Friday, August 1, 2014

The bourbony adventures of The Ninj continue

After four years in Vermont, The Ninj is on the move -- this time, back to the South.

Handcrafted Vermont custom post and beam barn

I know it's not a very seasonal photo, but that's the custom post-and-beam barn we built on our farmette in Vermont. The farmette I've been writing about here for four years, ever since The Ninj became The Ninj. The same farmette that gave me such fodder as ugly fruit, too many zucchini and way, way, WAY too many deer  -- although the deer inspired a great venison jerky recipe, so I can't complain too much.

Well, it was our farmette, until yesterday.

If you only know The Ninj through this blog, you probably don't know that Mr. Ninj and I tend to move. A lot. About every five years or so (no joke). Work relocation, so it's always good, but still a lot of moving.

(If you need helpful tips like how to rip packing tape the way the professionals do and the benefits of box-hoarding, I'm your gal.)

So, after living in Vermont for four years, we're on the move again. The farmette is in the hands of some lucky, lucky new stewards, and we're returning to the South from whence we came but to a fun, new-to-us location: Louisville, Kentucky (a place where I can continue to say "y'all" and not be looked at judgingly and strangely).

Even if you only know The Ninj through this blog, you're probably clapping or hooting your ass off, because you just realized that the why-not-throw-a-little-bourbon-in-it Ninj is moving to bourbon country.


bourbon
Photo courtesy of All My Friends Travel

Whoo-boy, Fate has its ways, doesn't it?

Now, I know what you're thinking. I'm the Yankee Kitchen Ninja -- how does that make sense in the South? Well, friends, the "yankee" part of this blog has always been me, not where I live. Maybe that didn't come across too clearly while I lived in Yankee Vermont, but it's what I intended when I named the blog. 

Get it?

And while I will miss the Yankee farmette dearly (oh lordy, how I wanted to dig up those sour cherry trees and take them with me!), I'm always up for a new adventure. Because new areas of the country mean new culinary inspiration.

Which is good for you. (Snort.)

However, if you have ever moved a small household even a few miles, let alone a large household (and a barnful!) nearly one thousand miles, you know that moving wreaks havoc on your lifestyle for a little while. Which is why I'm going to take a week off from my normally publishing schedule here on the blog.

You know, because it's a wee bit tricky to take photos of food and write about it when you don't know which freakin' box contains your kitchenware or even where your camera is.

But The Ninj will be back, don't you worry.

And there will be bourbon.

20 comments:

  1. What a *gorgeous* photo of your farmette. Heartbreakingly so. Yup, I know all about moving and the dislocation it causes... and, for the real fun, try moving countries and see how many circles you have to jump through as an 'alien' lol. All the best Ninj. Look forward to more recipes from your new location! Cheers.

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    1. Thanks, Kelly -- while it's hard to leave, I do look forward to new adventures. If we weren't the okay-with-moving types, we never would have had our years on the farmette, so it's all good.

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  2. I stumbled across your blog today. TODAY! Today of all days, that you are moving away, and I am just beginning the adventure of my Vermont dream. Thanks for the blog and the gorgeous pictures. The farmette is going onto my Pinterest page for inspiration...

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    1. So glad you're pinning the farmette -- Mr. Ninj designed it and he wants the photo to go viral. :-) Enjoy your Vermont adventure, Ina, and be sure to continue to follow along on mine: my snarky attitude and healthy recipes will continue, just from a different location. And take some time to look through the archives for Vermont-oriented posts as you get started!

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  3. Welcome to Kentucky! A great state, in which I also live. Louisville is a fantastic city which you will, no doubt, enjoy.

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    1. Nice to meet you, Michelle -- now following you on Twitter!

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  4. Best of luck with the move Jules. I wish you could dig up those trees and plant them in my yard on your way down ;) Can't wait to hear about your adventures in Kentucky. Now you'll be killing me with all your earlier-then-everyone-else veggies next year ;)

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    1. Thanks, Sandra -- I am definitely looking forward to the longer growing season. Nearly everywhere has a longer growing season than Vermont!! And we'll both miss those cherry trees, won't we? :-)

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  5. Congrats Ninj on the move! Asheley and I are in the process of getting settled into our new home (which was just like 15 minutes from our previous home) and that was super crazy and stressful. I can imagine moving a 1000 miles is just a wee-bit more difficult! My best wishes for a successful move and lots of bourbon drinking!

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    1. 15 minutes? HA! Here's hoping you live there forever and never have to move again! Stay tuned for adventure updates.

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  6. Lovely photo from your farmette, but I am certain you will love Louisville and all Kentucky has to offer. I've only been subscribed to your blog for a short time, but look forward to and enjoy your weekly updates, clever whit and delicious recipes (my freezer stockpiled with those yummy no-bake granola bars!) I am a Jersey bred myself, but the bourbon business moved the hubby and I to Louisville in 1990. We spent 12 wonderful years there until retiring to South Florida in 2002. Louisville (pronounced lou-a-ville....you will need to know this if you are becoming a Louisvillian :-) is a great city filled with charm, history, and terrific folks. We've made lifelong friends there and often reflect back to those blessed years and those dear to our heart people that we miss so much! Congratulations on your adventure in moving and I will be looking forward to photos, posts, and recipes from your new farmette!

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    1. Thank you so much, Jackie, for your kind words (I'm glad you're a fan of those granola bars!) and the great review of Louisville. We've lived all over the South and I've always found something to love about each place we end up, and no doubt Kentucky will be the same. And I'm working on my pronunciation as we speak. :-) Thanks for subscribing!

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  7. Ninj, I hope your move goes well...I'm going to miss having you as a "neighbor", but we can still be virtual neighbors. Plus, I'm already looking forward to your bourbon goodness!

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  8. Congratulations on the move and new adventures. And, welcome back to the South! Good luck with the move, J!

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    1. Thanks, Bill -- I think we're going to enjoy our new home state!

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  9. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures in KY. I'm a New Zealander currently living back home in NZ but I spent 3 1/2 years in Georgetown and over 10 years later I still consider Kentucky the home of my heart. We try and get back for a visit each year.

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    1. Thanks, Morven -- glad to hear that you had such a great experience here in the Bluegrass State. Definitely stay tuned as I begin to explore the food culture here!

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