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I like the idea of going to a farm to buy freshly picked fruits and vegetables. Sure, I can hit the farmers’ markets in Austin, but grabbing a basket and taking the kids to the farm sounds like fun.

I recently came across the Boggy Creek Farm website and was happy to find that they are right around the corner from downtown Austin!  They have Market Days every Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. It’s recommended to get there before 11:00 am for the best pickings! The farm is USDA certified organic.

Has anyone been to Boggy Creek? Are there any other farms open to the public for fresh veggies and fruit in or around the Austin area?

http://www.boggycreekfarm.com/pages/market-days.php

Austin Polish Society Art Show- A great exhibit of talent from the Polish community. This year we will have the third Austin Polish Society art show, featuring photography, paintings, jewelry and more from our members. FREE!! Friday and Saturday, Noon- 4:00pm. Artspoken Gallery and Studios, 1507 Koenig Ln.

Roots of Rhythm: World Drumming- Tap your feet to the beat as you listen to ethnically diverse rhythms and percussive instruments made by local students under the guidance of percussionist Dr. Craig Woodson. Instruments such as the Japanese Kakko, Indian Tabla, and Cuban Bongos will tell musical stories about the diverse cultures that make up our One World. Saturday, Noon. Admission is $12/child; $15/adult. One World Theatre, 7701 Bee Caves Rd.

Jack and the Bean Stalk- Trouble Puppet Theatre presents the timeless tale of little Jack who trades his cow for “magic beans.” Admission is $5.00 for all. Saturday, 10:00am. Mary Moody Northern Theatre.

Exquisite Visions Family Day and Japanese Festival- Discover the wonders of Japenese prints and the printmaking process with hands-on, art-making workshops, artist demonstartions and tours. Through an afternoon of gallery activities, imagination and storytelling, kids and their families create art inspired by the exhibition. Saturday, 11:00- 4:00 pm. FREE with museum admission. Blanton Museum of Art, Brazos and MLK.

Night in Old Fredericksburg- Family fun, downtown- Marktplatz Fredericksburg! Where the fun never sets! Great German food and drink, German music on two stages, two days under the Adelsweiren Halle, Texas music Saturday small pavilion, arts and crafts, kids area, historical exhibits. Lots of family fun! Friday, 6:00pm until midnight. Saturday 11:30am until midnight. Adults, $6.00, kids 12 and under $1. Two day pass $10.

The first time I visited Italy, several years ago, I tried a dish called Rostelle- tiny diced pieces of lamb that’s grilled and served with french fries. It’s absolutely delicious. Very simple, yet very tasty. We went home from our journey to Italy with the taste still in our mouths and thought that with the vast knowledge of the world wide web at our fingertips, it would be no problem to find the recipe online. We were wrong. Couldn’t find it anywhere. In fact, the only thing I found was a little history on the dish- how it became popular and who the first connoisseurs were.

So we tried our best to recreate the dish. Sometimes it came out too strong and nothing at all like what we had on our trip. We marinated the meat overnight in lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, basil….. whatever spices we could imagine the Italians on the Mediterranean using. Really, it never tasted like what we had on vacation.

This time, being a little wiser about finding Italian recipes on the internet, we stopped and asked a butcher who advertised Rostelle on his front door. Turns out we were way over doing it. It’s just lamb meat on a stick. That’s all! They use a very fatty cut so that the meat is nice and tender. No spices, lemons. Nothing other than meat on a tick over the grill. Delicious. Try it at home and enjoy this super simple and tasty recipe!

What you need:

Fatty portion of lamb roast, diced very small

Little bit of olive oil

shish kabob sticks

Arrange on the stick and grill for about 10 minutes.

Simple tips that will help you take great pictures!

By Stacey Harrell

I remember getting my first camera. I was in middle school and I lived in the Woodlands. I would take off in the mornings and take pictures on the golf course before the golfers would hit greens. I’d capture pictures of the birds, the water and even the grass. My love of photography started then and is still with me today. I have what creative people refer to as “an eye”. For me “seeing” a good shot comes easy, but if you follow these simple tips you’ll improve your chances of taking good shots too.

