Spreading Roots and Recipes

It's been a few days since our last post because it's been a busy (and exciting) few days. While in Santa Fe, Richard and I took a trip to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just above town and explored a magical spot on Big Tesuque Creek we affectionately call "Moriah's Branch."

My dad began to call it that after watching me there for years--skiing in the winter, off-trailing and creek walking in the summer--and seeing my enthusiasm grow with each visit. He and my brothers moved the rocks around one summer to create deeper pools in the water for brave souls to immerse themselves in the pure but freezing snow-melt river.

Richard and I had trekked up Moriah's Branch last summer, and this was where he first fell in love with the Santa Fe Mountains.

So, we both knew that our most recent visit was going to be a special one. What I didn't know is that he would propose to me by one of those beautiful pools. We were engaged on the first half of our adventure eastward, and the trip has been one solid celebration ever since.

Richard and I in the aspens, firs, and spruce trees above Moriah's Branch.  (I'm showing off my ring.)

Of course, what better way is there to honor the engagement of two local food enthusiasts than with delicious cuisine from each stop on our odyssey? Chiles rellenos and homemade tortillas were waiting at my dad's house when we returned from the mountains. We dined on local anaheim peppers and squash, tomato and cilantro salsa, and planted a hollihock flower in the backyard that night. 

We went back the next day to take pictures of that special place, and my dad called to tell us about a fire he could see from town. It was just about two air miles away from the Tesuque drainage, and we hurried off the mountain, telling everyone we saw on our way down.

The Pacheco Canyon fire, from our vantage point. That fire now covers 10,000 acres plus in the Pecos Wilderness.   Sending rainy thoughts that way...

We left on the evening of Father's Day, drove to my childhood home in a canyon near town, then hit I-40 for an epic, twenty-three hour journey to Nashville, where we arrived Monday night.

There, we dined happily with my mom and her husband on lettuce and day lilies from their garden, as well as a delicious curry she made. We've worked in the garden and shared in its goodness every day since.

Richard plants kale in my mom's garden post-sunset.

Bend down low, let me tell you what I know...

Her lovely spot in Nashville.

The back yard garden.

The bed Richard and I made while we were there.

My mom and I pretending to be dragons. 

(I would tell you that those flowers look like little dragons up close, which they do, but there is really no excuse.)

Last night, though, we had a great vegetarian meal at the home of my high school friend, Justine, and her husband, Joe. We talked excitedly about ReTreeUS with them, and about our efforts to empower everyone to grow and cook with their own food. They suggested that we should post some good recipes for local food, especially kale. They said they would love to use this highly nutritious crop, but don't know how. Here's a recipe for anyone, like our friends, who would like to grow and prepare kale at home:

1. First of all, kale is easy to grow. (We will have more information on that later.) Grow it yourself or buy a bundle from a local farmer. Below is a list of other ingredients you'll need for this dish.

1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
1 bundle of kale
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves of garlic
black pepper to taste

2. Chop the kale into small pieces, taking extra care to slim down the tougher stems.

3. First toss the kale stems into a skillet with oil (or butter), on medium heat, since they need a little extra time to soften.

4. Once the stems are softer, add the kale leaves until they turn a very bright green. Do not overcook.

5. Add soy sauce and pepper to taste.

This mix is great with basically anything. Enjoy it with macaroni and cheese (mix it in with the pasta and cheese), cheese and eggs, or simply by itself as a nutritious side. If you try it with pasta, you can even just put kale into the colander before straining pasta, and the boiling water will cook the kale quickly and perfectly. It's so easy!

Kale is just one way to enjoy eating locally and nutritiously. It is full of protein, antioxidants, and is one of the healthiest foods out there, ounce for ounce.

We might have a little kale from my mom's Tennessee garden for dinner tonight, or a few of her day lilies on top of my aunt's birthday cake. We hope you'll try growing and eating from your own back yard--it's good for the earth, and it's great for your body!

Richard's photos of the sunset from Mom's garden...

...revealing the immense beauty all around us, even among power lines.

People and Progress

Our stay at my dad’s house in Santa Fe so far has been restful and productive.  When dad is home, we all play music and make delicious food: chile, veggies, homemade tortillas…it’s a beautiful time. 

When my dad goes to work at the Kewa Pueblo south of town, Richard and I get busy on ReTreeUS.

Yesterday, we researched potential in-kind donors for things we need, such as biodegradable pots for planting complementary trees to give to our first members, seeds for cover crops, and deer fencing to protect our first orchard and nurseries.

