My Bit of Earth

Driving in Flat Places

I found the flat part of Kansas.

Really, I wasn't sure where it was before.  I mean, we don't have mountains anywhere of course, but most of the North and Eastern parts of the state are more rolling hills.  Gorgeous rolling hills, that I'm actually quite fond of.  It's like the ocean, but with grass...the biggest sky you'll ever see...it's home.

Not so the Southwest corner of the state, where I traveled for work this week.  It is truly the flat part of Kansas.  The phrase "flatter than a pancake" actually ran through my head several times.

I can't pretend to have enjoyed the landscape, but I can say that the people there are awfully nice.  I can also verify that if you're ever in Greensburg, Kansas, the Eco-Silo is the place to stay and The Green Bean is a cute coffee shop to stop by.  Additionally, Twist is the best yarn shop in Wichita, but the Heritage Hut has a sweetheart of an Irish Wolfhound named Maggie for a shop dog.  Definitely worth the visit to both places.

Lastly, babies look different when you get back from being away, even if you've only been gone for three days.  Thankfully, mine didn't mind when his silly mama blubbered and hugged him for five whole minutes....

And We Even Worked In a Farm Tour

Several years ago, my Nice Dad married a farmer.  It was really considerate of him, don't you think?  Marrying to suit my food-nerd-side-hobby--what a guy!

I kid, of course.  But he did choose well.  Because in addition to being a pretty great Step-Mom and a very fun Grandma, my Nice Step-Mom is now running her family's farm. 

Actually, they call it "the ranch".  In the Midwest, that would mean cows, but Nice Step-Mom primarily grows rice and prunes.  (The differences in terminology would make an interesting study by themselves--in the Midwest, it's a "combine", in California, it's a "harvester", and so on.)

Although, the rice fields were in the process of drying out while we were there, Nice Step-Mom estimated they wouldn't be ready to harvest for several weeks.  Because of the odd weather this year, we did manage to end up visiting right in the middle of prune harvest however.

(And speaking of terms, I've been told that the fruits Nice Step-Mom grows are always "prunes".  In their undried state, they are correctly referred to as "fresh prunes", but they are never "plums".)

I don't know why I expected it to be complicated, but I was surprised at how low-tech the process of harvesting prunes is.  The machine in the picture comes along and shakes each tree.  All the prunes that fall down are caught by the panels on the side, and funneled down into a big wooden crate that rides on the back.  When the crate gets full, it's dropped off right there in the orchard for later pick-up.

The smell of the orchard--which was, I think, a combination of the harvested prunes as well as some of the rotting windfalls laying under the trees--was incredible.  It was just ever so slightly wine-like.  I tried to resist the urge to sniff the fruit on the trees, but it couldn't be helped.

A few days later, Nice Step-Mom took us out to the Sunsweet drying facility to see how the fresh prunes are made into what you buy at the store.  Again, surprisingly low-tech.  Although there's some washing and sorting involved, it was basically just a much larger scale of my little home dehydrator.

The fresh prunes are popped onto these tall wooden trays, and dried at 180 degrees in huge "tunnels".  I sampled a hot prune fresh out of the dryer.  The inside wasn't solid at all, but rather had transformed into a gooey and sweet and sticky paste...it was like the wild--and maybe even slightly naughty--cousin of a cooled prune.

And because they sort by farm at this stage, we were also able to try some of Nice Step-Mom's prunes.  I had to limit myself to just a few, but I could have kept snacking much longer!

Even the Kiddo got in on the fun.  He enjoyed a little pureed prune later too, but he spent several minutes fascinated by the texture of a whole prune we let him play with.

Important Tip for An Easy Little Trip

For the Kiddo's first big adventure, we took a nice long weekend trip to visit his West Coast Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunties.  We didn't do a lot as far as excursions...an afternoon in Old Sacramento with horses and covered wagons and a puppet show...

...a walk to the park for swings and sprinklers...

