Firewood and Pumpkins

This morning was spent with me unloading the firewood from the back of the truck and stacking it where accessible. I have another load to pick up later this week. Fun...Fun...Fun! (Not really. This is one of my least favourite jobs.)

Tomorrow I will be processing some leftover pumpkins. One is getting a little soft spot at the bottom, so I guess it is time. I'll be taking some pictures and posting the steps for those who have never done this before.

Also, with canning pumpkins goes the process of roasting pumpkin seeds. Mmmmmmm. I will experiment this year with some hot sauce added with the spices, I think.

Most of the farm markets are closing for the season around here now. I really do dislike this time of year. Too cold, too drab (well, we've actually been having sun here), and everything that drops leaves looks so dead. I keep thinking it won't be that long untill it is spring again.

New Gadget

I just added a neat new gadget that I found (bottom of page). See what foods are in season in your state. Just hit the blue arrows to bring up the state and month, and see what pops up!

Back.....

Yes, I have been negelecting the blog the last 2 months. It has been so busy, time just got away. Between cleaning out gardens, planting for next year (garlic), canning and preserving, closing up summer camp.....it was a busy time.

For a bit of bad news, "Greta" passed less than 2 weeks ago, just a couple months short of her 12th birthday. No long illness or suffering....just age. I got her when she was about 6 months old, so she was with me for a long time. It does seem funny without her out there every morning.

I am hoping to have another goat or two join the family, but not untill next year, after winter is over and done.

I do promise that there will be posts weekly. Not quite daily, but close enough. Also, watch for photo tutorials, something new I will be offering.

Today's Show

Today's guest on Local Seasons will be Jerry McGeorge from Organic Valley. It was a very interesting conversation that I think you will find informative and enjy.

I'm Back......!

I had pretty much ignored the blog for a few weeks. I got so busy that I got behind. Also trying to help get a house cleaned out to sell.

The show is going well, but could still use some more advertisers. As with all radio, if you guys want the show to stay on, we need the advertisers.

I am also working on a magazine to go with Local Seasons. It will most likely be online at first, and then if we get print demand, we'll go that route as well.

Anyone from NY who still wants their farms, markets, or locally made products listed in the NY Local Seasons books, you still have time to get your requst in.

Today's Show

I hope you had the opportunity to listen to the "Local Seasons" show this afternoon. If not, it will be archived for 3 months. I'm having a wonderful time doing them, and I hope the shows will meet or exceed expctations. I'm already getting some good feedback.

I'm always on the lookout for show ideas! Please feel free to email me with any you might have.

Also, if your company is interested in advertising with the show, I only take 5 advertisers per month, so contact me ASAP to reserve your spot for August!

Egyptian Walking Onions

These are the coolest! I know I mentioned them before, but here is a picture of them. Their "walk" is when the top gets to the point where they bend all the way down to the ground. Like they're taking a step, I guess. You can see that a few have already started on their "walk".

I don't know how long they have been in this garden, but I'm definitly going to have to move some into a new spot.

Also visible are chives, peonies and some misc. ground cover.

For Your Entertainment

Franklin Stage Company is thrilled to present on
Saturday June 20 at 8pm and Sunday June 21 at 5pm
straight from its dazzling premiere at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA
The Actors Rehearse the Story of Charlotte Salomon

The Franklin Stage Company hosts a unique theatrical event, a stunning one-woman play featuring award-winning actress Penny Kreitzer in a tour-de-force performance. The play is written by Kreitzer, FSC co-Artistic Director David Bridel, and Jonathan Rest, and directed by Jonathan Rest.

Charlotte Salomon was a German Jewish artist who initially escaped the Nazis by fleeing to France. When she was deported to Auschwitz , Charlotte left with a friend in France a suitcase containing her masterwork Leben? Oder Theater? - Life? Or Theater? - a collection of 784 autobiographical watercolors. She died in the concentration camp, age 26. “Keep this safe,” she had told her trusted friend Dr. Moridis when she left the suitcase. “It is my whole life.”