1. First of all you don’t need an expensive camera, big lenses, or a studio to take good pictures. I recently read an article written by a ‘professional’ photographer who said you couldn’t even call yourself a ‘photographer’ if you hadn’t invested the big bucks in expensive equipment and a studio. Well, I beg to differ. The expensive stuff is nice to have, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a good picture. I have lots of cameras to choose from and I get pictures just as good from my inexpensive camera as I do my expensive ones.

2. Relax and don’t try to take the perfect shot. With today’s digital cameras you can take lots of pictures and it doesn’t cost you a thing. Keep in mind if you take 50 and get one that you like you are doing well.

3. Get down on the ground, stand on a chair, and peek through a doorway. You don’t need to be standing behind a tripod or in the center of the room to get good pictures. Challenge yourself to see the world and your subject in a way that you’ve never done before.

4. Get in tight and close on your subject. Tree bark makes a fascinating close up and nothing is cuter than seeing a spatter of freckles across your child’s nose.

5. Think about your background and use it to your advantage. Even if you are trying to take spontaneous photos the right backdrop can make or break a good shot. Move yourself or your camera to make the most of your setting.

6. For every time you say “Cheese” take another 15 pictures without saying a thing. Face forward and smiling pictures are great, but pictures of your child’s profile and even the back of their head can capture their essence too

Now that you’ve got the tips to help you get a good picture, pull out your camera and start recording your world today.

About the author: Stacey Harrell is a photographer who specializes in capturing kids being kids. Her business is Just me! Casual Children’s Photography. She refuses to require children to sit still, wear Sunday clothes or sit in front of a fake seascape. She also doesn’t give away plastic combs. You can see her work at www.justmephotos.com or contact her to set up an appointment at justmephotos@hotmail.com.

You are a very talented artist. Tell us a little about your work and how you came to be an artist.

I suppose I started creating long ago in my teenage years. It started as doodling in high school, after being into theatre and drama, I found some hidden talents in the boredom of the classroom.

From high school, I worked in customer service and went on to take some art classes in college, finding sculpture to be a passion. I experimented with making masks out of found objects and recycled materials. This led me to welding technology and art metals, and eventually custom-made fine jewelry.

I still work in all of these mediums but my main work is in designing jewelry, teaching my process and creating large sculptural objects in steel and copper.

I am committed to being an artist by trade for life, though I am not sure what twists and turns that will bring on in my work. I may be doing something totally different in 10 years, but it will always be creative.

You are also married to Peter, a very talented musician. How did the two of you meet and how long have you been together?

Peter and I met because of my obsession with musicians. I have always had a thing for musicians and music for that matter. Music guides a lot of my work and inspires me to no end.

Peter was playing music with some other friends and I met him through that group. I knew right away we had a connection ,though it was years later this came to fruition. We have now been together for 5 years and married for almost 3.

Was it difficult for you to adjust from living on your own to sharing your space with another artist?

I think it was difficult to adapt to living with the man I knew was going to be the father to my child, (some sort of independence thing I fought for a little bit).

But I love living with him as an artist. It is nice to have someone who understands the process and time it takes to create from scratch. He is incredibly supportive of my work, and I try to be of his. And what he does both in building houses and in music inspires me to keep working and growing.

Tell us how you manage to make ends meet when sometimes the love of What you do doesn’t pay the bills. Have you had to make many adjustments to accommodate the fact that you want to live your passion instead of working for the man? Read the rest of this entry »

Free Admission Day- Learn more about Texas native plants and the woman who helped protect them. Admission is free to commemorate Lady Bird on the one-year anniversary of her passing. Visitors will receive a free packet of wildflower seeds in honor of our environmental first lady. Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. FREE! Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave.

Rio Rita- Families can enjoy terrific entertainment as well as delightful desserts & coffee. This production, performed fully by home schooled teenagers, will amuse and enchant the entire family. Heralding from the Ziegfeld Follies era of the late 1920’s, “Rio Rita” is set in the Mexican city of San Lucar and is filled with Texas Rangers, Good Guys, Bad Guys, and plenty of intrigue. The dancing will delight, the tunes are infectious, and the intrigue guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat! Friday, 7:00pm, Saturday, 2:00pm. Admission is $7 to $8. Red River Church.

