WE HAD 6 CHERRIES!
I know, right now you are thinking..."6 Cherries?" But it is exciting for us. We have planted quite a few fruit trees in hopes that sometime soon we will have enough fruit to bring our own to market instead of buying the fruit.
Right now we have 3 Peach trees, 3 Cherrie trees, 3 Pear trees, and 3 plum trees. I personally would like to expand it and get some apple trees, and more of each fruit tree. There has been talk of expanding, just not right now.
Last year we had 1 peach on a tree. I think there are some pears coming on our pear trees as well. So hopefully in the next few years we will be able to bring some to you!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Back by Popular Demand
We have been out of free range chicken for awhile now. But good news......
We will have free range cornish cross chickens at market this weekend! Many people have been asking for it and we have been trying to get it to you. And the time is finally here!
We will also have rabbit meat at market this week. After running short on Rabbit as well for a couple of weeks, we think we have caught back up. Hopefully!
Now if we could just catch up on dried herb shakers we would be good. If you are a fan of our page on facebook, you already know that we have planted a huge amount of herbs in the field and have more to go in. We have had numerous accounts that are willing to sell them such as Cornell University Orchards, Stoughton's Farm, Garden Gate and a few others we just can't get enough to supply them with them yet.
The herb planting also ties into getting enough product for our teas, herbal pillows, salves, herb bunches, and oils. With everything that we want and need to make with these herbs we need a lot planted. I am just hoping we can get some dried before August. I already have some Stevia and Oregano drying. After next week whatever has not gone in the field for herb plants is going to be cut and dried. So we should have a ton in the next few weeks or so.
The dried herb shakers we found sold really well for us in the fall and winter. Probably because not many fresh herbs are available unless you go to the store. But this year I want to be prepared. Last winter we were totally shocked at the response to the herb shakers and could not keep up. We sold through 100 or more just having market twice a month at Cornell Cooperative Extension. If we had more of the staple herbs (thyme, oregano, marjoram, and sage) we would have sold alot more.
I have been working on some seasoning mixes as well. I already have a fish seasoning mix, I am just waiting on the product to be able to make it! It is delicious on Salmon!
Any suggestions on seasonings that you would like to see?
We will have free range cornish cross chickens at market this weekend! Many people have been asking for it and we have been trying to get it to you. And the time is finally here!
We will also have rabbit meat at market this week. After running short on Rabbit as well for a couple of weeks, we think we have caught back up. Hopefully!
Now if we could just catch up on dried herb shakers we would be good. If you are a fan of our page on facebook, you already know that we have planted a huge amount of herbs in the field and have more to go in. We have had numerous accounts that are willing to sell them such as Cornell University Orchards, Stoughton's Farm, Garden Gate and a few others we just can't get enough to supply them with them yet.
The herb planting also ties into getting enough product for our teas, herbal pillows, salves, herb bunches, and oils. With everything that we want and need to make with these herbs we need a lot planted. I am just hoping we can get some dried before August. I already have some Stevia and Oregano drying. After next week whatever has not gone in the field for herb plants is going to be cut and dried. So we should have a ton in the next few weeks or so.
The dried herb shakers we found sold really well for us in the fall and winter. Probably because not many fresh herbs are available unless you go to the store. But this year I want to be prepared. Last winter we were totally shocked at the response to the herb shakers and could not keep up. We sold through 100 or more just having market twice a month at Cornell Cooperative Extension. If we had more of the staple herbs (thyme, oregano, marjoram, and sage) we would have sold alot more.
I have been working on some seasoning mixes as well. I already have a fish seasoning mix, I am just waiting on the product to be able to make it! It is delicious on Salmon!
Any suggestions on seasonings that you would like to see?
