Stones and snow playing nicely together

The "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society is officially called to order

Mildred, Vice Chairperson and Recording Secretary for the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society watches the last runner in their fundraising Turkey Trot cross the finish line.

Tofuducken, anyone? You'll gobble it up.

John, CFO and Treasurer of the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society exhibiting a rare outburst of anger at the lackluster results from the recent Tofucakes Bake Sale.

The heretofore super-secret recipe for Mildred's Tofucakes with Cornbread, Oyster and Cranberry Frosting may be posted here eventually.

Florence came all the way up from the Greenville, South Carolina Chapter to attend the Annual Tofucakes Breakfast and 5K Turkey Trot sponsored by the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society

Nothing beats a short stack of tofucakes smothered in warm sweet potato and maple syrup (except maybe some of Aunt Edith's Scratch Biscuits with Tofu Gravy).


Ethel's feathers were ruffled earlier when John made an off-color remark about her tofu cobbler tasting like chicken. Such displays are frowned upon at the Pocantico, New York Chapter of the "Make Tofu the star this Thanksgiving" Society's board meetings.

Tastes like chicken...hmmmmph!

A brief, early morning conversation with Lindsey: Quality photographic time with an 11 year old (or why it's so hard to get great photos of your own children once they hit a certain age.)

So Lindsey and I were out walking the Rockefeller Estate (home to the world renowned Blue Hill at Stone Barns agricultural center along with some of the most stunning farm animals you've ever seen) communing with nature and each other. She had hopped up on a stone wall and I slowly reached for my camera bag. (We have an agreement where I am limited to just a few photos of her a month and conditional based on her mood and the prevailing winds.
   "Really, Dad? REALLY!" (Said with way too much 11 year old attitude)
"Cmon Lindsey, you look so...interesti...uh, cute. You sure have a knack for putting together the ensemble."
  "Dad, it's 7am. This is what all the kids wear early in the morning."
   "Really, Lindsey? REALLY!" (turnabout is fair play)
   "You want to take a picture don't you? You want me to me to pose don't you? You want me to sit here and smile while you take gazillions of pictures? No!"
   "C'mon. I'll make it quick."
Click.
Click, click, click.
   "Lindsey smile, please."
   "Not till the braces come off."
   "God, Lindsey...gimme a break." (Photographers are only allowed to get exasperated at their subjects if they're related.)
   "Fine. Hurry."
   "Thanks"
Click. Click. Click.
Click. Click.
   "Lindsey?"
   "What Dad?"
   "Could you show a little more emotion?"
She rolled her eyes.
Click.
   "Not that kind"
She pretended to whistle.
Click.
   "Lindsey, what if I told you a deranged bull suffering from acute Mad Cow Disease was right behind you with a swarm of man-eating turkeys and a psychopathic sheep?"
   "I'd tell you to run, Dad. You did say man-eating, not girl-eating..." (Big smile)
   "I can see your braces."
   "Oh yeah? Well I can see you need to go on a serious diet."
(Sigh)

Another day, another row to hoe

Jeff, one of the Master Gardeners at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a world class sustainable farm, agricultural center and globally recognized restaurant just down the road from me in Pocantico, NY is run by Tim Barber (who won this year's James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef of the Year and also made Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential people list.) and his brother David.

I had the pleasure of spending a few hours shooting for and with the Barbers. Then I had even more pleasure dining with them and their team who are on the leading edge of the Locavore movement in America.

As a guy who loves great food, this was one of the most memorable days ever.

www.bluehillfarm.com/farms/know-thy-farmer