I know that every year I’m always blathering on about CSA’s in general and ours in particular. And apparently this year is no different! I can’t help it. We look forward to opening day through all of the dark months of winter. How many times have I said, rather wistfully to Steve, “I can’t wait for us to have farm days again!”, only to have him reply, “You know that won’t be for another 6 months yet, right?” How many times have the children stood at the calendar counting the months, the weeks, the days until the farm would open?
And then we get back there into those wide open fields, under that bright blue sky and it’s just glorious. And there is so much to see and to smell and to taste. There are old friends to greet and new people to meet. There are always sightings of interesting birds. The low open land of the valley attracts such a different variety from our mountain home in the woods. And there is so much sky in which to watch them!
Little Rosebud had her first taste of life at the farm. I think that loving the farm is kind of a prerequisite for being a member of this family. Thankfully she had a wonderful first trip, which is a good thing, because I’m kind of rather attached to her.
A woman even pulled me aside in the Farm Shop, after watching me gathering greens with the Wee Girl on my back, to tell me that she was the coziest looking, most contented baby she had ever seen.
And we stopped by a new farmer’s market on the way there, which turned out to be delightful as well, so the trip was doubly nice (the grocery stores that followed were less so).
We had a big, gorgeous, fresh salad for dinner.
We brought home lots of chive flowers to infuse some vinegar with. I’m hoping to make a nice base for dressings and things for the future.
And what would a trip to the farm be without stopping to play in the mist from the sprinklers??
In case you couldn’t tell, he’s “washing” his hair…
Thanks, we really enjoy your photos and stories! Little Mairi is too cute for words! I always show the pics of her, especially, to my just-turned-six y.o. daughter, and we both awww and giggle! She thought it would be great for you to write a comment
By the way, do you pronounce Mairi as Mary or Mahree?
Allie
I love the picture of the fistful of hay your little one is holding. That one would definitely be in a frame somewhere if she was my little one. =)
So beautiful. Looks lovely.
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Allie- that's so sweet! We pronounce it MAH-ree.
nytesong- that's one of my favorites as well! Though I'd be hard pressed to find a picture of this girl that I didn't love!
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So do you just go around the farm and pick what you like? If so, how wonderful. What a great day. The baby looks so happy with her hands full of greens.
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Michelle- you have a large selection of things to choose from each week. There are always a bunch of things that are already harvested and set up in the shop. Then there will be a list of what you are allowed for that week.
Example:
1 bag of cooking greens (mix and match)
1 bag of root veggies of you choice
1/2 bag of lettuce
6 tomatoes
6 ears of corn
1 cantaloupe
1 watermelon
You pick out the things you want and leave the things you don't. In our case we general get some of everything! From there there are usual pick-your-own crops in season. Things like peas, rhubarb, berries, cherry and plum tomatoes, etc. Where you can go and pick a quart of something or half a bag of something. Towards the end of each season they open it up for people to take as much as they want. There is also a pick your own herb garden, where you can take whatever you want/need. There are cutting flower gardens. In the beginning of the season they ask that you only pick one bunch. As things progress you can pick whatever you like. Most of the produce you can also order extra in bulk for canning or freezing. We get an incredible amount of food for a very, very reasonable price. I highly encourage everyone to look into CSA's in their area, they are wonderful! Granted not all are created equal and most probably aren't as wonderful as ours, but no matter what it's still going to beat the grocery store in freshness, quality, taste, price, and experience.
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I love the picture of Mairi clutching the hay and greens- I love how little ones new to using their hands put so much of themselves into simply holding something!
did you make your daughter's bonnet? it is so sweet!