Shepherd's Pie

What's with my desire to meet genius?

I just got back from Doc Films at the University of Chicago. There was a screening of Milcho Manchevski's latest film Shadows. I've been a fan of this director since I attended the Chicago premiere of Before the Rain over a decade ago. It's the first film that spoke to my soul and I've been hungry for more work from Manchevski.

As I near another decade of my life I've been dealing with thoughts of my own mortality so this film's theme startled me out of my own funk. Once again Manchevski reaches me with his art and shows me my thoughts and fears aren't singular.

I got to the screening early so I made my way to 57th Street Books to kill some time. On the way there I ran into Manchevski and Professor Victor Friedman (Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures). I couldn't come up with anything clever to say so "screening in an hour?" came out of my mouth. Duh.

I did talk to the professor after the screening (we've met before through mutual friends). He left with Manchevski who smiled and acknowledged me on his way out the door. Let's just say my heart skipped a beat or two.

Posted by verica at 12:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A few more crops in the ground: golden beets, spinach, and more kale. I spent more time tackling an overgrown cherry tree and it should be in better shape by next year. It's an old, pinkish, sweet cherry that was planted in the early 70s.

Also, more brush clearing. Lots of wild roses getting out of control and I now have the scrapes and splinters to show for it. I've been picking bits of thorn from my hands for a few days and it looks like I've been playing with kittens.

Next on my list is to transplant my apricot trees. I bought them as seedlings years ago and they've been thriving in the "nursery." Now it's time to put them in their permanent space, along the southern pasture fenceline. More. Land. Needed. 

Posted by verica at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I shouldn't have rushed back to the city so soon last night. The weatherman was so wrong about that severe thunderstorm. It's been nice out all day. At least I can get some knitting done, another A-line miniskirt in a single-ply natural brown (from the Black Welsh Mountain ewe and her two mixed-breed daughters).

I did get some early crops planted, after waiting for that cold, wet soil to drain a little. I hope I didn't create concrete. . .

Seeds planted: kale (two types), rainbow Swiss Chard, snow peas, radishes (cherry belle, icicle, and French breakfast), and broccoli raab (Red Arrow).

Onion sets were also planted, mostly for scallions.

The weather last autumn got so severe so fast that I didn't get to separating the garlic in the fields. I went through this week and thinned a few rows and transplanted the extras. Even if they don't develop those nice, large red garlic bulbs at least I'll get a lot more garlic scapes (tops) from them.

Now to find a nice, small restaurant interested in green garlic and stinging nettles . . .  

Posted by verica at 05:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Slow Food Chicago has asked me to speak at their next event on Saturday, April 19 at 2pm. The event is scheduled to run for an hour and I'll be sharing the podium with Farmer John Caveny. I'll have samples of preserves from my garden, including Macedonian-style peppers and ajvar (a relish made with roasted peppers and eggplants).

It'll be at the Whole Foods at 3300 N. Ashland (Chicago). Their meeting room is tiny so please make reservations at Slow Food Chicago. There's also a $5 suggested fee but I'll have free food samples. 

Posted by verica at 02:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Finally. I was a little embarassed about my Web site and not having updated it in a few years. What do they say about the cobbler's children. . .

I still have to update my gallery and inventory list. I've spent quite a bit of time this winter working on new yarn and knitting up some interesting sweaters. Check it out at www.veravidenovich.com. There's a separate site for the farm at www.videnovichfarms.com.

Me 'n' the girls last winter. They usually don't ignore me like this. Must've been all the company that came to visit or the bagels that photographer Grace was feeding them. That sweater is over 10 years old and made of my first handspun samples from several breeds of sheep and no dyes. The hat? Russian Army surplus and very warm great for Michigan winters.

Posted by verica at 09:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)