Time to Reflect and Smile

We, here at Appleseed Farm have been mourning the passing of yet another family  member.  Chad, a fellow firefighter (Robert was a career firefighter for 19 years before he got hurt and had to be disables) and dear friend, really one of the family died earlier this month.  He was 33.  He left behind a wife and 2 small children.
His passing sure leaves a hole in our family that will never heal over.

You're are probably wondering why I labeled this reflect and SMILE.  When I remember Chad, all I can do is smile.  His hearty laugh, his huge smile, his sunny nature... very rare in today's world.

Newsy farm post tomorrow, I promise
Charlotte

Blessings on the Farm

This past Thanksgiving was so different than any than I have ever experienced.  My Mom decided that the family has gotten too big and we didn't have a large enough house for all of the family to get together.  So this year we didn't.  Robert and I spent the day at home.  It really wasn't like any other day to me.  I fixed lunch and supper (we did have a turkey), cleaned the kitchen and worked on aprons.  So instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to count my blessings:

-I have a wonderful husband who wanted to spend the day with me. 

-We had the money to be able to have a turkey dinner at home.

-The critters were all fed special for the holidays.

-I have both parents still alive.  They spent the day with my sister and her family.

-I wasn't traveling when it started sleeting.  I just put another log on the fire and snuggled in to watch TV

-I did get to see Wyatt since he was hunting in the morning with his Dad.  I talked with Sam on the phone.

So see,  I am blessed even when I don't realize it.  Happy Blessings to all

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Deer Season on the Farm

This is weekend is the openning of shotgun season for deer.  Since I grew up pretty poor and continued that habit after I got married, deer season always meant meat in the freezer for the winter.  I like to look at the pretty deer as much as everybody else but I also understand the need to maintain the size of the herd.

I spend many a spring morning standing at the window looking at the cutest little "bambi's" you have ever seen.  Cute little spots and wobbly long legs.  Those adorable little creatures do have a nasty habit of growing up and eating the plants I put in the market garden, nibble on the blueberries, eat fields of green beans.  Hard to make a living at farming anyway, add in the pests and wow, almost dang impossible.  Prolific little breeders they are too.  They generally have twins and sometimes triplets each year.  They breed as yearling, so deer explosion. 

While I don't mind hunters.  I can't abide the people who don't follow the rules.  Hunting out of season, using a spotlight for after dark, hunting on other people's property...shame on you.  But to me, the worse culprit of all is the dispicable person who shoots the deer and just cuts off it's horns.  Leaving the meat to rot.  If you don't want the meat, at least have the decency to donate it to a shelter.  Let it benefit someone else. 

OK, I'll stop ranting. 4 big bad hunters went hunting this weekend at Appleseed Farm.  I came back victorious.  Good job, Rick.  That 10 pointer was spectacular.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

I HEART FARM KIDS

APRONS FOR EVERYONE

INTRODUCING OUR APRONS

for our littliest chef

To....

To the more, hmm, experienced chef.

(That is Nanny Dee, my Mom, can't make her mad)

They come in many different colors and patterns. 

E-mail me at appleseedfarm@yahoo.com for more info.

Happy Baking

See ya on the farm,

Charlotte

Let's Play and WIN

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN



We, fearless female farmers at Appleseed Farm miss our grandmas dreadfully at this time of year.  Except Sam, of course.  Both her Grandmother and Great Grandmother are alive and kicking.

We want to hear your favorite Thanksgiving story about you and Grandma.  Doesn't matter what you were doing:  cooking, shopping, playing the quarters drinking game, all goes.  For each reply (only one reply per person) you will have a chance at the prize.  You can earn another chance by posting this on your facebook page with a link to our blog. and yet another if you tweet or have a blog and talk about it.  So, if you are the most social network person alive you can get up to 4 chances to win. 

What do you win:  Jennifer has decided the big giveaway is either:  2 jars of pie filling (your choice of flavors) or an apron.  We are offering choice in case we get a guy to respond.  (OK John Jones, here's your chance)

Both amazing prizes are made by Appleseed Farm.  So here is your chance.  Tell us about Grandma. 

You have until the 12th at midnight to enter.  We will randomly draw a winner. 

Good Luck and...

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

All Things Feeling Neglected

Yesterday I spent about 2 hours in the seedling nursery (greenhouse) getting it ready to go to bed for the winter.  I noticed it had been sorely neglected with weeds growing everywhere.  I also have an invasion of mint in one of the beds from a "thoughtful" husband who knew that I was planting herbs at the time and didn't know that mint is next to impossible to contain and/or kill.  Anyway that got me to thinking about this blog - another thing I have been neglecting.  So...the update as promised.  But sorry, no pictures.  I have lost my canera AGAIN.  I swear that sucker hides from me.

Let't start the update with the blueberries.  We have had a drought, bordering on severe here in our area.  I have done every rain dance I can think of, except nude,but still no rain.  Thank goodness we have a well that is filled with natural springs.  It has never ran dry and I hope never will.  We have to water the blueberries so that they get about an inch a week.  With over 2 thousand bushes that is a lot of water.  We have set up an irrigation system for most of them, so I hope all survive until next spring.  We are hoping for our first harvest this year. 

The gardens are nearing the end of production.  That is good as we only have 2 more farmers markets for the season.  As it is we only have okra, eggplant and peppers to pick.  Everything else has gone to the compost pile.  I hope to have all the raised beds cleaned up by the first of  the month.

Our value added products are going gangbusters.  We are getting better known each year.  It is so exciting.  We have added a few new places for wholesale.  I'll let you know how that is going.  Our newest PourAPie flavor  -  Strawberry Rhubarb has been a hit.  You should try it.

All 4 grandkids are going great.  Growing like weeds.  Wyatt is so tall now it is hard to remember him as a toddler just a few short years ago.  Sam is going to be a butterfly for Halloween.  She is butterfly crazy.  Tucker is a dragon and Lauren will be Raggedy Ann if Nana gets her butt in gear and gets the costume done.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook.  Hope to have pictures soon.  Fall in the midwest is breathtaking.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Where in the world have I been?

