Saturday, April 24, 2010

Excitement Abound

Another whirlwind week.....

Last weekend I had the clay stompin' party to put up the dense layer of the clay oven. It went wonderfully. So many folks showed up and the air was filled with laughter as we took turns stomping clay barefoot as it drizzled and snowed around us. Yes, it was the coldest day of the last month but it made it all the more adventurous!! The oven is gorgeous.

Monday, I attempted the insulation layer but stopped after one ring of bottles. I felt like it needed a little time and I needed more materials. So today after the Orono Farmer's Market, one week from the building of the dome, I scooped out the sand that was the mold for the dome and what held it up. I took out the wooden form that we used to support the brick arch doorway and the arch crumbled and came apart in a couple places. No worry, breathe, that can easily be repaired I coached myself....the sand was still damp and packed tightly. As I scooped, I kept thinking "what if it collapses??" Kendra (clay oven builder and wood fired bread baker extraordinaire) has been one of many wonderful encouraging folks and she told me today at market, if it collapses, you will just build it again. Just the thought of it collapsing made my chest tighten and heart skip a beat. Better to find out now than spend more time and resources on the insulation layer. Okay. I can do this. So it started slowly and tentatively which was quickly replaced by excitement as I caught a glimpse of a piece of the interior clay wall as some sand fell away.....and it stayed intact!!!! Then the rest went swiftly and smoothly. Kendra also gave me a tip today at market of taking a tin can, punching holes in the sides along the bottom and lighting a small fire inside to be able to easily move it around. This worked wonderfully and I will do this each day until ready for a larger fire. So now I am VERY much looking forward to baking in this amazing clay oven! It has been so long in the making, I am beside myself with excitement to think of baking in it soon....

The week was also filled with preparing for the demolition of the attached building to the house and rebuilding it. A 20 x 36 foot structure. Permits, contractors, deposits, ready, set, GO!! Another dream ready to become reality. What an exciting year. So many ideas for the season to soon share.....

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Jamie Oliver

My new favorite program is:
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
and I don't have TV. I have been watching it online......
What Jamie Oliver is doing is incredible. Jamie is completely genuine and has such character, he is the perfect leader for the Food Revolution. Watching the Food Revolution is so inspiring, I am thrilled to be growing vegetables and being a part of the localvore community. Every school will hopefully embrace the Food Revolution!! Maine has been working on farm to school for years. It is exciting to see a major network supporting this and Jamie.
Here's to change~

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Farm Fun

Aaaaaah~ what a day! The fields are tilled! The back field that I put in clover last year, I am prepping to be the vineyard along the orchard and it looks fabulous. As I prepped the front field for tilling I noticed that the peas are just starting to pop up and I was delighted to forage some greens that had wintered over. I have been enjoying the chard and cilantro and noticed the watercress today~ YUM!! I dug loads of yellow dock root for tincture and the rest of the parsnips. There are enough parsnips for recipes to feed folks during this Saturday's clay oven building party here at Fire Fly Farm. We will be finishing the clay dome, I am SOOOOO very excited. The next party for the oven will be making pizza!!

I am trying to salvage some wild grapes that have taken over the back tree line along side the front field. They have been running wild longer than I have been here and have climbed several stories into trees. They are lovely Concord grapes but are so tall, I can no longer harvest the fruit. Inspired by Savage Oakes' pruning workshop, I set to work. Trying to pull them out of the trees is harder than imaginable. I was literally swinging from them and several wouldn't budge. Some came down and I realized that safety glasses would be a good thing when a load of debris came showering down and a large piece bounced off my eyeball, managing to scratch both my cornea and new glasses. Argh. At this point, I am happy I can see! Irritation will heal.

It has been the kind of satisfying day that you feel your muscles sighing in relief as you sit down for a moment~ I like these kind of days~

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Early Spring~

What an spectacular week here in Central Maine. Daffodils are blooming, lilacs are leafing out, garlic is several inches tall, an evening chorus of peepers, larger frogs and LOONS. The fields are greening and it feels like it is time to plant! I have several hardy greens and peas in the ground and want to do more, so I will.

The clay oven project is progressing as well as other exciting building projects. It is amazing to have this gift of early spring. Apprentice applications are still pouring in which is exciting.

I went to a grape growing and pruning workshop at Savage Oakes Winery last weekend in Union that was fabulous. I learned so much and what a beautiful farm and vineyard and lovely folks. Their wine is fantastic.

I am trying to declutter. Spring cleaning with an edge. It is so hard to separate. But it must be done.

I have participated in a couple online auctions last week. Interesting events, auctions, even online they can be intense. I am happy with the items that I won. The highlights are the stainless steel. Inserts, pots, a monster awesome griddle (cast iron), and wire racks (most exciting).

I hadn't been contra dancing for YEARS and went to the Belfast dance Friday. What a blast. For anyone wanting to contra who is or even more importantly ISN'T experienced, Belfast is the dance for you. What a wonderfully gentle crowd of all aged folks having the best time. The band was fantastic and Chrissy Fowler is the best caller ever. Every first Friday of the month at the American Legion Hall on High St, Belfast, 8pm.

Have a stellar week everyone~