Homestead Studio, Real Food with Rachel, and more Fall 2012 Events

Announcing the Hounds in the Kitchen Autumn workshop and demo schedule full of flavor and fun!

Homestead Studio

Born from a desire to explore some homesteading concepts in a free-form, playful environment, I put together two series of studio experiences at City Folk's Farm Shop. Lil and I will prepare materials for friends of all ages to manipulate as they wish. The sensory-rich studios will be as fun for a six year old girl as a midlife woman or retiree.

Wool (carding, dying, felting, and weaving) will be held Mondays September 17 – October 1 from 2-3 pm.

DIY Home (cleaning solutions, bath products, and beeswax candles) will be held Mondays November 12 – 26 from 2-3 pm.

Registration is only $20 for three one-hour studios. More details, including how to register, are on the Homestead Studio page.

Real Food with Rachel

Cooks who need a refresher or want to learn how to be less dependent on mixes will enjoy the Real Food with Rachel series at Wild Goose Creative. Set in their open and approachable enviornment, participants will practice whole food cooking skills.

Register for Whole Bird Cooking (October 21), Pies, Sweet & Savory (November 18), or Sauces (December 16) to cook and eat in a fun relaxed space. Classes are held from 3-5 pm on those days and cost $35 each or $90 for the series. Further details and online registration are hosted at the Real Food with Rachel page.

Fall 2012 Special Events

I will teach folks how to Preserve Apples on October 14 and Make Infusions on November 11, both from 3:30 - 5:30 at Franklin Park Conservatory.

The Country Living Fair invited me to present a demo on Making Fresh Cheeses at Home on Friday September 14 at 2 pm at the Ohio Village.

I will host a booth and do a demo at the free Granville Homesteader's Pantry, 1-5 pm at Bryn Du Mansion in Granville on September 16.

Come chat with young farmers and me at the Grow! movie night September 22 at 6:30 pm at Swainway Urban Farm. Tickets are $20, benefitting the 2012 central Ohio Terra Madre delegates. Tickets available at the Swainway booth or coming soon to the Slow Food Columbus website.

Speaking of movies, OEFFA is hosting a free showing of The Future of Food at Studio 35 on September 23 at 2 pm.

I sell mushrooms and microgreens at the Swainway Urban Farm booth at the Clintonville Farmers' Market but on October 20 you'll find me doing double duty offering a Tasting and Food Education Demo at the farmers' market tent.

Email me with questions about these events or suggestions of future opportunities.

Doo Dah 2012 {Wordless Wednesday}

With our power restored as of Tuesday night, we were chilled enough to head out to the 29th annual Doo Dah parade, our favorite way to celebrate the Fourth. Doo Dah has few rules, lots of crazy participants, and represents the free spirit of Columbus.

Favorite shots: 1. mother/daughter patriotic manicures 2. face painting while we wait for the parade 3. crazy costumes 4. don't frack Ohio condom costume worn by the creative and hard-working Jennie Scheinbach  5. American Powerless Electric 6. peace out (totally un-posed, this is my hippie child)

Happy Independence Day!

Nationwide Children's Hospital {Wordless Wednesday}

1. four foot tall carved wooden squirrel from Mansfield Carousel (one of many such characters) greeting visitors to the magical forest 2. color changing lights (that kids control) and lift in rehab room 3. sunlight, edutainment system, and private bath in rehab room 4. working kitchen for families to learn how to take care of child at home 5. car for families to practice transporting children with mobility issues 6. view from a patient room on to underground garage roof garden 7. signage in cafeteria includes diet and allergy information 8. indoor cafeteria seating 9. secure outdoor cafeteria seating 10. another friendly character 11. hidden pictures in magical forest mural

I recently toured the newly expanded Nationwide Children's Hospital with a group of bloggers. Unlike traditional scary and sterile hospitals, I found Children's full of whimsy, hope, light and natural materials. Our guides revealed that modern medical technology, sustainable energy practices, and staff support are behind the beautiful facade.