We had a death in our family.  My sister's fiance died very unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago.  My parents took him back to Knoxville, Tennessee for a short visit with his family on a Tuesday morning and by Tuesday evening he was dead.  While we don't know what really happened, he was pretty beat up.  We made a flying trip to Knoxville for the funeral. He was only 38.

As you can imagine, my sister is pretty tore up.  I have been spending my time farming, running my little business and helping her.  She seems to have gotten over the initial shock stage and is into the mourning stage.  But as she has 3 young children at home, she knows she needs to carry on as best she can.

I am asking all to pray for her and the kids.  Also for Phillip's family in Knoxville.  Losing someone is tragic but losing someone so young and in a violent and unexpected way is unimaginable. 

Hope to post updates on the farm and fam soon.  Thanks for being patient with me and ...
See ya on the farm,
Charlotte

Happy 4th of July

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays.  It is the only holiday that I do not have to share my kids with other parents, in-laws, etc...  I get both kids, their spouses (also known collectively as "the kids") and all 4 grandbabies for as long as they want to stay.  All other holidays we have to coordinate with other schedules so that they can all celebrate with everyone they have too.  This is pure ME time.  And I get to be selfish!!!

They always show up after the kids naps.  (If you have met my grandkids, you will know why), we eat picnic style in the yard, house, just wherever you want to sit.  We then chat, play games, chase the kids, whatever we want to. This year, the girls were busy helping plan the new kitchen.  The walls and rafters are up, so it is easy to see the dimensions and stuff.  They do know how to dream big and expensive.  I bet the actual kitchen is dialed back a little on the cost.

After dark, the fireworks show begins.  You have to be male and at least 9 to be up at the lighting area.  Wyatt is the only one so far who qualifies.  Tuck likes to make sure everyone knows he only has 5 more years to go and he gets to go with the big boys.  The girls and I don't care about being banned from that area, we get to sit and enjoy the show without any responsibility at all.  We just keep the other kids on the porch with us and ooh and aah over each display. 

About the time the fireworks show is over, each family is usually ready to go home.  This year, we had to watch "Jaws" first.  Tucker cannot pass up a shark or a dinosaur anything.  It was after 11:00 before anyone was even remotely ready to go.

Then the other game of the night begins:  (Get your mind out of the gutter, geez)  It is who gets to take home the leftovers or how do we split them up.  This year we had strawberry pie for dessert.  I made 3 whole pies.  I didn't even get a piece but I saw some of it leave the house in containers.  The kids are always conked out before they get out of our driveway.  I love this holiday.

Side note on the 4th of July:  We watched a frontier parade on Saturday morning while we were at the Farmers Market. It went right by the market so Sam, Wyatt and I were able to watch while Jenn manned the tent.  When a flag went by carried by a man on a horse, I told the kids that they had to stand up and put their hand over their heart as a sign of respect for the flag and all who fight for our freedom.  (Sam didn't understand why but she did it anyway).  But as the kids and I were standing there while the flag went by, it looked like we started the wave.  Everyone else started standing up; Sam told them that was what they were suppose to do as a flag went by.  Out of the mouths of babes.  She is 3 afterall.  I was so proud of her.  She may not have known what she did that morning but she boosted a lot of people to remember to show respect for Old Glory and the men and women who fought to keep it flying.  Way to go, Sammmie.  Nana loves you.

Plus she got a sack full of candy that the parade was throwing.  All in all;  a very good day.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Like Nana Like Granddaughter

I hated to sew when I was young.  My Mom is not a good teacher.  Oh, she can sew anything but to tell you how to do it is more than she can take.  I learned to quilt by hand because I couldn't stand not being perfect at sewing on the machine.  I learned from my Mom and "taught"  Jennifer the same way.  She hated it as a child as well.  Well, lesson learned.

That is Sam with me at the sewing machine.  She is helping me make a quilt for her new room.  I'm sure it would go much faster if I just did it myself but it sure wouldn't be as much fun.  She just smiles and giggles the whole time we are sewing.  I love it!

Sew something fun today or just do something fun today with your grandchildren.  They aren't little near long enough.  Sam turned 3 on June 23.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Female Farmers Rule!!!

I just read the book "Bucolic Plague".  It is a book about 2 life partners (both men) who buy an abandoned mansion that has already been restored and become gentlemen farmers.  Great book but big freakin deal.

I have a life partner who happens to be a man.  I chucked my business life and become a female farmer.  I clean chicken coops, muck stalls, plant and maintain a market garden, have a business (appleseedfarm.com) (they have a goat soap business).  They do live in New York and have to travel over 3 hours every weekend to their farm.  But I have kids and grandkids that keep me busy.  I win that round.  I cook, can, preserve, hunt and eat the game meat (mostly deer).  I sew, quilt, heck I have even taken a spinning class with a real spinning wheel. 

Now to top it all off, they are going to have a reality show, Beekman Boys. (The author says it sounds better that fag farmers, I did laugh at that one)  I live a reality show.  We probably don't have the drama that they do.  After all, my life partner (husband) was not a drag queen before we were married.  I've known him my whole life so I would have known if he was.

This book was a great read.  I couldn't put it down.  And congratulations to them for succeeding.  They did have some help from Martha Stewart who one of then worked for before he got canned.  He is the actual doctor that gave advice on Martha's show. 

So if anyone is listening out there, I am available for a reality show audition, a segment on the Martha, Rachel, Oprah, Ellen, etc.., just a boost is what we need.   After all, we did make it in an issue of Country Living Magazine.  Call me....

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Back from a spontaneous vacation

Yep, vacation,  I know, I know, this is the craziest time in the world for a market farmer to go on vacation but it just came up, so we went.  We worked like a demon before we left to get everything as ready as possible and then took off for 10 days.  My husband just said "come on, let's go"  so we did. 

