Fall Intensity

  Fall is when the harvest comes to a head. The beans have been canned, the sauerkraut is in the crock, multitudes of jams and jelly's have been created, the chickens and turkeys have been harvested and are in the now overflowing freezers. Wheels of goat milk gouda and manchego cheese are aging.
  The house smells of the spiced applebutter cooking on the stove. What earthly treasure could be more rewarding than the aroma of fresh picked apples.
  Our neighbors gave us some venison from last years hunt, and I feel so blessed. Since the freezers are full and the meat is already one year old, I will extend its shelf life by canning it. Venison tastes wonderful canned and is great to have for a quick meal when I need it.
  This time of year I hit a "harvest wall" where I think I can't do it anymore, winters rest is calling my name, but...just a little longer, a little more to put up.

  One of the most mind clearing things I love to do is take a walk and search for medicinal herbs. Where we live there are many. Right now the rose hips have had a couple of light frosts and are just right for picking. There are still a few red clover to pick, though not at their prime. Elderberries are among my favorite herbal treasures and are ready now as well. The dandelion roots are needing to be unearthed and roasted in the oven for a tasty "coffee" substitute, lovely with fresh warm goat milk for a latte.

The most rewarding part of my life is my children. They are truly amazing people and my best friends. Last weekend my daughter Rose, and children Hanna and Caleb surprised me with a visit.

 


Watching the grandchildren play on the farm delights me so. They always find a frog, or insect of some sort to amuse themselves. Caleb found a caterpillar. Hanna took pictures of everything of interest to her on the farm which I will share.

 photo by Hanna Wagner

Later that day my son Josh and wife Mandy stopped by with children Hunter and Jake. My husband Paul took them out to play in the hayloft and for a ride on the lawnmower. Jake who is 3 attempted to milk Mocha the goat, and Hunter gathered the eggs.

Later I went out and picked every root vegetable that I could find in the garden and made a hamburger stew. It gives me a good feeling to share an all organic home grown meal.

  Soon the garden will be at compete rest with its cover crop blanket for the winter. I too will have some time to rest from this years harvest and dream of springs new birth... newborn kids, freshly tilled ground with the fresh smell of warming earth, and baby chicks and turkeys chirping in the barn.