Announcing the little farms

I've long been inspired by the permaculture movement. It just makes sense to invest time in longer-growing, diverse groups of plants because work in the present can benefit for years to come. When I read Mark Shepard's Restoration Agriculture, I began to see perennial design as a potential humanity-saving system of agriculture and potential income stream. I was puzzled about how to achieve restoration agriculture on an urban scale.

Only when Mark Shepard came to my house this fall for a workshop did the last piece to fall into place. Restoration agriculture can't be a serious venture on a home scale - at least not a single home.

But what if a group of households planted perennial fruit and nut trees? We could create a decentralized food forest that would immediately create wildlife habitat and beauty. In years to come, we could harvest from the successful trees and share in the processing.

Thus the little farms began. I'm working on this with Kate Hodges, who brings an artistic eye and penchant for wild plants to the project. We're starting small with a goal to support the planting of a dozen Urban Bundles of chestnut, hazelnut, raspberry, currant, and gooseberry plants this spring.

There are several ways to join the effort: 1) Buy a Bundle or some of the individual plants we're offering. The Bundle would be a great gift for a gardener too, as we're offering free delivery within 270 and planting advice. 2) Keep up with the little farms blog where we'll offer opportunities to learn and practice permaculture. 3) Share this blog post or the little farms website. We want everyone to start thinking about perennial edible plants.

the little farms may be small but we envision big rewards from collaboration!

Announcing the little farms

I've long been inspired by the permaculture movement. It just makes sense to invest time in longer-growing, diverse groups of plants because work in the present can benefit for years to come. When I read Mark Shepard's Restoration Agriculture, I began to see perennial design as a potential humanity-saving system of agriculture and potential income stream. I was puzzled about how to achieve restoration agriculture on an urban scale.

Only when Mark Shepard came to my house this fall for a workshop did the last piece to fall into place. Restoration agriculture can't be a serious venture on a home scale - at least not a single home.

But what if a group of households planted perennial fruit and nut trees? We could create a decentralized food forest that would immediately create wildlife habitat and beauty. In years to come, we could harvest from the successful trees and share in the processing.

Thus the little farms began. I'm working on this with Kate Hodges, who brings an artistic eye and penchant for wild plants to the project. We're starting small with a goal to support the planting of a dozen Urban Bundles of chestnut, hazelnut, raspberry, currant, and gooseberry plants this spring.

There are several ways to join the effort: 1) Buy a Bundle or some of the individual plants we're offering. The Bundle would be a great gift for a gardener too, as we're offering free delivery within 270 and planting advice. 2) Keep up with the little farms blog where we'll offer opportunities to learn and practice permaculture. 3) Share this blog post or the little farms website. We want everyone to start thinking about perennial edible plants.

the little farms may be small but we envision big rewards from collaboration!

A First Visit to Cedar Point

Lil's summer was full of firsts this year - she learned to ride a bike without training wheels, endured a bee sting, and went to Ohio's famous amusement park Cedar Point for the first time.

Tall Lil was fortunate enough to meet the height requirement for all rides at Cedar Point and lines were short when we visited on Labor Day. We started with the Iron Dragon and immediately walked back through the line. Lil says, "I love it! It was super awesome!"

We tried attractions all over the park - bumper cars, sky ride, ferris wheel, and more. Lil even talked me into a swirling swing ride. I finished so dizzy that I won't be doing that again any time soon!

The smooth, very fast Maverick coaster was my favorite coaster. Lil was teary at the end, though. "It was just too up and down. It scared me!"

Our favorite part of the park was shady Frontiertown. Lil enjoyed watching the artisans craft with wood and blow glass during breaks from the coasters. It was hard to pull both of us away from the week old baby goat in the petting zoo! Despite making several visits to Cedar Point as a kid, it took this trip for me to read the signs saying that many of the structures are relocated historic houses and cabins.

After the Maverick, we took some time to recover by visiting Dinosaur Island. We walked past life-sized animatronic dinosaurs in the landscape and read educational signs. It wasn't scary but we had fun pretending.

In the middle of the experience, Lil dug in a large sand pit to uncover replica fossils. With lots of benches for resting and plenty of shade, Dinosaur Island is something a family of all ages would enjoy.