Though I hope none of you ever have to visit in an emergency, if you do so you'll find your stay full of thoughtful details and the highest level of technology, comfort, and care. Families can tour the new facility at their Community Celebration Sunday June 11, 2012 and view Youtube video from our tour and panel Q&A.

Disclosure: Nationwide Children's provided me with lunch and a few pieces of hospital branded swag. Opinions are my own.

Earth Day Events {Friday Five}

Earth Day is every day around here. We reuse, recycle, and repurpose. We grow our own, capture rain water, dry laundry on the line, and more. No matter where you are on your earth-friendly journey, here are some ideas for marking Earth Day this weekend.

1) City Folk's Farm Shop Grand Opening - Shop City Folk's from 9 am - 5 pm Saturday for discounts, samples, Sharpening on Site, GNix Food Cart, and a donation of proceeds to benefit Local Matters.

2) Do Something Outside - Take a walk, visit a park, look for eagles, identify wildflowers - be outside and enjoy what the earth has to offer.

3) Root Down Earth Day Celebration - Join the citywide celebration from 11 am - 10 pm at Columbus Commons featuring music, food trucks, a kid's area, ecofriendly booths, and more. Free!

4) Plant Something Edible - Plant a pea, transplant an herb seedling, and soon enjoy eating from your own patio or backyard.

5) Clothing Swap at OSU Urban Arts Space - How cool is this event on Saturday? Turn in your unwanted clothes from 11 am - noon, get tickets, and at 1 - 3 pm exchange them for other's used clothes!

What are you doing for Earth Day?

City Folk's Farm Shop First Look

City Folk's Farm Shop opens today in North Clintonville. Located at 4760 North High Street, at the intersection of Beechwold and High, City Folk's is a sustainably-minded urban homesteading store. They stock gardening, house keeping, and animal husbandry supplies for central Ohio backyard growers. Lil and I stopped in yesterday to see the store before the soft opening.

It's hard not to scheme and dream in City Folk's. Tucked into corners of the store are charming handmade bat, bee, bird, and worm houses. A rack on the wall holds the most rustically beautiful hand tools I have ever seen. Everything a homesteader needs from laundry detergent to cheese making supplies to dehydrators are stocked in the welcoming, well lit show room.

Seeds from a variety of organic and heirloom producers are stacked in colorful packages just waiting to burst into plants. Pots in a variety of sustainably sourced materials are available to fill with bulk or bagged organic soil.

The back of the store houses a selection of chicken feed, soil, and amendments that can be loaded right out the back door into the parking lot.

City Folk's Farm Shop obviously has a preference for local, sustainably made tools - a preference I share. Shop keeper Shawn is committed to providing what local homesteaders need and welcomes our ideas. She put together a schedule of educational events to be held in store, including Backyard Chicken Basics (April 15, 3:30-4:30 pm) and Homesteading with Children (June 3, 3:30-4:30 pm) led by yours truly. See the full calendar on the City Folk's event page.

City Folk's opens today with hours from 10 am - 6 pm. They are planning a grand opening celebration for Earth Day weekend, April 21-22. Visit soon to outfit yourself for the spring growing season.

Disclosure: City Folk's hired me to write copy for their website and manage their social media account during opening. This post was not part of our agreement and opinions are my own.

Spring Events in Columbus 2012

Spring is most definitely in the air in central Ohio! We're already sweating with nearly 80 degree highs, we just had our first huge storm and there are buds blooming everywhere. I am uneasy about this weather and worry about a late frost, but I can't help but enjoy the outdoor time. Hop into spring gardening and food culture by attending some of these great events: Lil and I will be in the Central Ohio Food Forum crowd to talk about home gardening and homesteading at this month's discussion. Doors open (free admission) this Monday at 5:30 pm at Wild Goose Creative to enjoy Sassafras Bakery goodies; the forum starts at 6:30.

