The Next Chapter

2013 is going to be a busy, hardworking, exciting year! This year marks our 10^th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe how fast time has gone by. To celebrate this milestone we decided to do something big. We have planned a spring trip to London and couldn’t be more excited about it. More about that later...

In other exciting news, 2013 marks the start of our new business adventure. Tim and I have started a small farm business named Chateau LaBeaume Farms, LLC (website coming soon).  We are leasing one acre of land from EarthDance and plan to organically grow popcorn, peanuts, parsnips, peppers, pumpkins, luffas, and artichokes. Our hope is to sell as much as we can wholesale, but if we have anything left we may be at a few fall markets. This is a very exciting time for us. After being a part of the EarthDance apprenticeship program for 2 years, learning, reading, and watching, it’s now time to start doing. Time to put what we’ve learned to practice. 

I say it often, but there really is something to getting your hands dirty. Watching your food grow from a tiny seed, to a beautiful plant, to harvesting it for yourself and others to enjoy. For us, it’s important  to know where our food comes from. We appreciate the skill and hard work that farmers endure each year. Now, it’s our turn to do our part and be good stewards to the land. We will follow organic principles and grow food free of chemicals and will not have anything that is genetically modified. 

There is so much to do before the growing season officially begins. Join us, as we set forth on this farming adventure. It’s sure to be an exciting ride. 

 (a new logo is in the works - I'll post as soon as it's finished)

Wing Ding 2012

Meet Frank McCluckin the Wing Ding trophy!

In 3rd place.... Mr. Jackson with his Blasian wings!

In 2nd place...Mr Pitts with his Broke Ass Sexual Chocolate Wings

And in 1st place...Miss Vetter with her made from real parrots Parrot Wings!

And with honorable mention...Tim LaBeaume with Wing.A. Rita

And this concludes another tasty Annual Wing Ding!

Oh say can you see...

Last week I had to honor of visiting our nations capital. I was one of 25 employees across the country chosen to attend a training at our Administrative Office in Washington DC. The training ended Thursday afternoon so Tim and I decided to make a mini vacation out of it. We took full advantage of our time there and saw as much as possible. Everywhere you turn, there is a story. So much history. Just being there made me feel more patriotic than I have ever felt. The architecture was breathtaking. The monuments were so much more impressive that I could have imagined.

Visiting Arlington brought tears to my eyes. Seeing all the tombstones perfectly lined up as far as the eye could see, really put the number of casualties into perspective. All of the men and woman who gave their life to protect our country, It literally took my breath away. It was very crowded at the cemetery the day we visited. I was amazed at the lack of respect of those around us. People on cell phones, children running, screaming, joking around...I realize people are there to "sight see" but that should not take away from the fact that Arlington is a cemetery. All of those buried there deserve more respect than what was given that day.

Here are some of the pictures we took. It was very hard to not snap the camera around every corner. =)

The sun is a mass of incandescent gas

There was a portion of the summer where I couldn't do much other than watch crayons melt...

This project took all day, no heat gun used. Just the natural effects of the sun. I'm pretty happy with the final product. Now I just need to find a frame and a fun place to hang it. I think I'll try it again this summer but with twice as many crayons.

It's Tim's Birthday!!

Hands down, I have the best hubby around! He's the most supportive, loving, caring, generous and thoughtful person I know! I'm pretty lucky to have snagged this guy! I truly can't imagine my life without him. We've been together 14 years, but it really does "seem just like yesterday" that we first started dating.

Happy Birthday Timmie!! I hope you have the most fantastic birthday, you totally deserve it!!

Happy Holidays

Barley wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a super Happy New Year!

I Heart EarthDance!

The mission of EarthDance is to inspire local FARMS - Food, Art, Relationships & Music, Sustainably!

It's hard to believe that it was ten months ago when Tim and I received our acceptance letters for the 2011 EarthDance Organic Apprenticeship program. As the blog title says, "seems just like yesterday". Seriously, where has the time gone?