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
TASTY TUESDAY
I have been talking about making a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie for a very long time now. So everytime I said anything about making it everyone started saying, "yeah, yeah we have heard about this pie but haven't seen it yet!" So for Father's Day I decided to make Eric Sr one. Bela has always told me how, his mother used to make an Apple Rhubarb Pie. So I decided that I would make him one as well. So here is the recipe I used. I did cheat and buy the Pillsbury ready made pie crust. I know, I know, I just don't have much time so I made it as quick as possible!
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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
9-inch
Pastry for 9-inch two-crust pie
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
2 cups cut up fresh rhubarb
2 cups cut up fresh strawberries
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pastry. Stir together sugar and flour. Turn half the rhubarb into pastry-lined pie pan; sprinkle with half the sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining rhubarb and sugar; dot with butter. Cover with top crust, make slits in it, seal and flute. Sprinkle with sugar. Cover edge with 2 to 3 inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil last 15 minutes of baking.
Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust.
(For the Strawberry Apple Rhubarb Pie I made for Bela, I did 2 cups of rhubarb, 1 cup of strawberries and 1 cup of sliced (peeled and cored) apple. but otherwise followed the same steps.)
9-inch
Pastry for 9-inch two-crust pie
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
2 cups cut up fresh rhubarb
2 cups cut up fresh strawberries
2 tbsps butter
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pastry. Stir together sugar and flour. Turn half the rhubarb into pastry-lined pie pan; sprinkle with half the sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining rhubarb and sugar; dot with butter. Cover with top crust, make slits in it, seal and flute. Sprinkle with sugar. Cover edge with 2 to 3 inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil last 15 minutes of baking.
Monday, June 20, 2011
BUY 1 GET 1 FREE!!!!!
I am a little late with posting this considering the sale started yesterday. I have missed a few post this week, sorry.
We are having a BUY 1 GET 1 FREE herb/plant sale starting yesterday and going through Friday 6/24 at the farmstand at the house! 9 am - 5 pm!
And the update on the farm:
We will be sending chickens to the butcher very soon either this week or next! So you Cross Creek Farm Chicken lovers make space in your freezers and bellies! We have another set of babies that will be arriving probably next week so we will have more coming right after this batch. We are hoping that from here on out we should have Chicken every week, unless of course we sell out before our next batch is ready!
We have been taking Strawberries to Otsiningo Farmer's Market and we have them at the farmstand at the house. Get your Strawberries before the season is over. Strawberry season is a short one. Strawberries are very hard to grow especially with wet soil. I don't know how long we will have them but we will try to have them as long as possible.
Garlic Scapes are ready. We took a walk around the "Greenarosa" checking produce and things. We pulled some garlic just to see how close it is and how it is looking. We are very excited. :) They are looking good, another month and we will have garlic!
Zucchini and Yellow Squash, possibly next weekend. The plants look great and the deer are kind of leaving them alone.
Speaking of deer, they have already made it into the field and started nibbling. They saw that the buffet was ready so they are very happy deer now. There are 2 things I looked forward to this summer. My Sunshine Squash (looks like a pumpkin but tastes like a butternut just a little sweeter) and my Roma tomatoes. Well the deer decided that they were going to eat the leaves on the Sunshine squash, almost all of them, some of them they ate right down to the stem. And they ate some of the Roma plants!
Now if you have been a customer of ours for awhile, you know that we have some major deer problems! There is so much for them to eat in the woods and of course, they decide that thye should just come to Cross Creek Farm Buffet!
Luckily we have plants to replace the ones we lost or there is already enough of the Roma's that it won't hurt us too much. Just makes me mad!
We have not been going ot Ithaca Farmer's Market on Sunday's due to the fact that we are low on Rabbit meat right now. So we will start going to Ithaca on Sunday's again when we start to have more produce and meat.
But for now, you should head on out to the house, take a nice scenic drive and get your herb plants, Strawberries, Scapes and some flowers. You still have time!
We are having a BUY 1 GET 1 FREE herb/plant sale starting yesterday and going through Friday 6/24 at the farmstand at the house! 9 am - 5 pm!
