The move out of the city has proven to be a wonderful choice when it come to both nutrition and flavor in our recipes.

In spite of being berated for supporting the petroleum economy by moving out of the city, we are happily living  where there are stars in the sky, friendly neighbors, kick azz recreation within walking distance and the best darn tasting fruits and veggies at this time of year.

Someone asked me the other day why I would move from Oregon to Tennessee (as if this is a shocking choice) and my answer is this: I can live on a small farm in Tennessee, but not in Oregon. Why? Oregon's restrictive zoning laws make farm land so freaking expensive and regulated that my mini chicken endeavor and vegetable garden would not be possible. Even if I had the cash to buy a small tract of land (which would cost about 10 times what this one did), it is unlikely that the zoning would allow me to have the sorts of livestock I wish to raise.

Anyway, the great thing on a farm right now from a foodie point of view is the quality of our meals. In early July, in Tennessee, we are chowing on summer squash (it never tasted so good), blueberries from our two bushes (we get 10-15 a day), tomatoes (from the Mennonites, ours need another few weeks), and yesterday for the first time potatoes!

Every meal is organized over what is ripe and must be eaten. I am dreaming of an outdoor kitchen for when canning season hits in a few weeks.

Lannae - so far so good on the pepper crop...