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Paper Pierced Quilting
There was a class held the other day in which the Farmer’s Wife, Hannah, Mema, and their dear friend Debbie participated. It was held in the same building as the Farmer’s Fair each Summer. Yes, they were going to learn to quilt. As she made her way in, the Farmer’s Wife stole a side glance at the empty kitchen. All those pies! Her stomach grumbled. Not now, she told it. You must wait until Summer. There were tables set up in the room along the walls where the plugs were. All take their seats and set up their equipment, and by that, I mean their sewing machines, cutting mats, rotary…
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Hannah Bakes: Fancy Pies
Hannah has started making pies. By herself. And she doesn’t make them how her Mother would. No. She makes them fancy. Her mother stands over her shoulder as she rolls out the dough. “It’s too thin,” she complains. “Not for what I’m doing,” is the answer Hannah gives in return. Her Mother hmpphhs and looks from a different angle. The dough does look a bit thin, but let’s trust Hannah here. She’s been at her Mother’s side watching hundreds of pies being made. She’s even made a few herself. I’m sure she knows what she’s doing. Wait a minute! What is she doing now? She’s gotten out the cookie cutters.…
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Date Night Out: Scripts Juice
Sometimes Dates are taken off the Farm, and the other day was just such an occasion. Hannah and her Mother felt a celebration was called for (something about a book coming out), so off the Farm they went. Now, Lockport (the town near where the Farm calls home) has many nice places for such an adventure to be held and hosted, but none to Hannah’s liking quite so much as this place: Scripts Juice. It was given that name because it has found its home right next to the old theater which graces Main Street. And yes it has Juice the kinds and types which make Hannah’s heart swoon. The…
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Today is the Day!
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Boozy Chocolate Cake
This cake graces the table at the Farm for all birthdays, break-ups, post-fight make-ups, or for a general Sunday afternoon. It is what every cake should be: moist, rich, and chocolate. And here is how it’s made: One and three quarters cup pastry flour is sifted with three quarters cup good cocoa powder (the Farmer’s Wife uses either Hershey or Callebaut), one teaspoon baking powder, two teaspoons baking soda, and one teaspoon salt. This bowl is set aside for now, while a half cup softened butter is creamed with two cups sugar of the granulated variety for a good three minutes until all is light and fluffy. Two room temperature…
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Maple Sugar Cookies
In the part of the country where the Farm calls home, the trees wake up some time in March and start singing. And you can tell when they’re about to begin because everywhere you look there will be buckets hanging around their waists in anticipation. And then one day they will start. The buckets will fill with something that looks like water, but really is so much more. Sap, some people call it. And this sap, when boiled down, makes the most delicious liquor in the world: Maple Syrup. And this syrup may be used in all kinds and ways but is best enjoyed as it was meant; with lots…
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Thanksgiving Sandwich
The Farmer’s Wife just can’t get Thanksgiving out of her mind. That Turkey. That stuffing. Cranberries. Yum. She has to have more. She simply must. And so she shall. Today, she is making her weekly Good Loaf of Bread, only this time, she is putting in a few additions in the way of her secret winter spice mix (sage, celery, onions, shallots (or garlic powder), all dried and pulverized together. Think thanksgiving stuffing.) and chopped dried cherries. If you have forgotten the recipe to her Good Loaf of Bread, you can refer to it here: https://thefarmerandhiswife.org/2021/02/23/a-good-loaf-of-bread/ As far as those thanksgivingee additions, they go like this: Two tablespoons dried sage…
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Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Down
There are many trees that surround the Farm—especially in the very back, where the woods lies. At least there used to be. On their walk, the Farmer looks from one to the other. “I think our trees are dying.” His Wife frowns, but she sees the same thing as him. There are suckers at the base of most of their trees. Suckers means the trees are trying to find some way to live. So, they in-vest-igate. That very day.The Farmer does a search on the computer and shakes his head. He turns to his Wife. “Most of our trees are Ash, aren’t they?” She nods. The woods are full of…
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Winter Staple: Chicken Cacciatore
At the House in the Village there was a woodstove, which meant long, slow-cooked meals were enjoyed all the Winter long. There were soups and stews, roasts and scrapples, and This. But most often, This. Because, quite simply, this is the epitome of slow cooking. Simple ingredients readily available melting together to form something completely delicious. We still have it here at the Farm, but it’s not nearly as good. It needs just what it was: a slow spot on the back of a woodstove to simmer the day away. And I promise, as soon as a woodstove graces these halls, it will be the very first thing that’s made.…
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Getting To
The wind howls, creeping up the spines of all who are unfortunate enough to be in her midst. And no one is. Not this early. Save one. Do you see her there, trudging along, breaking the path in the freshly-felled snow? Why! Just look at her! She’s not dressed for this weather! Is that? Yes. She’s still in her pajamas, with just a coat thrown on over top. No hat. No mittens. Not that they’ll do her any good. The cold water from the bucket’s sloshing to and fro—any mittens, should she have chosen to wear them, would be soaked straight through. And then frozen. Just like her hands appear…
