| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| BlueEggBabe |
Posted - Oct 12 2005 : 11:59:28 AM
I came across a poem today in a book that I had forgotten I had called "This Way of Life" compiled by Maude Longwell from a quarter century of letters from farm women sent to Farm Journal Magazine.Copyright 1971. It really felt appropriate on this damp and chilly fall day.
Farm Kitchen
I like my kitchen. The big shining stove with it's friendly wood fire; copper kettle singing its contralto song; plump black pot
with its bubbling, savory stew.
The rich golden smell of corn bread ready to take from the oven blending with the piquant spiciness of hot gingerbread.
I like the wide painted floorboards and the red geraniums in the windows; the little brown pots with trailing ivy; the view of the road where I can watch the R.F.D. man drive up to the mailbox. I like to see the table set for supper, the red cloth, blue napkins,and cream colored dishes.
The cat lies curled on the rocking chair cushion. Shep lies beside the stove watching every move.
Soon I'll hear his footsteps coming through the woodshed and the soft clink of the milk pails.
Storms may lash outside.
Here in my kitchen is all warm and safe.
by Blanche Elliot Pearson
www.feedsackfarmgirls.blogspot.com
"If more of us valued good food, cheer and song above hoarded gold,the world would be a merrier place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 19 2005 : 6:48:12 PM
I love it too. I wanna be there!
By the way, ladies, for inexpensive books, no place beats Half.com (an Ebay company). I buy tons of stuff there. CDs too.
Happy Wishes! |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 19 2005 : 6:12:21 PM
The baking soda thing didn't work.. it was just too strong...but 3 fabric softener sheets in a bag with the book did the trick!  Aaahhhh, now I can read through it tonight! Can't wait!
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. ~~Apache Blessing
|
| Fabulous Farm Femmes |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 11:37:14 AM
When we were stationed in Germany, I had the opportunity to see how the German farm women live...they are ALL farm women there unless they live in a big city...most have 2 kitchens! They have what they call their "work" kitchen in the basement, they do all their cooking, canning and laundry down there - making the entire days meals & kitchen work for the whole day-in the early morning. Then they clean up and send the food upstairs where the refridgerate it until dinner time, where they warm it and serve it in the "formal kitchen". Our landlord even had a dumbwaiter to send the dirty dishes back down to the work kitchen after the meal.
Personally i think this is a great idea, all the cooking done and cleaned up in the early morning !! |
| junebug |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 11:26:16 AM
Oh Clare, that's such a shame! Kitty litter works the same way too. Good luck!
I'm not 40 something, I'm 39.95 plus shipping and handling! |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 6:43:17 PM
Clare- tie some baking soda in a circle of muslin and seal it up with your book in a ziploc bag, you may have to repeat a few times. The other alternative is to open a bar of Irish Spring soap and seal it up in a ziploc bag. It worked with a smoke laden piano, it should work with your book!
Blue Egg - Loved your poem, I could just picture it! My cousin had a farmhouse for a while near Gilbertsville that had the double kitchen and we all loved it for family parties! Sounds like you and the "girls" put the second one to good use every month.
Meadowlark- I think Flower and Garden stopped publishing in the 70's sometime and I wish I HAD kept all those copies! If we knew then what we know now! I still have (somewhere) some of the articles I saved from them, think I'll dig them out and see if any are "share worthy"!
with a happy heart |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 5:21:39 PM
Mine arrived today too!! sans the inscriptions and with a musty-smokey smell, so it's outside right now, hopefully having a cleansing. It does look like it's FULL of wonderful writings! Can't wait! Might have to get a clothespin out for my nose, and get to readin'!  If it doesn't clear up, I may just offer it up to any of you members that are smokers who it wouldn't bother. I'll keep ya posted.
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. ~~Apache Blessing
|
| junebug |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 4:43:46 PM
Oh Meadowlark, that is SO cool! And fast delivery too! What a treasure, thanks for sharing and I'm heading to ebay to see if there is anymore left? lol
I'm not 40 something, I'm 39.95 plus shipping and handling! |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 4:15:54 PM
Sisters, I recieved my stained, battered, much loved copy of This Way of Life today! All I can say girls, is it is grand...very grand. I opened my copy and on the inside cover there were these words written by 2 women ( farmgirls for sure) that I want to share with you now...
