The big outdoor gifts were a new swing and a new to us, but used, slide. There won’t be much plastic involved in our “natural” playscapes, but when it is necessary our plan is to search craigslist before buying new. David positioned the slide down our wildflower hill for optimum magic and celebrating in black-eyed susans, zinnias, clover, and sunflowers during the summer and fall months.

I love thinking up creative and useful gifts for our kids. Activities that create movement, wonder, and that magical outdoor childhood that I had and want to share tenfold. Now that we have a two year old in the house we can begin implementing the big ideas. When Singer woke up from her nap and there was suddenly a slide in our hill she quickly adorned it, staring up at the heavens, throwing her head back and forth screaming. She could not hold back her joy, this was hers! She did not have the words to show her pleasure, all she could do was growl!

On Friday we had close friends, David’s parents, and my Auntie Ann for dinner. Let me warn you now, my husband is quickly surpassing me in my kitchen. He made tacos, let’s call them Indian Fusion. Let’s also call him a genius. When the kids are this young their parties can easily be a celebration for the adults without planning, it just happens that way, as children are meant to celebrate.

The sun never came out on Saturday, but the rain did the party a favor and moved on. The weather report predicted much worse. All of the kids were able to slide and swing. We had BBQ from Country’s that my Auntie Ann brought all the way from Columbus Georgia. You ought to know, if you don’t, the secret is in their sauce. The Q fit in nicely with Athens’ own Luna sourdough bread. My Auntie also made her potato salad and it’s got horseradish in it, if you’ve never thrown a few tablespoons in yours I do suggest doing so. Homemade browned (fake) butter with Kosher salt brown “Rice Krispie Treats” and knock off Whole Foods chocolate cookies, akin to a meringue, instead of cake. Curried Devil Eggs, and I made a new stew that could become a staple, Roasted Tomato, Chick Pea, and Swiss Chard. Of course I made a few substitutions on the stew, left out allspice, added garam masala instead.

Here are a few favorites from our past week and Saturday’s Birthday Party. To view all of the pictures from the week prior and the party click here and here.

At that time in 2009 the list I provided was what Athens had to offer, but local offerings have become much more consistent throughout our state and the southeast. California and the west coast have effortlessly provided a lifestyle like this for decades, sometimes it takes this part of the country a minute to catch on. In the past two years Athens has added Trader Joe’s and Fresh Market. Six months ago I went to each place for different offerings when Farmer’s Market Season ended here. With two under two it’s not as easy so I stagger shopping trips throughout each place and stock up on shelf stable items so I don’t have to struggle all over town. Below is a list of favorites, with pros and cons of each business that we visit most frequently.

Please note these cons aren’t really cons to our family, not enough to stop from shopping at these favorite spots. I wanted to notate things that might deter others from shopping regularly at these spots. 

Trader Joe’s

Earthfare

Athens Locally Grown dot Net

Daily Food Co-Op

Fresh Market

Athens Farmers Market

Bulk Meat

What Greendale loot looks like.

This is where my husband steps in. We’ve gotten pigs, some cow, lamb, and chickens through different farms and I suppose our favorite place to get our pigs from is Greendale Farm or Tagyerit. As far as chickens go, I prefer to buy them whole from Trader Joe’s. Our chickens and lamb have come from the same South Georgia Farm, but I’m not familiar with the name of the farm. It costs about a dollar less at TJ’s per bird and there is a lot more meat on their organic birds. We also eat a lot of venison, but that’s more about who ya know that hunts. David doesn’t hunt, but in his industry there are many hunters. One of his best friend is a gamesman as well, which helps us fill our outdoor freezer with venison in addition to Berkshire pig, chickens, and lamb. We don’t eat much bovine to be honest. Ribeye is the only cut we prefer, due to the amazing sausage from our pigs for spaghetti, plus bacon “burger” and ground from the venison. The pig covers large cuts nicely for bbq.

A skinny bird from down south.

Favorite Farmers and Producers:

Backyard Bushel: We buy two dozen eggs each week from our friends Shelley and Carter Dodd’s farm. They are also vendors at the Farmers Market. Check in with them come April and say hello, shake the man with the good beards hand, and pick up some produce. I think Carter has the best peppers and their eggs are better than any other vendors at the AFM, although I’m not sure they can sell them there this coming year. Last year there were only four eggs vendors and Carter was not one of them, there is paperwork and red tape involved to sell more than just veggies. While those four farms produced great eggs for us last year, they don’t come close to matching Carter’s gals. His yolks by far are the most orange and flavorful I’ve found in Athens. David and Singer (picky and non egg eaters) recently started eating fried eggs when we switched to Backyard Bushel. That little lady is mesmerized by the Dodd’s orange yolks!

Backyard Bushel owner, Carter Dodd.

