Not In The Resolution Mooooo-d

Be the weird friend. Refuse to be less you, even if you are kind of a lot. A lot is great. You’re great. Exactly as you are. No resolutions required. — Julia

---

Here’s What’s Happening At Good Spirits Farm

It’s hard to believe, but these next few weeks are all about prepping for the spring growing season. I’m beginning to terminate the fall cover crop by pulling large tarps (actually old billboards!) over the beds. The shade will kill the radishes and peas, and all their organic matter will begin composting into the soil.

I must admit, my seed catalogs came early this year, and I found myself thinking I’m not ready! Normally, I relish reading about the sweetest corn varieties on an early January Saturday, but, whew, I feel like I was just out picking off bean beetles in the summer heat. How can it already be time to start more seeds??

One thing I love about winter is that it makes you appreciate every slightly warm day. I turned the herd loose on a new section of grass a few evenings ago, and just had to take a moment to enjoy the last remnants of daylight. This paddock is where sweet Sebby is buried (for new readers, Sebby was a lamb born with spina bifida who lived just a few short weeks, but was oh so loved), and I always like to imagine him here, basking in a sunbeam with his friends nearby.

---

Here’s What I Loved This Week

Starting 2024 off on a high note by sharing two things. It’s my newsletter! I can break the one good thing rule!

Todd’s dear friend made these incredible towels and potholders for us, and I just love them SO MUCH. They’re my favorite thing in my kitchen! I’m trying to get her to start a full on Good Spirits Farm line - pot mits with Juliet and Heebeejeebees on them; can you think of anything better????

Also, I want to believe that a special kind of luck comes with eating black-eyed peas and greens that you grew on New Year’s Day. For international readers, in the American South, black-eyed peas symbolize good luck, and greens symbolize money. It’s a long-cherished tradition African American tradition to eat a dish made up of rice and black-eyed peas called “Hoppin’ John” on the first of the year. This year, the greens, peas, garlic, onions, and peppers all came from the farm. I haven’t quite figured out how to get a rice paddy going here—maybe that’s a 2024 project?

Happy New Year, all. I hope your year is full of luck and money—no matter what you ate on the first of the year.