- Decide if the apples are lovely enough to press this weekend, despite the plethora of baby apples the growth has not been great due to pests, continual rain, and poor pollination. I think we are canceling the apple-pressing gathering, which means we will be open Sunday, September 17th at the shop. I’m a little sad because it means we’re not having a Harvest Party this year (which a few past have been quite memorable).
- We’re getting signage later this week (very exciting) and upping our game offering yearly memberships for our Community-Supported-Bakery. We’re also adding all kinds of exciting events (St*tch ‘n B*tch — every 4th Sunday of the month, new art shows lined up, great readings, discussions, and coming soon — baking classes, I love to watch him shape bread!) and getting ready for both the Autumnal Equinox and Samhain — lots of fun to come. Stay Tuned!
- And though we are not pressing apples, I will be out and about this week gathering a late Summer bounty for Winter teas. There will be enough apple-y bits for drying apples, Calendula, late season Red Clover, Mints, and soon the Rosehips will be available, Wild Sarsparilla roots, and Hawthorn. I missed my Bee Balm/Bergamot and Berry leaf moment. But there are lots of other moments.
- Lots of beans are still growing and drying nicely in the garden. The jalapenos are getting big and the tomatoes are crazy (we’re a bit overrun with cherry tomatoes, but many split with the water inconsistencies) — keeping up with the garden has been a challenge (the cucumbers are ginormous!) but the flowers are lovely this time of year — zinnia, sunflowers, celosia, dahlia, marigolds, and yes, calendula.
- Now that I am done with my dissertation (on aesthetic philosophy, anarchy, and ecology), I can focus a bit on my art practice. We’re arting together as a family (family art nights!) which pleases me ridiculously — J on his bookmaking, D on whatever projekt she’s excited about (cardboard technology is the new theme and she’s getting ready for a new cycle of pottery classes), and my work with wild apotropaic.
- Nights of bread spreads (Harold is what we call bread and cheese/veg plate for dinner), and Shakshuka with chard and local feta/eggs, bartered chicken and roadside zucchini (with a secret parmesan baguette), and Spanish Tortilla, ribs and corn on the cob = the menu for the week…
- Today, the 2-Do is to go to the Farmer’s Market in Augusta (lovely farms and folks), marinate some ribs for tomorrow (I hope I find corn at the market!!), and relax with my people and eat celebratory Two Fat Cats cupcakes!! Tomorrow, we’re hoping to get started on some house projects, finish a grant proposal, and breathe in and out.
Sometimes that should be on the 2-Do List: just breathe.
Rock Bottom Homestead 