gratitude

Things Break, And You Must Replace Them

Living on an urban farm you learn three things real quick: If it can go wrong it will so have a backup plan The sun and the winter corrodes everything Things are not as important as ideas I was out…

Example of the IBC spigot
My wildly useful 1000L IBC rain barrel nozzle snapped.

Winter Is Coming; How To Be Systems Ready

Winter is a challenge on an Urban Farm, no doubt. It’s a bit of a challenge on multiple fronts; protecting built infrastructure, planters, rain barrels, and fountains from water and freeze damage protecting greenhouses, hoses, waterers, and outbuildings from UV…

Resetting the aquatic ecosystem. Protecting fish from predators, managing duck access and keeping leaves out.

The Foodist: Truly Vegetarian Mushroom Bourguignon

This is a delicious vegetarian alternative to beef stew that will make omnivores salivate!

Mushroom Bougingnon made with a NYT Cooking Recipe

The Foodist: Mushroom Bourguignon 2.0

A rare continuation recipe to switch up the Mushroom Bourgingnon recipe from the NYT.

Leeks picked one the fall are still growing in the winter.

Bronzeville Agricademy and Making Gardening Accessible

Since the COVID19 Shelter-In-Place order took effect I have been very focused on getting the gardens at Mezzacello up and running efficiently. After all, I have the time and access! Mother Nature needs the work done no matter what. I…

Julialynne Walker doing what she does best; building community.

Producing Food and Eating as an Art

One of the benefits of Mezzacello is the the unique differences between Jim and I. The marriage of different perspectives on some of the things we already value. We find ourselves delving into aspects of things that we otherwise might…

Julia Child and Jacques Pepin

The Flowers of Mezzacello

I thought now was a good time to do a round up of all of the flowers that Rick cultivates around Mezzacello. Enjoy the flower show. For your convenience, here is a link to the Mezzacello grounds so you can…

Poppy, Alium and Peony in the pollinator Landing strip.

Life in the Aquatic Ecosystem

­Many of my posts about the pond or as I like to call it, the aquatic ecosystem, have been complaints about the system in crisis. It is true; this pond was built on an Indian Burial ground and feels cursed….

A love shot in the pond at Mezzacello. Three generations of fish in one shot.

The Foodist: Carbonara Fritatta

This is a delightful mashup of carbonara and frittata. We make ours from fresh duck eggs.

Pasta, cheese, tomatoes, bacon, cream, and duck eggs.

Gilligan’s Island meets MacGyver meets Ray Bradbury

When I was a young boy I would watch the reruns of “Gilligan’s Island” every afternoon. I would laugh and enjoy the larger than life characters and situations. My favorite and most despised character was the professor. How could someone…

Bamboo, jute string, coconut fiber, steel, and Martian regolith compost in one photo.