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roll your children in dirt

2012 April 9

How was your Easter?

(insert Dora the Explorer-like pause for answer)

And your fridge?

We took a recent family pool on the number of jars in our fridge. This being strictly mason jars with some manner of sprouting, fermenting, jammy something or other sloshing around. Col came closest with his guess of 20, the actual number being 24. 24! Yikes! No wonder my kids would mug you for your granola bar in a wrapper.

In other notable news, I’ve got a new job! I’m the new Durango distributor for Edible San Juan Mountain Magazine, which means every week or so I load up my car with approximately 1056 magazines and hit the road. I get the same sort of thrill leaving the house alone that I used to get when the kids were too little to come with me to donate blood, where I’d recline, uncommonly happy to be in the padded chair reading People magazine while blood trickled out of my right arm.

Last week I was packing my boxes of magazines into the Subaru while Col gleefully crushed purple sidewalk chalk under his bike tires and Rose screeched like it was actually her fingers he was running over.

“Can you guys find Daddy to help you work this out?” I said, easing myself into the driver’s seat and zooming away scot-free.

I love this new job because I adore the magazine and love seeing how excited everyone is about a new issue. Also, when you’re an extroverted, 17-year resident of a small town, it’s like old home week bustling around this sweet little place. Which also makes distribution take an extra hour. Sorry, Dan.

I have an essay in the spring issue of Edible. It’s a bit of a love song to dirt, with some fun facts thrown in about why letting your kids roll themselves in dirt like cornmeal breading is good for their health. I’d love to send you all a copy, but there’s the postage thing. So, I’d like to send a copy to FIVE of you. And, extra bonus: I’ll include the winter issue, in which I have a story about fermentation. (When I pitched the idea to my editor he said I could write it only if it appealed to beer-swilling football fans as well as families living off mung beans in school buses. He says it hit the mark).

7/2011: Rose boosting her immune system

To enter, leave a comment below. Giveaway ends Friday, April 14th.

Whatever the glossy magazines are saying about wearing 3 different prints together, I assure you they’re wrong.

* also, you can leave a comment without entering the giveaway.

* Edible is in a “family” of magazines. There’s Edible Austin, Edible Brooklyn, Edible Hawaii, etc…It’s a beautiful magazine, with gorgeous photos, recipes, and great writing about in-season food.



79 Responses leave one →
  1. abozza permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Nice! Congratulations! Love the pic of Rose! That’s how a kid is supposed to look! :)
    http://amysreallife.wordpress.com

  2. April 9, 2012

    Your new job sounds heavenly!! I love those rare alone moments in the car ;) I’d love to win and check out your articles. They sound great.

  3. April 9, 2012

    Your new job sounds heavenly!! I love those rare alone moments in the car ;) I’d love to win and check out your articles. They sound great.

  4. April 9, 2012

    I’d rather you just deliver a copy. That’s much cheaper than postage, no? Barring that, sign me up. My kids have been dirty since the day they were born, but I probably have closer to 15 jars in my fridge. And half of those contain soup, which has not fermented. Though, given time, it might.

  5. April 9, 2012

    I’d rather you just deliver a copy. That’s much cheaper than postage, no? Barring that, sign me up. My kids have been dirty since the day they were born, but I probably have closer to 15 jars in my fridge. And half of those contain soup, which has not fermented. Though, given time, it might.

  6. lemontreelane permalink
    April 9, 2012

    i think my daughter is wearing the other (miss-matched) half of rose’s outfit! (and i love reading magazine’s..i enjoy your writing style.)

  7. lemontreelane permalink
    April 9, 2012

    i think my daughter is wearing the other (miss-matched) half of rose’s outfit! (and i love reading magazine’s..i enjoy your writing style.)

  8. Christine D. permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Some alone time is very important for all mamas!! And I love letting my son get as dirty as he wants to, so good for the soul, oh and the immune system :) I would love to win a copy!

  9. Christine D. permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Some alone time is very important for all mamas!! And I love letting my son get as dirty as he wants to, so good for the soul, oh and the immune system :) I would love to win a copy!

  10. April 9, 2012

    A love song to dirt – how perfectly country! Congrats on the new job – fantastic. Little girls in three different prints look best, and yes, regardless of what glossy mags say.