Cedar Grove Farm: Jay is without a doubt the best kale grower in our region. Heck, this guy has the best kale I’ve ever eaten. He’s also a dear to us and always has a smile and cooking instructions.

Homemade chips from AFM potatoes.

Three Porch Farm: This is the stand to hit up first at the AFM, grab a honeypop for everyone! Mandy and Steve have incredible produce, but their stars are fresh flowers,honey, preserves, and syrups. The O’Shea’s farm is powered by solar energy and their vehicles run on veggie oil! Mandy is a college friend of mine and we both attended a talk (circa 2003?) at the old college head shop about running vehicles on veggie oil when the veggie bus passed through town. This lady has come full circle!

Native Sun Farm: Brent and Amy Lopp grow some of our favorite arugala and root veggies. They are also easily accessible through their own farm stand which is held every Wednesday at the farm on Jimmy Daniel Road from 4-6. Note that the farm stand is on hiatus until March 20th due to celebration of the birth of Amy and Brent’s second son! Expanded hours will start in April.

Luna Bread: When you don’t bake your own, buy Luna. Available at Daily and the AFM (They both have ciabatta!) Also available at Earthfare.

Luna Bread’s golden child, ciabatta.

1000 Faces: Athens is lucky to have a few roasters, but 1000 Faces is my favorite local. Equipped all over town I pick this up at Fresh Market, AFM, and Daily. Best of all you may stop in at their roasting facility on Barber Street for a free cup with purchase of a bag of beans, they also give you that perk at the Market on Saturdays and will give you brewing advice as well.

I love them all.

CSAs

Athens has plentiful CSAs and while we don’t choose to participate in them many find them to be economical and exciting. I prefer to choose my produce, experience community, and monitor the amount of food that comes in our home, but I certainly see the perks of a csa. You can check out CSA offerings from: Native Sun, Full Moon, Roots, Cedar Grove, and more here.

Any questions? I’ll be back in the coming months once growing season picks up and we celebrate the return of the Athens Farmers Market on April 6th!

Next time on the blog, you gardening questions answered. Send any questions to brinsonfolks at gmail dot com.

These women I speak of, especially today, oh… I hurt when they hurt. I rejoice with them and in them. There are tears of joy with them, and then those tears of sorrow. I lift them up, and they do the same for me. Encouragement. It’s catching.

You can find yourself in a strange and unfamiliar place after losing a mother. You are likely to begin to find even more strength in other women, while you still hold tightly on to what she was, and still is today. You see glimpses of her in you, whether you like them or not. I see them in my daughter too, and I love those quirks the most. I rejoice in what Mama left me with, and in the support that I feel every single day from my female friends and family, specifically. Those who grabbed her torch and ran with it, bravely. I must say I have my dudes who check in, and if they even read this blog they know who they are. The ones that call, text, send me a joke, love my husband. But it’s different. The chicks, oh you beautiful souls. Perhaps I haven’t seen you ten years, but your words of encouragement, antidotes that made you think of me, those get me through the lonely days, because no one tells you how lonely it can sometimes be. I am thankful every day that I don’t miss a moment. But sometimes, on rainy days like these, the cabin fever sets in. Or worse, something sad happens and sinks in deeply… BAM! I reminded once again by life that I may feel isolated some moments in adult land. But I am oh so blessed, more than I could ever begin to wrap my head around. We all are, in different ways, regardless of choice or circumstance. At the very least we are warm, clothed, fed, sheltered, and most importantly loved. We are rich.

Ladies, those of you who send me questions, notes, recipes, and reminders about the things I’ve been trying to grow in over the past decade, some days- like this one, you keep me going. A lover of sunshine and a compassionate baby lover can feel stagnant on a day like today when the world throws rain, loss, and babies in pain your way. Please keep sending me your insights and questions, but most importantly know that I cherish each one. Sometimes I’ll reply with a haste answer, and I’m trying to get better at that… but I’m also trying to get better at being a mom, and wife. I will continue that  particular quest forever, even after I’m physically gone. Sometimes social networking and childrearing do not go hand in hand, I find they work better during nap times and independent play.

In the end this entry is about trying to answering your questions, in particular, here through a public medium. You know, for everyone to read. Slang, misspellings, commas, warts, and all. Admittedly, I’m better at getting back with you via text, email, phone call, or even in person when you send your questions. So I do apologize if I’m a week or so late trying to provide answers through this outlet, but it’s an area I want to receive growth. Writing. This weekend I plan on addressing where to find local food. Albeit, a week late, even though promised. Have I mention I was two weeks late being born and haven’t been on time since? I’m going to talk about in better detail how I changed our pantry, fridge, and added a weekly stash of seasonal fruits and veggies. While I work on the question please send me any you have on any topic you might think I can help you with, or any you can help me with in my quest for being a lifelong learner.

 Photo by Kelli Guinn