OK OK Where did we go...well, it was very impromptu.  We had tickets to the Biltmore (the huge mansion in Asheville, NC) for Wed. but no plan before that.  We just left Sunday morning and didn't look back.  Ok, in my mind's eye, I looked back and asked the weeds to please not grow while we were gone.  They didn't listen. 

First stop:  Pigeon Forge, TN.  We like this little community, haven't been there in about 10 years.  WOW, did it grow.  We did several of the touristy things:  stayed in a Christmas hotel (kind of cool but hard to imagine Christmas in May), went to the Titanic museum, a dinosaur museum, a magic house and finally Dollywood.  I was very disappointed in Dollywood.  Very expensive about $120.00 for 2 people to get in and then everything was costly.  We had a small slushy (kool aid) that cost 14.35 for 2.  Not much to see or do there.  I highly suggest that you visit Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana instead.  Cheaper to get in, clean environment, 2 parks (water and rides for the price of 1 ticket), free soft drinks, sun screen.  Just a really nice place.

Second Stop:  Asheville NC.  I need to start this one with I DO NOT SHOP.  Hard to believe I know, being a woman and all but shopping is not a favorite past time of mine.  That is all there is to do there besides the Biltmore.  We took a side trip to an Indian reservation and gambled at the casino.  Lost our pants but hey it was cool in there and fun to boot. 

Third Stop:  Biltmore:  Ultracool.  That has to be the biggest darn house I have ever seen.  Wonderful craftsmanship, beautiful furnishings.  If you go definitely spring for the audio tour.  It is well worth the extra $10.00.  Less impressed with the gardens.  It probably was just not what I was expecting.  They were pretty, don't get me wrong.  But I thought I would take one look and be speechless.  Yes, it does happen. But no.  Mine are not as elaborate but would rate right up there with theirs.  The newest addition is Antler Hill Farm.  A definite touist trap.  Got money - go there.  It is on the Biltmore estate and is supposed to be a "look back in time"  kind of thing.  Again less than impressive.  But I did hear some comments from "city" kids who had never seen some of this stuff before, so well worth the effort by the Biltmore people. 

It is hard to believe that this is a private owned home.  It has been in the same family for generations.  There is a small video there showing the generations and what they have contributed to the estate.  It is worth the time to watch.

Fourth Stop:  Friends house in Pearisburg, VA.  How many people do you know that you can just knock on their door and say we spending the night and not have them freak out?  Brad and Ellen are just those kind of friends.  We spent a nice quiet evening chatting, got up and left for Colonial Williamsburg in VA.

I took lots of pictures but as this is a super long post already. I'll stop the recap now and pick up later.  I will also post pics as soon as I get them on a disk.

Thanks for waiting on me to get back.  Farmers markets starts tomorrow.  We will have goodies from the bakery and raspberries from the farm.  Nothing else is ready to go as of yet but I'm suspecting tomatoes by next week. Fingers crossed.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

My sister - my friend

I have one sister.  Her name is Helen.  (Mom sure liked the old fashioned names, didn't she?)  We are 13 months apart.  Most people thought we were twins.  We have never had what I would call a close relationship.  If she needed something, she'd call and visa versa, but never a buddy one.  Today she stopped by the shop where I make our goodies and we had a nice long talk.

We are as different as night and day.  I had one child of my own and a step son  (whom I adore)  and she has 7, yes that's right 7 kids.  They range in age from 28 to 5.  I would just shoot myself.  We both married young.  She was 16, I was 17.  She got a divorce after 12 years, I think.  Good thing, the jerk was bad for her.  She then met a man who was 10 years younger and they married and had the last 3 kids.  She already had a grandson by then.  I would just shoot myself.

She didn't work outside the home during her first marriage but took a job after she separated from her husband and hasn't looked back since.  Her second husband died when the youngest was 5 weeks old.  He was 29 years old.  A great big teddy bear.  We all loved him.  She has been raising this part of her family by herself since then.

She found internet dating.  I would just shoot myself.  Some of the men she has brought around for us to meet makes me wonder just how lonely she is.  But she has someone now, he is a little younger.  I think she likes to train them.  (smile)  But he is good with her and her kids.  He is lessening the load.  He isn't the perfect guy but then where is the perfect guy. 

I wish her much love and happiness.  As I grow older, family ties grow more important.  So, Helen, here's to you.  I love you and am proud of you.  Happiness to your future.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Squishy week on the farm

It has rained and rained and rained here this month.  I thought April was the shower month!?! 

I got part of the garden planted.  The early garden is in.  The middle garden should be going in now through the end of the month.  About the time the ground gets just dry enough to run the tiller the rain starts again.  I WILL GET THIS MIDDLE GARDEN IN, no matter what.

The greenhouse green beans have baby beans on them.  They are so cute.  I should have some available for the mid part of June at the Farmers Market.  Tomatoes have beautiful blooms for the past week or so but so far no tomatoes have formed.  I have seen the bees so I know they have been polinated.  The zucchini and eggplant are doing great as well.  I think the rabbits have found one of the raised beds, the black beauty eggplant and some of the green peppers look a little (a lot) nibbled on. 

We just got another order from Whole Foods for PourAPie.  We are excited to say the least.  I sent a confirmation invoice yesterday.  If all is accepted, we will begin the production of that order this week.  Maybe rain is a good thing.  Don't know what I would do if I could be in the garden but needed to be in the kitchen at the same time.  Probably garden during the day and process orders at night.  Who needs sleep anyway?

My son, Steve just bought a tractor.  He is the most city boy you have ever seen.  If fact, his wife Erin calls him Clark Griswald after Chevy Chase is the vacation movies.  He will be the farmer who shows up at the farm in his camaro with his designer boots on.  Farmer Casanova is he.  They just purchased 11 acres on which to build a house and start a small farmette.  They don't want to farm as a job but as a hobby.  I think their oldest, Tucker (almost 4) will be the farmer.  He is always wanting to ride on the tractor at Nana's.  Lauren (almost 3) is another story, she will be the city girl.  She is definitely our diva.

