PAINTINGS START ARRIVING

I am truly inspired by my visits to the farms and also by my exchanges with the writers and artists. So , even though i am on the way out the door for a month of teaching & travel, paintings are starting to arrive, as they do, unbidden. it is a mysterious process. Here is a quick detail, not done, still wet!

HAND THROWN DISHES for the FARM TO TABLE events at Yellow Birch

Missy Green & Eric Ziner are two of Deer Isle's gifted craft artists. Additionally, they own and operate the Yellow Birch Farm on the Reach Road. During summer months they pair up with a local chef to create CRAFT.... FARM TO TABLE events.  Missy just finished throwing these wonderful dinner plates, cut and altered at the edges, when i visited this week. they are unfired at this stage. Eric made a wonderful long farm table out of weathered barn siding, strapped together with  forged  metal for the dinners which are held in their barn, where their work is exhibited and sold. I recommend booking reservations early for one of their dinners. In September they will do an event for our Farm/Art Exchange. watch for announcements.

DELICATE CUPS for tea and conversation

TINDERHEARTH PIZZA is now open again for the season, Tuesdays and Fridays

I met with Tim Semler, one of the owners, and we had nettle tea, served in delicate cups with Carolyn Coe. We spoke of what interests me about their farm/bakery, the intergenerational nature of the place. Tim and his wife Lydia are starting their own family and the beginning of the next generation to live at the farm. I am also interested in the integrated life choices of the whole family, farming, music, open Mic, Pizza nights, baking bread & pasteries, but what most interests me right now is the choice to return to the farm and to begin restoring community.  Pizza night is such a festive and dramatic event. I highly recommend it if you've not yet been there. lots of young people, lots of darling children in hand knitted sweaters climbing trees and running free with friends. check their website www.tinderhearth.com

the old farmhouse where the wood fired oven is  located. Open Mic happens in the barn to the left

I think this is the best pizza I have ever eaten, thin crust, wood fired, yum!

Tim rolling the pastry dough, ( a wednesday activity)Carolyn Coe

Tim, intern, Erica Moffett, Larry Moffett

The baking is physical and beautiful. it seems more like a dance. the room fills with people who watch and chat and pick up to go orders.

SPRING, YELLOW BIRCH FARM

Missy Greene and Eric Ziner have dual careers going on at their yellow Birch Farm on Deer Isle . they are both artists and farmers. Here is a spring morning with the season's new kids and Eric doing welding.

POSITIVE IMPACT on the land, Deer Isle Hostel presents at RFS

Dennis Carter and Anneli Carter Sunqvist of the Deer Isle Hostel presented a slide show of their joint project as homesteaders and hostel owners in Deer Isle at the Reversing Falls Sanctuary as part of the Lenten Series titled SPIRITUALITY OF THE EARTH.. A lively discussion followed  the slide presentation about the concepts of making a positive impact on the land and being self sufficient, off the grid with no indoor plumbing. Anneli has written a book documenting a full year as homesteaders. Please view their blog www.Deer Isle hostel.com for full information. I recommend watching the Utube video about their Homesteaders of the Year award by Mother Earth News, 2013. Dennis & Anneli are paired with Deer isle Artist Siri Beckman as part of the 2014 Farm/Art Exchange

Lenten Series: SPITITUALTY OF THE EARTH

SPIRITUALITY OF THE EARTH,
Lenten Series, Reversing Falls Sanctuary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 4:00 P.M
REVERSING FALLS SANCTUARY

BROOKSVILLE, MAINE


POSITIVE IMPACT/SUSTAINABLE LIVING: On Sunday, April 6, at 4:00 pm, Reversing Falls Sanctuary will present Dennis Carter and Anneli Sundqvist of the Deer Isle Hostel, chosen as one of six Homesteaders of the Year 2013 by Mother Earth News.  They will  show slides and speak on having a positive impact on the land and living sustainably on it as homesteaders and farmers.  This program is part of the 2014 Farm/Art Exchange at the Sanctuary, which involves 15 local artists and 15 local farmers and a whole schoolroom of young children connecting with each other and with the agrarian principles of Wendell Berry. “Agrarianism promises a path towards wholeness with the earth, with each other...”Artist Siri Beckman is paired with the Deer Isle Hostel for the Exchange.  Please join us.

Reversing Falls Sanctuary: Sunday, APRIL 6 at 4pm.
818 Bagaduce Road, N. Brooksville.
 info at www.reversingfalls .org
or 469-5052.

WINTER GROWING

Anne & Tony Farrera of Brooksville, Maine, walk down their slope to close up their greenhouse for the night. it is February.

Inside it is toasty although we had more snow the evening before. Tony started a Greenhouse program a few years ago. He and a friend, Tom Adamo, build numerous greenhouses of various sizes and styles in the area, including one for the local elementary school.  They took orders, ordered materials  in bulk, carefully researched, then had them delivered. participants picked them up. the structures were built by participants sharing the work with Tony & Tom.. Tony & Anne harvest greens all winter. remarkable considering zub zero nights.