  11. April 9, 2012

    A love song to dirt – how perfectly country! Congrats on the new job – fantastic. Little girls in three different prints look best, and yes, regardless of what glossy mags say.

  12. April 9, 2012

    Anyone under the age of oh 12, can reasonably mix as many patterns as they like and pull it off. After that, it gets trickier.
    I am a regular reader of Edible Blue Ridge. Love that magazine. I would love to read your version of it and see how they compare! Congrats on the new job.

  13. April 9, 2012

    Anyone under the age of oh 12, can reasonably mix as many patterns as they like and pull it off. After that, it gets trickier.
    I am a regular reader of Edible Blue Ridge. Love that magazine. I would love to read your version of it and see how they compare! Congrats on the new job.

  14. mamamayiwrites permalink
    April 9, 2012

    ““Can you guys find Daddy to help you work this out?” I said, easing myself into the driver’s seat and zooming away scot-free.”

    Laughed out loud when I read that line. I’m pretty sure – word for word- that’s my Saturday line. ;)

    Congrats on the new job. Sounds great!

  15. mamamayiwrites permalink
    April 9, 2012

    ““Can you guys find Daddy to help you work this out?” I said, easing myself into the driver’s seat and zooming away scot-free.”

    Laughed out loud when I read that line. I’m pretty sure – word for word- that’s my Saturday line. ;)

    Congrats on the new job. Sounds great!

  16. April 9, 2012

    Hooray for many jars and many jobs! :) Would love to win them too.

  17. April 9, 2012

    Hooray for many jars and many jobs! :) Would love to win them too.

  18. Sara permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Sometimes I feel you are writing about my life! Our fridge is overloaded with jars (along with our counter and pantry) and a lot of times I feel there is more dirt in the house than outside with the coming and goings! I love reading your blog and would love to read these magazines!

  19. Sara permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Sometimes I feel you are writing about my life! Our fridge is overloaded with jars (along with our counter and pantry) and a lot of times I feel there is more dirt in the house than outside with the coming and goings! I love reading your blog and would love to read these magazines!

  20. April 9, 2012

    haha the mason jar pool. i bet we are probably somewhere around 20 as well. that is awesome. i’d love to enter the giveaway, because even though i’m already well indoctrinated about the roll-quinn-in-dirt thing (i have a picture about like rose raven there, of quinn last week splattered from head to toe in mud) i do adore your writing and want to read every single article you write. how fun about your new job- it’s funny how mothering makes blood donation seem lavishly extravagant by contrast. :)

  21. April 9, 2012

    haha the mason jar pool. i bet we are probably somewhere around 20 as well. that is awesome. i’d love to enter the giveaway, because even though i’m already well indoctrinated about the roll-quinn-in-dirt thing (i have a picture about like rose raven there, of quinn last week splattered from head to toe in mud) i do adore your writing and want to read every single article you write. how fun about your new job- it’s funny how mothering makes blood donation seem lavishly extravagant by contrast. :)

  22. April 9, 2012

    Yes, Rose knows how to wear dirt! Send me the zines Rachel and I’ll extend their reach a little past the San Juans while keepin it on the CO Plateau!

  23. April 9, 2012

    Yes, Rose knows how to wear dirt! Send me the zines Rachel and I’ll extend their reach a little past the San Juans while keepin it on the CO Plateau!

  24. April 9, 2012

    Dirt! I love dirt! I can’t wait to roll around in it again someday! It will be fun to get all dirty with my little dunnbuns!

    Dirt: ubiquitous and versatile! What’s not to love?

  25. April 9, 2012

    Dirt! I love dirt! I can’t wait to roll around in it again someday! It will be fun to get all dirty with my little dunnbuns!

    Dirt: ubiquitous and versatile! What’s not to love?

  26. April 9, 2012

    I’m not entering the giveaway, only b/c I think I subscribed. But the dirt thing – it’s on the upswing, isn’t it, with the dirt being more frozen together and less covered in snow. It feels like an arbitrary choice, at what points in the day to apply a wet cloth to face and hands. They will only be dirty again, shortly.

    My thing lately is those luminarc glasses with lids, for throwing the odd chicken finger or 1/3 of a cinnamon roll into, or an egg white, or a half a lemon.

    I’ve been feeding my kid granola bars in wrappers after she went on strike on the homemade ones. The charm has worn off, 99 boxes later. We’ll be back to homemade shortly, which will seem novel and double delicious, hopefully.

