• Public Events, Private Values: Some Observations

    It is the annual autumn season of fairs and festivals. When I visit such events I notice a continuing set of issues that trouble me; issues that concern not only the event venders but should concern visitors as well. My…

  • First peaches in the jar this season

      It’s an overcast drizzly summer day here at my house; perfect for canning peaches. Local peaches have gone up in price this year but I was able to find one orchard that would sell me seconds; fruit a bit…

  • Organic Hen Feed? Sorry, Not Interested.

    I’ve just heard on NPR this morning that the current price for organic soy beans (mostly imported from China) has risen to $800 a ton – roughly twice what it was last year.  This has put commercial organic chicken raisers…

  • Our Fabulous Homemade Chicken Plucker

    Next weekend is hen culling day; we have some older spent hens and some hens who don’t lay enough to justify dealing with their aggressive barnyard attitude.  So on Sunday the flock will go from 29 to 15.  This time…

  • Chefs and Slaves: The Cooks in Jefferson’s Kitchens

    Originally published as: Fossett, Gillette, Hemings, and Hern: Putting Names to Monticello’s Cooks http://www.kitchensisters.org/hidden_kitchens/herculeshemings_story27.htm This is an excerpt from my foodways lecture series entitled “Fossett, Gillette, Hemings, and Hern: Putting Names to Monticello’s Cooks.” Edith Hern Fossett and Frances Gillette…