As I have found my camera.  It was in my coat pocket from Thanksgiving.  I will be able to give you visual updates on the farm.  Until then, don't worry about the dirt under your nails.  It'll come out by November!

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Freezing my blooms off

Yesterday we went to The Herb Faire.  It is sponsored by the Wabash Valley Herb Society.  We are vendors every year selling a variety of things.  This year we had plants, aprons, jams, jellies, pie fillings, towels, and stuff from our bakery.  It was a busy day but boy was it cold.  I mean COLD.  I had on 4 layers of clothes and was still cold.  My sister wasn't able to watch Sam for us this time so she went with us.  I got to warm up by chasing her around.  She only had about 15 melt-downs.  These are Sam throwing herself on the ground and crying.  I just stand around and wait for her to quit.  When she finds out she is not getting her way she usually will calm down and go with the flow. She is so much like her mother it is scarey.

The gardens are looking fantastic.  I must have cut about 3000 maple seedlings out of the blueberries today.  I know I didn't get them all but I will keep after it.  The deer feasted on a lot of the blueberry plants through the winter.  The plants that we weeded around and put sawdust around were eaten pretty bad but the ones that we didn't get to and let the weeds grow up around look good.  We have decided that we will just let the weeds grow and try and confuse the deer. I did happen to find a few blueberries.  This is the first year that we will be picking from the bushes.  We aren't ready to open the u-pick just yet, but maybe in another year or two.

I am waiting on a load of "garden" dirt to put in the last 2 raised beds.  I plan to put in more tomatoes and have an asparagus bed in the other.  I have 100 asparagus crowns holding over to put in.  Within the next couple of years, I hope for at least 500 asparagus plants.  I have also planted 10 more rhubarb plants.  That makes a total of 62 in the ground.  Hopefully the deer won't find these. 

We have another faire this next Saturday at Marshall, IL.  Another garden show.  After that all plants left over will go into the ground for the final planting.  The greenhouse is already empty except for the green beans that have small beans on them.  I can't wait until all seedlings and plants are gone from the barn.  I live my life in seasons of the farm:  seed planting, transplanting, transplanting again, planting in ground, selling, planting, selling, and final planting.  By the time I get the last plants in the ground, I am so ready for snow (not really).  Then it is farmers markets time. 

Oh yeah, Happy Mothers Day to all.  Hope all  your kiddies at least called you today to tell you how special you are. Surprise, surprise both of mine did.  Both of those kids are keepers.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

'TIGHTWAD GAZETTE'

I have a copy of Amy Dacyczn's book "The Complete Tightwad Gazette".  I love it.  I probably read this book about 2 times a year.  While I laugh at some of her suggestions for saving money,  some of my ideas are only reinforced. 

For those of you who don't know, Amy is a mother of 6 children who lived on a very tight budget while her husband was in the service and came up with many ideas to save money.  In fact, bought a house in Maine with cash while her husband only earned about 30,000 a year.  WOW

Being from a poor family, many of the things she suggests are just part of our lives.  Hanging laundry, who doesn't do that.  Gardening and canning your own food, of course.  If Mom didn't put up the produce each summer, we would have gone hungry each winter.  Some of the things are just too much for even me, dumpster diving at the local bakery for day old bread,  NO THANKS!! 

This reminds me of the time my 9 year old grandson, Wyatt, who was about 5 or 6 at the time, saw a chicken lay an egg for the first time.  He exclaimed :"Nana, that chicken just pooped an egg"  It took a while to get him to eat eggs again. 

We here at Appleseed Farm walk a fine line between having enough produce to sell to make a living and having enough produce to put by for the winter.  We have 3 families plus my parents to grow food for.  It has definitely been a learning experience.  But one we are conquering. 

Speaking of the farm, we had a nice cool rain this past weekend.  Now the sun is shining.  I can't believe how early the garden is in.  I plan to put the second wave in next week or the week after.  Live is good here, come see.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Just what does "locally grown" mean?

I recently attended a seminar at a local college that in very into the green movement.  Saint Mary of the Woods College is very forethinking and was going green way before it was cool to do so.  This was a group of farmers - mostly female to listen to a woman from Michigan telling how to extend the growing season, set up CSA, basically how she made her life work for her.  The question came up regarding "organic" v/s "local".  Organic is a term that is not so important anymore.  People who farm sustainably rarely use chemical or practices that are bad for the earth.  However local was another hot topic all together.  There were approximately 20 people there and I bet they got 20 different answers to what "local" really means. 

To me, it means knowing where my food comes from.  I do not want my food to have visited more states than I have.  I don't want it trucked or flown in to my area.  If it is, I know that chemicals had to be used to perserve it and that it was not picked at it's peak of freshness.  Local to me is knowing the farmer who grew my food.  Being able to go to that farm and see the food being grown.  Know that my farmer has an actual "farmers' tan"  and got it the right way.  I want to see the chickens who laid my eggs and gave the wonderful component to the compost pile. 

I know when I go to these farms that I will see a mess at times.  I will catch the farmer not looking picture ready.  She will be sweaty, red faced and maybe just a little grumpy from the weight of the farm on her shoulders, but inside she will be happy and content.  Doing what she loves and making a difference in her own little way. 

As you can see, local means just that to me.  Go one, I dare you to find a local farmers market and meet your farmer.  She just might become a part of your family.  More work to do...

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

TAKING TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES

Today I slept in.  Yep, that's right, I slept until 9:30 in the morning.  Got up, took a shower, took the plastic off the plants (frost warning again last night) and went to town to get my hair done.  It is a lot shorter than it has been in years but I love it.  In fact, I may go a bit shorter on my next visit.  What about going back to blonde?  Could be. 

Anyway, the farm beat Mother Nature again last night.  All plants made it through the frost warning without injury.  We covered the early garden with plastic and threw sheets over all the rest.   When I uncovered them this morning, I was happily releived.  I even saw the okra coming up.  Remember the okra, farmer Robert drove over it with the tractor.  But it has that great survival spirit and is coming up through the tire marks. 