    Congrats on the gig. Arrivals at my office with my undisputed internet access and space completely in my control and no uninstalled or malfunctioning appliances or sticky things on my chair – takes the edge of the guilt I feel about leaving Lucinda at day care with 12 of her best friends and unlimited toys and teachers who know the words to all the songs. I make it sound like not a conflict but of course it is. As is staying home.

    “I know you are reading this poem as you pace beside the stove
    warming milk, a crying child on your shoulder, a book in your hand
    because life is short and you too are thirsty.” Adrienne Rich had children. And work.

  27. April 9, 2012

    I’m not entering the giveaway, only b/c I think I subscribed. But the dirt thing – it’s on the upswing, isn’t it, with the dirt being more frozen together and less covered in snow. It feels like an arbitrary choice, at what points in the day to apply a wet cloth to face and hands. They will only be dirty again, shortly.

    My thing lately is those luminarc glasses with lids, for throwing the odd chicken finger or 1/3 of a cinnamon roll into, or an egg white, or a half a lemon.

    I’ve been feeding my kid granola bars in wrappers after she went on strike on the homemade ones. The charm has worn off, 99 boxes later. We’ll be back to homemade shortly, which will seem novel and double delicious, hopefully.

    Congrats on the gig. Arrivals at my office with my undisputed internet access and space completely in my control and no uninstalled or malfunctioning appliances or sticky things on my chair – takes the edge of the guilt I feel about leaving Lucinda at day care with 12 of her best friends and unlimited toys and teachers who know the words to all the songs. I make it sound like not a conflict but of course it is. As is staying home.

    “I know you are reading this poem as you pace beside the stove
    warming milk, a crying child on your shoulder, a book in your hand
    because life is short and you too are thirsty.” Adrienne Rich had children. And work.

  28. April 9, 2012

    I love your mason jar collection … almost as much as I love getting to zoom away scot-free and leave the screeching to Daddy.

  29. April 9, 2012

    I love your mason jar collection … almost as much as I love getting to zoom away scot-free and leave the screeching to Daddy.

  30. coleen permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Would love to win a copy of the magazine and read your article. Enjoy your alone time in the car.

  31. coleen permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Would love to win a copy of the magazine and read your article. Enjoy your alone time in the car.

  32. Calamity Jane permalink
    April 9, 2012

    i’ll bite. i’d love to read that article, as well as adventure in your foodshed vicariously. we have an Edible here in New Orleans too, they are awesome. congrats on the job, sounds dreamy.
    did you read my last post? not to shamelessly plug, but it’s moderately relevant. pro-dirt.
    http://apronstringz.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/wild-child/
    here’s a homesteader pet peeve– jars in the dishrack. i need a separate rack just for them.

  33. Calamity Jane permalink
    April 9, 2012

    i’ll bite. i’d love to read that article, as well as adventure in your foodshed vicariously. we have an Edible here in New Orleans too, they are awesome. congrats on the job, sounds dreamy.
    did you read my last post? not to shamelessly plug, but it’s moderately relevant. pro-dirt.
    http://apronstringz.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/wild-child/
    here’s a homesteader pet peeve– jars in the dishrack. i need a separate rack just for them.

  34. Staci permalink
    April 9, 2012

    i’d love to read about both! my 11mo old son’s been loving the garden and beach lately and i want to try my hand at making some sauerkraut this year. my cabbage seeds have sprouted and are growing quickly next to the woodstove!

  35. Staci permalink
    April 9, 2012

    i’d love to read about both! my 11mo old son’s been loving the garden and beach lately and i want to try my hand at making some sauerkraut this year. my cabbage seeds have sprouted and are growing quickly next to the woodstove!

  36. sofie permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Wow! I’d love to get a copy! Thanks for the opportunity.

  37. sofie permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Wow! I’d love to get a copy! Thanks for the opportunity.

  38. April 9, 2012

    I love the Edible mags! Sign me up for the giveaway, por favor.

  39. April 9, 2012

    I love the Edible mags! Sign me up for the giveaway, por favor.

