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Saturday

Aug152009

Happy bike shop update

Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 08:19AM

So two days after I bitched about my not-so-great bike shop experience, a couple things happened.

This happened:

while I was pulling 2 kids in the trailer, far from home. It wasn't this impressive at first, just some popping and a flat. I brought it home and tried to use the pump to blow it up and didn't realize a section of the tube was pinched by the rim. The blowout was loud and impressive! I've changed tubes before on the jogging stroller, but wanted to be sure the wheel didn't need anything else so I wanted to take it to a bike shop. Also earlier that day (pre-flat) we were flying down a hill with a stop sign at the bottom. My brakes slowed me down, but we didn't come close to stopping. It was a little scary.

I was just walking the bike down the driveway when some guys from xtracycle called. They tweeted (ugh, did I just write that?!) about wanting to chat with people who were on the fence about becoming xtracycle riders. I emailed them and they actually called me! I hope I shared some useful info, I was kinda rambling. I forgot to mention that I blogged about my thoughts regarding Madsen vs a Radish a couple months ago before Michael bought my Craigslist Trek. It was very cool to hear their thoughts and so gratifying to feel like I am not just riding around town with my kids, but I am a part of a movement of people who are looking to reduce dependence on cars and increase the fun of getting around town. I am looking for more bike-community and xtracycle people have it in spades. Sounds like they have some cool ideas to make xtracycle stuff more accessible and I look forward to seeing what they come up with!

It was so cool to have comments from friends with their bike shop recommendations- thanks Gin, Rochelle and Laurie! Since I would be driving "ol' NOT reliable Subaru", I called Mikes Hike and Bike in Richmond which is only 15 minutes from Berea. Mike couldn't have been nicer. He told me over the phone how to pop off my rear wheel and the boys and I were soon at the store, wheel in hand. Mike had a tent set up that the boys could play in. He showed me how I could tighten my brakes, helped me pick out a good bike helmet and fixed my wheel. Julian noticed the Surly Big Dummy outside and we asked Mike about it. (A Big Dummy is a bike and long tail kit combined into one solid cargo bike). Here's a photo from xtracycle's website.

Anyway, it's his bike, and he shared his thoughts about riding with his kids and cargo. It was very cool! I am pleased to not only have found a bike shop to go to but to also have a conversation with someone who is excited about the possibilities of cargo bikes. Thanks Mike!

I'm so glad to have a functional bike again and it's great to know that there are people like the xtracycle folks and Mike in the biking world.

Little Farm in the Townie |

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Berea,

Transportation

Wednesday

Aug122009

Errand run

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 09:12AM

I realized after I posted about our bike accessory shopping trip that I haven't really posted here about how we use our bike and trailer getup to get around town. Since March I been using our bike and trailer to haul me and the boys around instead of our old Subaru. It's been a great experience. Berea is not a town with tons of bike trails and lanes and there's not much bike culture (or if there is it's really underground and too hip for me.) Sometimes I read other car-free blogs with envy, but our Mayor and most city-council members favor improving our bike infrastructure, so I think it's only a matter of time before there are dozens of moms (and dads) like me riding around!

Julian and I took some photos of our errand run yesterday. Wanna come along for the ride? You're going to have to get out and walk up the hills...

So it was really hot yesterday. It's going to be hot all week this week though, so we packed extra water and braved the heat. It made me realize how fortunate we were in July with unseasonably cool and not-humid days. Our first stop was the ATM.

Then we went next door to Better Beef. Not only do they sell grass-fed beef, they stock local eggs and local raw-milk cheese. I love being able to stock up on these essentials without having to ride down big hills to either of our shopping "districts" in Berea- the WalMart complex or Save a Lot and Happy Meadow (our health food store) on the other side of town.

Looks like I need to tighten Avery's helmet. Then we rode back through town to get to Hutchins Library on Berea College's campus. I had some severely overdue books to return. On the way we saw some friends who were out and about too. Julian took this photo, I think I'm saying "Stay in the trailer, I'll be right back!"

