Season of Plenty Begins

Well, it seems that the season of plenty has already happened upon us. As a family we went strawberry picking and came home with 7 pounds of strawberries. These did not last very long as they were eaten quite quickly. I was able to make a double batch of strawberry bread first though. Yum! I am planning on going back tomorrow and hopefully get 20 pounds to make jam with.

I have also been spending a lot of time out at "The Farm" as I have been calling it. Last winter we got hooked up with a local farm and since then we have been receiving our milk and meat from it. This spring they offered the ability to become a part of a CSA (community supported agriculture). Essentially, we paid them a lump sum at the beginning of the summer and for the next 18 weeks we receive a basket full of vegetables from their fields. To say that I was excited would be an understatement. But then... I was asked if I would be wiling to trade my time weeding for food. I gave a definite yes and have been immensely blessed.

I never thought that I would find so much joy in weeding, but I do. I get up early in the morning and make it to the farm by 8. It's not quite hot yet and all the birds are singing in the woods near the fields. It is so peacful and so rewarding. I love the feeling of looking down a long row of vegetables that I just freed from weeds. Plus, Amy (One of the owners) alsmost always sends me home with a basket full of excess vegetables. Last week it was radishes, this week it was mustard greens. Have you ever had radish top soup? It absolutely delicious. Greg had THREE helpings at dinner. We are slightly addicted to radishes in this house right now.

I have already processed strawberries, mustard greens, radishes and now have some baby spinach to blanch and freeze. Also my garden has produced its first peas. We go down every other day and harvest a good handful. There are flowers on my zucchini, tomatoes, green beans and peppers. I can tell my freezer is going to be quite full by the end of the summer and I may have to track down some more canning jars. I'm so excited and am looking forward to it!