...a nice cool breakfast out (goodness how I love the cool Cali mornings and evenings)...

...but the Kiddo's favorite part?  Splashing in the pool.  Floating.  Sitting under a little rock waterfall, watching the light and water flow over his hands.

Which leads to the tip part.  Or maybe just something I need to remember.  

We were trying to plan out a few things to do at the beginning of our trip, when I said something like, "Well, we should do some things that would be fun for the Kid."

Sweet Husband:  "Any day not spent in a car seat is fun for the Kid."

It's true, he hates his car seat...but the bigger thought my too-wise husband stumbled onto there is also true.  As long as people are talking to him, playing with him, and letting him nap and eat and wiggle at regular intervals, he's a pretty happy kid.  We really don't need to plan a lot of "special" stuff to do, because, really, the whole world is new and special to him right now.

And that is a pretty cool thought, yes?  Not only that, but it makes the vacationing much more relaxing for the moms and dads too.

The First Big Trip

Because I am expected at work tomorrow and would like to sleep before then, and because I have been battling some combination of flickr and my internet connection all evening....I think just a few words tonight with the full blow-by-blow over the next few days.

In short--not for the first time and, I'm sure, not for the last--I am a proud mother.  Even with a little sniffly nose (ok, actually it was slimy and gooey and crusty--sometimes all at once), our small traveler did great!  Through playing and seeing and relaxing and even a little impromptu farm tour, he charmed all comers.  Tell you all about...after the aforementioned night of rest!

Fresh Mushroom Love in Philly

To conclude "Philly Week" a bit about mushroom farming (and, of course, some mushrooms for you!).  Read all about it here.

Urban Farming in Philly

This was my favorite part, because there is some serious awesomeness going on.  Read all about it (and perhaps win a sample of some Philly grown pickles) right here.

Honey in the Hood

Today it's all about the Philly bees, or, more correctly, the honey.  To read all about it (and try and win some for yourself) read on!

Dinner with a Philadelphia Cheesemaker

As part of my trip to Philadelphia, I had dinner with a local cheesemaker.  For the full story (and a delicious cheese and salami giveaway) read onward!

Eating My Way Through Local Philadelphia

I am back from a delicious tour of local food goodness in Philadelphia.  For the full details--oh, and trust me, you want them--click on through here!

Road Trip!

We took a little road trip to Dallas this weekend.  Our two-purpose mission?

Number 1:  To meet this small cousin (previously mentioned as Mr. #4), who has been in the world a disgracefully long time without having made our acquaintance.  (As in, it's disgraceful that we haven't made it to see him in six months!)

Number 2:  To visit the local IKEA, where we went on a massive shopping spree of Swedish designed baby goods.

Bonus:  A Halloween party, to which Nice Cousin's Hubby and Sweet Husband went as a famous Saturday Night Live pair (Hint: They're here to PUMP you UP!).  Nice Cousin and I went as audience members.  

(There was also some yarn purchasing and about sixteen hours of car-knitting done along the way, but more about that later!)

All in all it was missions accomplished and a very nice time had!

My Day at Hogwarts

 

I was crushed--crushed--when I found out the grand opening of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" theme park wasn't going to be open until June 18th--a week after we were scheduled to be in Orlando.  I had heard rumors of an early "soft opening", but only for people staying at a Universal Studios resort.  

The first day we were in Orlando, I called and pleadingly asked, "Is there anyway we can get in?  Pretty please, with butterbeer on top?"  The lady I spoke to, while sympathetic, was obviously constrained from giving me the full skinny.  She advised, "Well, if they were to open it up, it would be to people who got there early and stood in line."  It felt like she was winking at me through the phone, but I couldn't be sure.  And, as it was going to be expensive and time consuming to get to Universal Studios from Disney, I didn't feel I could gamble on such flimsy information.

But then, on our next-to-last day in Disneyworld, Nice Sister-In-Law ran into someone with a "Wizarding World" t-shirt.  "Oh yeah, it's wide open--and the ride is awesome!" he told her.  That was good enough for me--we bought tickets and arranged for transportation the next morning.