September 30th 1972
Happy Birthday Edna!
Because we both love and appreciate so many of the same things; I'm sure you will enjoy this book.
Much love,
Lucille
and in very shakey red ink written by a very old woman 20 years later....
Thanks Lucille!
You are one of the best friends I've ever had! And you still are Lucille. (I'm writting this on Nov. 22, 1992.
Kinda gets ya doesn't it girls???? The power of friendship between women...soooo I am updating this book of mine to read...
Oct.17th 2005 This book was suggested by BlueEggBabe Sue on the MJF farmgirl connection, and approved by it's farmgirl sisters with love!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| junebug |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 1:53:43 PM
Wish I was closer to take that course, how neat! Great website too!
I'm not 40 something, I'm 39.95 plus shipping and handling! |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 14 2005 : 5:57:07 PM
Your are right Anne...the movie did not do the book justice. As is usually the case...
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Oct 14 2005 : 4:47:57 PM
Susan -
I just came across this topic as I was browsing the forum, wonderful poem and it sounds like a great class that you teach. As for the movie "Practical Magic", it's better if you read the book. The author is Alice Hoffman and her descriptions of the house, the kitchen and everything is so vivid and colorful, the movie pales in comparison. I am a big Hoffman fan and have read many of her books, this is one of my favorites, along with "Turtle Moon" and "River King". There is also a book she wrote called "Blackbird House", it is a series of shorts about the inhabitants of a farm on the eastcoast over the years. Wonderful stories. From the way you wrote your poem about your kitchen, I think you would like this author.
Anne
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
|
| BlueEggBabe |
Posted - Oct 14 2005 : 2:10:05 PM
Junebug Sue,
I teach a 9-month "Homestead Herbalism" course that meets one Saturday per month, March through November. Next year, however, I'll teach more one day or half day classes, as well as the course because people have been requesting it.
There is a description about the course on my website if you'd like the curriculum details( should be updated with the 2006 schedule and photos in the next few days).
I am preparing to finish the course for this year in a few weeks and that is always difficult. Bonding with a beautiful group of women over nine months is wonderful...saying goodbye sometimes is very emotional.
Thanks for asking
www.FarmatCoventry.com.
www.feedsackfarmgirls.blogspot.com
"If more of us valued good food, cheer and song above hoarded gold,the world would be a merrier place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
| junebug |
Posted - Oct 14 2005 : 1:37:55 PM
Susan, what kind of classes do you teach? Sounds like fun whatever they are!
I'm not 40 something, I'm 39.95 plus shipping and handling! |
| BlueEggBabe |
Posted - Oct 13 2005 : 2:42:49 PM
Melanie,
Ha! you are sweet.oh,please don't be jealous.
It's not so much that I am having frequent daily visitors around my table.I teach classes here in my big kitchen one Saturday every month and that is what I am describing there.For most of the time I am working alone in that kitchen.It's probably a good thing, because I have mentioned before, I am a very messy creator Not a whole lot of extra room on that big table when when I am working furiously.
MeadowLark,I declare, you are the queen of movie viewing!! I have never heard of Practical Magic. I will have to dig it up.
I'm glad that some of you have copies of "This Way of Life" winging toward your doors. THAT is cool!!
www.feedsackfarmgirls.blogspot.com
"If more of us valued good food, cheer and song above hoarded gold,the world would be a merrier place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
| junebug |
Posted - Oct 13 2005 : 1:09:09 PM
Susan, I knew you had it in you!!! You roped the challenge and we all rode it with you, what a wonderful kitchen you must have!!! I too love the movie Practical Magic and I fell in love with the old house and esp. the kitchen! I'm printing off your poem for sure! Ok girls, anyone else up to poem-ize there kitchens?