And the update on the farm:
We will be sending chickens to the butcher very soon either this week or next! So you Cross Creek Farm Chicken lovers make space in your freezers and bellies! We have another set of babies that will be arriving probably next week so we will have more coming right after this batch. We are hoping that from here on out we should have Chicken every week, unless of course we sell out before our next batch is ready!
We have been taking Strawberries to Otsiningo Farmer's Market and we have them at the farmstand at the house. Get your Strawberries before the season is over. Strawberry season is a short one. Strawberries are very hard to grow especially with wet soil. I don't know how long we will have them but we will try to have them as long as possible.
Garlic Scapes are ready. We took a walk around the "Greenarosa" checking produce and things. We pulled some garlic just to see how close it is and how it is looking. We are very excited. :) They are looking good, another month and we will have garlic!
Zucchini and Yellow Squash, possibly next weekend. The plants look great and the deer are kind of leaving them alone.
Speaking of deer, they have already made it into the field and started nibbling. They saw that the buffet was ready so they are very happy deer now. There are 2 things I looked forward to this summer. My Sunshine Squash (looks like a pumpkin but tastes like a butternut just a little sweeter) and my Roma tomatoes. Well the deer decided that they were going to eat the leaves on the Sunshine squash, almost all of them, some of them they ate right down to the stem. And they ate some of the Roma plants!
Now if you have been a customer of ours for awhile, you know that we have some major deer problems! There is so much for them to eat in the woods and of course, they decide that thye should just come to Cross Creek Farm Buffet!
Luckily we have plants to replace the ones we lost or there is already enough of the Roma's that it won't hurt us too much. Just makes me mad!
We have not been going ot Ithaca Farmer's Market on Sunday's due to the fact that we are low on Rabbit meat right now. So we will start going to Ithaca on Sunday's again when we start to have more produce and meat.
But for now, you should head on out to the house, take a nice scenic drive and get your herb plants, Strawberries, Scapes and some flowers. You still have time!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
TASTY TUESDAY
I just harvested my first Calendula flowers. Of course I forgot to take pictures so here is an example of what it looks like. This was an herb I was very excited to grow, mainly for the tea, but I am learning that there are so many more uses than I thought.Calendula Tea is good for stomach ulcers, fever reducer, reduce inflammation, treat the common cold, relieve sore throats, and combat infections.
So in honor of my first Calendula flower harvesting, here is the recipe I used for the tea. Simple, easy and quick.
Calendula Tea
1 cup boiled water
Place your Calendula flower petals in an infuser and pour 1 cup of boiling water over the petals.
Allow the Calendula Tea to steep for 10-15 minutes. Depending on the time of year the calendula petals are harvested it can be bitter, if so sweeten with honey.
I hope you enjoy it.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Educating Myself
One thing I have come to learn since we started this business 4 years ago, is that there is a lot of things people do not know (including myself) when it comes to herbs and vegetables. For that matter, any items that anyone is selling. With selling your product you really need to understand and know the importance of that product. Knowing where it originated, how it is used, what does it do, and many other things.
I just got done reading a book called "The Herbal Drugstore" by Linda B. White, M.D, Steven Foster and the staff of Herbs for Health. This book gave me the craving to learn more. There were so many interesting things that I learned about the medicines of everyday life and how to supplement them with herbal remedies. It showed me what the herbal equivalent is to many prescriptions that are being used on a constant basis by many people. It also talked about infused oils versus essential oils and compresses, salves and lotions.
This led me to take a webinar by Kiva Rose on Herbs and herbal remedies. It was very exciting and informational. I found out that I definitely need to take a walk through the our land and figure out what the herbs are that are around naturally.
