A tribute to our farm

I am always appreciative of people that take time to write and share in words what their time at Apifera meant to them. I speak about "living in the full circle" in the new book, Donkey Dream"how the guest comes to my manifested dream farm, the guest is wide eyed and open to every sensory level; they then share this awe through words and body language which itself reminds the host the wonder of her own home. The guest and host receive a circle of gifts.

Such was the case when Lisa Hofmann came, with her daughter Clara, to Pino Pie Day last week. As you know I had no photographer this year and chose to partake fully, versus trying to take pictures. So it was nice to see some photos. Lisa is an artist from Omaha and made the effort to coincide a business trip so she and Clara could come to Apifera. She wrote a wonderful post over at her blog, with many more photos, but I am sharing a few here. I just love the one of Stevie, make my heart swell and pump.

Lisa wrote a note, and I felt very proud and happy that Apifera has become a place people can come to, even briefly, and feel something, soak something inward, and maybe it percolates ideas and missions for their own life.

... it WAS truly magical and I cannot even begin to process how utterly transformational the experience was for me. Something clicked into place in my heart ... all the yearnings and dreams I had as a child flooded back in but with a sense that I too can translate those ideas into reality. Your work, your world, the Misfits all tangible evidence of what is possible: the deepest whisperings of the heart taking root and thriving. Thank you all for the very rich soul medicine.

And thank you, Lisa, for reminding me again I am living in the circle.

Poetic waxings after Pie Day...love is in the air

To each and every volunteer and followers who helped with this year's Pino Pie Day, we all love you and thank you in our best Misfit and raggedy way!

I have loved each Pino Pie Day, all seven of them. But this year was a special one for me personally. It's not right to say "it was my favorite"–but it was perhaps the most rewarding on certain levels.

Museum of Misfits-open 1 day a year

It's open one day a year, and that day is coming fast-Sunday, June 15. I created the Museuem so people can see the animals we've taken on over the years and begin to understand their stories-if we know their stories.

You can see the Misfits and get to know them a bit more before you come, at this page.

Hens collaborating with pie baker...I hope

Sometimes I get a bit behind n picking up eggs. In the summer, or war days, if I miss the egg pick up for a couple days it can add up, and I usually just take those eggs tot he barn, to give to the pigs and Marcella as treats. They adore eggs.

Yesterday I made my shopping list for all the pie baking I will be doing and I remembered I have to have about 30 eggs for certain pies. I went out to collect and there was one tiny egg, pink, no doubt it was good old faithful–Henny Penny, our eldest Bantie. She lays the cutest little eggs. But by night there were no more.

I seem to remember this happened last year. I am convinced the hens get together and collaborate in ways to play a bit of a head...er, hen game with me.

"Come on, just for a couple of days, girls, to get her a bit nervous, then we'll pop them out," says Edmonia.

"I want nothing of it, sucking in my eggs gives me upset egg regions and I don't like it," states Chicken Named Dog.

But if you are coming to Pie Day, don't fret, they always come through for me-and the bounty helps make the Chess Pies, and Buttermilk too.

Posers, pie eaters and cookie smugglers

Lucia has been practicing her "look" she hopes wins her many admirers...and treats come Pie Day.

" Excuse me? Is that a cookie in your hand? May I have one? Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaase?"

Sunday, JUNE 15! Are you coming?

I of course will be there, or here. Pie Day is my way of sharing the love I have for farm, animals and pie. Lots of love swirls around that day, and this year we have many new Misfit elders in attendance-Aldo, Scooby, the ponies. Martyn finished the new hut so our guests and Misfits [and volunteers!} will have yet another place to rest out of the heat or drizzle. My books and art will be for sale as will the farm's lavender. All money raised from sales and donations helps to offset the money we spend each year to keep the Misfits healthy.

The donkey and I rev up for Pino Pie Day

It is now officially time for us all to get excited for Pino Pie Day! I can't believe it is only a few weeks away!

This year will be special in so many ways. Firstly, we had a scare with Pino as some of you know, and are just very happy the little fellow doesn't have something worse than a sarcoid [not that sarcoids on the sheath are pleasant for him or caretaker, but we will accept it and move on].

Pino wants me to promise not to talk about his privates at Pie Day, so I must obey that request. But it is hard not to say "Pino's privates" really fast. Maybe the Puppet will have to do it for me. Which reminds me- I know you are all waiting, WAITING, for Pino's Porta Potty Movie! Stay tuned.

So for the next few weeks I will be revving up my, and your engines–and hope many of you that follow the blog from the area can come. We already know our pie helper is coming again, for her...forth time, fifth?- all the way from New York City to help me with the pie baking. I have some new ideas for the event that I hope will let people understand how far some of these Misfits have come since arriving here-this is after all not only a day to celebrate pie, animals and all things Apifera, it is a day to drum up support-as in money- to help us offset the maintenance and care for these Misfits-many elderly and not in the greatest shape who need supplemental feed and vet care.

How can you help Apifera and Pino with his big day?

~ Donate - it takes money and time to throw this each year, bake the pie, and still manage to make some money so we gladly accept anything you throw our way.

~ Share this link

~ I still need some volunteers as a couple of my loyal helpers have moved away [collective moan from barnyard]. So email me if you are interested.


We are no longer accepting apron donations. It has been super fun, but also very demanding and Pino has evolved his wardrobe. He prefers his polk-a-dot pants now, or going au naturelle. We will have aprons at this year's event, but please don't send any more as we are full up to our ear tops in them! If you've already made one, please do send it, I'd hate for anyone to feel badly!

Get all the info you need for Pino Pie Day here.

Press: Pino is in Mingle Magazine

The little donkey and my homemade pie are featured in this issue of Mingle Magazine.

I was delighted to write the article and give photos for the piece, and even more delighted when I got my copy in the mail and saw Pino and got 3 full color spreads. Thank you, Mingle!

You can buy a copy of the magazine here. It is part of Somerset Studio and full of full color inspiration for all your mingling desire.

Pino Pie Day 2014 - save the date

Yep, never to early to start dreaming of Pino and homemade pie, right?

As always, I'll have my art and farm's lavender for sale, as well as my upcoming book. Aprons will be blowing in the wind - all donated by Pino fans to help us raise money to offset the cost of caring for our farm's adopted needy barn animals. I'll be posting more as the date nears - but take note it is the same day as Father's Day - I try to do this each year as I think it's such a nice place to take Dad, and my father can be here in spirit too. You can read more about Pie Day here.

I've alerted the donkeys, they are already thinking up new ways to make Pie Day even better than last year. The mariachi band is out though, I had to tell them.

You'll be able to meet all The Misfits - Matilda the old donkey, the many pygmy goats and Stevie the handicapped goat who willingly gives free kisses, Wilma and her 40 year old Mama Sugee - earless and blind...and wandering pigs.

Stay tuned!