October 26, 2009
Firstly, I am feeling better, not 100% percent which I find frustrating, but better. I hate blowing my nose and I'm thinking for next time around (which hopefully will be many moons away) I might consider one of those nasty neti pots. And yes, I did get to enjoy the outdoors with my family yesterday. It was spectacular and I can't wait to share those photos.
Today's post is a photo summary of the annual bean threshing at the farm. It actually happened over a week ago but being sick last week post-poned sharing the photos here. By this point you might be asking "what's a bean threshing?"
Well, the version I know is what we do at the farm each fall. These dried bundles of beans are thrown down from the hay loft of the barn (darn, that would of made a good picture) onto big tarps. Then they are jumped on, hit with bats and otherwise pummeled by small children and adults alike until the beans come out of the pods. The biggest stalks and chaff are removed at this point and the beans (with a bunch of little bits of chaff) are scooped into buckets. These buckets are then dumped into empty buckets and the breeze helps blow away the bits of chaff. This last step is done repeatedly till most of the chaff is removed. Clear as molasses? Good.
The bean threshing party itself is more of a potluck and excuse to get together with other share members, listen to fiddle music, take wagon rides and run around the whole farm on a scavenger hunt (if you belong to the 4 ft and under set). Some beans do get threshed but this year I have to admit I did not do my part, too busy chattin'. I will enjoy those beans, with guilty pleasure, when they show up in our shares later this winter.
I managed to take a photo of our farmer, Jill, when we were on the wagon ride. I asked her permission to share it here. I want to introduce you all to the wonderful woman who grows our veggies; our family loves her and her farm dearly (in case you haven't been able to tell).
What cool fall activities or parties have you participated in lately? I love marking the seasons this way, don't you?
Yes, I'll second the positive neti pot experience - I started it last year and was amazed at how helpful it was. It took a time or two to feel comfortable. Now I'm trying to figure out how to teach the technique to my kids...
We went to a "Re-skilling" festival in Ann Arbor, MI this weekend - lots of fall farm goodness there, milking goats, drinking cider, enjoying the leaves...
how fun! i would love to participate in a farm and farm activities like that! i don't have a neti pot..they scare me slightly, but i am sooo curious, because i do believe in saline and how much that can make a difference! nicola http://whichname.blogspot.com
nicola@which name?'s last blog post... my (semi) blogging break
nicola ~ my daughter is just 10 yrs old and she uses the neti pot with ease. She has alergies and tends to catch colds & things easily. Her prized purchase at the Common Ground fair this fall was a beautiful little porcelain neti pot! She was so thrilled. It makes a huge difference for her. :>)
what fun and your photos are just gorgeous renee!!!
exhale. return to center.'s last blog post... thank you spiderman
Harvest Season in all it's abundant glory! I love your photos and descriptions. I wish I could wear the little knit hats I see your girls wear....They are so adorable and look both cozy AND stylish! PS. Is that Greg Bordman playing a guitar in the photo with the fiddle player? (luv your people shots)
Yep, that's Greg. And I love taking people shots but I don't post many here because I won't post clear face photos of people without their permission.
How FUN! Looks like a delightful time. If that kind of thing happens around Houston, I have no idea where. And I love my saline nasal rinse - my sinuses feel like they've had a refreshing bath afterwards.
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kyndale on Oct. 26, 2009, 11:13 p.m.
That sounds like a wonderful experience! I have to tell you though Renee, after I got sick a month or so ago, I do my neti pot every night..just for good measure. It's not that nasty!
renee on Oct. 27, 2009, 12:55 a.m.
I'm sure it's not nasty it just seems kind of gross... I suppose I could get used to it.
kyndale on Oct. 27, 2009, 5:25 a.m.
I've gotten used to it. I don't even feel the water flowing through.