Pirates of Paradise

Bound by a deep devotion to the feeling of the wind in the sails the Pirates of Paradise have sailed off to different shores. So, here I stand at the Gates of Paradise, close to the Sinner's Tree with smoke in hand and beer to wash it away. Tear stained skies kissed by the dewy mist of the early morning sun, once again greet the day. Perpetually on vacation has become a new motto of mine, for it seems work is just a means to get somewhere. Far far away the Pirates seem to have drifted, but a big hearty, manly ARRRRRGHHH. Come on the sloop john B, my grandfather and me, Round Porpoise Key we did roam.

Super sessions

To past, present, and future farm dwellers,

I was told to come by two friends and so I did because they have a knack for things that are fun and good. There were guitars and flowers and a girl who could really sing and was especially good when she closed her eyes. And then good food because everyone can cook there and a bottle of wine I found in the woods and a little dog named Baby that lived up to its name. It rained and then it was sunny and I didn’t have to wear the cloths I arrived in until I was arriving again in Boston. People were coming and going and some were staying in a rare synthesis of people, those itinerant few, or maybe there are as many as I hope there are and the whole week seemed like a fugitive occasion that after a moment seemed as normal as growing food and then eating it.
So what happened was, I flew in real late and stole my friends bed, and there was a rooster that didn’t know what time it was and for that week neither did I, except at night everyone came round to listen and play songs because always, the best things happen after hours, like that time I got hit in the eye with a firefly while riding a bike, and then I knew what time it was, probably because Keith was in the wooden house not far off singing—It’s Business Time.

All the Best,

Dan DeFraia

Some recipes from paradise...

Greetings everyone !

Here are a bunch of recipes I made in paradise, so that those who were there can remember the sweet moments we spent together, and those who were not can have a taste of it !

I plan to add more very soon... If you have any question (about the recipes, preferably !) send me an email : matthieu.hub@gmail.com

Enjoy !

Matthieu

All chocolate vegan cookies
6 c Flour
2 c Brown sugar
2 c Oil (canola or sunflower)
1 c Cocoa powder
2 c Water
1 tbsp Baking powder
1 tbsp Baking soda
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
1 pinch Salt
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients, and then chocolate chips.
Using a tablespoon, put small amounts of dough on an oiled baking sheet.
Bake 15 minutes at 400°F (170°C)

Vegan honey cookies
3 c Flour
1 c Honey
1 c Oil (canola or sunflower)
3 c Oatmeal
1 tbsp Baking powder
1 tbsp Baking soda
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
1 pinch Salt
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients, and then oatmeal and chocolate chips.
Using a tablespoon, put small amounts of dough on an oiled baking sheet.
Bake 15 minutes at 400°F (170°C)


Vegan banana bread
8 c Flour
11/2 c Honey or brown sugar
2 c Oil (canola or sunflower)
1 c Water
3 c Mashed bananas
2 c Chopped walnuts (optionnal)
1 tbsp Cinamon powder
1 tbsp Baking powder
1 tbsp Baking soda
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp Salt
Mash bananas in a bowl with a fork or in a food processor.
Combine all dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients, then walnuts.
Heat oven at 325°F (150°C).
Cook 60 to 75 minutes in an oiled cake pan, until a knife's blade comes out clean from inside the bread.

Coconut milk
Blend the meat of one coconut with 3 1/2 cups of simmering water
Strain the grated meat, wich can be used in recipes, or be dried for later use.
Use milk within 2-3 days.

Vegan coconut cookies
* 2 c Grated coconut meat
* 1 can Coconut milk, diluted with water, to get 2 cups of milk
OR freshly grated coconut meat, with 1 cup of milk made according to the previous recipe
4 c Flour
1 c Brown sugar
1 c Coconut oil
1 tbsp Baking powder
1 tbsp Baking soda
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
1 pinch Salt
1 c Chocolate chips (optionnal)
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients, and then chocolate chips.
Using a tablespoon, put small amounts of dough on an oiled baking sheet.
Bake 15 minutes at 400°F (170°C)

Granola
1 c Flour
6 c Rolled oats
1/3 c Water
1 c Oil (canola or sunflower)
1 c Honey
1/2 c Brown sugar
1 pinch Salt
2 c Puffed rice
2 c Dried fruits (or chocolate chips)
2 c Chopped nuts
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt, add water, then oil and honey.
Add rolled oats, and stir until well coated.
Bake 45 minutes on a large baking sheet, stiring every 15 minutes, at 325°F (150°C).
Once cold, add rice, nuts and fruits.

Humus
4 c Chick peas (cooked beforehand)
1 c Olive oil
1/2 c Water
Juice from 1 lemon
3 Garlic cloves
1 tbsp Curry powder
1 tbsp Paprika
1 tsp Ground black pepper
1 pinch Cayenne pepper
1 pinch Salt
Mix all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

The Underwater Princess and Crew

Paradise Pirates

You might be a pirate if...you get in trouble for beaching on a beach. Sunday found the Paradise Pirates assembling their ship on the beach at Bahia Honda. Ten pirates were evicted from the beach and launched The Underwater Princess into rough choppy water. A huge success. Even though they were five people too many, and they sunk once,(in 4 ft of water), the sail and bamboo held together. The Coast Guard got a good laugh and the Pirates were mistaken for Cubans, however, no one can take back the simple fact that The Underwater Princess sailed. Thank you to the hard working crew and a hearty welcome to First Mate Lou...BOOOYAH....ps...Lou don't over feed the dog...

Paradise Pirates

Two weeks ago on the 23rd of February five pirates lashed two canoes together with bamboo poles while being on open water in the Florida Keys. The ensuing adventure took the pirates offshore into open ocean at about a mile and a half. There scuba diving commenced and a good time was had by all.

Today construction is being done on the sail and rudder with a projection date of tomorrow as another trail run...an adventure at least....

I am Hunter and here is just a little note about Paradise....
Safe, comfortable, supportive, and good people driven by a sense of community. I entered Paradise in Homestead Florida at the end of the rainy season as a snowbird inorder to duplicate the organic process in a Northern climate. I am now so entwined within and have formed such a deep bond with this farm that the thought of elsewhere no longer exists. The intern driven experience which brings volunteers of diversity into this cornucopia like enviroment has taught me many lessons on what cooperation trully means. The harvesting of the crops is mirrored upon all of us that become harvesters of each other. I am at many times in awe at how well and how much each individual intern brings or gets from this simple basic concept. A conceptualization borne and embodied here upon these five acres. Walking around there's a sense of presence and familiarity. The plants somehow have become my plants, and the people my brothers and sisters. Thanks to all, and peace to all those travelers.

Till we meet again, Hunter De-Mouse.

The First Entry

I am Helen McKinney. I am in Paradise. I am a student at Hollins University in Virginia, studying creative writing. I will be a writer one day. I am living on this farm for one month to learn as much as possible about organic farming and to learn as much as possible about myself. When the sun sets in Florida the sky is tangerine at the horizon, rises into hot pink and sandwiched between petunia purple. The sky above the horizon is the brightest baby blue i have ever seen. Here is the kicker, no matter where you are in Florida, no matter where you are: there is ALWAYS a black palm tree against the horizon. Whether you be driving or sitting or walking, high up or down low-- I assure you, you will always find a black palm tree set against the horizon. When I'm here, I always look for the mountains of Virginia and realize that as long as I am here I will never find them. I know now that when I am back in Virginia amongst the mountains, I will find myself looking for that Florida sky and black palm trees and realize that as long as I am there, I will never find them.