My biggest disappointment at the park was the food. Given that Labor Day weekend was the end of the regular season, some restaurants were closed so we ended up eating at a food stand. Our meal of pizza and fried chicken was very expensive and unappetizing, not to mention unhealthy.

All over the park we saw evidence of upcoming Halloweekends, Cedar Point's bewitching combination of haunted experiences and costumed play for all ages. Guests can fill a candy bucket, wander through a haunted house, enjoy a themed parade, and make masks during September and October weekends.

I know Lil's first trip to Cedar Point won't be her last - she is already talking about what coasters she wants to ride next summer. And with shaded lines, attractions for all ages, and plenty of fun off the coasters, I know the whole family will enjoy another trip to America's Roller Coast.

Are you a fan of roller coasters?

Disclosure: Cedar Point provided tickets for Lil and myself. Transportation, lodging, and our opinions are our own.

A First Visit to Cedar Point

Lil's summer was full of firsts this year - she learned to ride a bike without training wheels, endured a bee sting, and went to Ohio's famous amusement park Cedar Point for the first time.

Tall Lil was fortunate enough to meet the height requirement for all rides at Cedar Point and lines were short when we visited on Labor Day. We started with the Iron Dragon and immediately walked back through the line. Lil says, "I love it! It was super awesome!"

We tried attractions all over the park - bumper cars, sky ride, ferris wheel, and more. Lil even talked me into a swirling swing ride. I finished so dizzy that I won't be doing that again any time soon!

The smooth, very fast Maverick coaster was my favorite coaster. Lil was teary at the end, though. "It was just too up and down. It scared me!"

Our favorite part of the park was shady Frontiertown. Lil enjoyed watching the artisans craft with wood and blow glass during breaks from the coasters. It was hard to pull both of us away from the week old baby goat in the petting zoo! Despite making several visits to Cedar Point as a kid, it took this trip for me to read the signs saying that many of the structures are relocated historic houses and cabins.

After the Maverick, we took some time to recover by visiting Dinosaur Island. We walked past life-sized animatronic dinosaurs in the landscape and read educational signs. It wasn't scary but we had fun pretending.

In the middle of the experience, Lil dug in a large sand pit to uncover replica fossils. With lots of benches for resting and plenty of shade, Dinosaur Island is something a family of all ages would enjoy.

My biggest disappointment at the park was the food. Given that Labor Day weekend was the end of the regular season, some restaurants were closed so we ended up eating at a food stand. Our meal of pizza and fried chicken was very expensive and unappetizing, not to mention unhealthy.

All over the park we saw evidence of upcoming Halloweekends, Cedar Point's bewitching combination of haunted experiences and costumed play for all ages. Guests can fill a candy bucket, wander through a haunted house, enjoy a themed parade, and make masks during September and October weekends.

I know Lil's first trip to Cedar Point won't be her last - she is already talking about what coasters she wants to ride next summer. And with shaded lines, attractions for all ages, and plenty of fun off the coasters, I know the whole family will enjoy another trip to America's Roller Coast.

Are you a fan of roller coasters?

Disclosure: Cedar Point provided tickets for Lil and myself. Transportation, lodging, and our opinions are our own.

Produce Your Own Produce Mural #projectfreelove

A few weeks ago, we were given the most amazing gift. Sarah Hout, a professional muralist, chose our garage for her Project Free Love, a three free murals endeavor. She came over for a short interview during which I showed her the gardens and told her how much I love the victory garden propaganda style and the color purple. She turned those tiny bits of information into something incredible.

Mural Painting In Progress

Before we'd even seen Sarah's final design, we power washed the garage as she requested. Have you ever used a power washer? It was so fun that everyone in the family took their turn blasting the dirt off the garage wall.

Then Sarah started work. On the first day, she painted the background and we fed her homemade pizza with homegrown toppings. (Making meals for Sarah wasn't a specified part of the deal, but when you're here working on my property, I will do my best to make sure you aren't hungry.)

