Farming A Life and Organic Produce

Author Kristin with husband, Mark Kimball

Read this book and you will think differently about hard work, dirt, and farming. You'll be willing to spend your savings on horses, cattle, pigs, and milk cows. You will have found the zest of life right under your fingertips, dirt. You work for it and it pays great rewards back to you! Hard work is a tonic! Who needs much sleep? Especially when you are reading about someone else's bone tired labors and the joys that go with it.

This book redefines what success and beauty mean. Kristin Kimball makes fun of herself and her ideas of a good life before she turned farmer. We really like her husband and smile knowingly when she describes their working relationship that gets stressed to the max sometimes when two work together every day of the week. It is always funny when it is someone else! She shares her mishaps like a best girlfriend. You feel like you know these two well and are cheering like mad for them! A very enjoyable read. I handed the book over to my dad who is enjoying it as I type this. The book is titled THE DIRTY LIFE, on Farming, Food and Love by Kristin Kimball.

Long live organic farmers.

Go to NPR (National Public Radio) for a great interview and pictures.

New review here in the Irish Times about "devouring" page after page of this book. Personally I think this book will made into a movie!

I need blinders - Garden distractions

I need blinders just like these horses have so that I can make a straight shot when I go outside. I start out for something and then get distracted by all the plants unfurling around me. Soon I am down on my hands and knees looking at nature's intricate beauties.



Look at the dewdrops on our ladies mantle leaves. It's a wonder any of these are clear because once I get down on my knees the cat starts biting my toe (for fun, mind you) or licking my fingers.



These dew diamonds are little miracles. All these hidden jewels to be discovered today. Did you know that dew will not form if it's windy? The moisture in the air will be fog instead. Nature is amazing.

The silver mound is so ferny you just have to run your hand over it and tussel it a bit.

The peonies are loaded with buds and the ants are rushing around snacking on the sap.

Look at the texture of the leaves and stems of the rhododendren.

I round the bend and the flowering quince wakes you up with it's splash of red and a jolt of sunshine. This ornamental shrub is about the size of an outdoor building. The bright light reminds me why I went outside again. I went out to check on the lambs and to take a short break from painting. It also reminds me to adding weeding to my list of things to do.

I'm loving the paintings I'm working on! Check back.

Frida Kahlo Folk Art Horse Painting

Sometimes people will say, "Do you ever do a painting without a white dog in it?" Yes, and here is proof. I finished this painting this morning and it is up for sale on ebay. I'm also starting to sell some prints on etsy if you want to check them out for yourself or for gifts.

I used to have a black horse when I was in 4th grade, called "Blacky." Very original, I know. I do miss her snorts and putting her head back to my leg to make sure it was still me in the saddle. Then there is that horsey smell that is kind of an acquired liking. Our neighbors have 13 horses in the field next to us so I hear the whinies and the snorts often.

About this painting: It is of Frida's Black Mare named, "Raven". I love the horses legs. I felt like I was paintng my very own on the front of the horse. Well, okay. Almost. Raven knows where the flowers are still blooming for Frida to wear in her hair. Frida tucks them in Raven's mane, too. A woman loves flowers, you know. I also tried to paint my own cowboy (cowgirl) boots. Why are they still called cowboy boots?

Come back and again and see more "Raven" horse paintings!