Category: Column Alison Steele

By Alison Steele Waking up in Virginia after a long day of traveling from California to the mountain south, before breakfast, before banjo, I am outside on the front porch with the sunrise. Early morning birdsong is the most heartswelling sound I have ever heard, like an old hymn from my childhood reassuring me that all is well with my… Read More

By Alison Steele The first time I tasted home-cured olives was with California farmer gal Towhee Nelson. She dropped by with a jar of shiny black orbs, soaking in oil and and her farm grown flavors, harvested from the hand-tilled earth of Camp Joy Gardens. Anyone who has ever attended the annual Spring Plant Sale or the infamous Wreath Sale… Read More

By Alison Steele Every August we return to Boulder Creek from Virginia summers to find sunflower forests, magic beans, and mysterious squash entangled in what seems like an enchanted garden from a childhood storybook. Spent pea shoots are cleared away to reveal jewel toned beets and carrots ready for harvesting. The jostaberries are sundried on the branches with a curious… Read More

By Alison Steele On a quick visit to the neighboring farm, I returned with a basket of fresh beets from Jon Knopp’s vegetable garden and a new motto that made me smile. Grow to Give! The Knopp’s are an old family here in Staunton whose name is synonymous with kind. It’s not hard to see why they’re spoken so fondly… Read More

By Alison Steele Our summers in Virginia start religiously with a getaway to the coast along with family, fresh oysters, blue crab, and swimming. It’s relaxing to see the kids play fearlessly in the Atlantic Ocean flanked by dolphins and warmed by the southern sun. After a week or two we make our way inland to the mountains and unwind… Read More