  40. Christy permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Ha! Love the mason jar pool! Due to my enthusiastic jump into pickling last year I don’t even need to make ANY kind of pickled veggie this year. Yeah, I was a little over zealous when I planted my cucumbers and peppers. Glad to know someone has more jars than me in the fridge.
    And Rose rocks that outfit. She could totally start a new trend.
    Would love to read the magazine. Enjoy your mama alone time!

  41. Christy permalink
    April 9, 2012

    Ha! Love the mason jar pool! Due to my enthusiastic jump into pickling last year I don’t even need to make ANY kind of pickled veggie this year. Yeah, I was a little over zealous when I planted my cucumbers and peppers. Glad to know someone has more jars than me in the fridge.
    And Rose rocks that outfit. She could totally start a new trend.
    Would love to read the magazine. Enjoy your mama alone time!

  42. April 9, 2012

    I’d love your new job. Except I would probably drop the magazines asap, then sneak back home to dig in my garden because it seems Hazel needs *perfect* conditions to tolerate outdoor work. It’s driving me BONKERS. I hope I win this awesome giveaway of yours because I’d love to read both of YOUR articles, plus the others.

    Also, what do you know about using essential oils for family ailments…can you recommend a good book?

    • Rachel Turiel permalink
      April 13, 2012

      I use just a few essential oils (tea tree, lavender, peppermint, ravensara) and sorry I can’t tell you much more.

  43. April 9, 2012

    I’d love your new job. Except I would probably drop the magazines asap, then sneak back home to dig in my garden because it seems Hazel needs *perfect* conditions to tolerate outdoor work. It’s driving me BONKERS. I hope I win this awesome giveaway of yours because I’d love to read both of YOUR articles, plus the others.

    Also, what do you know about using essential oils for family ailments…can you recommend a good book?

    • Rachel Turiel permalink
      April 13, 2012

      I use just a few essential oils (tea tree, lavender, peppermint, ravensara) and sorry I can’t tell you much more.

  44. April 9, 2012

    chuckles! enter me in the draw, please!

    oh, and happy to see that I am not the only mama, whose kids ate dyed easter eggs this week!

  45. April 9, 2012

    chuckles! enter me in the draw, please!

    oh, and happy to see that I am not the only mama, whose kids ate dyed easter eggs this week!

  46. April 10, 2012

    Do I increase my chances if I offer to send you our Spring Edible Columbus, a swappish sort of thing? I sure hope so, cuz I’d LOVE LOVE LOVE to read your piece. (Mine’s about potager gardening, which for those who are astonished at the notion of mingling lettuce ! with roses, is a revolution. For you, not so much :) I’d throw in a bag of granola to sweeten the deal. In another mason jar. Sorry, kiddos.

  47. April 10, 2012

    Do I increase my chances if I offer to send you our Spring Edible Columbus, a swappish sort of thing? I sure hope so, cuz I’d LOVE LOVE LOVE to read your piece. (Mine’s about potager gardening, which for those who are astonished at the notion of mingling lettuce ! with roses, is a revolution. For you, not so much :) I’d throw in a bag of granola to sweeten the deal. In another mason jar. Sorry, kiddos.

  48. April 10, 2012

    Congrats on the new job! We love that magazine. I picked up a copy when we were in Durango last summer and it sits in our magazine pile, never to be thrown out! Anytime military life gets too hard I flip through the pages and think “one day….” :) Good for you letting your kids get a little dirt on them! My SIL thinks Im nuts when she hears me praising a good mud wrestle for the boys! Ha!

  49. April 10, 2012

    Congrats on the new job! We love that magazine. I picked up a copy when we were in Durango last summer and it sits in our magazine pile, never to be thrown out! Anytime military life gets too hard I flip through the pages and think “one day….” :) Good for you letting your kids get a little dirt on them! My SIL thinks Im nuts when she hears me praising a good mud wrestle for the boys! Ha!

  50. April 10, 2012

    Ohhh!!! I won one of your other ‘Edible’ giveaways, and loved pouring over your article and others. Can I sign up for another?!! You need to write a book. Please? When I see your blog highlighted on my google reader I get so excited to read your posts. I love your quirky, vibrant wordage and the pictures you write into my mind. I feel that my sentiments are felt widely by your other readers as well. Oh and congrats on the new position. I might have to subscribe to that particular Edible magazine, just so I can stay current with all of your marvelous articles.
    Cheers to DIRT. A Dirty life is a Full life. I don’t scrub the dirt out from under my fingernails because I want it with me wherever I go.

