Chestnut Farms, Hardwick MA

Chestnut Farms

P.O. Box 545; 404 Turkey Street

Hardwick MA 01037

www.chestnutfarms.org

Turkey pick-up day at Chestnut Farms! Their resident barn rooster was strutting his stuff around the pigs, not at all bothered by us poking around.

Before getting our bird, we had fun chasing baby pigs everywhere.

We were able to get a heritage bird, which I am really looking forward to cooking. Well, maybe not cooking, but definitely eating. I think I'll try a cider brine this year...

Alpacas of Springbrook Farm, Stow MA

PO Box 626; 1 Apple Blossom Way

Stow MA 01775

978.897.5969

www.springbrookalpacas.com

I finally managed to get to the store at Alpacas of Springbrook Farm! Not that it was difficult, I just kept thinking I should contact them and see when they are open, and finally did. I spoke with with one of the owners, Dick Bolton, via email, who was very accommodating with times. My sister and I went this morning and spent some time talking with Dick about their alpacas and business. And of course, I left with a large bag full of beautiful alpaca yarn. Each skein has a tag telling you about the specific animal the fiber came from. I can't wait to knit some warm hats and mittens with it.

Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow MA

Honey Pot Hill Orchards

144 Sudbury Road, Stow MA 01775

978562.5666

www.honeypothill.com

Although I grew up in this town, I had never actually been to this orchard until today. We had two orchards within walking distance, and this one is all the way on the other side of (this tiny) town, so I sort of have an excuse. But, not really.

So, we went today. Besides a huge selection of apples, they also have apple cider, apple cider donuts (have I ever mentioned how much I love those?), free coffee and hot cider, a small selection of fall vegetables (mostly squashes), animals to watch and feed (chickens, bunnies, and goats), and two mazes. We went into the hedge maze, which was pretty fun. There is also a tunnel maze, but we weren't in the required age range (just for kids--no adults allowed), so no tunnel maze for us. That's all right, though. The cider donuts more than made up for that.

We brought home some donuts and a HUGE bag of seconds for $10.00. I'll be baking and cooking with apples for the next couple of weeks!

Chestnut Farms, Hardwick MA

Chestnut Farms

P.O. Box 545; 404 Turkey Street

Hardwick MA 01037

www.chestnutfarms.org

Time to meet our meat again! We spent the day out at Chestnut Farms today, to see where the animals we get in our meat CSA share live. We saw the Thanksgiving turkeys gobbling around, although I thought they sounded like barking dogs this year, for some reason. Maybe it was the heritage breed? Or maybe it was just me.

We got to hold baby chicks, which Talia thought was the best thing she had ever done and kept running back to hold them again.

It was a gorgeous day for running outside in the fields.

Road trip to Virginia

I was lucky enough recently to be able to visit my friend, Brijin, from college who is now living in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is an amazing gardener (this terrible picture doesn't do her gardens justice), so I'm glad I was able to visit during harvest season while things were growing like crazy. While I love CSAs, you just can't duplicate the experience of eating a cherry tomato or sugarsnap pea straight off the vine in your own (or a friend's) garden. Luckily, I grew both in my small, but reasonably successful backyard garden this year. Next year I'm going to try adding beets and kale, two of my absolute favorite vegetables.

Appleton Farms, South Hamilton MA

Appleton Farms

Rt 1A, Ipswich and Hamilton MA 01980

978.356.5728

thetrustees.org

I discovered Appleton Farms through the website of a local band my daughter likes (Ben Rudnick and Friends--kids' music that doesn't drive you crazy). They were playing a show here on the farm's Family Day, and we thought it sounded like fun. We were right! Besides the band, they had a crazy amount a craft activities for little kids (corn husk doll making, pumpkin painting, etc.), a number of food booths (including one with cider donuts, which I happen to love), dog agility competitions, tug-of-war, and more.

They even had pony rides!

I'll have to put this on the calendar for next fall, even if the band isn't playing.

Honey CSA pick-up

Sergi Farm

34 Glenn Road, Belmont MA 02478

sergifarm.com

Today I got to venture out to Sergi Farm in Belmont to pick up my honey share from Joan Teebagy of Little Red Truck Farm. Hooray! On the way there, I thought Google Maps had let me down--there I was in the middle of a Belmont neighborhood, looking for the correct street number for the farm. This can't be right, can it? All of a sudden--FARM! It was pretty amazing how it was nestled in amongst all that suburban asphalt. It ended up taking a while to get there, and I was ridiculously late for work, so I only had a few minutes to look around. However, I will make a point of going back when I can spend more time. I did get to speak with Joan about her bees, check out some of the hives, and to see an enormous pumpkin that she had grown (sadly, it had rotted out so it had to be tossed on the compost). And, I am happy to report, the honey is delicious!

I really hope she does this again next year...