In case I forgot to tell you, the sweet corn is up.  That is the first planting, we will plant every couple of weeks for a month or so.  We used our new to us 4 row planter this time.  The first time, we forgot to open all the knobs and only planted 1 row of the 4, but we figured it out and have been planting a regular 4 rows like we were suppose too.  It is way cool. 

Blueberries are doing well.  Third year for some.  Deer likes them, did a lot of pruning to these bushes but as long as they leave some we'll be OK.

Out to recover the plants.  I like the idea of a mini greenhouse on them while it is cool.  Maybe it will hasten bloom and fruiting.  Lessons to be learned.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

WHAT'S UP ON THE FARM?

We had 3 days of rain this week.  Mother Nature is undecided today, fickle ole woman that she is, whether we have had enough or not.  Anyway, it was much needed.  I have the early garden in at least 1 month earlier than usual.  The tomatoes are doing fabulous.  In the raised beds, I have 30 celebrity tomatoes and 30 juliet tomatoes.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but remember it is the EARLY garden.  I also have 74 eggplant, 56 green peppers, about 100 leeks, a bed of beets, 4 long rows of okra, 6 looonnng rows of green beans and sweet corn.  I'll try to get pictures, but remember from earlier posts, lost my camera.  Haven't been able to find it yet.

The next phase of the garden will be going in within the next 2 weeks.  The greenhouse is holding the plants getting ready for this planting.  The plants will be hardened off beginning the middle of the week and in the ground soon after.  For the final phase of the planting, around the end of May, the seedlings are just emerging their heads from the soil in the seedling room.  They will be ready for their first transplanting in about 2 weeks.  Right on scedule. 

I have decided to diversify yet again.  I have a beautiful seedling room and great greenhouses so why not try my hand at perennials. Flowers that come up year after year.  They are so expensive at the stores, and look like fertilizer in it's raw form (crap) so it was worth a try.  They are looking fabulous.  The only thing with these is they must be held over a year so they can be sold with some size on them.  Most perennial don't bloom the first year and buyers want the bloom.  Heck, so do I.  But with unheated greenhouses and barns, it shouldn't be any trouble, right, RIGHT.. Update as possible.

Back to work, I must go.  Finally getting over a chest cold that has slowed me down.  Back to female farming with a passion.  Remember, we will be at the Wabash Valley Herb Faire, in Terre Haute,Indiana the Sat before Mother's Day.  Hope to see you there, in the meantime....

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

MARTHA'S CREW DOESN'T LIVE HERE

People have hinted and just plain asked to see our farm.  I am always hesitant to let anyone see it.  Now, mind you, I am proud of our place.  We have worked hard in the last 10 years to make it our home.  But, the biggest concern is:  it is not picture perfect.  I can always see what needs to be done.  The chicken coop needs cleaned, the weeding needs to be done, more mulch needs laid, greenhouse is a mess, etc...  It never looks "company ready".  As for the house, well, we'll just say it could use some attention and leave it at that!

I had a load of garden soil dropped by an old high school teacher of Jennifer's.  He went on and on about our farm and how pretty it is.  It was then I had that "aha" moment.  It may not look like Martha's place but it is a fabulous WORKING farm.  It will look messy at times as we priorize what must be done.  I don't have the crew to do the work, nor would I want too.  I like to do the work ourselves.  That is what farmers do. 

So:  come over, visit, rest a spell.  If the mess bothers you, weed a little, the pitchfork is beside the chicken coop door, water in the greenhouse, whatever makes you happy, is just fine with me.  I love our little piece of heaven on earth and am more than willing to share it with you.  WELCOME and...

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

WARNING: FROST AND FREEZE POSSIBLE TONIGHT

Those are some of the worst words a market farmer hears.  The weather in Indiana has just been sweltering for the past 2 weeks.  Whoever heard of upper 80's the first 2 weeks of April.  Planting has been going on with a vengeance.  Then....those dreaded words.  I spent 3 hours this evening after I got home from being a vendor at a show at St. Mary of the Woods, covering and moving plants that could get hurt tonight. 

Do we rush the season to be one of the first to get fresh vegetables to the market.  Yes, of course we do.  This is how we make a living.  The weather is so unpredictable that any window of opportunity has to be seized.  But then you must spend several hours running around like a chicken with it's head cut off just to make sure you don't lose those plants.  I LOVE MY LIFE!!!  REALLY, I DO

What other job is there where I get to spend time with my grandkids while quietly teaching them about nature, local foods and a sense of family and continuity.  What other job is there where I get to spend the morning and afternoon with customers/friends, make a little money and then come home to the farm and get greeted by my hens waiting for dinner.  I get to go over the back hill and mushroom hunt.  Sit beside my husband while he is planting beans and sweet corn or plant them myself while rocking to the songs in my head, via the headset.  Could it get any better?  Female Farm Power - strong in the midwest

Hope you can come and see the farm someday.  You too will feel the same as I, at peace with the world.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

MADDER THAN A WET HEN

While waiting in line at one of our local seed and feed places, I overheard something that would anger any animal lover.  Now mind you, I eat meat but I see no need to harm an animal for lack of knowledge.

I was at this store to pick up 5 ducks for Wyatt's 4-H project.  His Mom had ordered them from this store for their annual chick day.  This young man standing in front of me was picking up his 25 Rhode Island Red pullets.  The sales lady asked if he would like to purchase any extra Rhode Island Reds that they had.  He politely declined and then asked if he got "girls".  At least he knew that the girls lay the eggs.  He did not know what the word "pullet" meant.  Not a big deal, everyone has to start somewhere, right? 