City Folk's Farm Shop soft opening is this Tuesday at 10 am. I am working with City Folk's to promote their new organic gardening and homesteading store and couldn't be more proud of their philosophy and offerings. Tuesday's first day will include treats from Pattycake Bakery and free seeds (up to $15) for every tenth seed buying customer!

On Wednesday I will join other food blog fans of Ree Drummond at her Pioneer Woman book signing from 6-9 at the Barnes & Noble at 1739 Olentangy River Rd Columbus OH.

I really wish I could get out to the Creative Arts of Women show opener this Thursday, March 22 at the Shot Tower 546 Jack Gibbs Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215. The reception will feature dance and puppetry performances by CoCo Loupe, Heidi Madsen & Denise McDonough.

Grab a bite of spring locavore fare at Black Creek Bistro and stop in the nearby CS Gallery for their Open artist's show through March 27 and in early April their Two Year Anniversary show debuts. Alex's parents have pieces in both shows.

Next Tuesday the 27th, I'm excited to be attending Cement Marketing's Timeline for Facebook Pages workshop. I love the work of Alaina and her crew and look forward to learning more for myself and my clients.

The North Market debuts a new event at the end of March: the Coffee Roast. Samples, demonstrations, and a home-roasted bean contest will buzz visitors about Columbus' vibrant coffee scene. Grab a cuppa March 31 from 9 am to 2 pm.

Columbus Food Adventure's famed Taco Truck Tours start up again April 1. Or choose the Short North, German Village, or Alt Eats Tours. All are great for a staycation, special date, or introduction to a new food scene in the city.

Beginning gardeners or anyone wanting some new skills will want to check out the Gardening Programs at Franklin Park Conservatory. They offer everything from container gardening to making a living wreath to constructing a rain barrel.

Register now to volunteer with Root Down for Earth Day and then go to the celebration on April 21 at Columbus Commons.

Join me to talk hens at the Backyard Chicken Basics class April 15th from 3:30 - 4:30 pm at City Folk's Farm Shop. We will cover coops, chicken varieties, care and feeding.

I'm teaching about sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchee, and more Fermented Foods at Franklin Park Conservatory on Sunday April 22 from 3:30-5:30 pm. Taste and create cultured, healthy foods in this workshop.

Clintonville Farmer's Market Spring Sprout Day begins the farmer's market season on April 28, only seven weeks from now! Buy organic seedlings from me at the Swainway booth and check out the season's first produce.

The spring 2012 Market to Market ride is scheduled for May 5th with the bicentennial theme Moustaches & Monacles. Get your bike tuned up for another great ride!

NB. Our new family travel blog has its first posts up! Check out Curious Wanderlust for a little bit about our recent travels and look for updates from Alex in India this coming week.

200Columbus Food & Arts Events {Friday Five}

Our fair city is celebrating its 200th birthday in 2012! Bicentennial events are planned all around Columbus, OH. Below is a curated list of my top five. Thanks to travel plans, we will not be able to attend many festivities but we will celebrate in spirit.

200Columbus Best Bicentennial Events

One of our cities most beloved institutions, the Columbus Metro Library, will host birthday parties at all 21 locations at 3 pm on Saturday February 11. Nosh on some cake in your favorite reading spot.

Columbus 2012 Bicentenial Artists' Informal - Saturday, February 11, 7 – 10 PM – The Columbus Cultural Arts Center, 139 W. Main St. A *free* ball celebrating Columbus' history and future as a home for artists.

Shop North Market Spices with a 20% off coupon during 200Columbus Days February 11 - 15. Franklin Park Conservatory, a favorite photography spot pictured at right, is offering $2 off admission. Other shops and activities are discounted too; download a flyer with all the details at the 200Columbus Days website.

Finalists in the Columbus in Song contest will appear on the 200Columbus website February 14. I can't wait to hear how the talent of this city speaks for our home.

Bicentennial State of the City Address - Wednesday, February 29, 6 pm at The Ohio Theater. Join Michael Coleman for the State of the City Address and The Harmony Project who will close the event with an original song "I Call Columbus Home".

Happy Birthday Columbus!