make it here at the Farm (almost weekly) and it is the best granola ...

My trip to two Farmer's Markets (last week) nearby the Farm proved to be, well, fruitful. The Farmer's Market in Otis, MA--small, held in a local gas station parking lot--provided me with a small bleeding heart plant for the shady side of our house. The Farmer's Market in Great Barrington, MA was bigger, with more selections and a wider variety of goods: plants/flowers, meats, breads/pastries, soups, etc.  While I left Otis with only a plant I walked away from the GB Farmer's Market with three tomato plants--two varities new to me: Cherokee Purple and Green Zebra. I thought it would be fun to mix things up since what I've started from seeds are common red varieties: Romas and Italian Heirlooms. This will add color to my salsa this summer! I also purchased (slightly overpriced, I think) rhubarb and a delicious sourdough roll from Berkshire Mountain Bakery. So good. Felt good to be supporting local. YAY!

Having lived out here for nearly 4 years (if you count my first time around and my current stint); having grown accustomed to walking under starry skies, devoid of city lights to make the night sky unnavigable; having gotten used to the earthy, rich smells of a farm, and even loving the manure smell of the dairy barn; having gotten used to no cell phones; having gotten used to everything that being on the Farm means, I guess I forgot how all of these things seemed almost unimaginable when I was living in the dregs of my old life. I was reminded of this very fact the other day when I was back in Michigan. It wasn't being in MI which stirred these thoughts in me, it was the time alone in the car. I look forward to the long drives, the time spent alone in the car lost in thoughts, listening to music and as it were on this trip, lots of books on CD. On the way home I listened to Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Miracle , which awakened something in me. I listened, feeling ca...

This past weekend Nathan (who was visiting from MA.) and I headed over t o the Rochester Hills Farmers Market, the first weekend of the 2007 season. Having lived in Rochester Hills for a year some time back, and around this area for a while now, I chastised myself for never having come before. The Farmers Market is just off of the Main Street in Rochester Hills-the area that has some nice little shops, restaurants and bars and who's Rochester Mills, Main Street Billiards, and Gus O'Connors' are popular hotspots for the local college kids (OU and OCC) at night-located just off of 3rd street. My appetite for Farmers Markets was wetted when I lived out East. The farm I worked on toyed with the idea of a stand for a couple of summers before deciding against it-much to my chagrin. I also have a fond memory of strolling through D.C.'s Eastern Market (hey, we have one of those in Detroit!) on my first visit to the city; though my friend who lives there recently mentioned that ...