It truly seems like it was just yesterday that we had our first meet and greet pot luck. I can remember at that first pot luck, thinking “Wow, this is a great group of people, we're in for a good time.” From the moment Tim and I received our letters, I had a feeling something great was in store, but I couldn’t have predicted just how wonderful this year would be.  I had high hopes for this program but really didn’t know what to expect. I can honestly say my experience far exceeded my expectations.  Yes, there was bitter cold, extreme heat, serious injury, tractor let down, crop loss…but somehow, looking back that all made it worth it in the end.

Earlier this year I tore a core abdominal muscle while working on the hop garden in our back yard. (check back for a post on our hops). This injury put me out of commission for awhile and at times I feel like I'm still healing from it 5 months later. But even though I wasn’t able to farm to my full potential for the last 5 months I still took away a great sense of accomplishment.  The knowledge that I’ve gained, along with the new friends I’ve made is priceless.

This year came with lots of change and loss but because of EarthDance and being a part of this program, I feel like a much stronger person. I think I really “found myself” this year. Who knew that organic farming would change my life?!  And best of all, after searching my whole life for a hobby, I think I may have finally found it. =) I am so excited to continue on with the program next year where I’ll be focusing on herbs as medicine. Not sure where this will lead me but I’m anxious to begin the journey.

If any of you have the slightest interest in organic farming, seriously consider this program. It really is like farm school. You will learn so much more than how to properly use a stirrup hoe or when to direct seed.  Between the classroom style training, the hands on field work, the field trips to visit local farms and speaking to the farmers who run them, to selling at the market and so much more. These are things you cannot find in books. Not to mention the people who are a part of the program. It’s so refreshing to be around such an eclectic group who share a love for fresh veggies and growing and living more sustainably.

Needless to say, I love EarthDance and I’m so grateful I became a “Farmie” this year. Even through the sad times and change in my personal life, this was one of the best years. In a lot of ways, I have EarthDance (and my husband of course) to thank!

For more information about EarthDance or becoming an Apprentice, visit them at http://www.earthdancefarms.org/

It's been awhile!

Not sure why, but I just haven't been in the blogging mood lately. But, I have some things to share so I'll be back soon with updates about the hops, trips, work, farmin' and more...

Happy Birthday!!

This week my niece and nephew celebrate their birthday's and I want them to know just how special they are to me. You guys are amazing and I love you so much! Happy Birthday Kora and Ethan! You guys ROCK! =)

Say Cheeeeese!

Life on the farm...

It's been two months since Tim and I started our EarthDance adventure and I couldn't be happier. Every week I look forward to getting dirty! There are so many things I'm loving about this apprenticeship. I am trying new things and loving them. Kale and mustard greens for instance, DELISH!I get so excited when I talk about the program or the farm to my friends and co-workers. There is just something about watching your food grow from a seed. Something so rewarding and precious. Plus, I'm going to have the best farmer's tan ever!

We have met some of the most amazing people. Man, what a melting pot of diverse talent and knowledge. It's so refreshing to work with such genuinely nice people and know that we all have this one thing in common. Everyone is so eager to learn and help as much as they can.

Monday is our first field trip. We are visiting a goat farmer and cheese maker in Webster Groves. I'm so excited! I love goats and I love cheese!! This should be a fun trip.

Happy Easter

The Easter bunny (aka my Pop and his sidekick Brenda) has stuck again! Seems like every chance these two get they are always surprising us with cute gifts. I love that I'm in my 30's and I still get visited by the Easter bunny, Birthday fairy, Valentine fairy, Santa Claus...you name it! I really do have the best dad ever! Not just because he brings me gifts, but because he's just so thoughtful and caring. I'm so very proud to be his daughter! =)

It's your Birthday hot dog!

Today is Mr. Barley Doo's 9th Birthday!

For those that know me, Barley is so much more than just our dog. He's a huge part of our family and life just wouldn't be the same without him. Even when he's done something bad (which doesn't happen very often), he always finds away to make us smile. When we're sick, he's always right by our side until we're well. He senses when we're sad and he's there at just the right moment when a soft cuddle is needed. We couldn't ask for a more loving pup.

Have a great Birthday bud! You're such a good boy! =)