H. Aaron Hequembourg

H. Aaron Hequembourg
Originally uploaded by Bryan Loar

Just wanted to highlight this -- Aaron Hequembourg's work was among that featured in the Central PA Arts Fest. 

Great stuff, and I'm not just saying this because it bridges the gap between my old home (Hequembourg is from Monticello, GA -- known pretty much only as the home of one Trisha Yearwood and, uh, that place where they filmed My Cousin Vinny, but also a place where I did a really interesting charrette) and my new one.  GA to PA Holla!

Gorgeous work, using reclaimed wood from sharecroppers' cabins and other otherwise wasted material, mostly from this farm. Good stuff.

His site is here, if you want to see more.

ArtsFest 2010

The community mural grows
Originally uploaded by Kate12303

For those who live under a rock, the Central PA Arts Fest was held this week. It's a time when Centre County is inexplicably overrun with bands, kids activities (like the community mural in this shot -- AWESOME!), artists, and so on. Good stuff.

Friday I squandered my lunch hour on a ramble through the gajillion arts booths, appreciating everything from purses to carnival food (yum!) to paintings and metal work.

Next year I hope I'll have a little more time to linger.

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Gardening in PA

Echinacea purpurea
Originally uploaded by Athens Nikita

You know what I love about this state as opposed to my old state?

I love the end-of-season/hot weather sales, which occur when it's about to get vaguely hot for a few weeks. Don't get me wrong -- it does get hot. But it's also windy, so it doesn't feel that hot, and the heat only lasts a month or so rather than the ALL ETERNITY that it feels like in Georgia. So, in Georgia I buy plants at heat wave sales and the chances of them surviving are pretty remote. In Pennsylvania I buy them and their chances are upwards of 75%.

Or anyway, that's what I told myself yesterday. I was able to buy eight gallon-sized foxgloves and eight large square-potted echinacea purpurea plants. Grant broke the clay soil, mixed it in with potting soil, and extended the existing beds about 6 feet for the echinacea last night -- he's planting the foxgloves today.

Spinach, Mushroom, and Miso Soup

Spinach, Mushroom, and Miso Soup
Originally uploaded by Athens Nikita

I'm doing this food study/diet, which involves me eating a lot of veggies and a lot of nonfat dairy. Here's the recipe for the above, which was pretty awesome and incorporated lots of fresh herbs from the back yard:

1 c. spinach
1 c. mushrooms
1 c. broth
minced garlic -- to taste. I had about the equivalent of 2 cloves
1 c. milk

1 tsp. miso

1 cube bouillon
thyme, basil, parsley
salt & pepper to taste

Oh, and did I mention I don't have a stove? You could make this like normal people do, but my instructions are for a microwave.

1. Chop spinach, mushrooms, herbs, and garlic -- cover with broth in a microwave-safe bowl and wrap in plastic. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, watching and adjusting once the mixture is simmering.
2. Take mixture, add 1 c. milk and remaining inredients, and use a blender to puree to taste (I pureed all of it 'cause I like it thick).
3. Salt & pepper to taste -- enjoy!

Another Busy Day...

Yawn
Originally uploaded by Athens Nikita

Lately I've been neglecting the blog a little. But that's because we've been extremely busy with the business of daily life.

Some new things we've been doing:

1. Fishing at McCoy's access. This is where the photo was taken, and it's about halfway between Bellefonte and Milesburg. A few years ago the Clear Water Conservancy removed the dam and restored the stream bed. The result is very good fishing, but for someone like myself who mostly just supports other people in fishing it's a great spot for reading and watching the sun set.

2. Planting stuff -- the Patchwork Farm tent at the Nittany Mall is closing shortly for the season, so everything is very economical. And, luckily, the plants I failed to raise from seed are among those on sale ! So, today we're planting foxglove and echinacea.

3. Harvesting stuff: growing in PA is a lot easier than growing in GA, probably because everything isn't getting dessicated by arid conditions mid-summer. Technically temps aren't far apart, but the wind in PA keeps the misery at a minimum. Currently we're just beginning to enjoy blueberries, strawberries, and hungarian wax peppers. We expect to be enjoying jalapenos and tomatoes soon, too.