So here I am starting to read another book. This one is a little bit older but it is very interesting so far. "The Rodale Herb Book," How to use, grow and buy nature's miracle plants. Edited by William H. Hylton, with chapters by Nelson Coon, Louise Hyde, Bonnie Fisher, Marion Wilbur, Barbara Foust, and Heinz Grotzke. Now if you know any of these names you are probably wondering how old this book is. It is Copyright 1974 by Rodale Press. Now I know that there are many new findings with herbs and things, but if you think about it. Years ago all they had were herbs. They did not have these invented cures and medicines. Everything that we take today was originated from some sort of herbal remedy. So I found it intriguing to start here.
As I am learning, there are many things that are coming into my mind on what to do with these herbs to expand what we have to offer. We already sell the dried herbs for culinary purposes. But I am going to try to start putting together some herbal teas, herbal pillows, compresses and salves. I want to learn how to make essential oils and infused oils. So as if I am not busy enough, I have actually found something that I am eager to learn and try. So as we go through this blog I will be sharing my knowledge and things that I am learning in hopes that you are eager to learn as well.
We often get numerous questions about our herbs from our customers. And to be honest 4 years ago I knew very little. But I tell you I did learn quick because as customers are asking you things about your product, you want to be able to tell them the answer. Although I will have to admit I did only learn the basics of each herb, so I would be able to tell the customers something.
But I have found now that we have gone back to our original business plan and focused on the herbs, I am very interested in learning new things about the herbs.
This led me to take a webinar by Kiva Rose on Herbs and herbal remedies. It was very exciting and informational. I found out that I definitely need to take a walk through the our land and figure out what the herbs are that are around naturally.
So here I am starting to read another book. This one is a little bit older but it is very interesting so far. "The Rodale Herb Book," How to use, grow and buy nature's miracle plants. Edited by William H. Hylton, with chapters by Nelson Coon, Louise Hyde, Bonnie Fisher, Marion Wilbur, Barbara Foust, and Heinz Grotzke. Now if you know any of these names you are probably wondering how old this book is. It is Copyright 1974 by Rodale Press. Now I know that there are many new findings with herbs and things, but if you think about it. Years ago all they had were herbs. They did not have these invented cures and medicines. Everything that we take today was originated from some sort of herbal remedy. So I found it intriguing to start here.
As I am learning, there are many things that are coming into my mind on what to do with these herbs to expand what we have to offer. We already sell the dried herbs for culinary purposes. But I am going to try to start putting together some herbal teas, herbal pillows, compresses and salves. I want to learn how to make essential oils and infused oils. So as if I am not busy enough, I have actually found something that I am eager to learn and try. So as we go through this blog I will be sharing my knowledge and things that I am learning in hopes that you are eager to learn as well.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
One thing that this blog has allowed me to do is improve on my picture taking. Yes, I will admit that I am not the best picture taker. But I am going to pat myself on the back and say that some of these photos I think are beautiful and amazing. But of course I took them! Some of them this week are of nature. I will be posting pictures of the field next week. 90% of the plastic is layed and plants are in. I just have to take pictures! But for your enjoyment this week, here are some that I think are kind of cool of nature things around the farm.
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| GUESS WHAT WE WILL HAVE ON SATURDAY (6/11/11) AT OTSININGO PARK FARMER'S MARKET! |
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| Dwarf Sunflowers. They only get to be maximum of 14" tall. They are so cute! |
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| Basil |
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| This is the creek behind the farmstand. It was really hot and Eric Jr was miserable so we took him in to get him cooled off. He loved it. |
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| This is also of the creek behind the farmstand. I love this picture. |
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| Our stand at Otsiningo Park Farmer's Market. |
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| Eric Sr took this one. I thought it was very pretty. This was on one of the sunflowers at the farmstand. |
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| The bee that decided to land on Julianna's toy at the farmstand. Hopefully a sign of good pollination this year! |
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| Marigolds |
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| SMILE |
Monday, June 6, 2011
Strawberries
And the fruit starts coming in! This is the most exciting time of year for me. I love fruit! Especially strawberries.
