HooperLee Farms

Wedding bells

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:49:40 -0700

Well we've done it now! We up and got hitched! How we got here was just as much a surprise to us as it is to you. But like everything else, we did it our way. It was a ceremony custom made by the two of us. We had only made the decision a month before. And all the pieces came together just right. This post is mainly just to share the pictures but I will explain a few things as we go.

So the question everyone is asking. What is up with those rings?! They are titanium and rosewood and yes we got them on Etsy. Have you ever run a chainsaw, hammered a piece of metal or put your hands in manure with a giant diamond on? We got rings that match us and the life we live and the things we love. so they are simple, just the way we like it.

We got married on our deck. Just a few hay bales and baskets of petunias for an alter.

It was a glorious day. HOTTT! but beautiful

Of course the bride was late and had to make and entrance...

cowboy boots and all.

We kinda winged our vows.

Of course I cracked jokes through the entire thing.

And before we could finish the puppies broke out of the downstairs and joined in! Oh I wish we had more pics of this commotion!

We finally said, "I do!"

Our neighbors and best friends in Grants Pass were our witnesses.

We had the world's smallest cake! It was a naked lavender and honey buttercream tea cake and the lavender all around it, is from the garden.

Oh sheesh you should have seen how badly we cut the cake.

We had a tiny spread of local preserves and jams

And a shameful amount of pate, foie gras, and other French delicacies.

And while we had flowers for the deck I forgot about something for inside the house.

But that morning the perfect center piece arrived from Andre and Sylvia

A quick photo shoot...

with Caesar...

And then two became one!

A special thanks to all the resources and help we got from several small...Read More

HooperLee Farms & Bakery

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 10:46:29 -0700

Some of you might have noticed that we spent the entire winter baking. And we are getting pretty good at it. But we also spent the winter looking into the new marijuana economy here in OR and figuring out how we could get a piece of the pie (sorry there will be a ton of baking jokes.) So we talked to a few friends and made some new ones with experts in the community and then we started testing. Our neighbor grows medicinal marijuana so we thought this is where we would start.

This is Bobby our neighbor down the road. He has taught us a lot!

Then we expanded to recreational use. But we didn't want this to be your typical pot brownie. So we got into something we couldn't find anywhere - moist , flavorful artisanal croissants, rolls, baguettes and breads with a little something extra. So yesterday we took our first breads to the Grants Pass Grower's Market. (You can just see Charles in the background. I was so excited I didn't get a lot of pics) As you can see we didn't make that much - mainly because I had the flu so Charles drove the charge. But we sold out!!!!

Anyway, we are super excited about this new business. Hopefully we can expand to a new location soon. We have our eye on a restaurant that has been vacant for awhile. And yes, we will still be working our 9-5s but expect a lot more bread pics! And if you are in OR please swing by we have some goodies for you! (Before you get excited they cannot be taken across state lines!!) To see exactly what we are making, there is an order form below.

Yes that's me in yoga pants...shut up!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Sat, 09 Dec 2017 12:18:55 -0800

Here we go!

One of the things I love about Southern Oregon is winter - it gets cold enough to light the fireplace for months, the rain is a romantic mix of mists and fog flowing over the hills, and you may get a foot or two of snow for a couple of days and then it goes away. Most of all, I get to point up to a mountain that will have feet of snow straight through Spring while I am nice and sunny in my little valley. And it must be because I have never lived in 4 seasons before (they go by so fast) that I am enamored with the early, dark evenings and the frost on the stairs at 8pm or the icy chill of morning. And my favorite - the stars go on forever on a crisp clear night. It's like the cold becomes a cosmic magnifying glass and you can just touch them.

And in the morning everything has a light dusting of frost. Now don't get me wrong, I used to go to Tahoe and I even used to snowboard. There were a few winters in Amherst, Mass for holidays and that one time I hiked the Poconos in December. But I don't remember these little prairies of ice in the fog where even the weeds are beautiful.

And being a CA girl for most of my life, I never understood why they had those lightly dusted Christmas trees and ornaments. I always thought they looked super fake. Well not until this morning when my favorite tree showed me what those classic ornaments were about.

And it is funny how things can be beautiful and eerie at the same time.

But if you look up close you can even see where next year's new buds will return in Spring.

So, for just a minute, I was bummed not to have a Christmas tree in the house because of these two dog-horses in the mist.

