Author Archives: susanmsink@gmail.com

The Game Changer

Is this the happiest man you’ve ever seen? This photo really shows what Steve is about. If I had worked for two days and was facing down two pallets of materials for a gigantic greenhouse, I would not look like … Continue reading

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Mature Prairie: Fall

These are my colors. From 1978-82 when I was in high school, I made many of my own clothes, and these were the colors I gravitated to. They were called “earth tones.” My mother called them “brown.” Looking at the … Continue reading

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Leeks

I think leeks might still be the most amazing plant in the garden. The seeds are so tiny, and I start them before anything else. And yet, the full-grown leek is one of the last things I harvest. When I … Continue reading

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Pretty Enough to Eat

Today I was preparing my garlic beds for planting. I brought in two straw bales and the country store where I bought them had bags of apples– 20 lbs for $20! Score! These are locally grown and “minimally sprayed.” That … Continue reading

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Something New

There is a feeling of something new around here. I can’t quite explain it, but I’m just feeling like something new is happening. It’s a strange feeling for fall! It has a lot to do with the arrival of the … Continue reading

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Squash and other October Prepping

Today was the day to deal with the Cool Old Squash.It’s been sitting in the basement like a porpoise letting me know that it wasn’t going anywhere. I got two, actually, but gave one away to a couple visiting from Switzerland. … Continue reading

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Peak Colors!

This past weekend I had the good luck to be invited to a friend’s cabin near Scenic State Park north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. I was there once before, in June, when we were plagued with bugs. Not so this … Continue reading

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Moving into Fall

And just like that, I’m calling an end to the canning. I just can’t do it anymore. The pantry is full (four jars of tomatoes cooling before filling that last row), and if I’m so moved, I can still dehydrate … Continue reading

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Kraut

Every day I’m harvesting produce, and it’s still kind of alarming to see all of it in the pails on the counter or out on the ledge by the kitchen door. Every day I try to do something that counts … Continue reading

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Red River Valley

I have been driving around North Dakota the last few days. It is something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while. North Dakota was one of three remaining states of the contiguous 48 that I had not been to … Continue reading

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