Inspired by Salomon's paintings, and based on a compelling convergence of actual events, The Actors Rehearse... is a tale that stretches from the trenches of the First World War to a bomb shelter in Jerusalem where, in 1984, actress Kreitzer and her troupe were preparing a new play based on the all too brief life of Salomon. The troupe invited Holocaust survivor Paula Salomon-Lindberg, Charlotte's stepmother, to visit their rehearsals, and the subsequent confrontation with Salomon-Lindberg provides the departure point for this riveting tale in which Kreitzer, playing multiple and extraordinarily diverse roles, "is her own best stage partner, shifting seamlessly between and among characters" (Berkshire Eagle, June 8, 2009, review of performance at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA). As Kreitzer transforms, and the many strands of the story come together, vital questions, not only about the nature and purpose of theatre but the relationship between real life and art, are exposed and explored.

The Actors Rehearse... is presented by Special Arrangement with the Charlotte Salomon Foundation and the Jewish Historical Museum of Amsterdam. FSC was founded on the principle that great theatre should be available to all, and remains Admission Free, with donations gratefully accepted at the door.

Admission to The Actors Rehearse the Story of Charlotte Salomon is free, but reservations are recommended. Call 607 829 3700 or email reserve@franklinstagecompany.org

And for the Greyhound Lovers......

"Join us for the new and improved Greyhound Wine Tour & Friends event. This year we are celebrating our fourth Greyhound event again for four days, Thursday, July 23 through Sunday July 26. We have opened up the event to include all breeds and even if you don’t have a dog please stop by for all the festivities. You will be welcomed at sixteen wineries along the trail for wine tastings, lawn concerts, great food, dog land and water demonstrations, seminars and a whole lot more! Each human participant will delight in fine wine and picnic type foods at each of the 16 wineries and in addition receive a wine glass plus a bandanna and treats for their dog."....(click link for further information).

http://www.adsmart360.net/webcontent/121/June09/Jun09/newsletterlink.html

Pretty in Purple

The chive blossoms have been blooming.....and quite yummy! It does look like I need to do some reduction in numbers, however.

The blossoms are wonderful as a decorative (and edible) garnish on deviled eggs, in salads, and even a snack straight from the garden (although I make sure I don't have an appointment when I nibble that way). The bees love them too, so I never take all.

Summer on the Cayuga Wine Trail

Looks like some awesome things going on at the Wine Trail!


"During the months of June, July or August on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays join us for our “Family Days”. Each family receives our special “Family Days” card and when three different winery purchases are made you’ll receive a FREE Ice Cream Sundae at participating creameries. What constitutes a family you ask? Any two people who are a couple with or without children. Each child attending will receive our mini purple frisbee.

This year we have two ice cream shops participating in the program that surround Cayuga Lake, Cayuga Lake Creamery and Dories’ Café and Bakery. On the east side of Cayuga Lake in Aurora we have Dorie's Café and Bakery. Dorie’s is a popular luncheonette with a breezy lakefront deck. Order soups, salads, sandwiches, and of course your favorite ice cream sundae from the restored soda fountain. ......... (click link below for more information)

http://www.adsmart360.net/webcontent/121/June09/Jun09/newsletterlink.html

Pot of Gold

Well, really a pot of greens, but to many of us, it is the same thing as gold. I've been picking and using them while they are smaller, and they have been delicious!

This bucket of Italian greens was planted on Easter day.

Then earlier this morning, all of a sudden I remembered about 3 cherry tomato plants that I had purchased a few weeks back. I hadn't planted them yet as we were still getting frost threats, so I set them in amongst some other plants at the house, still in their little pots.

Well, long story short, the violets grew, and grew and grew.....and covered the litltle plants up, and I forgot all about them untill this morning. So, I finally put the little guys in the ground a few hours ago. Better late than never!

New Show

Very sorry to have been negelecting the blog as of late, but I have been working on my new radio show, which begins July 7 on Healthy Life Radio Network (healthylife.net).

I'm quite excited and there will be lots to discuss, especially since the show will be international.

If you are interested in advertising on my show, please contact me for details. The network gets 3mil listeners per month, so it should be a great audience.

Watch for the Show

As of yesterday, Local Seasons will be on internet radio, starting on July 7 at 3pm, through Healthy Life.net Radio Network. I'm quite excited about this, as I'm hoping this will bring buying locally even further to the forefront.

I plan to have segments talking to farmers, farm market managers, chefs/restaurants (who use local foods), other areas of "buy local" that many might not think about, the heritage "boom" and much more.

There are advertising slots open, and if interested, please contact me. This network averages 3mil listeners per month.

I'll be updating more later.

