2011’s gratitudes

Meet this week’s Mac veggies:


  • Salad mix
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Chard/kale
  • Pie pumpkin/delicata/butternut squash
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Potatoes
  • Onions

Every year, in the week of Thanksgiving, Casey and I start the most important work of the year — remembering all the joys of the season and making a list of things for which we are thankful.

This annual list started long, long ago, when we were still college students. Back then, we called it “Casey and Katie’s list of Good” and much of it was goofy. As our life has become filled with more responsibilities, the list has taken on a more serious tone, even though it often includes items of play and hilarity along with Big Things.

As we reflect on each year, there are always harder moments that we remember too, but we still find ourselves grateful — grateful for how we survived and sometimes even thrived amidst those challenges.

The harder part is often remembering those sorrows that we heal from but that hurt nonetheless — especially those in our loved ones lives this year. These sad occasions are also a part of the year, and we feel grateful for how losses can bring people together, but ultimately that togetherness still doesn’t undo the pain.

Anyhow, the 2011 list has begun, Casey and I both offering up items as we also played with Rusty in our cozy living room, the cold kept at bay by our woodstove. We were amazed at how we just kept going. It has been a good (and full!) year here at Oakhill Organics.

The finished version of the list will land in our end-of-year card we send to our far-flung friends and family, but here is the first draft for our Thanksgiving edition of the CSA newsletter:

each other • Rusty • our families • old friends • new friends • Brussels sprouts • corn cakes • “Field of the Americas” • Jesse W. • Emily D. • Mimi & Pops • Grandma & Grandpa • concord grapes • qualifying for our first bank loan • Oregon First Community Credit Union • surviving the perpetual spring • bumper winter squash harvest • wood heat • raw milk • Nick’s • surviving six weeks of living in 200 sq ft • moving back into our expanded house • family living next-door • Tiny Tots • Rusty’s sprinkler dance • field corn • the bike trailer • throwing rocks into water • camping • Red Fox • Katie’s 30th birthday • field walks with Rusty • new land & infinite future opportunities! • naptime • Blue Goat • field houses in spring • sweet peppers • squash room & big cooler • the little sand box that could • Thunderbird bins • extended breastfeeding • reading with Rusty • surfing with friends • the gator • well-weeded single row crops • Thistle • kefir • beautiful fall carrots • Upper Island Farm • finally “landscaping” around our house! • strawberries • asparagus — Rusty’s first harvest! • apples • Davis Street String Band • summer parties • babies • Mac Library • biscuits & gravy • the combine • harvesting our own cover crop & feed oats • Steve’s shop & Kris’s tools • Rusty’s signing • Community Plate • the moon • red clover • visiting Seattle area after a long time away • Bolero carrots • ducks • arugula • knitting night • Crag Law Center • stewing hens • Mossback beef • dancing with Rusty • purple sprouting broccoli • our super awesome CSA community • so much hope! • YOU!

May you all have a very wonderful holiday, full of gratitude for the big and little things of this one precious life!

Next Tuesday (11/29) is the final CSA pick-up of 2011! If you haven’t signed up yet for 2012, do it now! Sign-up info here: 2012CSACommitmentForm

Enjoy this week’s vegetables!

Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla

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One Response to 2011’s gratitudes

  1. Nadya says:

    Thank you for another great year of friendship & veggies!
    Love your list of gratitudes

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