We got there early as suggested, and headed straight for Harry Potter.  When we got close, a Universal employee was telling people that no one would be allowed into Harry Potter without a Universal Studios room key.  I wanted to cry, but we decided to keep walking--just to see if we could peek inside, if nothing else.  Just before the entrance, there was another employee advising people that they could wait in line for "if and when" the park opened.  That sounded more promising, so we quickly jumped into the end of the line.  

Less than fifteen minutes later, we were standing in Hogsmeade!

In addition to the ride--The Forbidden Journey, a fantastic, flying-through-Harry-Potter-on-a-broomstick experience that was so awesome we had to do it twice--there were two other roller coasters, the Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff.

But a lot of the fun was in just hanging out!

There were butterbeers and monster books.  And bigger bits from the books were everywhere too--e.g. the flying Ford Anglia and Hagrid's Hut.

Zonko's joke shop--where there were fanged frisbees, sneak-o-scopes, remembralls, and pygmy puffs.

And Honeydukes!  Truly a magical-seeming place, with chocolate frogs, licorice wands, and, of course, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans!

We also stopped in at Olivander's, which was more like a show than a shop.  Small groups were allowed in, and one child from each group was chosen to select a wand.  Then at the end of the performance, everyone could buy wands if they wanted, which I did...'cause, yes, I am that big of a geek!

There was also an Owl Post where I got my post cards stamped with a "Hogsmeade" postmark. And Filch's Emporium, which had Maurader's Maps, along with t-shirts and the like.  We also caught a performance of the Hogwarts choir (complete with chirping toads).

Basically, it was awesome!  If you're in that neck of the woods and you're a fan, you simply must go!

M-I-C-K-E-Y....

Hey there mouseketeers!  I apologize for my absence.  I actually took a computer and camera and everything to Disneyworld, intending to blog a bit about the trip, but ended up being so plum worn out at the end of each day that I couldn't even think of it.

It was a magical and slightly overwhelming place!  We spent a whole day in each of the four parks (the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, the Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios) and I still felt like there was a lot that we missed.  And also, if you were not aware, Florida is sunny and hot!  But it was good to spend some time with the family and, of course, hobnob with Mickey and the gang.  (We also scaled the walls of Hogwarts, but the details of that will be revealed tomorrow!)

Some highlights....

Most of the gang in front of Cinderella's Castle.

Cheesy, yes?  But I never ceased to be delighted at the Mickey shaped food!  There were waffles and ice cream pops and pasta...anything you could imagine, all with mouse ears!

The fireworks over Cinderella's castle--as you can imagine, Disney is big on fireworks.  I think some nights there are up to three shows going on at once. 

The Electric Light Parade--I remember seeing this in Disneyland as a little girl with Nice Dad, so it tickled me to no end that it still goes on every night.

Sweet Husband and Sweet Sister in front of "Spaceship Earth".  It was so weird to see the big dome in person.

Sweet Sister and I in front of "Buckingham Palace" in Epcot's World Showcase.  I have to confess, I was a little disappointed in the showcase.  All the buildings were neat, but, on the whole, it was mostly just a lot of places to shop.  (Although, they did have Pocky in the Japanese showcase, so that makes up for a lot.)

The greenhouse tour at Epcot.  (Yes, I had to go see the gardens!)  While it was certainly more of what I call "garden porn" than anything (i.e. really cool stuff that you really can't do at home), it was still pretty darned cool.  And, yes, those are Brussels sprouts dangling from the ceiling.

Sweet Sister with Jasmine and Aladdin--between Sweet Sister and Cutie Niece we did a lot of princess hunting!

Eating with Sweet Sister and Nice In-Laws at the Sci-Fi Diner.  Yes, we ate in a car--with a carhop and funny old movies and everything.