I'm not 40 something, I'm 39.95 plus shipping and handling! |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 13 2005 : 08:55:53 AM
SUE!!!!! You are just too dang cool I wanna have your life...and your kitchen....Speaking of kitchens...yours sounds like the awesome one in the movie Practical Magic...they had jars of herbs and stuff in an old bookcase thing and a huge harvest table in the center...it was such a cool house in that movie...I watched the movie just to see the kitchen!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Oct 13 2005 : 06:18:13 AM
Hey there BEB, your poem is Great, fabulous, terrific. I have to say that I am a wee bit jealous as it sounds like you get quite a few visitors. I, on the other hand don't get any, but that is okay as I have my animals, my husband and all of you farm girls to insipre me!!!
"I wanna touch the earth, I want to break it in my hands, I want to grow something wild and unruly" |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Oct 13 2005 : 04:27:33 AM
This is a great topic! I just went and purchased the book too! After reading all of your posts, I felt refreshed and peaceful. This is why I come here to this site - to be with friends and be refreshed. Nothing like describing farm kitchens to do just that!
Thank you BEB for a great poem and a great book suggestion!
|
| BlueEggBabe |
Posted - Oct 13 2005 : 02:05:01 AM
can you say I-N-S-O-M-N-I-A ???
www.feedsackfarmgirls.blogspot.com
"If more of us valued good food, cheer and song above hoarded gold,the world would be a merrier place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Oct 12 2005 : 10:57:30 PM
You are so cool Sue...cute poem..I love it!!
Jenny in Utah
Put all your eggs in one basket..and then watch that basket!! Mark Twain |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 12 2005 : 10:51:07 PM
Holy smokes! Love your poetry BEB. I'll be right over, too!
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. ~~Apache Blessing
|
| BlueEggBabe |
Posted - Oct 12 2005 : 9:41:08 PM
I just got home.
you girls make me smile.
this is for all of you...
it's 11 pm, but I'm up for the task
because tomorrow in your praise I'll bask.
Eggs of Blue has Kitchens---two!!!
but,the east side's for my family,too.
harvest table, mismatched chairs
worn with love from meals served there
cotton aprons by the door
I'd like to think there's room for more
goat cheese in the cheesecloth strains
on the counter some elderberry stains
eggs need washing,compost dumped,
from the sill, my cat just jumped
red and yellow enamelware bowls
searching for more is my solo goal
screen door opens, screen door closed
inside, outside, we comes and goes.
tonight our dishes left in the sink
while running out to get to the rink!
the west side is a dream come true
It's a kitchen just for Eggs of Blue!!
a woodstove, teapot, rocking chairs
within these walls..friends gather there
The smell of herbs are in the air
from blending teas prepared with care.
huge old bookcase spans the wall;
to add more books, I'll never stall.
In the antique cupboard green,
behind the doors,glass jars unseen;
opened wide, my treasure found
where leaf and roots and seeds abound.
Botanical prints in cheap gold frames
just ask...I'll recite the Latin names.
But,in the center of this room
is the heart where magic blooms.
A large square table with benches here,
where women gather 'round throughout the year.
Where hands of all do plant and pick,
we talk and chop and laugh and mix.
We drink our tea, eat potluck feast
let's all clean up, I ask, at least.
And when the day of sharing's done
there's farmgirl hugs til next months' fun.
I smile and sigh...my kitchen complete;
happy, content, I prop my feet.
from my farm kitchen to yours,
BlueEggBabeola
goodnight all!
www.feedsackfarmgirls.blogspot.com
"If more of us valued good food, cheer and song above hoarded gold,the world would be a merrier place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 12 2005 : 8:38:28 PM
Just bought a coffee stained, unjacketed This Way of Life on ebay for four bucks! This was the last used copy I could locate on ebay...YEAH!!!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 12 2005 : 5:41:16 PM
BEB, this is the 2nd thing you've sold me on today!!!  I bought it on a "buy now" from Ebay. $6.49 including shipping. Can't wait to receive it! Thank you!!!!!!!!!
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. ~~Apache Blessing
|
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 12 2005 : 5:33:04 PM
Those old issues of Farm Journal and Flower and Garden would be wonderful to peruse now! Does anyone know when they were published? Waiting for that poem too, BEB!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
|
|