Little Lounge Lizards- A dance club party for ages 10 and under and their adults. This event is held on the first Saturday of every month with a hip DJ spinning hits from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s on up! It’s a fun alternative family outing keepin’ Austin weird where kids can dance and interact with their grown-ups. Saturday, 12:30- 3:30 pm. Special summer admission is $8. Momo’s, 618 W. 6th St.

Second Saturday’s are for Families- aMAZEing Art: Labyrinths and Mazes. Come see amazing works of art in our pair of exhibitions, Sol LeWitt: Structure and Line, and Selections from The LeWitt Collection. Also, find your way to the Community Room to create 3-D labyrinths and mazes inspired by the art you’ve seen up close! $7 per family or $5 per family if a member. Saturday, Noon- 4:00 pm. Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress Ave.

Bastille Day Celebration- Live music by Paris 49, dancing, French food & wine to commemorate the 219th anniversary of the French Revolution. Play the lawn game Petanque, see antique French cars, and participate in a silent auction to benefit the museum. Saturday, 6:30- 11:00pm. Admission is $8. Kids under 12 are free. French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St.

Book and Dance Affair- Sample the diversity of contemporary dance as 12 choreographers show their work in a close-up, family friendly, informal setting. Also, browse new and used books and CDs. Come and go as you please. Saturday, 3:00-5:30 pm. FREE!!. Donations accepted. Cafe Dance, 3307 Hancock Dr.

Splash Party Movie Night-  Enjoy family movies and take a dip in the pool on a hot summer night. This week’s feature is “Spirit”. Saturday, starting at dusk. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for people aged 11 to 17 years, and $1 for people under 11. Deep Eddy Pool.

60th Annual McDade Watermelon Festival-  Celebrating 60 years! Car show, arts & crafts, grand parade at 10:30 on Main street, concessions, BBQ Sandwiches at noon, BBQ plates evening meal, bingo, country walk, seed spitting contest, horseshoes & washers tournaments, watermelon bakeoff, watermelon auction, queen’s coronation, and free watermelon feast immediately following the Queen’s coronation. Saturday, 8:00 am- 9:00 pm.  FREE!! McDade.

Austin Chamber Music Children’s Concert -Saturday from 3 pm until 3:30 pm Join us at the Austin Children’s Museum so your little ones can learn more about chamber music. The Austin Chamber Music Center will be perform. Admission is $3.50 to $5.50. Kids under 12 months is FREE.

Cookie Decorating Class for Kids - Kids between 6 and 12, join us at Lux Bakery and Café for a decorating class.Saturday, 10:00 am. Cost is $25.

Artisan Stroll- This is a community of Central Texas artists who get together on weekends to show and sell their work in a festive art fair setting. The Market features a variety of quality local art including paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, art glass, clothing and more. All works are juried and must be hand made by the participating artists, no imports or resale items are allowed. Also enjoy live music! Sunday, 9:00- 3:00. FREE!! Downtown Round Rock.

La Farinita is what it’s called in Italy. I just refer to it as Farinita. I found the recipe in a magazine- I think it was some type of gourmet magazine that devoted the entire issue to food from the different regions in Italy. I’ve made it a few times, but have never had it in Italy. Farinita is a long-standing dish in the Ligurian region of Italy, but, unfortunately, many of the local specialty shops that used to make it have closed their doors after a hundred years in business. I’ve read that there are a few stores still around that make farinita so I’m off to go find them and test out the real dish.

It’s recommended to use a copper baking tray. I didn’t have one, so I used a cast iron frying pan instead. It goes well as an accompaniment to seafood or just by itself. Here’s the recipe:

1 cup chick pea flour

3 cups water

salt and pepper

Stir the chick pea flour into the water, add salt and  pepper to taste and leave the mixture to rest for four or five hours. Remove any foam that may have formed, stir well. Grease a baking tray with olive oil (extra virgin) and pour in the mixture. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 300 degrees until golden brown. Serve with freshly ground black pepper to taste.

