Jammie Time of Year

After a gorgeous fall weekend, today and into the early part of the week we are going to be reminded that fall is really here and winter is not too far behind. Our farmers’ markets (Falmouth and Cumberland) come to an end this week and not a moment too soon!

My sheep have begun to add to their thick coarse winter coats, our chickens are frantically scratching through the compost and leaf piles searching for the grubs and worms that will begin to tunnel their way into the earth for a winter snooze. The turkeys are really adding on the weight along with ducks and geese too.

Our wood stoves have been cranked up to take off the chill, I miss having my doors and windows open for the fresh air, but gosh, I really enjoy cozying up to my woodstoves, especially after coming in this morning soaked and chilled from the rain!

So often I am asked at market if I make all of the delicious prepared foods and soups we offer. From May through mid October my standard response is “no, this time of year, the only thing I make is a MESS, and I am really, really good at it!”. Honestly , that is totally true, I am lucky to have a gifted local chef that prepares all our foods, and many times I have appreciated his efforts when I drag myself into the house at the end of a looooooong day and grab one of his soups or mac and cheese from the coolers. BUT, I will begin to make wood stove top soups and stews that will simmer and meld flavors throughout the winter.

So off I go today, I have found a local source of quince that I am simmering on the wood stove now to make quince jam, stay tuned for that sweet tart offering next week!

Stay warm and dry, I do appreciate everyone of you that buy, support and savor the local “flavor”!

Kath

Cranberries

Good Day All!

Final outdoor harvest is underway here at the farm and at so many others in the state! Local field grown tomatoes are rapidly coming to an end, and now we move into the high tunnel to plant spring harvest garlic. Spinach, mesclun mix, kale, chard and beet greens we will harvest in mid to late winter..

Local cranberries have arrived, full of tart fresh flavor and perfect for easy jelly, jam and chutney recipes. Also very good in smoothies (in moderate amounts) or when frozen added to festive cocktails for a burst of color and flavor. We will have them for quite awhile and many will make their way into the freezers for winter time enjoyment. They are not on this week’s list but I will have them for sale for $3.00 /pint or $4.50 quart.

Our turkeys continue the promenade around the yard during daylight hours, and most( but not all) have been reserved for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please let me know if you will want one or two, we also have duck and goose! These big white birds are pretty amusing to watch, when we leave the house they follow us like puppies, crying quite loudly that they have not yet been fed( falsely, they have very short term memories) and wanting to peer into everything we do. Pretty difficult to push these guys around as many of them are getting quite weighty, however if I have a bucket in my hands, they follow me, or anyone else for that matter, in true parade fashion. It is a sight to see 60 plus of them trailing behind me.

So, enjoy the glorious fall, leaves are tumbling down all around us!

Thank you as always for supporting our small excellent Maine farms, I am always delighted to hear from you!

Kath

Maine Autumn

Good day all!

Fall chore time… raking, putting away garden hoses, shutting down the outside water features, adding compost and cover crop to the gardens for 2022 plant dreams, stacking and splitting wood and tightening fence lines. Fences are the boon and bane for farmers…

Excellent for keeping our domestic animals in and a challenge to present to deer, fox, coydogs, groundhogs and moose! We had 2 episodes of moose running through the fence line last year, it was a newly fenced in pasture and when those big critters decide to go through, not much (AND OUR FENCE DID NOT) will stop them. Luckily, last years repair was an easy fix, but still a “pain”. They must have gotten used to it this year, and we’ve not had any troubles with THEM. We have spent the past 2 days resetting fence posts and tightening up the wires to keep all the others out.… glorious days such as these past 2 days are a thrill to be out working outside and while I never did make it to the beach this summer, I will count yesterday and today as MY beach day. After lunch my big big dogs and I will go lounge by the side of our farm pond and enjoy the sunshine . They will splash, swim and play in the ponds and, of this I am positive, bound joyfully out to cover me with stinky pond water and big slobbery kisses. They are my constant delight.

Winter squash of many varieties continue to be plentiful, cukes are just about done, we do have a good supply of zukes and summer squash although the skins on those are beginning to get a bit thicker. Cider is plentiful and so very tasty, heat it up and add a bit of whisky to it, yum, sure to warm your souls on cool fall evenings!

Enjoy our amazing Maine fall, the colors this year are a wonderful sight. Thankyou all again for supporting local Maine farms and fresh fresh foods! I gratefully appreciate each and everyone of you !

Kath