Sweet Sister being flirted with by Donald at Chef Mickey's.  How could he help himself?  She's gorgeous!

Wine-ing in Missouri

In addition to relaxing and chasing Moe 'round the forest, we also did a little bit of wine tasting while we were in Missouri last weekend.

Now, what you have to understand about Missouri wine (and Kansas wine, too, for that matter) is that it is not California wine or Australian wine or European wine.  I'm not an expert by any means--I just like wine and like to learn what I can about it--but I think the Missouri wines are almost...wilder.  It's like they haven't had the time to get all polished and smooth like their older cousins.  Missouri used to be prime grape growing country, but prohibition wiped that out.  And since most Midwestern states kept prohibition on the books for much too long, well, there's still some catching up to do.

Also, the grapes commonly grown in Missouri are different.  The state grape of Missouri is called the "Norton", although you'll also hear "Chambourcin", "Chardonnel", "Seyval" and "Vignoles" tossed around--these are varieties the same as Merlot or Cabernet.  And just like you can tell the difference between Merlot and Cabernet, you can tell the difference between a Cabernet and a Norton.  Norton usually tastes "oakey" to me on it's own, although I really like it with food.  I love the Missouri white wines--when you a good one, it's almost apple-y, but not in a yucky sweet way.

The only thing I don't like about wine tasting in the Midwest is that sometimes you have to sort through a lot of not so good wine to find the yummy stuff.  Don't get me wrong--there are worse ways to spend a weekend--but even with good pre-planning you're likely to find at least one closed winery and a couple that are selling sugared grape juice before you get to something nice.  It makes it kind of a quest.

To that end, this trip I decided we need a rating system in order to recommend places to other people who are traveling through.  Admittedly, my criteria is not scientific.  A place with decent wines and good atmosphere is as likely to make me happy as a place with amazing wine, and so forth.  Nonetheless, here is the system I've come up with: 

1=Not really worth a stop, even if you're in the area.

2=Worth stopping through if you're already going to be in the area.

3=Worth going out of your way or making a special trip.

With all that out of the way here's (finally) a little about the wineries we visited this trip.

Bristle Ridge Vineyards, Knob Noster, Missouri, 1.  

Meh.  I wanted to like this one, I really did.  Their upper end wines were OK, but not worth the almost $20 a bottle price tag.  

Montserrat Vineyards, Knob Noster, Missouri, 1.

I think this place is in business because it's next door to Bristle Ridge.  If you stop at one, it makes a lot of sense just to pop in at the other, but we didn't like this one at all. 

Grey Bear Vineyards, Stover, Missouri, 2. 

This was in the middle of nowhere, in a fairly non-descript building.  (See the second picture from the top on the right.)  It's actually kinda just in someone's backyard.  But the inside was a fairly nice looking restaurant.  I was a little disappointed that we weren't there at dinner time, because the menu looked good.  We ended up getting a few bottles of their white wine--a "Seagrass" and a "Buckskin".  I found it interesting that, although they were making most of their wine with their own grapes, they also had a few Cabernets, which the lady said were made from Colorado grapes.

Buffalo Creek Winery, Stover, Missouri, Closed.

A wild goose chase....

Heinrichshaus Vineyards and Winery, St. James, Missouri, 3.

We actually found this winery the last time we were around St. James.  The owner is the most amazing German man who I suspect knows more about wine than I could learn in three lifetimes.  This time he was a little busier so we didn't get the entire history lesson unfortunately, but the wine was still awesome.  (Sweet Husband and I were half thinking that we had invented that part, but nope!)  And at about $10 a bottle it's a bargain, too.  Really, if you're ever within an hour of here, you need to make the trip.  (And, just as a note, Google Maps will try to route you to Highway B--Heinrich is one more road over on Highway U.)

Native Stone Vineyard, Jefferson City, Missouri, 2.

The wines were OK, but not amazing.  They also have beer.  (Sweet Husband was unimpressed.)  And lunch.  (The menu looked good, but we were, once again, too early.)

