Happy New Year!

It's tradition for the new year to make a New Year's Resolution. The normal resolutions tend to be loose weight, save money, finish some task that you have been meaning to finish for 2 years now. These all tend to result in it not happening. You have your few that actually can stick to their resolution and do what they are going to say.

I am one who tends to not do what I set my goal for. It is definitely a weakness of mine.

I cannot believe it is 2012 already!

So here is our new year resolutions for 2012:
-  Eat healthier
-Finish the addition
-Expand our growing business with Butters
- Expand our Rabbitry- meaning getting more customers and accounts.

So here's to hoping that we can stick to them.

And here is to wishing you the best in the New Year! 

I would say that I would type this later and watch the ball drop, but ever since I have had the kids, I don't think I have made it to seeing the ball drop. We always try and usually Eric is waking me up at 10 saying "why don't we just go to bed we are both sleeping?"

Newark Valley Farmer's Market

We have been talking about it for a long time now. We have been going over details, location and numerous other market ideas and hurdles. We had our very first meeting tonight and have set the ball in motion. We have made decisions and our now looking for vendors.

The market will be located on the Village Green right in Newark Valley. It will be Sunday's from 10am-3pm. It will start the 3rd Sunday in May and end the last Sunday of October. It will be a locally produced or handcrafted market only. 



We are looking for vendors:


Produce                           Baked goods                    Soaps
Dairy                               Honey                               Candles 
Jams/Jellies                      Meat                                woodworking
Jewelry                            Concessions                      Quilters
 Painters                           Photographers                   Artists
Musicians


and more.......

If you are interested. Please contact us through our email address.

We are hoping to bring our community closer with their local farmer's and producers. We have lots of ideas in store, such as music, demonstrations, activities and special events.

Specific details have yet to be finalized, but we are very excited about this. There are so many local producers in our area that no one knows about. It would help bring the community to some peoples attention and hopefully join us all together and get us more involved.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

From our family to yours!

Santa Here?

So with this busy time of year, every child that's family celebrates Christmas becomes to learn about Santa. This year Eric Jr finally started to kind of understand what/who Santa was. It started off with some cartoons, but he really didn't get it then. Then our very first indoor market at the Metrocenter he saw Santa. He told him that he wanted "Buzz and Woody" (Toy Story).

The next market we had, there was another Santa. On our way to market we were telling him that Santa was going to be there. He just kept repeating "Baby Reindeer?" We told him that we didn't think so but maybe. When he saw Santa we asked if he wanted to go over to say hi and he said, "No, Baby Reindeer." Santa was great and told him that they were on the roof! He was finally ok with it and let it go. Or so we thought.

I guess we need to start raising Baby Reindeer?!

The Flight Before Christmas movie.
This is where Eric Jr gets the"Baby Reindeer" from.

Since then we have ad many conversations about Santa. Anytime he gets tired and doesn't want to go to sleep he starts crying for Santa. We proceed to tell him that it is only a few days away but he has to be a good boy! He still doesn't quite get it.

My brother talked to him on the phone the other day and he asked him what he asked Santa for for Christmas. he proceeded, "Pirates (?), Raaahhhh Dinosaurs (?), and a few others. None of which included Buzz and Woody. It was cute. My brother said, "Santa must think you are special," Eric Jr replied with "YUP." Too Cute.

Now, everytime he hears a car go by, a noise outside or he wakes up from a nap, or sleeping he starts off "Santa here?"

This is our first child so we are experiencing the joy of Santa through our children for the first time. It is very delightful, sometimes a little rough trying to keep coming up with ways to tell him that he was not here yet. One that has seemed to be working is that Santa is still making the toys. Eric Jr then replies with "Buzz and Woody!"

I will have to say that I am very excited to see his face on Christmas morning.

We have baked cookies together, read books and watched movies about Christmas. He is super excited as are we. I hope to start some great family traditions related to the holiday.

As far as the farm goes, we have no snow. Which is good and bad. I want snow so Eric Jr can play in it. But we don't want snow because the warmer weather is a little more enjoyable. Eric worked outside all day yesterday cleaning the barn. Cleaning around the field and farm to get stuff put away that we normally don't get a chance to put away.

Butters are still going full force. I am getting 2 bushels of pears in the crocks to make pear butter and I have 2 bushels of Apples waiting for me to peel and core them. The pears are starting to wind down so I am trying to get enough stockpiled and made that we will still have the pear butter for awhile. But with the holiday buying of butters for Christmas gifts has made it hard to keep up!

I have always loved the giving homemade or specialty gifts for Christmas instead of your store bought items. Especially for adults that really have everything that they need.

I have to get back to peeling pears (ugghh), but I want to wish you all a happy Holiday and hope you enjoy your time with family and friends.

Christmas Dinner

There is so many different holiday traditions this time of year.

We celebrate Christmas and have 3 separate Christmas dinners. We generally have ham at my mom's and my grandparents. At Mom and Dad K Christmas we are having Chicken. I don't really know about the sides. I think they change from time to time.

One that we always had when my grandmother was alive is Scalloped Potatoes! It was delicious. I will be making it again this year for Christmas at my mom's.

