Every year as we approach the end of September and the frost warnings start sounding about on the news, we wonder when it will appear for us. It's always a relief, a sign that things are slowing, a gift of a little moment longer at the kitchen table with coffee and the New York Times.
But, it doesn't come without some remorse. We are usually dancing around trying to get a few things harvested before the frost and I inevitably have a wedding or event I want some more flowers for and never know exactly if they'll make it.
But, it comes and then the following morning we wake up to crystals covering the plants. The cows greet us in the barn with warm clouds of breath and the big fluffy dog shows a renewed energy, preferring the chilly mornings to the hot days of July. Visitors to the farm in the summer always comment on how mellow the dog is. It's really that she's hot and irritated. Her pep and verve most certainly return when the mornings are regularly in the 40's.
This is the last week for our Flower CSA bouquets. I just want to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for you support of locally grown flowers. We have so enjoyed cutting and making bouquets for you each week and most especially we have loved your smiles as you grab your flowers from the bucket. I hope the memory of color and beauty stays in your heart through the winter.
We have one more big week of cutting to do next week and are ever anxious about the appearance of the frost.... fingers crossed that it holds off until at least Wednesday. We have 3 weddings and a big party the weekend of September 26th! (this is the sort of thing that keeps a flower farmer up at night)
Thank again for your support.
An invitation to our FLOWER CSA members (membership has its benefits)
As of Monday, September, 29th, (in the event we still have not had a frost) I invite you all to bring your clippers and come by to glean the remaining flowers from the field. Enjoy armloads of gomphrena that will dry for you and make for lovely Christmas tree garland. And make one last big dahlia bouquet to usher you into October. I guarantee that once you get your self out into that field with your clippers and all those flowers, the love for the bloom will most definitely be solidified.
...A gift to our flower loving friends.
And....on to the produce, which I forgot all about mentioning last week....thinking about the flowers too much! My apologies.
This week's harvest includes:
- lettuce
- tomato
- beans
- pepper
- eggplant
- potatoes
- onions
- garlic
- acorn squash
- Arugula
- beet greens
- cilantro
- daikon radish
And then there's pork.... Living over in the tree line across Hanson Road from the farmstead are 5 lovely swine. There were 6 but we shared him with 200 of our guests at the 3rd Annual Fresh From the Farm Dinner, a Scarborough Land Trust fundraiser. So, of the remaining 5, we'll keep one for our family, leaving 4 to sell. We offer them by the half side. $4/pound based on the hanging weight. We cover the butcher fees. The pigs are butchered to the standard cuts...chops, hams, roasts, bacon, etc and packaged, frozen, in portions for 4. I am expecting the half sides to weigh in around ~150-175 pounds. They may be larger but definitely not smaller. These guys always go fast so if you are interested, its first come first served. They head to the butcher October 25th and the unsmoked meat will be available to pick up at the farm that week. the smoked meat takes another few weeks.
Blessings on the meal-
Stacy
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