Author Archives: susanmsink@gmail.com

Grasshopper Hunt

OK. So I went out and paid $30 (that’s 10 dozen eggs if you’re keeping track) for this. No, I did not get a cat (though I’ve been lobbying). But I am desperate to get these chickens to all lay … Continue reading

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The Warden

One day last week I opened both the chicken coop door and the pen door first thing in the morning. I was thinking they’d go about their usual business: taking turns going in the coop to lay their eggs, eating … Continue reading

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Late Heat

I’m not really in a good decision-making place this late in the season, but my sense is that there’s been more quantity than quality in the garden this summer. Maybe the quantity just makes one weary! After several dozen cucumbers, … Continue reading

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Winter Squash

The only actual “fail” in this year’s garden has been the winter squash. And yes, it has been an epic fail. I mean, sure, the rabbit ate the chard and celery, and we only got two eggplant (but look at … Continue reading

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Ten Years in Minnesota

As the students have been returning to the colleges here, I’ve been very aware that it was exactly ten years ago that I arrived in this place. I had come for an academic year at the Collegeville Institute, following the … Continue reading

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Five Chickens Laying

The chickens are now all laying pretty regularly. Only one (I’m sure it’s Biggie) is laying full size eggs. The others will catch up. You may notice in this carton the first egg from Fred. It’s that dingy, scratched egg. … Continue reading

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Tomato Guide 2015

Tomato season has begun. In this, the best year in the garden ever, the tomatoes are also shaping up to be the best. I’m happy about the varieties I planted. Right now it’s all fresh eating and quick sauces. There’s … Continue reading

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Shishito Peppers

Last year people started talking about shishito peppers on social media. They were showing up in CSA boxes and people didn’t know what to do with them. They were getting rave reviews as appetizers, too. So this year I planted … Continue reading

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First Egg

First egg! Mark this date: August 12, 2015 (born March 22). Turns out when the chickens chase you around squawking at the top of their crowy little throats it means they’re “broody.” I was hoping that was what it meant, though … Continue reading

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Whatever Happened to Buerre Blanc?

Back around the year 2000, I was really into buerre blanc. I had just started my subscription to Gourmet and I had a husband who only ate up the food chain as far as fish. We ate a lot of scallops and I made … Continue reading

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