  51. April 10, 2012

    Ohhh!!! I won one of your other ‘Edible’ giveaways, and loved pouring over your article and others. Can I sign up for another?!! You need to write a book. Please? When I see your blog highlighted on my google reader I get so excited to read your posts. I love your quirky, vibrant wordage and the pictures you write into my mind. I feel that my sentiments are felt widely by your other readers as well. Oh and congrats on the new position. I might have to subscribe to that particular Edible magazine, just so I can stay current with all of your marvelous articles.
    Cheers to DIRT. A Dirty life is a Full life. I don’t scrub the dirt out from under my fingernails because I want it with me wherever I go.

  52. Barbar permalink
    April 11, 2012

    Congrats on your job!! That magazine looks wonderful and I would love to win! thanks!

  53. Barbar permalink
    April 11, 2012

    Congrats on your job!! That magazine looks wonderful and I would love to win! thanks!

  54. Jennifer permalink
    April 11, 2012

    Oh! Every morning, this is what I chant to daughter when I drop her off at pre-school: “Play hard, GET DIRTY, mind the teacher, always be kind and good.” My husband disagrees with this Get Dirty philosophy. Sooo, I need a copy of your article to provide evidentiary substance to my argument. Please and thank you!

  55. Jennifer permalink
    April 11, 2012

    Oh! Every morning, this is what I chant to daughter when I drop her off at pre-school: “Play hard, GET DIRTY, mind the teacher, always be kind and good.” My husband disagrees with this Get Dirty philosophy. Sooo, I need a copy of your article to provide evidentiary substance to my argument. Please and thank you!

  56. April 11, 2012

    oh yes, I would love to win!!! xo

  57. April 11, 2012

    oh yes, I would love to win!!! xo

  58. Kristi permalink
    April 11, 2012

    Love your blog! My favorite saying for my kids is a little dirt don’t hurt! I am proud to say I don’t even own a bottle of hand sanitizer. Love your writing and philosophy keep up the good work! I would love to win, thanks!

  59. Kristi permalink
    April 11, 2012

    Love your blog! My favorite saying for my kids is a little dirt don’t hurt! I am proud to say I don’t even own a bottle of hand sanitizer. Love your writing and philosophy keep up the good work! I would love to win, thanks!

  60. April 11, 2012

    Congrats on the new gig! This week is spring break for my 3 yo and I’m still figuring out this half-working thing so I’ve been having difficulty finding time to blog or to visit my favorite bloggers. I have to say I really do miss your writing when I go for too long without. Is there a support group for this? But I’d have to make time wouldn’t I?

    And yes, please sign me up!

  61. April 11, 2012

    Congrats on the new gig! This week is spring break for my 3 yo and I’m still figuring out this half-working thing so I’ve been having difficulty finding time to blog or to visit my favorite bloggers. I have to say I really do miss your writing when I go for too long without. Is there a support group for this? But I’d have to make time wouldn’t I?

    And yes, please sign me up!

  62. April 11, 2012

    Oh Rosie Rosie… we need to get her together with my Miranda. One morning I commented to my husband, “You know that thing where women supposedly get embarassed when they show up at a party and another woman there is wearing the same thing? This will *never* happen to Miranda.”

    I definitely subscribe to the philosophy, “If you’re not getting dirty, you’re not having enough fun.” Miranda came home from preschool the other day having spent most of the afternoon working on a papier-mache Jupiter (It’s Space Month!) and in the process had papier-mached herself.

    Would love a copy of the magazine, thank you for offering.

  63. April 11, 2012

    Oh Rosie Rosie… we need to get her together with my Miranda. One morning I commented to my husband, “You know that thing where women supposedly get embarassed when they show up at a party and another woman there is wearing the same thing? This will *never* happen to Miranda.”

    I definitely subscribe to the philosophy, “If you’re not getting dirty, you’re not having enough fun.” Miranda came home from preschool the other day having spent most of the afternoon working on a papier-mache Jupiter (It’s Space Month!) and in the process had papier-mached herself.

    Would love a copy of the magazine, thank you for offering.

  64. April 13, 2012

    Would love to read more of your articles! The new job sounds dreamy…lucky you!

  65. April 13, 2012

    Would love to read more of your articles! The new job sounds dreamy…lucky you!

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