We will be purchasing some Strawberries from Reeve's Farm in Baldwinsville NY sometime this week or next. Preferably this week. Eric is going to call him today to find out.
What does that mean? That means that we may have Strawberries at the Farmstand and at Otsiningo Market! I am so excited.
Strawberries remind me of when I was little and used to go picking strawberries with my grandma. Her motto was, "Eat your fill in the strawberry patch because the one's we pick are going for Strawberry Rhubarb Pie." My little brother and I used to sit there and eat more than we picked of course and would eventually feel really yucky from how many we ate. Poor Grandma, she might as well have left us home and picked all of them herself because that is pretty much what she did even with us there!
One of my favorite things to do with Strawberries is Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. I have been threatening to make one and haven't got around to it yet. Luckily I put the Rhubarb in the freezer already! Eric Jr did however eat a lot of the strawberries that I had bought for the pie, so I don't think I even have enough now.
What are some of your favorite things to do with Strawberries?
Make sure you check back here or on our Facebook page to find out when and if we will be getting them! Hopefully this week. (fingers crossed)
We will be purchasing some Strawberries from Reeve's Farm in Baldwinsville NY sometime this week or next. Preferably this week. Eric is going to call him today to find out.
What does that mean? That means that we may have Strawberries at the Farmstand and at Otsiningo Market! I am so excited.
Strawberries remind me of when I was little and used to go picking strawberries with my grandma. Her motto was, "Eat your fill in the strawberry patch because the one's we pick are going for Strawberry Rhubarb Pie." My little brother and I used to sit there and eat more than we picked of course and would eventually feel really yucky from how many we ate. Poor Grandma, she might as well have left us home and picked all of them herself because that is pretty much what she did even with us there!
One of my favorite things to do with Strawberries is Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. I have been threatening to make one and haven't got around to it yet. Luckily I put the Rhubarb in the freezer already! Eric Jr did however eat a lot of the strawberries that I had bought for the pie, so I don't think I even have enough now.
What are some of your favorite things to do with Strawberries?
Make sure you check back here or on our Facebook page to find out when and if we will be getting them! Hopefully this week. (fingers crossed)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Farmstand Hours
Our plant sale was a huge success! Or so we think it was for our farm being in the middle of no where! I am glad to see all of you that came out and just remember to keep checking in on us to see what we have that is new and fresh!
Now that the plant sale is over though, we are changing the hours back to 9am-5pm Sunday through Friday. We should start getting some produce and fruits coming in soon! Hopefully! ( Fingers crossed!)
We finally got our squashes in the ground over the past few days. Yesterday Eric got a lot of tilling done and is going to be laying more plastic today so we can get the cucumbers and tomatoes in. I believe he is planting beans today too! Everything is running a little behind but there was nothing we could do about it!
Hope to see you at market tomorrow or Sunday!
Now that the plant sale is over though, we are changing the hours back to 9am-5pm Sunday through Friday. We should start getting some produce and fruits coming in soon! Hopefully! ( Fingers crossed!)
We finally got our squashes in the ground over the past few days. Yesterday Eric got a lot of tilling done and is going to be laying more plastic today so we can get the cucumbers and tomatoes in. I believe he is planting beans today too! Everything is running a little behind but there was nothing we could do about it!
Hope to see you at market tomorrow or Sunday!
TRIVIA THURSDAY
We have been so busy at the stand that I have neglected the blog. I am sorry for that. But here is yesterday's trivia question. Just a hint...if you go to our website you should be able to find the answer!
How many different squashes are we planting this year?
Please submit your answers by 9 pm Friday (6/3/2011) to recieve $1.00 off coupon to either our Farmstand at the house or our stand at market (Ithaca or Otsiningo). Coupon expires in 1 month.
How many different squashes are we planting this year?
Please submit your answers by 9 pm Friday (6/3/2011) to recieve $1.00 off coupon to either our Farmstand at the house or our stand at market (Ithaca or Otsiningo). Coupon expires in 1 month.
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