what to eat in February

The Farmer's Market here stays open all year round, for which i am very very grateful. It is our source for raw organic milk, eggs, squash and delicious molasses cookies. the winter market is heavy on the animal products, but we are a meat-eating family and i prefer to buy it from the people who have raised and cared for the animals.

today's haul is a gallon of milk (in two half gallon glass jugs), a dozen eggs, a very hefty roaster chicken, goat meat for a stew and a half-dozen molasses cookies . those barely make it home.

Fleur du Mal

she picked out the dress herself. love that girl of mine!

Mittens

i made a hat and scarf set for my Mother-In-Law for her birthday in January. there was a lot of leftover yarn and mittens seemed to be a logical step.

most of my knitting is done in two local libraries. they are both beautiful old buildings, and host weekly knitting sessions. i couldn't resist snapping a few pictures with the stained glass windows.

planning

This winter i have spent a great deal of time planning the vegetable garden. it's based on lots of books, but "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew and "Four-Season Harvest" by Eliot Coleman have been really big influences.

i have already placed my ridiculous seed order with Fedco. it's a wide variety of seeds to see what we like and what really grows well here. and honestly, i ordered what i call "stupid-proof" veggies. is that asking for a self-fulfilling prophecy or what? lots of squash, radishes and beans and carrots and...

there will be a comprehensive list once the order arrives. i don't have it in me this morning.