I wish that I could pack up some of the sounds, people, scents and feelings from this little Italian village to take home with me. For the past week, we have been staying in a remodeled rustico in Cipressa, a small Italian village located on the Ligurian coast. Naturally, I’ve done some comparison with the village that I live in to the one that we are visiting and have compiled a short list of what I would like to pack up and take home and what I’d like to leave behind. I thought I’d share with you:

• An Italian Grandpa. I met an older Italian man at the playground. He was there with his granddaughter, Anna. He spoke a little English, which helped because I can speak all of three words in Italian. He was so sweet and helped, without my asking, with Luciana. As I helped her climb up the slide, he was there waiting for her to come down. He picked her up and walked her around, describing things to her in Italian. They shared toys with her and made us feel like we belong in this little Italian village. In America, this might be a little creepy, but here, it seems to be the norm. There are so many people willing to help with the kids. Without even asking, they are there with hands ready to help a mama out. Yep, I would pack him up in my suitcase… he was small enough and I think he’d fit comfortably.

• People singing. I would bottle that up and bring it back to Austin in a heartbeat. Who needs a radio when you can just open the window to hear men and women singing all day long. It makes me happy and it sounds really good. Perhaps if I knew the songs and the original singers, I’d think differently, but to me, they all sound like they should be on stage.

• Fig trees. The smell of these trees are dizzying. I must take one or two of them home. Do you think I could get them through customs without any problems?

• Village parties. Italians love to cook, eat, celebrate and share it all with anyone willing to participate! On Wednesday of last week, the church bells were ringing to a a different tune all day long. I knew something had to be going on, but I didn’t know what. I thought that maybe there were a bunch of weddings or something special to make the bells chime so often, every half hour or so. Later in the evening, when we returned from grocery shopping, the piazza was buzzing with action. Tables were set up and the locals were handing out utensils and pushing around carts with water, wine and Coke. We asked the local grocery store owner what was going on (my husband speaks Italian, which makes it so much easier for me!!). Essentially, she instructed us to just sit down and eat and when someone tells us that, they don’t have to say it twice. Homemade pizza was served along with white and red wine. Then came pasta- salmon and pesto- all made from scratch. I thought that was it, but boy, was I wrong. The main course was carried out on large platters by a group of men from the village. With smiles on their faces as applause rang out, they presented the risotto to the visitng politician who helped to sponsor the event. Then came a platter with various local specialties- fried zucchini and other things that I just ate without questioning. A dessert platter landed on the table with several types of excellent cakes. Logically, I knew that dessert signaled the end, but, once again, the carts came around with ladies handing out locally grown peaches and plums. Holy cow! I was stuffed and so happy! Free wine, Proseco, food and we even made some wonderful new friends from Milan (Hi, Magda and Guiliano)!! I would definitely take all of that home with me.

• The sea and the weather. It’s not 100 degrees here. It’s in the 80’s and I can manage without air conditioning. Really, who would have thought that you can spend a summer without air conditioning? It also helps having the sea right down the road to jump into when you get a little sweaty.

What I’d leave behind:

• The house that we stayed in. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love old houses. I just don’t like old Italian houses that were made hundreds of years ago for really small people. The house that we rented for the first week was right in the middle of the village. It was on three levels- kitchen and a bathroom on the first floor, bedrooms on the second and another bed and bath on the top floor with a terrace. It seemed like the further up you went, the narrower it became. I can’t tell you how many times we bumped our head or had to squeeze in the little doorway with a toddler on the hip. And the hard slate stairs… not so good for an exploring toddler!

• The narrow roads. We went to a festival in a little village- I guess it’s better described as the suburbs of Imperia- with our new friends Magda and Guiliano. It was a festival that began at 8:00 in the evening and went all night long. There were many people who were also going to this festival and parking for all of these cars was alongside the road- the same roads that barely fit two cars at one time. And if there’s a big car in the road, all you can do is close your eyes and cross your fingers that your car will be able to pass without scraping the sides. Not very practical if you’re the driver, but hey, it worked for me! No scratches to be found anywhere on the car!

Tell me, if you had the opportunity to develop your own village, what would you want there? What would you keep that we already have in Austin and what would you throw out? Are there any experiences that you’ve had while traveling or living abroad that you wish you could bring back with you?