Summit Lake Winery, Hartsburg, Missouri, 2.5.

A cute little town and a winery with wines I really liked.  If we had hit this one on the way to Rock Eddy instead of on the way home (i.e. pre-Heinrich) it would have been a "3" I think.  (FYI: They also have a place in Holt's Summit, Missouri.)

Les Bourgeouis Vineyards, Rochport, Missouri, 3.

Much more a big, corporate-y vineyard, but (unlike the St. James Winery, which is similarly corporate-y) this one had really good wines.  Two beefs?  1) Their Norton, while yummy, was about $25 a bottle.  2) Most of their wines are mixed with California grapes.  For example, the Norton was 25% Merlot.  I actually thought it was great--the Merlot kind of took the edge off the Norton--but it feels like cheating.  

Other than that though, the view alone was worth the stop--we had a tasty little "picnic lunch" at their over-the-river A-frame and Wine Garden.  And, as Les Bourgeouis is about two seconds off I-70, it's right on the way to either St. Louis or Kansas City.

It Was a Lovely Morning....Until

Sunday morning at Rock Eddy I woke up just as the sky was barely starting to get light.  Sweet Husband and the dogs were awake too, so we decided to walk up to the top of the hill to watch the sunrise.

It was perfect, as you can see....

As I was standing watching the mist over the river--all blissed out by the smell of the leaves and the cool air and the wonderfulness of it all--Sweet Husband said, "Um, I think Moe is gone."

Moe had really been good most of the weekend--and at Rock Eddy there's not much to get into as far as bothering other people or dogs--so we had been letting him run loose.  But sometime during our walk he smelled good smells or a little bunny caught his eye or something.  He was gone.

An hour later we had packed up the cabin and had a little breakfast...still no Moe.  So Sweet Husband walked up to the owner's house where Nice Kathy got out their little all-terrain cart and they set out to ask the neighbors if anyone had seen him.  Meanwhile, I walked through the woods near where we had last seen him, calling out, "Moe-moe...Moe-y...Moe...."

I won't pretend I wasn't just about to flop down in the leaves and cry.  I love that little dog far more than is wise for a creature that's so hard to keep out of trouble, and my mind was racing with all the horrible things that could have happened to him or might happen to him if we didn't find him.  I had visions of him going to ground and getting stuck or getting eaten by coyotes or starving to death....

But then I heard his tags rattle through the trees--oh what a good sound!  He was still off on his little lark, of course, so asking him to "come" was just silliness, but nonetheless I wasn't going to loose sight of him.  I ran through the woods, stumbling over rocks and making my calves ache and my side split going up and down the hills--in terms of gracefulness, think the exact opposite of Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans.  

After about fifteen minutes of following him, I got close enough to give the most intimidating "STAY" command I could muster.  Whether he was actually paying attention or just getting tired I'll never know, but he "stayed" right where he was as I walked up, snapped a leash to his collar, and promptly plopped onto the nearest rock to catch my breath.

Sweet Husband and Nice Kathy came along just as I made it up to the road.  Apparently, Nice Kathy said they have a "city dog" run off a few times a year.  One even got away for a whole weekend once.  Its owners had to leave on Sunday night, but on Monday morning the dog showed up.  The poor husband had to make an eight hour drive back to pick up the dog.

It's probably not very nice, but it always does make me feel good to know there are dogs out there more naughty than mine.  As a more charitable thought though, as misbehaved as he is, I'm awfully glad my bad boy made it home with us.

Rock Eddy in Pictures and Little Descriptive Bits

(Pictures and some sparse words I scribbled down while we were there....some of which actually match up with the pictures I took, but most of which don't....click to make 'em bigger.)

Wind roaring-rolling up and down the hills through the trees.

Pink and blue sunset.

Moe trying to catch little sparks from the fire.

Slightly creepy being out alone in the woods.

Not a darned thing to do but go for a walk in the woods (and throw sticks, which Moe discovered for the first time).