And then I realized that I have a ton of Christmas trees and everything was already decorated for me with more decorating on the way. So I guess I'm still winning at HooperLee Farms! #perspective

No post is finished without one of the Ice Queen herself: Cleopatra

Our Family Is Growing!

Sun, 22 Oct 2017 16:17:48 -0700

As you all know by now, everything moves slower on a farm. We have been talking about goats, chickens and dogs for almost 2 years now. But like everything else, there are so many steps to take. Before you can get chickens you have to demolish the old coop and build a new one. And before you get goats you have to fix all the fencing. And before you get dogs you have to fence in the entire property. So a few weeks ago, we said we are ready. Well we will be ready next Spring for more animals. We got fencing bids and demolished the old coop and Charles learned to make gates.

Everything was going to plan when a good friend Michelle Stern posted a video on Facebook of puppies. Cute, fat, cuddly puppies. And I immediately replied I want them. But they were in Marin and being fostered! How would we get them and when would they be ready? Well they were ready this Friday. So we jumped in the truck, got mugged by Petco, hauled-ass down to Point Richmond and picked up the newest additions to HooperLee Farms. Please meet Hildegard Muninn and Alexander Huginn HooperLee!

Who and who? What the heck do those names mean? Which is which? Settle down we will explain! As you know with Julius, Caesar and Cleopatra - names have meaning for us. But we didn't need anymore little rulers. This time we needed hunters, herders and protectors. When we thought of that it was easy to find their new names:

The female name Hildegard derived from the Old High German words hild (=war or battle) and gard (=protection) and means "battle guard".

In Greek the meaning of the name Alexander is Defender of men.

So what is up with the middle names? Well some of you might not know this but Charles' truck's name is Odin - sometimes called Odin the Traveler. (Mine is Valentino) And this giant house we call Valhalla. What you also might not know is that Odin has two ravens that sit on his shoulder. In Norse mythology, Huginn (from Old Norse"thought") and...Read More

The Garden Railway

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 16:14:07 -0700

One of our favorite couples in Grants Pass are the Leib's that live up the hill from us. Formerly from Chicago, they were the first people to invite us over for dessert. They are hilarious and kind and have given the best advice on how to prod my city person into becoming a country person. Since we moved in the winter, Michael had shown me some of his miniature railroad trains that were on a hearth in the dining room. And he casually told us that he had a full railroad in the garden with shops and all. It reminded me of my grandfather's trains and I thought that would be nice to see. But I really underestimated the Garden Railway.

You see garden railroads are a thing. They are a hobby followed by people around the world. You can read more about them here. And in the cold hours of winter Michael has been building his trains over the years. Now it has two towns! Every year after the last frost they host an opening of the railroad.

Michael was part of a group of local people with garden railroads but they are hard to maintain and keep up. Many have stopped having them. So he is not only keeping his own trains going but he is keeping a tradition going as well. And every year the railroad expands with a new house here, or new store there. One of the neighbors contributed farm animals to the railroad. It really is a sight to see.

Every single one of the buildings was made from hand - even down to the "interesting" signage. What makes this even sweeter is that our other neighbor Glenn helps cut the wood to make all the buildings. It truly is a neighborhood railway.

In this town the buildings and businesses are named after family, friends and neighbors past and present.

The level of detail is amazing - even down to the tire tread.

and every single individual shingle.

The railway goes past the koi pond. But look closer. There is a beautiful red dragon fly landing on the telephone...Read More

Take A drive Up the Oregon Coast

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 13:35:02 -0700

I keep mentioning that we are having amazing days here in Oregon. As a California transplant, I just can't believe the diversity we are experiencing in Oregon. And as someone who has never lived more than 15 mins from the ocean, I thought moving 2 hours away from a beach might just be the thing that sends me home. So when Charles and I drove 2 hours to the Oregon coast we were thinking, "how different can it be?" Oh man, this was so awesome I can't put it into words. So here are a ton of pics.

We drove 2 hours through the mountains in mostly pine forest that suddenly gave way to redwoods at the coast.

The large rocks in the water we slightly ominous. And there is that marine fog that I miss so much.

We're gonna have to buy a selfie stick for these adventures.

We drove to see where the Rogue River meets the ocean and then had a short dinner. Afterwards we headed to Tutuni Lodge for the night. It was dark out so we missed how beautiful it was. But they had laid out snacks and a bottle of wine for us.