July 1^st marks the deadline for a grant that would largely fund our first high-tunnel greenhouse, and it’s difficult to imagine getting everything done while we travel across the country and visit my family on the way.  We do what we can to meet our priorities for ReTreeUS, but it is also important to connect with important people in our lives before moving across the country. (For instance, Richard will meet my best friend and nephew for the first time this afternoon.)

Despite the fact that the organization is not our only priority, it is certainly at the forefront of both our minds. I am fortunate to have a partner who cares about our professional success as much as I do, and one who still holds family in extremely high-regard. We are both so lucky to spend time with our loved-ones, and both so passionate about our ultimate goals for the organization.  

I will admit that, sometimes, soliciting members and writing grants lacks the appeal of those ultimate goals. But I know that we must acquire funds and resources before planting trees and empowering others become attainable objectives.

We appreciate the support of all of our friends and family whom we visit along our journey, and we appreciate our future members, donors, and grantors for helping to make this dream a reality.

My (not biological) nephew, Ryley, myself, and my second mom, Merry.

Ryley, Merry and Teynan, my best friend.

Our Journey Begins

Just two days ago, we left California with a station wagon full of things—and we are proud to say that the entirety of material possessions both of us had in California fits inside Richard’s car.  Luckily, there was enough room for both of us, too.

We stopped for one last brunch at Duarte’s, our favorite Pescadero omelet joint, and finally hit the road.  Originally, we had planned to make it to Flagstaff on the first day, but saying goodbye to Duarte’s and our good friends there took precedence over ground covered, and we made it to Needles, CA by midnight.  The timing turned out to be perfect, because we wound up crossing the Mojave while the temperature was bearable.  Never had I enjoyed driving in the desert so much as I did that night, when everything was either illuminated or silhouetted by the waxing moon. 

The next day, we stopped for breakfast in Kingman, then cautiously watched smoke from the southern Arizona fires as we drove east on I-40.   I drove most of the day and felt the good energy of my home state pull us, even from deep in Arizona.   The sun began to set over New Mexico, and what we call the “Golden Hour” lit up the already golden land. 

The smoke obstructed mountain views and made this familiar drive seem strange to me.  Richard took pictures of that lovely moon against the gray-blue sky, while I drove happily to my hometown. 

When we finally arrived, our first priority was inarguably to eat green chile.  We ate at Maria’s just before they closed for the night, then headed out of town to stay with my Dad for the next five days.

I sing with Dad on guitar and Richard on percussion.

My dad and me in a real garage band!  Thanks to Richard, we have some of his originals recorded.

Pictures of the California Garden and Redwoods

Before we leave California, here's a tribute to our redwood home there, and to the garden/orchard Richard has loved and tended so diligently for the past two years.

Thank you, Exploring New Horizons Outdoor School, for a beautiful experience.

Go solar fan!

The Douglas fir gate

EAT MORE KALE!

Piece of orchard

Thank you, Big Red!

Pescadero Creek (Oh, Pescadero!)

Falling Into Place

Sometimes life reminds us that, when we are doing what’s right for ourselves and for the world, things just seem to fall into place.  Sure, it takes energy, dedication, and time.  But some rewards come out of nowhere, fall into your lap, and say, “Take this--for a job well done.”

That’s the way we feel with each new victory. 

When Maine Farmland Trust connected ReTreeUS with a local farmer who agreed to let us use his land for free, we knew we were on the right track.  When Wolfe’s Neck Farm, a well established and respected educational nonprofit, asked for a proposal to take to their Board so that we might have an acre there for our first orchard, we exhaled for about…ten whole seconds.

Then we got to work.  I have devoted the last few weeks to completing a business plan, which I referenced in our previous entry.  Now, the plan is ready to send to our partners and a few potential grantors.  We have begun a few other grant applications, are soliciting members and in-kind donations, and soon we will drive across country to Maine. 

There are days when I think we must be crazy: a couple of kids with no money and very few assets dangling our feet at the edge of a very scary world.   There are days when this seems like a typical job: work all day, accomplish a few goals, come back the next day with another to-do list.  There are others when I am camping at a lake in New Mexico with friends, doing nothing at all except thinking good thoughts and talking about our goals.  And that’s when I get a call from Richard saying we have a place to live and another plot for our nursery—maybe even a farm stand. 

We keep dreaming, we keep working, and things just seem to fall into place.