 Two dogs crashed out (sometimes before 9 a.m.).

Thin, blinding November sunlight.

Coyotes barking outside.  I wonder if Moe and Porter would know how to talk to them.

Wee critters in the woods that make the leaves rustle.

So much quiet--hard to be without the gizmos and noises and constant entertainment.

Just a little teaser for today....

....while we wash the laundry and the dogs and the people.  In short, peace and quiet was found, wine was found, Moe was found....stay tuned!

A Tiny Get Away

In honor of the little Fall-break-and-Missouri-wine-tasting-tour that we're embarking on as you read this, an early vacation picture of yours truly...

...and when we return?  The low-down on the wineries of Northwest-ish Missouri, and (hopefully) some pretty, pretty pictures.

Seven Things That Are Making Me Very Merry On This Christmas Eve Eve

1.  It's the last day of working before the loooong holiday weekend--yay!

2.  Tomorrow at this time-ish I will be heading towards family and presents and one of Sweet Sister's so-hard-it's-almost-painful welcome home hugs.

3.  Maine Momma's beautiful odes to snow and light. 

4.  This article--"The Joy of Celebrating a Godless Christmas"--on Slate that echos my feelings about the holidays completely.  In short, Jesus isn't "the reason for the season" for all of us and that doesn't make our Christmas any less meaningful.  Very nicely done in a way that speaks up for us atheists and agnostics without denigrating those who are religious.

5.  That Nice Mommy just called asking me to bring some freezer jam for Christmas breakfast.  I feel like a wise little chipmunk pulling out my carefully stashed summer berries for winter feasting. 

6.  Dear Veens who ever so sweetly named me "The most awesome pic taking Girl" on her blog.  I'm abysmal at doing the "pass it along" things, but I do so appreciate the nice thought.  (And congrats on the upcoming wedding--I can't believe you're still managing to blog and comment on blogs and not be going crazy and stuff!)

7.  The thought of a possible road-trip adventure.  I haven't decided for sure if I'm up for it yet, but I'm considering busing it to DC for inauguration and some Supreme Court argument (one of my co-workers has a case there on the 21st).  Any bus riders out there have thoughts?

And, while you're thinking, what's making you merry today?

Leaving the Line Cabin Camp

Our final morning at the cabin...

...I finally took time to gather some pecans. The whole time we were there you could see and hear both pecans and walnuts dropping from the trees almost constantly. It's a wonder none hit us on the head!

...Moe played a few last games of fetch in the woods.  Another of my very favorite things about this place was that the dogs could run loose.  Although they did go a little far one morning, for the most part they were content to sniff and explore within sight of the cabin.  It was great not to have to tether them to us or worry about them bothering/being bothered by other dogs or cars or people.

Then we packed up and headed for home.  Although if we came back with friends we would probably have to opt for one of the bigger cabins, I think a trip back to Rock Eddy Bluff Farm--maybe during summer canoing season--is definitely in our future.

For some more pictures, see here.

Later that Evening...

...Porter slept. Although I think she had a good time on our trip overall, I could tell she was exhausted by the end of each day.

...Moe rolled in poop. Which I thought was really soooo adorable, until later when all he wanted to do was cuddle on my lap.

...We took time to read some of the notes left by others who had stayed at the Line Cabin Camp, and then listened to the presidential debate on the radio.

I considered whether it might not be a little sacrilegious to bring modern events into the little cabin, but in the end decided that listening by radio was in keeping with the spirit of the place.  It was easy to imagine being there a hundred years before when the only source of current news might have been a radio.  Although I felt like we were missing a lot because we couldn't see the candidates body language and facial expressions, Sweet Husband said he actually liked it better because he wasn't distracted by all of that.

The clouds from earlier in the day were covering the moon and stars that night, so it was incredibly dark out.  It was so dark that--here's my brave confession--I made Sweet Husband walk out with me to the potty before we went to bed!