Then we rode though the rest of campus...

To the art store on the College Square. They sell yarn! One of my favorite things about riding my bike is the fact that I can park right outside the doors of shops- I'm one of those people who circle endlessly for a good parking spot!

Errands done, we headed to Brushy Fork creek. Driving down Scaffold Cane road is a bit too exciting, the road is narrow and there is no shoulder. Luckily, it's for just a short span. Soon all we could see was green.

Monarch butterflies followed us down the trail. My camera batteries died at this point, I used my low-tech cell phone so you'll have to squint to see the bike parked under the hemlocks.

And the boys in the creek-

What a fun and productive afternoon! The kids love the creek. It was the best hour of our day. I want to go more often. After dinner I rode my bike to a Stitch and Bitch meeting and it's awesome how easy it is to ride after pulling those kids around.

I love our little town and look forward to taking you on more of our trips around. Next time we'll go to the farmer's market.

Little Farm in the Townie |

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Berea,

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Food,

Play,

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Weather

Tuesday

Jul072009

Pesto and projects

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 02:14PM

We are in the midst of harvesting our garlic. Garden partner Andri planted about 15 pounds of sets so there is a LOT of garlic. We are spreading the work out over a couple days. The weather this week has been sunny and cooler, and it's been lovely to spend more time outside. Avery and I made pesto twice in the last week. This is the first summer I have used a mortar and pestle for pesto making and wow, what a difference! The flavor is fantastic. We follow Viana La Place's recipe from Unplugged Kitchen. Avery made one batch almost entirely by himself.

I've also been working on craft projects- click the links to see more at my craft blog, Duo Fiberworks- I made a Small Doll with a dog for my nephew Isaac's 3rd birthday

and I am learning how to carve spoons! How exciting.

We've also been working in the garden planting fall crops, weeding and, finally, harvesting!

Little Farm in the Townie |

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Food,

Projects,

Weather

Friday

Jul032009

Picture this

Friday, July 3, 2009 at 11:55PM

I had the day off today because of the Holiday tomorrow and got a lot of work done down at the garden. I mowed and did some weed eating but the heat, lack of food, and large quantities of coffee got the best of me. So we went home, had a late lunch, and relaxed a bit before returning in the cool of the evening. The garden looked so lovely after all the work we did and there wasn't much "heavy lifting" to do, so I had the opportunity to lounge around some and take pictures. I loved the landscape surrounding our little garden so I thought I'd share some of the pictures from this evening. -Michael

Little Farm in the Townie |

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Saturday

Jun272009

Fried apple pies

Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 07:51PM

I checked out "The Little House Cookbook " from the library. It's a great collection of recipes mentioned in the Little House books. There are many recipes I would like to try including apple-peelings vinegar, dried corn and ginger tea. We still don't have an oven that works and I was craving pie so I altered the recipe for "Apple Turnovers." There was extra filling and bits of extra dough so Julian made some mini-treats for himself. They all turned out great and are a perfect breakfast treat.

Fried Apple Pies

Crust

2 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

10 tablespoons butter

6 tablespoons ice water

Stir together flour and salt. Cut in butter until the pieces of butter are 1/8" bits or smaller. Add water, stir. Squeeze dough with your hand to see if the dough comes together. If the handful of dough falls apart, dribble in some more water, but don't add too much! Chill while you prepare the filling.

Filling

4 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon each cloves, nutmeg

1/4 cup maple syrup

Combine apples, spices and syrup

Roll dough ball into rectangle about 5"x15", cut into thirds. Add two heaping tablespoons apples. Moisten edges and fold over into triangle. Press edges with your fingers or a fork. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a cast iron skillet. Place 2 or 3 pies into the skillet and fry over medium to medium high heat for 10 minutes per side.

Little Farm in the Townie |