I’ve tried many different brands of sunscreen in my day and have to admit that none have really stood out. It’s just not one of those “things” that have to be a particular brand with me. But I do know that when I was looking for sunscreen for my daughter when she was just getting old enough to use it, I did lots of research and found that there are some more natural ones available without harmful skin irritants. Now, she is one and a half and I try to use the natural one most of the time, but with a toddler, I just grab whatever is nearest since most of my attention has to be focused on making sure she doesn’t run away from me! Here’s a good question from a Cedar Park mom:

 I have a four month old daughter and I would like to start swimming since it’s so hot. I’ve taken her a couple of times, but only late in the evening when the sun is almost down so that she isn’t exposed to lots of UV rays. I have heard that you shouldn’t use sunscreen on infants until they are six months old. Does anyone know why? Are there any products that I can use that are acceptable for an infant under six months? I would love to spend some days, instead of nights, at the pool! I asked my pediatrician and she seemed to think that it’s fine to use sunblock. Just a little confused since I’ve always heard otherwise. THANKS!!

Austin Symphony 4th of July Concert and Fireworks- Join us for the largest 4th of July celebration in Austin! The H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks will feature patriotic music and the ever-popular 1812 Overture–the latter punctuated by 75-millimeter Howitzer cannons, courtesy of Texas National Guard Salute Battery, and spectacular fireworks over Lady Bird Lake. The Austin Symphony Orchestra will begin performing at 8:30 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m., ending at 10:00 p.m. Come early, bring a picnic, claim a grassy spot and enjoy the patriotic music of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Concessions will be available on site. (Sorry, alcohol and glass containers are not permitted in the park.) FREE!!

1st Annual 10 Years After Musicfest & BBQ Cookoff- Thursday is the kickoff for this three day family friendly event at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville. Music will start at 8:00 Thursday, and at noon on Friday and Saturday. Twenty-four bands are scheduled to perform. This event benefits Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Bastrop and Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA). Also, this event features Bastrop County’s first and only laser light show Saturday night. This event starts at 8 pm on Thursday and at noon on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $10/day or $15 for a two-day pass.

4th of July Event- Come to Lockhart to enjoy a family fun-filled day with arts, crafts, food, games, sky-divers, and an extraordinary evening fireworks display. Friday all day and evening. FREE!!

4th of July in Lago Vista on the Shores of Lake Travis- Come to the Bar K Recreational Park in Lago Vista to enjoy the 4th of July on the shores of Town Lake. Don’t miss out on fun activities for the kids. There will also be a dancing contest, a Miss and Mr. Lago Vista contest, and much more. Friday from 6:30 pm until midnight. FREE!!

Sumerfest San Marcos- Join us to celebrate our nation’s independence along the banks of the San Marcos River. Family entertainment, river parade and a spectacular fireworks display. NOTE: Sumerfest is an alcohol-free event, and coolers are subject to inspection. Friday 4 pm to 10:30 pm. FREE!!

Independence Festival- Join us for hayrides, games, crafts, and historic demonstrations. All events are part of Pioneer Farms’ Celebration of Independence Day! Saturday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is $10 adult/$8 child over age 2. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive.

Puppet Pandemonium- Join us for the puppet play-off of 2008! Cheer for the Three Bears, the Three Billy Goats Gruff, and the Three Little Pigs. Saturday, 2:00pm. FREE!! Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe.

2nd Annual GREEN 4th of July Celebration- Enjoy the world’s First Ever “Farmer Olympics”, kid entertainers, music, art projects, guest speakers, transportation demos, local food, and more. Saturday, 9:00-1:00. Republic Square, 4th and Guadalupe. FREE!!

Exit Music Festival- Austin’s very own Music and Art Festival. The festival includes music, art, food, and so on in the theme of keeping Austin Funky! Saturday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Admission is $20. Waterloo Park.

50th Annual Zilker Summer Music Festival- Featuring Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Show begins at around 8:30pm Thursday through Sunday. You can set up chairs as early as 6:00pm. Concessions will be available or bring your own. FREE!! Zilker Hillside Theater, Zilker Park.

Home Depot Kids Workshop- Saturday from 9:00- Noon. Kids will build a bird house this month. All Home Depot locations. FREE!!