Meet Aussi

This is Aussi.  She's a very pretty sulfur crested cockatoo.  She's looking for a forever home.  Have you got one for her?  Or perhaps another bird?  If you do, let me know in the comments and I can put you in touch with her foster mom.

Autumn-y

It was pretty dry here this summer and I think that might have something to do with why I haven't seen very spectacular colors this fall. 

But these trees in my neighborhood never disappoint; they're always happy to put on a show. 

Pinholio show at Good Citizen Gallery

Hi!

I've been sort of laying low on the photo front for a while, but I saw a call for entries to a pinhole photo show, and I've really been wanting to make some pinhole photos, so I took some at the Missouri State Fair and submitted them to Good Citizen Gallery in south St. Louis, where Pinholio will be held. 

And yay!  They accepted two of my photos—the one above, and another.  You'll just have to come to the show if you want to see it. 

The opening is Friday, November 18, 2011, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Come!

Good Citizen Gallery
2247 Gravois Ave. (just a smidge northeast of Jefferson)
St. Louis MO,
63104-2852

Untitled

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

First autumn CSA share

If you've been following my blog (and really, who hasn't?  Hi, Mom!), you know that I've been super excited about the CSA share I've been getting from Dutchtown's own Maude's Market. 

The autumn session has just started, and man, every time I think Maude can't top herself, she goes and does it!

This past weekend's share included bison meat, sweet potatoes, figs, Billy Goat chips (so yum), baby kale, pears, and lepina (amazing Bosnian flatbread.)

Everything=so good.  If you aren't near Maude's Market, and you haven't already looked into CSA shares in your area, I absolutely recommend you check it out. 

What's that you say?  You want a closer look at the goods?  They are so pretty that they love to pose, so here are some highlights of our little photo session.

Gorgeous figs from Ivan's figs

round pears from Akins Orchard and Farm

Bosnian lepina bread from Golden Grain Bakery, and baby red Russian kale from Yellow Dog Farm.  That crust on the lepina?  Unbelievable.  Go get you some, seriously. 

And one more look at those luscious figs, because they are just beautiful, aren't they?

Yay yay, CSA!

If you have talked to me at all this summer, you know that all I want to talk about is my CSA share.  I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to photographing any of my CSA bounty until now.

What’s CSA?  That’s community supported agriculture!  The quick explanation is that it’s a subscription-type program through which I buy groceries each week from local farmers and other producers.  More on CSA in general here. 

I get my CSA share from the wonderful Maude’s Market in Dutchtown. Once a week Maude sends an e-mail detailing what will be in that week’s share.  It usually includes produce, meat (vegetarian shares available), a staple, and a treat.  A well-rounded meal plan if you ask me!  

I’m nuts about it.  I’ve cooked things I’ve never cooked with before, such as tatsoi and ground mutton; I’ve made dishes I never thought of before, like cantaloupe salad with basil and mint; and I’ve gotten to spend the summer with old favorites, like sweet corn, beautiful tomatoes, and fat, pretty eggplants. 

Some other highlights have included fantastic yogurt, focaccia, spices, jelly, and goat milk moisturizing cream(!)

The summer subscription for the CSA is ending soon, and it’s time to sign up for the fall period (roughly October-November.)  I asked Maude tonight and she said there’s a waiting list for fall, but there’s a chance a spot will open up, so I recommend sending her a note and seeing about getting in on the fun.  

More details on the commitment here.

And you can look on the Maude’s Market blog for examples of what each share has looked like for the last several months or so.   

Even if you don’t get in on the CSA, I urge you to go visit the market.  It’s a darling little space, with really interesting (all local) products.  Go!  See it!

Maude’s Market

4219 Virginia Avenue

(2 blocks east of Grand, just south of Meramec)

St. Louis, MO

 things I got in this week's share

 eggplants, arugula, smoked Gouda!

 that basil sure looks like it would like to get a little closer to those tomatoes.  don't be shy, basil!

sweet corn, leeks -- can't wait to eat you!

Craft-O-Matic this Saturday!

I haven't been able to take a ton of pictures lately, or to catch up with a backlog of photos I've taken that I haven't really looked through yet.  Nothing gets me working like a deadline of some sort, however, so I have printed a bunch of photos (example above) — heretofore only seen by me — for Craft-O-Matic, an indie craft sale this Saturday, June 4 at the Regional Arts Commission on Delmar in the East Loop. 

There will be work for sale by dozens of artists and crafters (see some previews here).  I can't wait to see what everyone has made.  It's a one-day-only event, don't miss your chance to take a peek!