What do you normally make for Holiday dinner? What are some of your favorite foods for the holiday?

Some of my favorites would have to be the cookies. I am not normally a baked good eater. But I cannot resist cookies on Christmas.

Eric's family favorite is "Peanut Butter Balls" (Buckeyes). Mom makes them a little different than a traditional Buckeye which makes it even more delightful.

We have people that ordered Rabbit for their Christmas dinner! Some people picked up Chicken.

Either way, I hope you got at least your main meat local! We have plenty of vendors at the Otsiningo Winter Farmer's Market that sell meat. You can probably still contact them and get a hold of a local product!

Poultry, Rabbit and Turkey CSA

We have worked a lot on this. Weighing the pros and cons. We are thinking this through over and over again. We are hoping to debut our CSA and have sign-ups at the Feburary First Friday event. We will only have a limited number of openings available.

What exactly is a CSA?

"A CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farming operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production."  Wikipedia.

Our CSA would consist of you picking up once a month. We will be finalizing details and items the closer we get to debut.

We are definitely including chicken and rabbit. We also are hoping to include a Thanksgiving Turkey in November. Once again these details are not final. But if you have some input on what you might like then we would be all ears. Please let us know.  

Wordless Wednesday

Dark Days Challenge- 12/11-12/17

Last week I did not do a very good post for the Dark Days Challenge. I was not happy because I was so excited to start this. So forgive me for last week and hopefully this week will kick off what I am hoping to be a great Dark Days Challenge posting spree!

This week I decided that I would do something with our rabbit meat. We sell rabbit meat at market and the common question is...."How do you cook it?" I have been meaning to try numerous different recipes so I can have more than just "my favorite" recipe.

I never had rabbit until I met my husband. I never knew how good it was for you until I researched it. When we were getting ready to raise it to start selling, I had to make sure that I knew what I was talking about.

I had planned on doing a rabbit of the month recipe on our website and have not yet done one every month. I don't like to recommend recipes unless I try them first. So this is giving me a great reason to test out the recipes I plan on recommending and handing out to potential customers.

This week I made:

Roasted Rabbit with Garlic, Rosemary and Hungarian Hot pepper and for a side I made Fried Corn with onions and Peppers

Roasted Rabbit with Garlic, Rosemary and Hungarian Hot pepper


1- 2 1/4 lb rabbit (Cross Creek Farm, Berkshire NY)
salt
pepper
2 garlic cloves, chopped (Cross Creek Farm Berkshire NY- Italian Red Garlic)
Rosemary (Cross Creek Farm Berkshire NY)
Hungarian Hot pepper (Cross Creek Farm Berkshire NY)

Season both sides of the rabbit with salt and pepper.
Combine garlic, rosemary and Hungarian hot pepper in a small bowl.
Rub mixture over both sides of rabbit
Cover and refrigerate 2-3 hours
Preheat oven 475 degrees
Uncover and roast until tender and cooked through, 30-35 minutes.


Fried Corn with Onions and Peppers


Corn (Iron Kettle Farm, Candor NY)
Onion (Cross Creek Farm, Berkshire NY)
Red peppers (Cross Creek Farm, Berkshire NY)
Green Peppers (Cross Creek Farm, Berkshire NY)
Butter

Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
Saute until onion is just beginning to turn crispy.



The corn, peppers and onions I used were ones that I had frozen. I believe that the corn would have been so much better if it was made with all fresh ingredients.

The rabbit was AMAZING! And as you can probably tell I love Garlic and rosemary. I promise next week I will try to make something that isn't rosemary garlic! : )

I will also have to say that challenge is making realize that there is a lot I can make with what we grow on our farm. Very excited to continue and looking for new recipes!

Roberson Museum- Home for the Holidays!

When I was in grade school, I remember going to Roberson Museum for their Christmas display. I remember being in awe of the many different trees, the country trees, and the whimsical trees that I would never think of. I have wanted to take the kids there so they can enjoy it just as I did.

When we were approached to do a local event at Roberson, I jumped on it. I knew that Roberson was a very busy place and in knowing that was hoping and thinking it would be a great event.

It wasn't as great as I had hoped, but it was nice to see the people that did come to support us and even if they didn't come specifically for us they enjoyed the fact that they could buy some local gifts for their loved ones.

I will have to say that my display was GORGEOUS!


This was one of our last events before Christmas. We will be at the Metrocenter in Binghamton on Saturday December17th from 9am-Noon. Make sure if you want to get some last minute gifts, you stop by.

I have made some gift baskets and we will be bringing the last of the Christmas wreaths and poinsettias for those of you that have not yet decorated for Christmas.

Dark Days Challenge- Week 1- Dec.4-Dec11.

Going into this week trying to plan out what I was going to have was very exciting. I kept thinking of different things that I could make. 

As it got closer however, I seemed to have had to rush things together. We have been very busy lately making holiday wreaths, butters and jams to sell at our big event this weekend that I had almost forgot.

This week I decided that I would make 

"Garlic Rosemary chicken with Maple baked Butternut squash."

