Busy Beez

This is a super crunchy nature post. Heads up.

Fall raspberries are just about ready for Pick Ur Own on the berry farm! We've been picking now and then, just enough for markets, and right now going to pick the fall raspberries means some bonding time with the bees. Each bush is buzzzzing like crazy as worker bees are pollinating and heading back to the hive. They're so impressive! I love bees, and I will admit after reading The Secret Life of Bees, I always try to send out loving vibes whenever they are around. However, the honey bees in these bushes are so friendly it's hardly necessary. It took me a while, but now I feel completely comfortable actually getting into a bush to get berries while being surrounded by bees. Occasionally one will briefly land on my hand before flying away without even the slightest threat of a sting. So friendly! Okay I'm done nature ranting now.


Ps, did you know that golden raspberries exist?? They look just like summer red raspberries but they are bright yellow! I had no idea...

437 Ways To Look Sexy This Fall!

Just kidding, this isn't an issue of Cosmo. And, those of you who know me, know very well that I am not one to be giving out fashion advice anyway. However, I have a quick suggestion as back to school shopping is happening. Ha. Sometimes I can't take myself.

Okay, but really, here it is: dressing to impress can be as simple as wearing something new. An observation I've always had is that people simply look good in an outfit or an article of clothing that they haven't yet been seen in. It's like an element of surprise! If a girl shows up to a party in a dress that I haven't ever seen her in, yeah, I'm going to notice and, at least for a little while, be more into the new outfit (as long as it actually looks good on her as well as being something I haven't seen before) than perhaps something I've seen before. This isn't saying that there aren't things people should wear a lot because they look damn good in them-- these articles of clothing are important to know also. It also maybe become, over time, very difficult to keep pulling out different, surprising new articles of clothing to wear. But, for now, the message is that one way to get the attention of a prospective hookup/ love interest is to wear something that they haven't seen before. Simple, awesome, and that's it for my fashion advice.

Ménage à trois?

Unfortunately I do not have the time right now to go into all of my feelings/opinions/advice on threesomes... however! I do have this really sexy picture for all of you taken in the field today, of course, on my blackberry. Still impressed with the quality.
but really. What's up here, guys? I feel bad for the one on the right.
This picture is actually really ironic for a previous situation of mine. I'll just say that. And, that I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend that if you EVER have a threesome, do NOT do it when you are in a relationship. It will notttt end well. Other than that, have fun!

Gardiner House vs. Home

Okay so while I love Gardiner House more than anything, I do not exactly prefer the laundry situation to ... other laundry situations. Like the nice, clean, kindly light laundry room at home in Vermont.

So, the biggest difference between Gardiner and being home: When clean underwear falls out of the laundry machine and onto the floor at home, there is no need to put it immediately back into the dirty laundry pile.

Only in Vermont: Weed Dating

Yes, this is a real thing.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100730/LIVING09/100730018/-Weed-dating-Speed-dating-for-singles-moves-to-the-farm-field

Please note that the woman featured in the picture at the top of the article actually came from Northampton, MA to do this. Ah the little coincidences of life.


"In this Vermont-born spin on speed dating, participants would meet in pairs for timed periods of seven minutes before moving on to their next pairing. However, these brief encounters would not take place across a table in a dark bar or restaurant, as speed dating typically does, but instead across a row of leeks, which they would weed as they chatted."

So, while I spend 8 hours a day bent over with my hands in the dirt, I'm usually whining to a fellow coworker or groaning to myself. These people choose to do it in a "romantic" setting for fun. Crazy. I mean, to be honest, I can see how it would be nice. Generally I enjoy being outside and I still find enjoyment in playing in the mud. Especially on my own time, as opposed to being forced to weed endless rows of strawberries over and over and over again. And I mean, maybe they can discuss the texture and quality of the soil or a recipe for leek soup if the conversation lacks for their 7 minutes? It would also be a hilarious story to tell if you actually met someone and ended up together. Weed dating, really?

Anyway, I of course secretly, and now not so secretly, think this is adorable because it couldn't be any more Vermont. And I love Vermont. Brilliant, I must say, of the farmer who thought of it. Hell yeah you can pay me to weed my leeks and have some possible awkward interactions while doing so, I'd love to watch! Brilliant farmer. Bringing romance to gardening.

Would I weed date? I would try it. And ladies, it's totally cool with me if you want to come chat me up for 7 minutes at a time and help me weed or pick berries at work! Hope to see you there.

Berryhill's Baby

Tis the season for a blueberry drink!
So I'm searching my favorite drink recipe sites for a delicious sounding blueberry drink, when I come across this interesting recipe from Bar None Drinks...

Berryhill's Baby

Drink Type: Cocktail

Ingredients

6 2/3 oz. Dark Rum
1 Kiwi
1 Peach
1 Zinc Tablet
1/3 pound(s) Blueberries

Instructions

Blend until smooth and frappe in an exotic glass.

Sounds pretty good, right? Then I look again... A ZINC TABLET? The kind my dad makes me take when I'm sick? Well, when I make this, I will probably be taking out the tablet, unless I am getting a cold. In which case, power to the healthy drinks! Let's all remember this when we're back at school and sick on a Friday night. NO EXCUSES NOW!

You all lucked out

I've got the day off, so how am I spending my Sunday morning? Laying on the couch with some coffee, relaxing, and of course, thinking about the farm. Damn it. So, I'm thinking about things that bug me, I suppose in order to be able to enjoy the day off more? And I think about the stupid bird call machine in the blueberry plants. We've got this machine in order to ...try...to scare away birds from landing in the bushes and pecking at the berries. It rarely works. Sometimes birds actually perch right next to the noise making machine and sit there contently as it rages on destroying everyone else's peace of mind and sanity. The machine is loud, annoying, and a little terrifying. The bird noises that come out of it bring to mind a fight to the death between gangs of crows with horrible colds that are louder than any bird in the natural world. Occasionally there will be a solo outburst by one of the diseased crows that damages anyone's ear drums within a fifteen foot radius.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I was going to try to find a sound byte (is this the correct term?) on the internet, or like, a youtube video, and post it while somehow tricking you into wanting to watch it. That way, without picking blueberries, one can experience the trials and challenges of being in the field. A good way to start anyone's Sunday morning!