Christine Chitnis: February 2011

Garden Planning

This weekend was full of anticipation for the coming of spring. The Southside Community Land Trust hosted their Urban Agriculture Spring Kick-Off event at the Roger William Botanical Gardens.

There was a packed schedule of workshops, including an urban chicken workshop taught by yours truly (and my trusty chicken buddy, Kate- cause when it comes to chickens, we come as a pair!).

Apparently...chickens are a hot topic because our workshop had about 50 attendees, all very eager to learn the how-to's of chicken raising.

Other workshops included Seed Starting, Rain Collection, Composting, and Garden Planning. There was also a seed swap...which really got my wheels turning as to what I want to do with my garden this year. If you recall, we redid our yard last summer, installing a deck and cutting down on our plant-able land, which is actually a good thing.

We have pretty poor soil for growing vegetables, and my raised beds seemed really susceptible to pests. So this year, I am going to try container gardening. I am going to grow a few big pots of herbs, tomatoes, peppers and lettuce.

Now the question remains...do I apply what I learned on Saturday and start my own seeds? Or wait until the Southside has their plant sale and buy their fabulous plant starts?

I'm curious...what plans do you have for your garden this year?

*There was a really cool kids section...with a nature table showcasing various seed pods, nests, feathers, eggs and flowers. I can't wait until our little guy is old enough to enjoy a nature table of his very own!

It's Done!

I did it...I lopped off my hair. 12 inches of it, to be exact! It's super short, super healthy looking and I absolutely love it. When I got home from the salon, my little one greeted me with an inquisitive look, as if to say, "You look like my mama, but something is different. Hmmm?"

Hair Today....Gone Tomorrow?

Excuse the cheesy title of this post...but I'm sure you know where I am going with this. My hair is long right now...long, unruly, annoying and in need of a cut. I loved my hair before having my little guy...but now, with no time to take care of it properly, or style it, I am reduced to throwing it up in a messy bun every single day. And not a cute messy bun...just a messy, messy bun! Also, I am in the phase of post-pregnancy where my hair is starting to fall out. There are literally tumbleweeds of my hair blowing around the house...it's driving me crazy. To top it all off...long hair isn't all that "baby friendly." My little guy is such a grabber, and my hair gets wrapped around his sticky little fingers. It hurts!

So, to make a long story short, it's time for a cut. I have an appointment for 10am tomorrow....and I am starting to get nervous. I want to cut it short (and donate the rest to Locks of Love), à la Audrey Tautou and Mandy Moore. What do you think? I need some encouragement...or, I need you to let me know if this is the WORST decision ever! I simply can't make up my mind!

Moody Monday, and a Winner!

It's a chilly one here today, so chilly in fact, that I don't foresee leaving the house anytime soon with my little one. Luckily I made it out yesterday for a quick photo shoot of downtown Providence. I am working on a little project, and the falling snow, coupled with the moody light, made for the perfect shot! There is this interesting piece of art, which looks like the scales of a fish, that sits right near the river that runs through the center of Providence. I just loved how the light played off the scales, and in the background, the river and skyline stayed slightly out of focus. Can you believe that at one time, the city had boarded up the river? Seriously...covered this beautiful river with boards. I guess Providence has come a long way from those unfortunate days!

Thanks to everyone who entered The Nimbus Factory giveaway...here is the WINNER (CJ- email me to claim your prize!):

CJ said:

Love the calendar...love the artwork! Really enjoy your blog. Thank you!

Something to Warm the Belly

After my last post, proclaiming the return of the sun, the universe decided to throw me for a loop. Today, we are snowed in. I guess I can see the humor in the situation, but the thought of shoveling out yet again has me too depressed to laugh. However, there might be a silver lining...my mom was in town all weekend, and she is supposed to return home today. I am hoping the snow will work in my favor and keep her here a bit longer!

Besides lots of crafting and decorating (I have a big unveiling planned soon!), we also did some good home cooking. She convinced me to purchase a slow cooker, and showed me how to use it. So far, this is the only recipe I know...but it is FABULOUS! Perfect for warming the belly on a snowy day. Do you have any favorite slow cooker recipes? I would love some suggestions!

Slow Cooker Chicken:
Whole Chicken
Lots of chopped onions and garlic
Olive Oil
Chicken Broth
Seasoning (I like Seasonello)

In a large pan, brown chopped onions and garlic in a bit of olive oil. When the onions are translucent, add your whole chicken, cooking until each side is a bit browned. Transfer the chicken to your slow cooker (set to low), scraping in all of the browned onions and garlic. Fill the slow cooker with enough chicken broth so that the chicken about half-way covered, and add a bit of seasoning. Let cook for anywhere from 5 hours (firmer chicken) to 8 hours (more tender chicken). I prefer the longer cook time, as your chicken will become sooo tender that it will fall right off the bone!

Is That the Sun I See?

