BURN BABY BURN....or...>YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!

This photo is from the big prairie burn in 2003. Over the years, I've been able to burn the Prairie as necessary to keep it in shape...promote prairie grasses, kill trees and weeds. It would take me 2 or 3 hours alone with my weed burner and the right wind to knock down the whole 30 acres. It's safe since it's bordered by lake, plowed field and road.

Then, 2 years ago, the US Fish and Wildlife Service decided it was no longer safe for us to burn it. Had to get a plan done by them, and they had to burn it. Now, they have millions of acres under management...and not unlimited manpower. And to burn this field requires a south or southwest wind....you don't just schedule a crew for Thursday and expect the wind to go along.

But in their wisdom, they never got it burned last year. Now we're having a serious problem with trees and prickly ash undergrowth wrecking about half the restoration. So instead of spring which is the best time to burn, they decide on fall...today to be exact. Proper wind, and they show up with 5 guys, a Bobcat, a cross country water vehicle, a 4-wheeler and this 'swamp buggy'...oh yeah, 2 trucks and an SUV.


Wow!





So they work from 10 til 1 and get about 2 acres torched. Lunch break. Then they got to it. This is better. And they torched the big slash pile that has accumulated over the last few years. So the cats won't have anywhere to hunt for chipmunks and rabbits anymore.
Don't get me wrong, we appreciate the help...but 5 guys and all that equipment?

WEEKENDS IN THE COUNTRY

This year, we are working with Bonnie Mohr Studio and The Hog Shed to bring you 3 weekends of fun, fine art, fine craft and antiques and collectibles. The first weekend, October 26-28, overlaps with our Gallery Fall Open House. The we skip a weekend for deer opening and have two more.

Click here (weekend%20day.pdf ) for teh Weekend Brochure .pdf.

BONNIE MOHR STUDIO
“Painting the sights of Rural America”

A visit to the Bonnie Mohr Studio is a bit
different than one to other fine art galleries. Here you will also find one of Bonnie’s favorite art
subjects, the dairy cow. Visitors will see the black and white Holsteins lining the drive way to the
studio in rural Glencoe, MN.

Inside Bonnie’s cottage showroom, open to the public M-F from 9-5, you will find a charming
display of artist originals, art prints, gilclee’s, note cards and giftware.

Each oil painting represents hours of exacting research and meticulous planning that comes
together when she begins each new piece. Her subject matter ranges from cows to goats and
everything else in between! Mohr blends realism with an innate sense of color and design, making each original a classic work of art.

Bonnie Mohr Studio
10454 160th Street
Glencoe, MN 55336
http://www.bonniemohr.com/

THE HOG SHED
Nestled among the corn fields of rural
Minnesota on a “Turn–of-the-Century” farm, you’ll discover The Hog Shed.
Here you will find everything you
desire to fit your style.

Add personality, warmth and comfort to your home and garden, with our one of a kind, time worn treasurers.

The Hog Shed is surrounded by
Gardens. Everyone enjoys the Hosta path that winds through the corn crib. Along the trail you’ll also visit the Wren Cottage. This charming
cottage is filled with lots of old and new! The variety includes furniture, country comforts and vintage décor….. You are sure to add a touch of charm to your home with treasures from
The Hog Shed!

Fabulous Finds - Unique Gifts - Great Prices - Fun Old Stuff

The Hog Shed
19556 Babcock Ave.
Lester Prairie MN 55354
Phone: 320-395-2043 0r 612-965-0889

Hope to see you out for the Open House, or for a Weekend in the Country!

SAVORY FALL STEW

Our favorite farmers, Katy and Peter Hemberger (and little Waldo) publish their farm news everyweek for those who have memberships in their CSA farm. http://www.augustearth.com/

Last week they published SAVORY FALL STEW capitalizing on the fabulous fall veggies now in. This one is FANTASTIC!

2 TBsp olive Oil
12 oz. spicy Italian Sausage
1-1/2 c chopped onion
1-1/2 c crushed tomatoes
3 c Chicken stock
fresh or dried herbs (rosemary, oregano and/or thyme)
2-1/2 lb butternut squash peeled and cubed
3 carrots cut into 1/2" pieces
3 parsnips cut into 1/2" pieces
12 brussel sprouts trimmed and halved
2 tsp salt (or to taste.

Heat oil in sauce pan, add sausage and cook 'til browned. Remove from saucepan. Pour off all but 2 tbsp of fat, raise heat to medium high.
Add onions, cook 5 minutes, then add tomatoes, stock and herbs. Lower heat to medium and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.
Add sausage, squash, carrots, parsnips and simmer about 10 minutes. Add sprouts (yes, ya gotta put the sprouts in) and cook, covered, about 10 more minutes.
Remove cover, cook and stir occasionally until liquid thickens...maybe 15 more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. A bit of garlic bread and wine and you're in heaven. Trust me! There is a savory sweetness to this stew that is fabulous.