I did not get to take a picture which made me a little upset because I really wanted this post to be perfect.

But this is what I did and the ingredients.

Whole range Cornish Cross Chicken (Cross Creek Farm - ours)

Chopped Garlic cloves (Cross Creek Farm- ours)

Rosemary Garlic powder seasoning (Cross Creek Farm - ours)

Butternut Squash (Stoughton's Farm- Newark Valley)

Maple Syrup (Sugarbush Run - Newark Valley)

I first chopped the garlic and put it inside the Chicken. I then rubbed the Rosemary Garlic seasoning all over the outside of the chicken. I added a little water to the roasting pan just to add a little extra moisture. Covered it tightly with tin foil and cooked it in the oven for 1 1/2 hours at 375 degrees. I then took the foil off and let the skin crisp up for 15 minutes more.

With the butternut squash, I cut it in half, dug out the seeds, laid it in a baking pan and filled the part where the seeds were with Sugarbush Run maple syrup. I then rubbed the maple syrup over the rest of the squash. Added a little water to the pan and covered tightly with Tin foil. I baked it the same amount of time and temperature as the Chicken.

I then scooped all the squash out of it and mashed it with a potato masher.Add a little extra Maple syrup and dished it up.

Eric Jr loved it!

I will have to say that this task was a little harder than I thought it would be. I caught myself a few times grabbing the salt and some other things. I did however find a place where I can get salt from and it will be within the same state. Not as local as I preferred but it may work. 

I plan on doing something better next week. Stay tuned to find out! 

Make sure you check out the other blogs and see what they did this week for the Dark Days Challenge.

TRIVIA THURSDAY

For this Trivia Thursday we are going to be giving away 1FREE FRUIT BUTTER (any variety). 

Make sure you answer the trivia question by 8 pm on Friday December 9th.

You may submit your answer on the Facebook page and/or email  if you would like. Just make sure you post your email address with your Facebook comment.  

HOW MANY VARIETIES OF HERBS DID WE GROW THIS YEAR?

If you win, I will notify you via email. You will have to pick up your product at the Otsiningo Winter Farmer's Market at the Metrocenter.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Dark Days Challenge

As a farmer and producer, I always like to encourage people to buy local.  The best way to help our economy and country is to keep the money local.

I found this blog that started a challenge to create 1 meal a week using all local food. Thanks to Niechelle Wade at Sunny Hill Farm. I signed up.

With our local farmer's market being open during the winter I am hoping this will be a little bit easy.

               

I did not get to do a meal this week, but I have it all planned out for this coming week. I will be doing my first Dark Days Challenge post this week.

Local food to me means that I will be making a meal using food and spices bought at my local farmer's market Otsiningo Winter Farmer's Market, grown by me or if I have to buy something I will make it something bought within a 100 mile radius. I will be posting in each blog entry where the product is coming from. I will also try to link to the producer's websites so that anyone around our area will be able to find local products.

I encourage you to do this as well. Whether you have a blog or not. Or just want to challenge yourself....this is a great way to buy local and support your local farmers who at this time of year in our area is a little challenging due to weather conditions.

But never the less we all need each others support! I hope to inspire you as some of the blog entries that I have read from the past challenges have inspired me!

First indoor winter market this Saturday!

It's that time of year again where it is too cold to be outside selling products but us farmer's still need to make money to keep going. Last year we were located at Cornell Cooperative Extension on Front St in Binghamton.

Our handmade wreaths

This year we are at the METROCENTER in downtown Binghamton! Bigger space equals more vendors. We have also had some of our normal vendors try to produce more product to be able to sell through the winter so they will be joining us!

Our first market will be Saturday December 3rd from 9am-2pm. Please come join us and buy local! It may be winter but there is still farm fresh products around.

Cross Creek Farm will have Free range chicken, free range cornish hens, rabbit meat, fruit butters, dried herbs, herbal teas, handmade holiday wreaths,  Apples and pears, winter squashes and more....

Sunny Hill Farm Beets in
the high tunnel

Sunny Hill Farm has a high tunnel helping to extend their produce season as well as their honey, beef and pork.

Mcrey Farm always has grassfed Beef, Lamb and pork.

Gorman Farms has Chicken, beef and pork.

Full Quiver Farm has fresh baked breads and cookies.

Serentity Pet Treats has treats for dogs and cats as well as some grooming products all made by hand.

Old Barn Hollow will have a huge variety of jams, some of the  most unique but greatly flavored jams.

Ever After Botanicals product

Ever After Botanicals has all natural and organic bath and body products as well as cleaning products.

Ravenwood Gardens  has local herbal blends and spa treatments

Engelbert Farms raises organic meats and some of the best cheese products I have ever tasted..

Binghamton Urban Farm selling pea shoots, sunflower shoots, organic dried beans, artisan cheese and pasta  and sunflower oil.

Castle Tower Alpacas with their warm fiber products.

There are more, I just cannnot think of them at the moment. Please make sure to visit all the websites that I have linked to, learn more about the farmer and their product and join us at the winter market. Where not only can you get fresh local products during the summer, but you can also get them during the winter!