Author Archives: twistedbasics

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About twistedbasics

Welcome! Food is my focus, livelihood, art form and my passion. My wife and I run a 5.5 acre organic vegetable farm. Join me fellow foodie as we explore the changing seasons and the food it brings.

Unseen Treasures

Posted on June 3, 2011 by twistedbasics

It’s been quite a week.  We have gone from humid 90’s and thunderstorms to my idea of perfection:  70’s and breezy with virtually no humidity.  We were able to plant over 1200 tomatoes, set up irrigation systems, mow 3 acres, … Continue reading →

Posted in Farm News, Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Monsoons, Onions and Pissaladiere

Posted on May 27, 2011 by twistedbasics

It’s been raining…..again.  The fields are flooded, muddy and our garlic’s rotting.  It’s one of those times when you realize you are not in control.  Three weeks ago 10 inches of rain, this week 4 inches.  Is it ever going … Continue reading →

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The Calm Before the Storm

Posted on May 22, 2011 by twistedbasics

Sunday…….a day of much-needed rest.  We are getting back to the swing of things here on the farm.  Spring is indeed a beautiful time of year.  We got up early this morning to enjoy coffee on our cedar swing which … Continue reading →

Posted in Farm News | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The Self-Sustaining Family Farm

Posted on May 15, 2011 by twistedbasics

Brickyard Farms is a ‘self-sustaining farm’ that uses organic methods.  If that seems like double-speak, it is wording that allows us to find a description that is appropriate in legal-speak.  For a small farm such as ours, the organic certification … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Excerpts, Food Issues, Rants | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Spring’s Bounty: Morels

Posted on May 9, 2011 by twistedbasics

Alice Water’s once said, expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.  We had just gotten back from running an errand to find a pile of fresh morels on our kitchen table.  The locals had been combing the woods around the farm … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicken, Farm News, Raves, Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Luscious Leftovers?

Posted on April 25, 2011 by twistedbasics

I love to cook for friends and family; it is our livelihood and our passion.  In fact I love everything about cooking, from the selection of ingredients to the prepping and creating of something visually beautiful and satisfying to the … Continue reading →

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Simple

Posted on April 17, 2011 by twistedbasics

Again and again spring is here and not here.  Forsythia bloom, yet the wind blows bitter off the lake.  I wear a hat and winter coat to water the hoop house and enter the humid 70 degree warmth.  The lettuce, … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Mindfulness

Posted on April 11, 2011 by twistedbasics

It was such a tease.  I mean really, 85 degrees in early April?  But we jumped in with both feet, wanting to take full advantage of the amazing day; which meant doing the one thing I enjoy as much as … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Farm News, Raves, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Not Quite Spring

Posted on April 3, 2011 by twistedbasics

The work in our soap kitchen is winding down, as the new farm season is winding up.  Each April 1st regardless of the weather, we start filling trays and planting 17 varieties of heirloom tomatoes.  Today was blustery, dark and … Continue reading →

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Quietly Doing Our Thing

Posted on March 26, 2011 by twistedbasics

My original intent for this blog was to introduce both our farm and my new memoir/cookbook:  Basics with a Twist: Life & Food at Brickyard Farms. With the book’s arrival being approximately 3 weeks away, I thought it was time … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Excerpts, Essays, Raves | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments