What's Fall Without Pumpkins?

Headed out to the garden yesterday with three of the four kiddos in tow. I wondered to myself if I missed going to a local pumpkin patch instead of simply skipping out to the garden. Nope, I really like having my own. And next year, I plan it to look more like Charlie Brown's and invite friends over to help pick the many pumpkins. Yes, that will be nice.

365 Photo Challenge...

 Getting back in the habit...365 photo challenge!

...sharing a few favorites from the month of October...

{Dec 2012: although I really enjoyed this photo challenge, I no longer keep my 365 account open}
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For the Love of Canning!

Oh I have fallen in Love...with canning! Its an old love, renewed and grown into something I can trust. No fear, which is something I think many people must overcome when learning to process food.

And to help me on my quest to process our garden (and lets be honest here -whatever else I can get my hands on!) is the book Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry, by Liana Krissoff. I have read/studied many cooking-canning books, but this book is the one that it all finally "clicked" for me. I highly recommend picking it up and giving it a go -you won't regret it! 

Old Farm, Old Pipes...

 We finds ourselves replacing the barn/animal corral water pipes. At least its not the middle of winter.

And Finn is Lance's right hand man...in training!

Food Crafting!

Picking, canning, blanching, freezing, drying, testing, tasting and making notes for future batches. That is what I've been up to. I also squeezed in a bit of sewing with two identical harvest aprons for me and a good friend. We wore them picking apples for our annual apple pressing gathering. It also happened to be my birthday. What a great party!

Gotta Believe in Your Dreams...

If you told me 3 years ago this would be what I saw when I pulled into my drive, I would of told you you were crazy! Oh we imagined it, but could never quite grasp how it would actually come together. But here we are. Believe in your dreams, you never know where they'll take you...

A Favorite From the Summer: Camping at the Lake

We went camping at our favorite spot this last July. 

Sharing now as way of officially saying goodbye to summer. 

So long summer, you were good to us, mostly. 

Looking forward to fall and all its golden, crisp, yummy splendor.

...more photos...

Juicer Delight!

Me-Oh-My! Sugar Mountain got a juicer, and it is heavenly! Never imagined how much joy would come with one of these bad boys, The Champion Juicer. I find much pleasure in knowing that in the morning, I will awaken to a tall glass of apple, grape and carrot juice -all grown here on the farm!

Maybe its just me, but this juice "latte" carries hope for a new day, all poured into a tall glass.

Roasted Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

The other night I used SpiderWomanKnit's blogged recipe for Roasted Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes. Not being a huge 'right off the vine' tomato fan, I was bit nervous (silly me) and only roasted 2 small pans worth.

Those warm, sweet little candies literally knocked me back 3 steps! No joke. I tried to find someone to share my amazing discovery with  ..."WOWZA these are AMAZING!" ... but quickly remembered I was the only one awake at that hour (mama's work is never done). Bummer for them. I ate lots right there, standing by the stove.

This evening I spooned some over dabs of locally crafted, jalapeno/garlic goat cheese and a hearty wheat cracker. Added a glass of wine, and I called that dinner! Added a second glass of wine, and I called that dessert. Cheers!

New Love For Cherry Tomatoes

Picked some salsa makings from the garden this past weekend. Found that Finn likes little cherry tomatoes -not something I normally just pop into my mouth. Finn inspired me to venture out of my comfort zone and give it a try ... YUM!

I like my tomatoes chopped with peppers, garlic, onion, cilantro and a big twist of lime and dash of salt. However, I am proud to say that I have turned a new leaf and am excited to grow more next year. Stumbled on this great recipe just in time.

Collecting Rocky Mountain Bee Plant Seed

Out collecting Rocky Mountain Bee Plant seed from our native plant garden. Moving the seed to different restoration area on the farm. Loved spending the time with Lance - just him and me (add a few critters and one chicken). Rare thing that is. 

From Garden to Kitchen

Lots of yumminess coming from the garden right now...from fresh pesto to tomatoes, corn, onion and okra. Hollowed out jalapeno peppers in the freezer to zucchini bread and stuffed wantons!