BUT THEN THE WORSE CAME:

He asked the lady and gentleman who gladly took his money for advice as he knew nothing about the chicks.  He told them he planned to put them in a box and turn on  the lights to keep them warm.  They just smiled and said "just make sure they can get away from the heat source so you don't cook'em".  This poor guy, who raises cattle and horses was getting these chicks for his children to watch grow.  With that kind of advice, the kids can watch for about 24 hours before they learn a hard farm lesson: 

CHICKS DIE WITHOUT PROPER CARE

What could I do but impart my vast knowledge of chicken wisdom to this poor guy.  (go ahead and laugh, those that know me.  We had quite a few chicken funerals before I got it right)  Poor guy left there with a heat lamp, heating bulb, sawdust, chick starter, feed bowls, water bowls.  I bet he thought he was getting a bargain by getting 25 free chicks with each 50 pound bag of chick starter.  I bet he rethought that!!!

Anyway, those chicks might have a chance and I feel pretty good using my female farm power for good. 

Pray that God watches over all those thousands of little chicks that were picked up today from the wanna be farmers who forgot to educate themselves before buying.

Thanks for letting me vent. 

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

FEMALE FARM POWER

By the time I have the early market garden planted, I will be able to bench press a moose.  To get the market garden ready, I used the walk behind tiller for about 3 hours yesterday.  I left a space for the next row of raised beds to go once they are made.  I soaked the okra seeds last night and plan to get them in the ground today.  Todays planting will be zuchinni, summer squash, okra, spinach, and something new for Appleseed Farm: a taste of asia with radish minowase and pak choi.  The raised bed plantings will continue with more eggplant and tomatoes and peppers. 

I did not use the toilet brush on the peach blooms.  Couldn't do it.  Way too pretty.  So now we have to pick off all the extra peaches in order for the crop to mature.  Next year, pretty or not, a brushin they will get.  5 new gooseberry bushes will be in the ground tonight.  I finally found the perfect spot for them.  Since we are adding on to the house with a new kitchen (wha-hoo) it is limited where we can plant so the trucks can get to the kitchen area.  My kitchen is so small, without a dining room or eat in area, family get-togethers are cozy to say the least.  I'll post pictures as we work on it.  Not in any hurry.

Got to get into town and order 50 more rhubarb roots for the patch.  I try and put in 25 - 50 a year.  This year has been a little tough because I fell and screwed up my knee.  Has been a little impossible to put weight on it when bending.  It is getting better, so now I can plant with a vengeance. 

POURAPIE portion of Appleseed Farm is gearing up.  Have to get to the shop to check inventory.  Have a big order to fill and a show this weekend.  The life of a female farmer.  Jennifer and I, probably Sam will be at Earth Day at St. Mary of the Woods, In.  It is Sat. from 11-3.  Can't wait. 

Now, to be fair, I should probably tell you that I had a meltdown last night.  My greenhouse is still full of wasps.  I can't get help to get my second greenhouse up (I've had that sucker 2  years now), wood bees are all over the barn, and I fell again and hurt my ankle.  I needed a good cry session and a good ole farm tantrum.  Darn good thing no one was here.  Got it out of my system and am back up to snuff today.  Wish me a better day today. 

I hope there is someone out there reading this blog and living my life as a female farmer with me.  Are you there?  I hope so.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Windy Wednesday

The wind is whipping something fierce today.  Actually, it has been bad this entire month.  But, oh, the wonderful temps.  Whoever thought 83 degrees in the first of April.  Makes it good to continue the farm cleanup.

2010 Blueberries to plant.  Aren't they gorgeous. 

Planting is a family affair, even Sam gets involved

AND THE WINNER IS.....

And the winner is....

Kristen

You are the lucky winner of a jar of PourAPie.  Loved your memory about your and your grandmother.  She must have been something special.  I'll drop off your jar next time I'm in Terre Haute. 

Farm Update:

Seedling room is going well.  Starting a new seeds now every week or so to help with the staggering of the planting this summer.  This gives up great produce all season long.

The greenhouse is FULL. I have plants on the ground even.  There has been a swarm of wasps who have decided to use squatters rights in there.  There are vicious little creatures.  I love the pollenating that bees do but dive bombong the landlord is not a good idea.  Had to resort to wasp and hornet spray.  Can't let the little future farmers get stung.

I have finished putting plastic on all the raised beds that we have ready.  I also lined the walkways.  Last year, we had to fight weeds to get through.  Not this year.  Pictures soon, I promise.  I will put red mulch down on all the pathways and around the greenhouse.  What I have done so far looks smashing. 

Putting sawdust around the blueberries is an all spring project.  The sawmill I get the sawdust from is open to all.  It is first come, first served, so you have to be quick to get it.  I can remember when the sawdust building was full and it was in the parking lot.  Oh  the economy.  Anyway, I have the rows closest to the homestead done and will now start the ones on the hill.  Sometimes, I just pray for rain.

The orchard is looking great.  We had to replace about 20 trees that were planted last year and didn't make it.  I think that is all we will plant is just replacements this year.  With the kids moving, it is hard to get it all done.  I have yet to put sawdust around all the trees in the young orchard, but hope to get it accomplished this summer as well. 

All for now, enjoy this fabulous weather.  Love to all

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

Spring is here, I think

This weekend has been one of the best ones this year.  The grandsons, Wyatt and Tucker spent the night Friday night.  There is a 6 year age difference between them but they play together pretty well.  We went to the "How to train your dinosaur" movie on Saturday.  Pretty good, but graphic.  Some of the kids there got scared and cried.  Not mine, they laughed.  What does that say about us? 

After the boys went home on Sat. evening, I was able to get some transplanting done in the seedling room and then in the greenhouse.  I love this time of year, except the unstable weather does give me a migraine or two. 

Sunday has been overcast and chilly.  After tending the critters and the plants, I have been working on a quilt.  It has been a few years since I have quilted due to time issues.  I had hoped to get back to it sooner but Appleseed Farm has taken most of my time.  Now that I am staying at home, I should be able to eek out a little time each day for quilting. 

Another favorite past time is cooking.  Today I made the old favorite, chili.  Robert will be gone most of the week so this gives me soup for the week. 