Salad Blossoms

The chives are coming in good and heavy in the front garden. The blossoms are starting to bloom as well. The big purple balls are great in salads and as garnishes, especially on deviled eggs. Good to just pop in your mouth as well for a little garden snack...as long as you don't have to be someplace right afterwards as they tend to be a bit strong not only in taste, but in "breath scent" as well.

Too bad the blossoms are so short lived, making the window of culinary enjoyment of the buds is so short before they wither and disappear. But, then the chives are still left well into early winter!

The egyptian walking onions are thriving as well. And spreading. I don't know how long they have been in this garden except for the fact that they were here when my grandmother had it. I don't even know who planted them, but I'm glad they're here. You get a lot of use out of those little guys. The entire plant can be used for cooking in one way or another.

Where Did They Come From?

While weeding the garden a few weeks ago, getting it ready for puting some early cool weather tolerent greens seeds, I noticed a bit of an unexpected surprise. 6 "volunteer" onions coming in. Since I have not put any onions in that area last year, some must have self seeded from the year before.

I believe that I did leave in a few that year to see what would happen so now I guess I will. I'll be curious to see how well the bulbs will develop (if they do), how they will taste. Well, as I said, I'll find out this year, and report back!

It should be interesting!

Franklin Farmer's Market

Franklin Farmers’ Market at Chapel HallEvery Sunday from 10 am - 2 pm

Memorial Day weekend, May 24 through Columbus Day October 11!

Institute Street, Franklin, NY - Rte 357, Delaware CountySunday, May 31,

Features: Flying Rabbit Farm "Rabbit Mix"spring salad greens;

Fokish Farm-breads, coffee, sorrel, lovage, arugula, spinach;

Handsome Brook Farm-jams;

Hare & Feather-chicken, rabbits

New! Amish cheese from Richfield Springs, fudge;

Olive Tree Herbs-perennials, annuals & herb plants, hanging baskets, herbal teas & condiments; Safe Suds-

New! Franklin-made herbal & spice soaps & hand creams;

Schmitt's Produce-rhubarb, eggs, honey, North Franklin maple syrup

New! cheese from Byebrook Farms, Bloomsville;

Sherman Hill Homestead-artisanal goat cheese;

Stony Creek Farm-certified organic eggs, chickens

New! from Willindy Willows of Hancock herbal preparations and soaps;

Sue Mullen-ready to plant (12 kinds) tomatoes, peppers, squash & herbs;

Summer End Orchard-asparagus, exotic preserves, spice rubs.

Franklin Farmer's Market

FRANKLIN FARMER'S MARKET 3RD SEASON A WEEKLY EVENT!

The Franklin Farmers' Market announces that, due to its great success, its third season will be its biggest yet. In its first season, 2007, the Market was held once a month for 4 months. Last summer the Market ran twice a month from Memorial Day to Columbus Day weekend. This year the Market will be held every single Sunday, 10 AM to 2 PM, from May 24 through October 11!

The Franklin Farmers' Market has an especially lovely village setting on the lawn and under the trees in front of the white-columned portico of historic Chapel Hall, 25 Institute Street, Franklin, NY. Twenty local producers offer amazing variety - meat, eggs, cheese, vegetables, fruit, breads and baked goods, plants and flowers, maple syrup and honey, jams and pickles and home grown herbal soaps and lotions - all artfully displayed in white canopied stalls. Among the participating farms are Sherman Hill Homestead, Fokish Farms, Schmitt's Produce, Echo Hills Farm, Olive Tree Herbs, Handsome Brook Farm (all of town of Franklin), Stoney Creek Farm (Walton), Flying Rabbit Farm (Otego), Summer's End Orchard (Unadilla), Betty Acres (Delhi) and Hare & Feather Farm (Laurens). Throughout the season there will be entertainment, special events and demonstrations. Since the very first market, musicians have entertained the shoppers from the portico, while, on the lawn below, there have been demonstrations of such crafts as scything, wood carving, and apple pressing, and special free attractions like horse drawn wagon rides.

"People have told us it is the prettiest market they have been to," says Ellen Curtis, the market manager. "Franklin is a very special place. People love to come here."

