Kauai is my all time favorite place in Hawaii! It’s so beautiful and peaceful! Your adventure there sounds like so much fun. It’s really cool hearing that they have an organic farm but it’s crazy that they only have one. All the fruit looks so delicious and I can practically taste them just looking at the photos! Nice post. Thanks for sharing your grand adventure.

I live along the Front Range in northeast Colorado (east side of the Rockies). My eggplant routinely reach 3-4 feet in height and are massive producers. We have a short season, but not as short as yours in Alaska. But still, they are great producers and remarkable when you realize that enormous bush is an eggplant!

I have always considered Mary Jane’s Farm a refuge from the political turmoil going on in our country. Your left-handed reference to your political views are unwelcome, in my opinion. I am not talking about a for or against opinion of the outcome of the election but The fact that this space ought to be a politics free space. Let”s pay attention to our Farmgirl values and goals…please. There is a time and A PLACE for the sharing of politics. I did not think this is the place nor the time.

Living in the city too, I can relate. From my back porch I can see 3 different houses very clearly and have found myself making assumptions as well. One house in particular that I can see is across the street from my back door neighbors. When I started staying home I would notice many cars coming and going from this house all day, everyday. After much observation and many ideas later, I found out that this house has a daycare inside. I think it’s a natural human instinct to be curious and I wouldn’t be surprised if my neighbors have watched to see what we do over here. I honestly feel that it gives me a sense of security or reassurance knowing who my neighbors are and what they do, so if something is not normal or right I can react. I believe what your doing and feeling is perfectly normal.
Have fun in Hawaii with your family! I am jealous and in much need of a vacation. Hawaii is a wonderful place to travel to.

Oh I hope you had a wonderful time in Hawaii – I have so wanted to go there to see all the beautiful flowers!!! Thanks for the view into your suburban life – I can relate – it was touch moving off the farm. Love them babies. God bless.

Nice post, Alex. This is the perfect time for me to sit, relax, and reflect on the moments. Bringing summer to an end and starting up fall is a great time to let go of some stress, especially before the crazy of the soon to be here holidays hits. I will make sure to spend extra time with the special people in my life and share many emotions and experiences.

I just made zucchini chocolate bread with some of my zucchinis. wow, it tastes like brownies. Can’t tell zucchini is even in there. I cut into small chunks and froze it for a sweet snack. I will try your Caramelized Zucchini. I make lots of soups in the winter in the crock pot. That will blend in well. I just caught up on all your posts. I missed you, don’t know how I missed them. Keep up your good work. Joy

Hi there Alex! Love the pictures of the girls, the veggies, and the dirt! What a beautiful combo- I know that all too well! Right now in my area peaches are in but very sparse due to a late spring freeze that killed about 60% of the crop so we get what we can get. My girls and I could only pick one bushel and we canned them in apple juice instead of a sugar syrup. We will savor our few jars this winter! We will be putting up more applesauce instead to help keep enough jars of fruit on hand. Still waiting to see how the pears are doing(those are canned in white grape juice). We are also in the middle of putting up green beans and sweet corn and the tomatoes are FINALLY starting to ripen! Soup, sauce and salsa to can!! We don’t have the amount of zucchini that you do but I am always looking for new ways to eat it and yours sounds really good! We also put up jams and pickles (we NEED pickles!) and flavored vinegar. My girls are older now and are able to help out more (although there can be a good amount of whining involved some days!) but they have always loved to listen for the pop of the lids when they seal! I wish you and your family many happy lid pops too!!

I grew buckingham (yellow zuch) and cocozelle (striped zuch) this year. Two plants produce prolifically and I think I could give every family on my block enough to eat every single week. I’ve had to be creative with preserving! We are swimming in zuch! I’ve made zucchini “pickle” relish which turned out awesome (I canned it), shredded it up and put it in zip locks to freeze for use later to make squash croquettes, and of course we eat it ever stinkin’ day! 🙂 I had not ever considered blanching and freezing kale. I do eat kale every day in the summer, when production is high. I saute bacon and onion, add in the kale and water, simmer until done. REALLY great for breakfast – wakes you right up! I miss it in the winter when I don’t have it, so blanching and freezing will certainly help! Thanks for the tip!

I like that mindset. There are days that when I hear the news I am thankful that I am in my little spot in the country and feel at peace knowing that my kids are safe.

I loved the article. I am a mama of two little boys 3 years and 11 months. I can definitely relate to it. 🙂

Hi Alex, What a treat to read your blog – you have a earth centered gfamily – I am working hard to educate my community re the importance of community gardens to bring everyone together- keeping my fingers crossed in South Carolina

I am so jealous of your household with toddlers. Watching them grow and learn is so thrilling and remarkable.

On the other hand, my dear, I am so happy that you recognize and are taking advantage of their efforts.
Becky

Thank you, Alex. I agree that our responsibility to help make things better begins by being conscious of the energy we put into our very own spheres.

Love the “it’s okay”. So true. I really loved this post. Seeing life from a child’s perspective is very enriching and brings back life to it’s simplest things that are important to our lives. Glad you’re okay too. Have a very happy week. Til next time take care.
Denise
Australia

Nice…thank you.

I like that mindset. There are days that when I hear the news I am thankful that I am in my little spot in the country and feel at peace knowing that my kids are safe.

I loved the article. I am a mama of two little boys 3 years and 11 months. I can definitely relate to it. 🙂

Hi Alex, What a treat to read your blog – you have a earth centered gfamily – I am working hard to educate my community re the importance of community gardens to bring everyone together- keeping my fingers crossed in South Carolina

I am so jealous of your household with toddlers. Watching them grow and learn is so thrilling and remarkable.