A Ripe Old Age

We're sad to let you know that Betsy's dad Hugh A. Price, 94, died in his sleep during the night of October 9-10. He is shown above about 15 years ago with his lovly wife Mildred who tried to keep him in line.

He was born in Chicago on January 5, 1913 to Hugh A. and Lillian Price. He attended Hyde Park High School and went on to get his BS at the University of Chicago. He received his MBA from Northwestern University. He was a paint chemist for several different companies before joining DeSoto, Inc of DesPlaines, IL, where he spent 25 years of his career. He was most proud of being part of the team that developed the first paint mixing machine the "Mark IV" that changed how paint was sold.
He married his sweetheart, Mildred I. Williams, the girl with the big eyes, long eyelashes and pretty long curls, on August 29th, 1932. They had five children that they raised in Chicago and then Elmhurst, IL.
Hugh had many interests and hobbies. From fencing, raising award winning roses, playing cribbage and gin, tropical fish, racing Porsche's, growing orchids, ballroom dancing, fishing from Canada to the Amazon, to his lifelong and favorite interest-golf. He started playing golf as a young child and continued into his late 80's, when he had to stop due to health problems. He was a member of River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, IL, and Royal Palm Country Club in Naples, FL. He always hoped that one of his children would take up the game.
Hugh and Mildred retired to Naples FL in 1974, Being in Naples where they could play golf everyday, fish and garden was the highlight of his life. Mildred died in 1993, at which time Hugh left Florida and went to live with his children. First Susan in Hinsdale, IL, then Betsy in Hutchinson, MN and when Minnesota winters were too hard for him, to his son Bill's in Portland, OR.
Hugh died in Prineville, OR on October 9th at the age of 94.He is survived by his son Hugh A. in Portland, OR, daughters Susan Hensel of Ossian, IN; Julie Bostian of Washington DC; and Betsy Price of Hutchinson, MN. Grandchildren, Michele Barber of Algonquin, IL; Chris Olson of Marietta, GA; Morgan Jindrich of Austin, TX; Josh Jindrich of Gresham, OR; Danielle Bostian of .NY; Damien Bostian of .. And many great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh A. and Lillian; step-mother Lil Price; wife Mildred; son Bill and grandson Michael Olson.

Seafoam Green

This post is for the readers of the ClayArt discussion group. This platter is glazed in Seafoam Green (turns out it's a Coleman recipe). Lots of running. We're going to try to tighten it up since you can get some great effects like putting some copper red over it.

The Show Is Over

Well, at least the Art show season is done for us this year. Long weekend. We went to Bayfield WI, the gorgeous town that is the jumping off point for the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior.

Lots of sailing (deep water). Should have been a good show. But we got there Thursday, set up part way in the dark (1 hour of work in 2-1/2 hours.) then came back Friday am to finish up. At 8:30 the chamber told us severe weather was headed in (30+ mph wind and rain) and that we didn't have to set up. So we didn't.

Off to Greunke's for breakfast, then back to the room for a nap. Went back to the show when the rain tapered off at 2 or so, finished setting the pots up just in time to close at 5. Next morning, at least the rain had stopped (mostly), and the fresh breeze off the lake kept us on our toes. Betsy was very happy.We're not exactly how the girl in shorts felt...probably numb, or maybe she was a sailor. And our neighbor lady was set for the weather and AppleFest. 30 years she's been doing it!

So 5 days, and we netted maybe $500 profit. When's the last time you made a profit on your vacation?

Oh yeah, the weather cleared a bit on Sunday so everyone could go to the big parade.

FALL OPEN HOUSE POST CARD

FOR YOUR REFRIGERATOR
We're starting towards using email for more of our notifications. Part of this is because of cost, part of it since, as we're doing more shows, the need to be able to send out last minute changes in locations of booths, etc. We're also going to start a new monthly newsletter that will feature new Clay Coyote items (before they hit the website), new Gallery items and some specials that will only be available via email (that's the carrot to signup). The first issue will go out about October 15th before the Open House.

To get on the email list, just go to claypot@hutchtel.net , and send us a message that says sign me up. If you want an address other than the one you're using to sign up, note that also in the message.
You can print a copy of the card for your fridge, just by clicking on the above image, then clicking file:print. That should give you a card to hang up. I'm working on making it full-sized which you should be able to get by clicking here: 2007%20FallPC.pdf