Both of our kids are moving!  Both houses are covered in boxes.  Jennifer and Kenneth have found and bought their house, close on Thursday.  Steve and Erin continue the hunt but have to move soon as they have gotten rid of theirs.  Moving with toddlers, remember the days, glad they are over!!

Got to get to the greenhouse for some last minute transplanting before night.  Happy Spring to all.  Don't forget the giveaway.  If you haven't made a comment, you should do so.  The contest ends on the 31st.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

THE OTHER FUTURE FARMERS OF APPLESEED FARM

Tucker and Lauren

As promised here are the other two most special little people in my life.  These are my son, Steve's kids.  I don't see them as often as I would like but as often as I can.  Tuck is spending the night with Nana and Papaw this week. He is on spring break. 

Lauren and Nana

(not a good pix of Nana but just keeping it real)

Lauren is not really into anything special.  She likes dressing up and changing her clothes a lot.  She is a snuggle bunny.  She is happiest when sitting on someone's lap, riding on your hip (esp. Mama).She is our little DIVA

And this is Tucker.  Rotten to the core.  He looks like his daddy.  He loves dinosaurs and sharks.  He is definitely all boy.  He likes to be on the farm and ride all the big boy toys. 

They are definitely the beating of my heart.  I love my kids but adore my grandkids.  Who knew they would be so fun?  It's a riot every time they come to play. I think we'll keep them!

Nana loves you both very much

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

LET'S SEE WHO'S OUT THERE

APPLESEED FARM GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the first day of spring, we are giving a jar of our special

POURAPIE

to a randomly drawn person.

All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite baking time with your Nana (Grandma, Memaw, etc..) and you could win a jar of POURAPIE just for your family.

Go to our website at http://www.appleseedfarm.com/ and you will see just what POURAPIE is.  T

This is for my facebook fans as well.  Become a fan, come to the blog and leave a message.

Good Luck!!

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

Everything is Just Peachy --Or will be soon

SPRING IN THE MIDWEST

Hard to tell but that is a close up of peach buds.  Each one is swelling and will flower within a month or so.  That is when I get to play mass murderer and take the toilet brush to each limb and knock off as many flowers as I can.  I still can't believe I have to thin that much! 

Check out Miss Farm Girl in her "farm boots"  She wears them everywhere.  Even with a dress and pretty hair.  That's my girl!!

This is Wyatt, Sammmie's big brother.  He got his first buck this year.  Papaw was proud and I think a little more excited than Wyatt was. Deer hunting is a good activity when you live on a farm because it helps thin the herds.  They do such devestation to the crops and must be kept in check.  We also have to thin the coyotes.  They have even found their way into the chicken coop and decimated the hen population.

Next blog, I'll try for pictures of Tucker and Lauren, my other 2 grandbabies.  Love being a Nana!

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

WE ARE FAMOUS

2 years ago today, we at Appleseed Farm became famous.  This is the day that I "pitched" my PourAPie pie filling for their magazine contest.  About 75 or so women were chosen to come and tell the panel of editors from Country Living Magazine about our products, our lives, our stories in 3 minutes.  They then had 2 minutes to ask you questions.  That was the most nerve wracking 5 minutes of my life!  But, horray, we won for the food division.  In November of 2008 my picture and a little blurb about PourAPie was in the magazine.  Along with about 6 other women who also had fabulous products. 

Just imagine what else can happen when we step out of our comfort zone and brag a little about ourselves.  We just might become FAMOUS

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Shh, don't tell. It's a secret

I'm SERIOUSLY thinking of adding angora goats to Appleseed Farm.

Only at this point, it is a secret from the male population on the farm, namely Robert, my husband.  He doesn't get very excited about critters.  He just sees the work. 

But I, on the other hand,  want them, SO guess what?  We'll probably get them

If you want to see what hooked me; go to http://fiberfarm.com/blog/page/2

Shepherd Susie had a set of twins born the other night.  Gotta get me some of those!!!

Let me know what you think. 

See ya on the farm,

Charlotte

ALL AROUND THE FARM

Here is the long awaited, previously promised farm update.  And, WOW, have we been busy.

The seedlings that were planted in late Jan and early Feb are now officially plants.  In fact, we sold several flats of them at the Master Gardeners Spring Seminar in Terre Haute Saturday.  We have pinched back basil at least twice already.  I have transplanted tomatoes twice and pushing toward the third soon.  I have to transplant eggplant today into a bigger container. 

I will be starting more seeds today for future shows and for our farm.  We plant several different times (succession plantings) to have fabulous local veggies to offer.  I also will be planting tomatoes and green beans in the heated greenhouse so that we have at least some veggies at the first farmers markets in June. 

The chickens are growing like weeds.  We bought new ones this spring and have them under warmer lights at Jennifers.  Sammie couldn't part with them so Jenn had to take them home and care for them.  DARN (lol).

We also had 3 ducks for Wyatt to show at the fair.  But they didn't make it, I suspect they caught a draft and got chilled.  They picked up a few more to try again.  Wyatt loves the poultry show at the local (Sullivan County, Indiana) 4-H fair.  Last year was his first year and he completed 14 projects!   Mommy is not going to let him sign up for so many this year. Live and learn, Mama.

Robert looked at a 6 row planter on Sunday but didn't buy it.  We are on the hunt for one if anyone knows where to find one that is reasonable.  I do plant most of everything by hand but as we grow and I age, that is becoming almost impossible.  We aren't getting too high tech but a 4 - 6 row planter would sure lighten the load a little bit. 

Orders are picking up for pie filling now.  Jan and Feb are always are slowest months on the farm for the value added merchandise.  That helps to have time to get caught up on the aprons and start the seeds.  Oh yeah, maybe pick up the house once in a while.  That seems to always come in last place on the to-do list.