On the other hand, my dear, I am so happy that you recognize and are taking advantage of their efforts.
Becky

Thank you, Alex. I agree that our responsibility to help make things better begins by being conscious of the energy we put into our very own spheres.

Love the “it’s okay”. So true. I really loved this post. Seeing life from a child’s perspective is very enriching and brings back life to it’s simplest things that are important to our lives. Glad you’re okay too. Have a very happy week. Til next time take care.
Denise
Australia

Nice…thank you.

Your children are adorable! Keep up the good work Alex. and yes, it is the garden of weedin”. Hi from Minnesota, where it is much hotter ( 90s).

Love the pictures. I am also a hot weather wimp, 60 degrees is warm enough for me.Your daughters are adorable. Have a safe and healthy summer and try to stay cool!
Marilyn

Thank you for sharing some nice pictures of spring and the great outdoors! Hopefully you will be able to continue finding ways to be outside and get back to your inner country. I bet it will be a lot of fun checking out all the parks. I wish we had that many parks here. I have been enjoying the outdoors myself. Twice a day I go out to check on my garden, to water some plants, and push my son in his swing. I can see a difference in both of us just getting out of these concrete walls. Amazing how that works!

I am a country girl stuck in the city also but I find ways to keep the country in my life ..I read blogs and country magazines ( I love Mary Jane’s farm ). I plant something every spring even tho I have to plant in pots..I look for good old country recipes like vinigar pie. I take drives in the country…one time I just HAD to see a cow so I loaded up my boys and we drove out to the country to find a pasture full of cows…I got to pet one..that was good therapy for a city girl missing the country life.

I always enjoy reading what you’re up to. In answer to your question, whenever I’m in a place with a lot of concrete like NYC, I go to great lengths to stay where there is at least one window I can open–hard to find actually. I love an open window because often there’s a breeze that will move the curtains ever so slightly, or perhaps a bird that will sing. It connects me somehow to home and instantly comforts me.

Very Cool Pics!

Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole

As a grandparent that stays home with my granddaughter, let me tell you that I understand what you are going through. I find that the winter has been hard as we have stayed in so much although it really was an easy winter. I am thankful for the summer like weather we are having and I am looking forward to getting some outside time now with the baby. The blessings are worth the effort and disappointments, but remember that you are what is important to them. Teach them to do the things you like as they grow. One day you will have friends that are interested in the same things that you are.

The days are tough and a juggle when your kiddos are young and you’re straying to get things done. But in the end being kind to yourself, acknowledging your planned day will not go to plan and learning to laugh and allowing yourself to cry when it all gets too much doing it all and being it all helps. They do grow up quickly. Parenthood is a crazy adventure filled ride no matter their ages, the challenges just change.
Feeling you here, big hugs from Australia xo

I just found your blog. When I saw the word Alaska, I just had to learn more about you. My husband and I live in the lower 48 but we were just in Eagle River staying at a B&B while we waited for our newest grandchild to be born at the Wasilla Midwifery. So I was excited to learn that you are familiar with the area and most likely delivered at the same midwifery. I look forward to following your blog.

Love this! You really spoke the truth here of what it’s like to be a SAHM. I have a 2 yo and a 14 yo who is homeschooled. Much love to you and your babies!
P.s. You did it right having them close together in age. They will be each other’s playmates soon enough.

As a grandparent that stays home with my granddaughter, let me tell you that I understand what you are going through. I find that the winter has been hard as we have stayed in so much although it really was an easy winter. I am thankful for the summer like weather we are having and I am looking forward to getting some outside time now with the baby. The blessings are worth the effort and disappointments, but remember that you are what is important to them. Teach them to do the things you like as they grow. One day you will have friends that are interested in the same things that you are.

Welcome back, Alex. You ( and your little angels) were missed. My time flies. Reading your post really took me back to my days at home with our kids. Some days my hubby would come home to find them in the tub at 4:30 in the afternoon. My way of trying to force an early dinner and bedtime. It never worked, but it gave us all something calming to focus on before the 5:00 o clock melt down happened. You are doing a fabulous job. As far as that whole feminist thing goes. It’s simple. You are a human being. You live in America. You can make any choice you want to make for yourself and your family. Period. Tap into your intuition. You’ll need that a heck of a lot more as a wife, and mom, whether you’re working inside or outside of the home. When you’re raising two young children there’s not enough energy at the end of the day to be battling yourself about what you “should” be doing. Save yourself the trouble and let what doesn’t fit right now go and make room for what is. That includes the messes, matted hair, no sleep and all. You got this girl!!! Sending hugs from the beach!
Deb

The days are tough and a juggle when your kiddos are young and you’re straying to get things done. But in the end being kind to yourself, acknowledging your planned day will not go to plan and learning to laugh and allowing yourself to cry when it all gets too much doing it all and being it all helps. They do grow up quickly. Parenthood is a crazy adventure filled ride no matter their ages, the challenges just change.
Feeling you here, big hugs from Australia xo

I just found your blog. When I saw the word Alaska, I just had to learn more about you. My husband and I live in the lower 48 but we were just in Eagle River staying at a B&B while we waited for our newest grandchild to be born at the Wasilla Midwifery. So I was excited to learn that you are familiar with the area and most likely delivered at the same midwifery. I look forward to following your blog.

Love this! You really spoke the truth here of what it’s like to be a SAHM. I have a 2 yo and a 14 yo who is homeschooled. Much love to you and your babies!
P.s. You did it right having them close together in age. They will be each other’s playmates soon enough.