#local first

Cloud computing and software as a service are a choice. "Local first" computing is possible, and desirable.

The Power of Read Local

Leigh Goff takes over my blog today with her interesting article on a “local first” trend. Take it away Leigh!

There is a social trend of ‘local first’ movements spreading around our nation that focuses on improving local economies and supporting communities from within. Supporting local, whether it be farms, shops, authors, or restaurants is a great way for groups of committed people to affect…

UPDATE #3: Brew and bottle 10 gallons of mead. 

On August 12, I was in Detroit and strolling around a neighborhood when I, to my surprise, saw Ken Schramm’s storefront. I have been reading his mead making book, which is the most prominent one out there in the US. Tasting his mead brought the words to life. After the coincidence, I knew that I needed to prioritize making mead upon returning home. I’m all ready to go after a stop n’ chat with a local homebrew supplier and the Hunter’s Honey stand at the farmer’s market.

My Week in Commodities

I’d like to say Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there today – I hope you’re all celebrating family, whatever family may be to you!

    This small bouquet of flowers from local florist The Bloomin’ Dragonfly we hung from our key & mail holder by the door.

  This well-behaved Penelope.

  This lovely flower arrangement, gifted to me for our anniversary from Sawyer (also from The…

Shelburne Farms is one of those national historic landmarks that people specifically travel to Vermont to visit (Vermont hosts three nationally recognized historical landmarks!).  There is a commonplace stereotype when it comes to the family farm.  We generally picture farmers as uneducated, dirty, Old MacDonald-types complete with overalls.  We perceive farming as the very definition of agrarian, a rustic and backwater lifestyle.  As someone with grandparents who were farmers, these stereotypes are widely erroneous.  My family history aside, Shelburne Farms is far from the Old MacDonald stereotype.  The property, a 3,800 acre farm, was amassed and settled by Dr. William Seward and Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt Webb, and was built to become the model agricultural estate of the period.  These two prominent figures hired landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. for grounds concepts and architect Robert H. Robertson for the designing of the four most prominent buildings on the property.  By the early 1900s, Shelburne Farms was renowned for its innovative agricultural practices, hackney horse breeding, and the opulent family residence (then called the Shelburne House, now referred to as the Inn at Shelburne Farms).  While the heyday of grand farming operations dwindled around 1910, family descendants reinvigorated the property by turning the Farms into a nonprofit organization providing education about sustainability as well as bolstering the relationship that children and adults alike have with the natural and agricultural world.

The history of Shelburne Farms is absolutely awe-inspiring in and of itself, but people come from faraway places to enjoy the opulent rooms at the Inn that feature original furniture pieces, portraits, and artwork, the exquisite farm-to-table food prepared in the kitchens at the Inn and grown on the grounds of the farm, to stroll through the Market Garden where the seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown for the restaurant and food cart, the many hiking trails winding throughout the acres of land, and of course memorable weddings at the Coach Barn or in the garden overlooking Lake Champlain and nestled quietly behind the Inn.  If all of those aspects of this place weren’t magical enough, Shelburne Farms has dedicated itself to the cultivation of conservation ethics to create a sustainable future.

As my first Localvore post, I thought I’d explain a little bit about what I mean when I say “localvore”.  Locavore (n.), defined by the Oxford Dictionaries is, a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food.  What I’m trying to incorporate by including the L in localvore is a love for local places that are not limited to the production of food.  In my Localvore section, I will look at local bookshops, local art galleries, local hiking trails, etc., alongside those popular restaurant destinations that serve up a great locally-produced dish.  Shelburne Farms does all of that and more.  Not only does it provide a beautiful backdrop for hiking, vacationing in one of the Inn’s rooms or in one of the cottages spread throughout the grounds, and educational classes on conservation, agriculture, and sustainability, it also provides eclectic farm-to-table food at the Inn (for elaborate breakfast and dinner options) and the Farm Cart (a less formal lunch experience).

As someone enjoying a special occasion dinner at the Inn at Shelburne Farms, I couldn’t hand out enough praise for this local hotspot.  Sawyer and I had a lovely table on the brick lain terrace with a view of the gardens and the sunset over Lake Champlain.  We were greeted by our dedicated server, Maureen (who happens to also be a good friend of mine), and a flute of sparkling rosé.  After twenty or so pleasant minutes had passed, Maureen brought us a bottle of pinot gris that I had paired with the Maple Wind Farm chicken I was about to order as my entree and to Sawyer’s appetizer, the Market Garden-grown mushroom tortellini.  As someone who often feels crowded in restaurants, the tables were spaced perfectly, with consideration to other tables on the terrace; I wasn’t fearful of eavesdroppers and I didn’t feel like I myself was forced into conversations happening at different tables.  Sawyer and I enjoyed our entrees (he ordered Due of Shelburne Farms Beef – he should’ve ordered a glass of red wine but opted out of one)

with a flickering candle provided after sunset.  To complete our meal, Sawyer had a cappuccino and Maureen granted me a gracious glass of rosé.  At the end of our experience, we walked alongside the garden back to the gravel path to our car.  It seemed to me like a magical night of old-world decadence.  I would recommend it to anyone as a place to go to celebrate a special occasion.

The Inn at Shelburne Farms was only the venue for the occasion, but – as far as venues go – I couldn’t have been more pleased.  Everything from presentation to service to food was superb, I wouldn’t have changed anything about it (except perhaps buying Sawyer that glass of red wine for his beef – but that’s just doting on him).  I understand, after my experience, why people travel far and wide to visit this beautiful place.  I consider myself lucky to live close enough that I can visit the grounds for a walk or stop by for an evening drink whenever I feel the draw.  This Farm, while still a farm hard at work, does not embody the dated Old MacDonald sentiments whatsoever.  Well done, Shelburne Farms, and thank you!

My Week in Commodities

A cherished heirloom.

This handmade dreamcatcher from the students at St. Joseph’s Indian School, sent to me in thanks of for contribution as a pen pal

This lovely bunch of Farmer’s Market flowers that Sawyer picked out for me.

This absolutely stunning mug, created by local potter Noel Bailey.