I felt much like a bear emerging from hibernation yesterday. After a week of soothing my babe, who was suffering an ear ache, and restlessly pacing the house cursing the snow...the sun finally came out and we went for a walk. Hallelujah! We had our friends over for a playdate, and it seemed the perfect opportunity to show off the wonderful little area of Providence known as Hope Street.

We strolled down the street, stopping in whatever shops caught our eye. Blooming Blossoms had the most gorgeous flower arrangements on display, and stepping into the shop felt like pulling back the heavy winter curtain and peeking into spring!

Further down the way, we stopped into Frog and Toad, where the colorful textiles were seriously screaming my name. It was hard to resist!

Finally, we landed at Seven Stars Bakery, where we asked if iced tea was on the menu yet...not until April, we were told. I guess that is reasonable, considering we were still snowed in as of last week! We settled for chai and an iced coffee, the perfect compliment to the homemade biscotti I had waiting at home.

It was the perfect afternoon...now if only the sun would grace us with her presence this weekend! Here's to hoping!

When Dinosaurs Roamed the Earth

At 27, I still think of myself as young, but the other day, I had an "old" moment. Let me explain...we took a walk around the Brown campus this past weekend, and made our way to the library, where I discovered this amazing card catalog system.

I had a flash back to elementary school...a time when the only way to look up information was to find it in a book. It seems impossible, but that was before computers, and Google, and the internet.

I remember learning how to use the card catalog, thumbing through the yellowed cards, as if on a treasure hunt for a certain, small piece of information.

Once you found your card, you then had to use the number to locate the correct section of the library, the exact shelf, and by slowly running your finger along the spines...you would finally find the book that you were searching for.

As a mom, it's funny to think about the day when I can tell my kids..."I remember a time when there was no such thing as computers. No facebook, no twitter, no blogging...just books." I am pretty sure that they will just shake their heads and reply..."Whatever mom, I'm sure you and the dinosaurs had some great times together."

A Little Something For You!

To celebrate my brand new blog design, I am hosting a little giveaway! I have teamed up with The Nimbus Factory to offer you this amazing, circular, year-round calender. What a super cool idea...this would look perfect in my office (just sayin')! All you have to do to enter is a leave a comment...it's that simple! I will draw a winner next Tuesday!

In the meantime, head over to The Nimbus Factory and check out their super cute products, like this adorable "happy ocean" mini-calender. Isn't that puffer fish too sweet!

...and these perfectly adorable recipe cards,

and lastly, my favorite, the "happy hounds" paper garland. This would be perfect in a nursery, or for a kids birthday party. I am thinking about getting one for the playroom that I am working on!

Markets of New England and a Brand New Blog!

Things are running a bit ahead of schedule around here...trust me, I am as surprised as you are. So although I was going to wait until Monday to introduce my book and newly designed blog...I think the time is NOW! So please take a moment to explore this new space. I am so very excited and proud of the new design. I owe a million thanks to Lindsay of Lindsay Nicole Design Studio for my newly designed blog...seriously, she is amazing. No...beyond amazing! Secondly, a huge thank you to Cindy of milk tea + polkadots for my new logo. Oh yes, there is a chicken in my logo...how sweet is that?

And now onto the book, my second baby, if you will. I have been working on Markets of New England since last spring, and it is a true labor of love. I did all of the writing and took all of the photographs. I am so very proud of how it turned out...I hope you will enjoy this little sneak peek (you can click on the pages below to see them up-close!). The book is due to hit shelves on May 3rd (although it is already available for pre-order), so stay tuned for more about my blog tour and New England book signing tour! There will be so much fun stuff going on around here it will make your head spin...promise! So without further ado...

Experience a quintessentially American summer—a village-green, homemade-ice-cream, corn-on-the-cob kind of summer—exploring the fifty vibrant farmers’ and artisan markets profiled in Markets of New England. You’ll find picture-postcard settings, delicious food, and unique crafts down every ribbon of highway.

In Massachusetts, make your way up the coast to Cape Cod, where markets feature baskets of blueberries and flats of oysters still dripping with saltwater; hop the ferry to Sustainable Nantucket’s picturesque farm stands; or journey inland to an art festival nestled in the Berkshires.

In New Hampshire, attend a lakeside workshop and a market held on New England’s largest town common, in the shadow of a classic white church and steeple. Meander across Vermont during an open studio weekend, or to Maine for a clam festival, a county fair, and craft guild shows. Even tiny Rhode Island has pleasures aplenty: an oceanfront gourmet food tasting, an indie art fair overlooking Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor, and more.

Markets of New England leads you to the local delicacies, the most interesting purveyors, the products of community supported farms and fisheries, the standout crafts and artwork, and provides all the details you need to know, including off-season schedules.

The food and crafts are filled with local flavor, the settings pure New England, and the itineraries provide enough delights to fill an endless summer.