The next workday, two volunteers helped paint in Sarah's vegetable outlines. We found out that one of my favorite modern propaganda peeps, Joe Wirtheim of Victory Garden of Tomorrow, actually used to be Sarah's neighbor! His work definitely influenced the design of our mural. Lunch this day was homemade tortillas (recipe coming soon, we LOVE these) with curtido, beans, cheese, and fresh salsa.

On the third workday, the brutal sun baked Sarah while she worked on details. Lil made a balm of aloe and toothache plant for sunburnt shoulders. I pitched in on the pepper and some potato details and made a quick stir fry for lunch.

On the fourth workday, Sarah finalized the outlines and details. We made sourdough biscuits, sour cherry chutney (recipe coming soon) and our first successful dry-cured ham for lunch. Sarah signed her work, and presented us with the mural.  In the near future we'll have a time lapse video of the painting process to share.

Finished Garden Mural

We're completely amazed. This design couldn't better represent our family - we're working hard daily to produce our own produce and encourage everyone to do the same.

Check out Sarah's blog for a recap of how she felt about working with us. And stay tuned to our Facebook page for a time lapse video coming soon. We couldn't be happier with the mural or meeting this new friend who seamlessly understood our motives and appreciated our efforts. Thank you Sarah!!

Produce Your Own Produce Mural #projectfreelove

A few weeks ago, we were given the most amazing gift. Sarah Hout, a professional muralist, chose our garage for her Project Free Love, a three free murals endeavor. She came over for a short interview during which I showed her the gardens and told her how much I love the victory garden propaganda style and the color purple. She turned those tiny bits of information into something incredible.

Mural Painting In Progress

Before we'd even seen Sarah's final design, we power washed the garage as she requested. Have you ever used a power washer? It was so fun that everyone in the family took their turn blasting the dirt off the garage wall.

Then Sarah started work. On the first day, she painted the background and we fed her homemade pizza with homegrown toppings. (Making meals for Sarah wasn't a specified part of the deal, but when you're here working on my property, I will do my best to make sure you aren't hungry.)

The next workday, two volunteers helped paint in Sarah's vegetable outlines. We found out that one of my favorite modern propaganda peeps, Joe Wirtheim of Victory Garden of Tomorrow, actually used to be Sarah's neighbor! His work definitely influenced the design of our mural. Lunch this day was homemade tortillas (recipe coming soon, we LOVE these) with curtido, beans, cheese, and fresh salsa.

On the third workday, the brutal sun baked Sarah while she worked on details. Lil made a balm of aloe and toothache plant for sunburnt shoulders. I pitched in on the pepper and some potato details and made a quick stir fry for lunch.

On the fourth workday, Sarah finalized the outlines and details. We made sourdough biscuits, sour cherry chutney (recipe coming soon) and our first successful dry-cured ham for lunch. Sarah signed her work, and presented us with the mural.  In the near future we'll have a time lapse video of the painting process to share.

Finished Garden Mural

We're completely amazed. This design couldn't better represent our family - we're working hard daily to produce our own produce and encourage everyone to do the same.

Check out Sarah's blog for a recap of how she felt about working with us. And stay tuned to our Facebook page for a time lapse video coming soon. We couldn't be happier with the mural or meeting this new friend who seamlessly understood our motives and appreciated our efforts. Thank you Sarah!!

Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum

On a chilly day in the middle of our kitchen remodel, Lil and I took a break to visit the new Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum at the Ohio State University. Leonard, the DIY whiz, and our friends Kate and Darren came along.

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library, held at OSU since 1977, is the world's largest collection of American cartoon art. The museum, opened in late fall 2013, now makes parts of the collection available in well-curated displays to the public.

I'm picky about museums - high school career tests always said I should be a librarian or museum curator - because I want the experience to be as high quality as the content. The Cartoon Museum succeeds at both. It's a small space of three open galleries that held the attention of our group of folks ages 5 to 65.

To make best use of the display area, and perhaps to give children something physical to do, the Walker Gallery contained many originals in drawers and poster doors that could be pulled out and discovered by the museum goer. No afficianado myself, I still appreciated the breadth and depth of the collections. I could find an original of every comic I've ever heard of and discovered many more new to me.