Settled in 1792, Franklin is a small, beautiful village of Greek Revival, Federal, and Victorian houses, churches and stores, with lovely tree-lined streets. Virtually the entire village was, in 1984, inscribed in both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Located 13 miles south of Oneonta, NY, its Main Street is on State Rte 357, which connects Route 28 with I-88.
Sundays are busy in Franklin with services in its three landmark churches. A new restaurant, the Beehive, is open from 9 to 2 for breakfast and brunch. Across the street from The Beehive are two antique stores, The Squires Tankard and Franklin Durable Goods. To coordinate with the Farmer's Market schedule, Franklin Stage Company, whose home is Chapel Hall, has added performances on Sundays Aug.15 thru September 6 at 11:00 AM of AMERICAN FAIRY TALES, its second main stage production of the summer. For more information about Franklin Farmer's Market and the many attractions offered to visitors to Franklin, please see the Visiting Franklin pages at www.franklinstagecompany.org. For information about Franklin Local, the sponsors of the Franklin Farmers' Market, see www.franklinlocal.org

Flying Rabbit set upphoto: Karl Heidenreich

Early morning Mary Dolan of Flying Rabbit Farm setting up.photo: Greg Williams

Musicians tune up on the porch "stage".photo: Bryan Babcock

Ellen Curtis, left, Franklin Farmers Market Manager with Sue Mullen, herb & flower grower.Photo credit: Betsy Babcock

FYI: NAIS

If, as a consumer, you're not already familiar with the National Animal Identification System, I encourage you to please do so now, and help your local farmer fight this program. A good start is http://NONAIS.org and from there you can find many, many other links in the margins.

Presented new as a program for "food safety", NAIS is anything but, as the program stops at the door of the big slaughterhouses and processors, the very places where most food contamination happens. Through premise id, it also turns the farmer from owner of his farm to merely a stakeholder. In fact, if passed, you will most likely lose some of the farms that you now purchase from.

Similar programs are already in effect in Australia and the UK. While the various government offices will state that the programs are working wonderfully, the farmers will tell you a much different story.

Please, read up, talk to your local farmers, contact your politicians. Attend a "listening session" in your area. Help to put the brakes on this program before it is too late.

Books

If you would like your farm, CSA, farm market, restaurant, etc. included in the state books I am writing (listings are free), please email me at localseasons@gmail.com

Market Time

Do you have a farm market opening for the season soon? If so, email me at localseasons@gmail.com with your press release or information to list here on the blog.

Purchasing Plants Doesn't Have to be Expensive!

It may still be spring, but it definitly is not be too early to find excellent deals on plants and flowers. Some say that buying locally means paying premium prices, but that could not be further from the truth.

For example, a few weeks ago I was at a local nursery and found they were selling out on their pansies. In fact, more of a give away. I left with 14 beautiful plants in some wonderful colours for under $3. The nice thing about these plants is that not only will they supply the garden around the house with badly needed colours, they will also provide me with some salad garnishes!

Just because it is still early in the year (and in the NE we are basically just putting in our gardens), it doesn't mean that some excellent bargans cannot be found at nurseries in your area. Just do a little looking around. The plants I found were kind of tucked away on some shelves and even though they were in the middle of the store, they were not really placed that noticably with only a couple little paper signs taped on the edge of one shelf stating their special price.

More recently, about a week ago, I purchased 3 cherry tomato plants for $1. They'll be goining today. (Unfortunatly, I didn't have the time to start seeds this year for those plants that need and early start, so I'm relegated to purchasing this year.)

In March, I purchased a miniature rose for fifty cents at a small, local grocery. Leftover, I think, from Valentine's Day. Unfortunatly it wasn't locally grown, but it was US grown. It was in pretty good shape for sitting in a store. I brought it home, babied it and at least 4 times a month I give it water from the fish bowl instead of the usual tap (well) water. It sits in a window over the sink that seems to be just perfect for plants.

In the last few months, the rose has almost tripled in size, has been moved to a bigger pot and is putting out its' second bloom of the month. Pretty good for a fifty cent holiday leftover.

So on your next plant buying trip, do a little scouting. Check the nooks, crannies and back of shelves. Who knows what you might find

Welcome!

Welcome to the Local Seasons blog!

If you're here, you're probably a foodie, a small farmer, a restaurant owner, or all three. You enjoy farm fresh whenever you can get it, and you support the buy local movement and local farms in your area.

As a companion to a series of books being created under the same name, I will cover local foods, buy local, farm markets, discussions with small farmers, restaurants who source local foods and not to forget, raising one's own food, the utmost in local consumption.


In the Local Seasons blog, discussion and interviews are offered, favourite recipes submitted by farmers, gardeners and consumers utilizing local foods from throughout the 50 states and more. It is my hope that the Local Seasons blog will become a weekly read for you.