New Year Ramblings and Good Wishes

I don't know about you but I am really ready to get back to normal life. I have a lot on my plate coming up over the next few months. My family and I did a pretty complete stop and relax for over two weeks. The Farmer cut back on his chores some and Julia and I had fun spending time together not doing much. It was fun to see family and friends including a trip to Boston but come New Year's Day, I was ready to send Julia on the school bus and work on some of my pending piles of work. That didn't happen as we had a big snowstorm that closed schools for 2 days and temperatures were 15 below zero. We made it through, stoking the wood furnace constantly. Today she left early on the school bus and I have been working on a list of what needs to get done. 

I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions. I'm a list maker but I often lose the list. Just the act of writing something down helps me to figure out what to do first, what is important, what goes to the end of the list. I've tried those computer program "to do lists" but they don't work for me. Wish they did. 

The other day during the snowstorm, we all headed down to Northampton to be interviewed at WRSI for the Local Hero Spotlight feature sponsored by CISA (Community Involved in Supporting Agriculture). Monte Belmonte, a smart and witty DJ who has a great interview style, interviewed us. The Farmer was dreading the interview. He was trying hard to get out of it - there wasn't a prayer Julia and I were going to let him get away with not going! It went well. Monte got some funny stories out of us. Here's a photo just before leaving. All that expensive equipment!

HERE'S THE LINK TO LISTEN. 

I brought Monte a lamb shank braised in tomatoes and herbs with polenta which he is holding in the photo. 

The studio is also the studio where Steve and Kathy from Webs tape their podcast. Speaking of Steve and Kathy - they are the new mama and papa to Teddy the Kitten. 

No more kitten photos until next summer. Miss the kitten energy for sure. What a sweet face.

Work on everyone! 2014 awaits. Let's make it a good one. I really appreciate all your support and wish you all the best for 2014.