Through August, the museum is exhibiting a portion of Bill Watterson's series of work highlighting Calvin and Hobbes, the clever and smart comic about a boy and his stuffed imaginary friend tiger companion. Throughout the gallery you could hear giggles and growls as children and adults read originals. The exhibit included displays about how Watterson created the comics, his influences, and favorite tools.

I'm thrilled to find comics and graphic novels experiencing a resurgence these days. Once classified as daily newspaper amusement, cartoons are now being given their due as a valid form of intellectual commentary, art, and story telling. Cartoons and graphic novels help teach Lil to read and think in an engaging format. If you are new to family-friendly graphic novels, I recommend starting with the epic quest tale Bone by Ohio-writer Jeff Smith and the Olympians series by George O'Connor.

Guests can browse the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum galleries in 60-90 minutes. Admission is free and parking is easy in the OSU parking garages or ride the bus - the Sullivant Hall building housing the museum is right on High Street with a bus stop right in front.

Enhance a visit with some browsing at the library's collections website - http://cartoons.osu.edu/collections/. Here you can search a portion of the collection which has been digitized, find information on artists, and learn more about donating and upcoming exhibits.

Have you been to the Cartoon Museum? What did you think?

Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum Sullivant Hall - 1813 N High St Columbus OH 43210 High and 15th, enter from plaza also containing Wexner Center Open Tuesday - Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm

If you go, consider our other favorite destinations around OSU campus: Orton Hall Museum - free small collection of Ohio fossils and minerals Thompson Library - inspirational tall stacks of books and nice view of the city on the top floor Buckeye Donuts - I'll let Breakfast With Nick tell you about this campus institution

Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum

On a chilly day in the middle of our kitchen remodel, Lil and I took a break to visit the new Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum at the Ohio State University. Leonard, the DIY whiz, and our friends Kate and Darren came along.

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library, held at OSU since 1977, is the world's largest collection of American cartoon art. The museum, opened in late fall 2013, now makes parts of the collection available in well-curated displays to the public.

I'm picky about museums - high school career tests always said I should be a librarian or museum curator - because I want the experience to be as high quality as the content. The Cartoon Museum succeeds at both. It's a small space of three open galleries that held the attention of our group of folks ages 5 to 65.

To make best use of the display area, and perhaps to give children something physical to do, the Walker Gallery contained many originals in drawers and poster doors that could be pulled out and discovered by the museum goer. No afficianado myself, I still appreciated the breadth and depth of the collections. I could find an original of every comic I've ever heard of and discovered many more new to me.

Through August, the museum is exhibiting a portion of Bill Watterson's series of work highlighting Calvin and Hobbes, the clever and smart comic about a boy and his stuffed imaginary friend tiger companion. Throughout the gallery you could hear giggles and growls as children and adults read originals. The exhibit included displays about how Watterson created the comics, his influences, and favorite tools.

I'm thrilled to find comics and graphic novels experiencing a resurgence these days. Once classified as daily newspaper amusement, cartoons are now being given their due as a valid form of intellectual commentary, art, and story telling. Cartoons and graphic novels help teach Lil to read and think in an engaging format. If you are new to family-friendly graphic novels, I recommend starting with the epic quest tale Bone by Ohio-writer Jeff Smith and the Olympians series by George O'Connor.

Guests can browse the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum galleries in 60-90 minutes. Admission is free and parking is easy in the OSU parking garages or ride the bus - the Sullivant Hall building housing the museum is right on High Street with a bus stop right in front.

Enhance a visit with some browsing at the library's collections website - http://cartoons.osu.edu/collections/. Here you can search a portion of the collection which has been digitized, find information on artists, and learn more about donating and upcoming exhibits.

Have you been to the Cartoon Museum? What did you think?

Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum Sullivant Hall - 1813 N High St Columbus OH 43210 High and 15th, enter from plaza also containing Wexner Center Open Tuesday - Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm

If you go, consider our other favorite destinations around OSU campus: Orton Hall Museum - free small collection of Ohio fossils and minerals Thompson Library - inspirational tall stacks of books and nice view of the city on the top floor Buckeye Donuts - I'll let Breakfast With Nick tell you about this campus institution