But in the morning we were shocked to see this beautiful place! It looks just like Hawaii! Simply incredible. And it sits along the Rogue River just before it opens up to the Ocean. Below is the main lodge. Funny thing is that it is in the same style as our house.

Poached eggs on toast have never tasted so good! I think it was the view from our balcony that made it taste so sweet.

A walk through the grounds

This tree mushroom was huge.

This is the gate into the vegetable garden which the chef uses to cook. The man inside tending the garden had recently quit his desk job of 30 years to become grounds keeper.

Just outside the main lodge is a giant patio that overlooks the Rogue.

On the way home we had the best clam chowder and fish n chips I have ever had.

I love this place! I think I am becoming an Oregonian.

Having AMAZING DAYS

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:10:21 -0700

We are loving discovering Grants Pass one day at a time

I love San Francisco. So many things to do and see. Every weekend you could go to the beach and the mountains in the same day. Or surfing and snowboarding if you wanted. So you have to know that when I say, I am loving Grants Pass days, I am really understating it. It seems that there is something amazing happening at every angle. I haven't seen views like this in my life. And every time you turn the corner something new opens up to you. The other day Charles took me on a drive on New Hope Road where he had met a farmer who told him to bring me back to pet his goats. I took these shots on my phone from the car. This place is breathtaking

Every shade of green and some of the cutest cows.

Growing wine grapes

house in the trees

Take a walk with US

Fri, 06 May 2016 17:25:58 -0700

A walk down the street and back with Charles and I. It is 2.5 miles and there is a lot to see!

the horses next door

The horse across the street

That horse's neighbor horse

Sheep!

Side of the road.

Wildflowers in bloom

Board Shanty Creek. This is where we head back up the road. I didn't catch deer and turkeys on this trip.

Coming up to our spot.

checking the front lawn

Checking the barn

The house from the back

The drive in bloom

and we are home!

2016 Is the year!

Sat, 16 Apr 2016 13:01:37 -0700

It's never too late for an adventure

There is something in the air this year. Or maybe it was in the air last year and people are now reaping what they sowed. I went back to the Bay Area a few weeks ago and spent time with a few friends while working a conference. It occurred to me that many of my friends are in the middle of some very big , life-changing events. There were a lot of new adventures getting started and I just wanted to take a minute to brag about them. It is good to see that it is not just HooperLee throwing caution to the wind and running with scissors! I won't mention names but I think some of these might inspire others:

Stop wishing and get it done.

A friend just started new women in gaming nonprofit and a new job after a decade at the same company.
Quitting your job and 30 year career and starting a healthy lifestyles business takes a lot of chutzpah.
There is a business plan in the works for a senior care coordination business. I can't wait for this one!
Someone just got accepted by 3 universities for their MFA programs.
One of you is starting a BBQ blog and youtube channel
A long time nurse just flipped the game and is still in healthcare but now working from home.
Ummm did someone just sell their startup?
Someone else just got a new job in a highly competitive Fire Department

Who's next?

I can't remember them all. And I am sure that there were several in years past that I could also call out. Either way, it's exciting to see 2016 as the year of adventure for so many people. Maybe that is what all my friends have in common - that need to keep moving, achieving, learning and growing no matter what. Just wanted to take a minute to acknowledge everyone else's "move to Valhalla" and say congratulations. Oh and if you are on the fence about something, it looks like 2016 is the year to jump down and run!

Are you on...Read More

That Lamb Recipe

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 14:55:47 -0700

Folks Keep Asking For That Easter Lamb Recipe!

You can find this recipe here in Food & Wine

INGREDIENTS

LAMB

1 quart chicken stock or low-sodium broth
2 cups dry white wine
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon ground coriander seeds
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
2 tablespoons thyme leaves
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 onions, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
15 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly smashed
3 jalapeños, seeded and quartered
One 5-pound semi-boneless leg of lamb (aitchbone removed), tied
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

SPICED YOGURT

2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup packed cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper

HERB SALAD

3/4 cup packed parsley leaves
3/4 cup packed cilantro leaves
1/2 cup packed tarragon leaves
1/2 cup snipped chives
1 jalapeño—halved, seeded and very thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 cup very thinly sliced red onion
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Cooked couscous, for serving

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Preheat the oven to 425°. In a roasting pan large enough to hold the lamb, whisk the chicken stock with the wine, lemon juice, honey, allspice, cloves, coriander, paprika, oregano, thyme and peppercorns. Add the onions, garlic and jalapeños in an even layer. Season the lamb all over with...Read More