The first 70 degree day we had last week, I spent 5 hours in one of the flower beds cleaning and guess what?  Yep, I got POISON IVY.  It is early March and I got poison ivy already.  Last year, I had it 14 times.  The doctor finally told me to pick another hobby, as if.  The flower beds are for several reasons.  One because I love to work in them, but they are also used to trial new plants and then we cut blooms and sell bouquets at farmers markets.  It's a win win for us.  Except the whole poison ivy thing.  That darn plant is making me forget my aversion to chemicals.

Oh yeah, the funeral home that I blogged about last time is going up for back taxes.  It can be gotten for just over 1000.00.  Any takers out there?  Never bought at a tax sale before but it seems easy enough.  Just contact the Sullivan County, Indiana courthouse and get the details.  Good Luck!

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

WHAT CAN BE DONE? ANYTHING - ENDLESS POSSIBLITIES

Here it is - the funeral home!!!

It was a little spooky going in the front door.  I have only been there before during times of loss but looking at this building in a whole new light didn't make the entry any easier. 

This is the outside

Looks just like a house, huh?

Family kitchen, kinda small but homey.

Unfortunately, it was just down the hall from this room

Yep, you guessed it,  this is the scarey room.  The one that no one gets to see in a funeral home. And just down the hall, literally 25 feet from the kitchen.  I bet a man designed it!

Anyway, it has a beautiful staircase, as you can see

Sorry for the sideview.  Just turn your head upside down!

There were 3 bedrooms upstairs.  Nice size rooms.  I knew the family that used to live here when the father was the undertaker.  I could not imagine sleeping just upstairs from a coffin.  What is worse, once the kids moved out, the bedrooms became coffin show rooms.  The racks are still in them.  The saving grace for this is that the floors are solid.  Those caskets are heavy.

Now, use your imagination.  That beautiful woodwork, the craftsmanship.  Once you get past the history, the skys the limit on possibilities. 

Let me know what you think.  I think a bed and breakfast, maybe a gift shop.  Tear off the front "funeral home" part and add a beautiful wooden porch.  WOW!

Anyway, updates on the farm next post.

Until then,

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

Picture Day, Yeah

Finally got the pictures on a disk.  So as promised - pictures!!!

First:  SEEDLING ROOM

It is small but a great place to start the seeds.  I have moved a few to the greenhouse, now that it is cleaned up and ready for action. That takes us to:

Number #2:  The Greenhouse (before)

Isn't that horrible?  But it does look better now.  And finally;

Sammie

Can you believe how big she has gotten? 

I'll post more soon, funeral home, plants, farm pictures, etc...

See ya on the farm,

Charlotte

"Help me, I'm stuck in the mud"

That was what Sam was hollaring on Friday when she spent the day with Nana.  It was a balmy 80 degrees in the greenhouse so I decided we could get started on the cleaning.  Sam was good for about 10 minutes.  (For those who know her, that was pretty good, huh)  then decided outside was the best place to be.  Did I mention she was wearing her Dora sparkley shoes.  Mom should know better than to send her to the farm with girly stuff on.  She took off for the swing set to slide and got stuck in the mud.  Who knew that mud was better than a playpen for corraling kids.  Just kidding, I got her unstuck and back in the greenhouse for 10 more minutes of cleaning and then to the house before I shot her.  She good as long as she is watching Dora, Wow, wow, woobsy, or Ruby and Max.  Mud or TV, take your pick as babysitter.

Got most of the greenhouse cleaned out today.  Plan to wash the windows and bleach everything this week.  Hope to get the heat regulated and plants into it by next Monday.  I am so ready for the farmers markets to begin. 
See ya on the farm
Charlotte

ARE THERE SICK DAYS ON THE FARM?

I think the ghost of the funeral home got me.  Just teasing but I did catch the flu in a bad way.  Probably won't be eating McDonald's anytime soon.  I"ll get the pictures posted as soon as I get to Walmart to get them on a disk.  My camera and computer are not compatible.  Who knows to check those things before you buy. 

Today is my Mom's 70 something birthday.  I know how old she is but I want to live a little longer so if you want to know you'll have to ask her yourself.  But guess what...she has the flu too.  We haven't seen each other in over a week so who knows where we got it.  Anyway,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNY DEE

WE ALL LOVE YA

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

FUNERAL HOME? WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH A FARM

Yep

You heard me right.  We are looking at the old funeral home in Hymera today.

I'm a little nervous (frightened) to look through this building today.  The only other times I have been in it have been when I have gone to funerals of family and friends.  Now, I will see that stuff that have always been hidden.  I wonder how many ghosts are there?

This isn't just about satisfying a curiosity.  We are looking to see if the building is salvageable to make into a business.  Have you seen the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast?  Not quite that morbid, I hope.  But who knows?

I'll take pictures and try to post so you all can take a tour. 

There is a couple of other buildings there that have possibilities.  Let your mind run wild and see what we can come up with.

FARM UPDATES:

2nd transplating for sweet basil, italian basil and celebrity tomatoes.  1st transplant for cilantro, leeks and chives. All this happened yesterday. 

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

LEARN FROM THE MASTERS

Today I made a delivery run to Nesbitt Orchard in Vincennes, IN.  They started carrying PourAPie a couple of months ago and just through word of mouth, it has caught on in a big way.  Thanks Steve and Linda.

While I was there, I cornered poor Steve, a longtime fruit grower.  I think he is the 3rd generation at the orchard but I'm not positive.  I thought what better way to learn what I needed to know than from someone who has done this his whole life.  He was very gracious and slowly walked me through the entire process for peaches and apples.  You could tell his passion lies with peaches.  Knox County has sandy soil so the best peaches and watermelons are grown there.  Ever had a peach right off the tree or a melon warm from the field?  You can't beat the taste!

I learned things that I had only marginal knowledge about.  For instance:  did you know that peaches have to be thinned from the tree.  I knew you had to thin them if you wanted a strong tree and big, sweet peaches.  I did not know to the extent you had to thin.  One way Steve suggested was to take a toilet brush (new of course) and run it over the limbs while the tree is in bloom.  My first reaction was heart break.  Is there nothing more breath taking than peach blooms in the spring?  But I had to remind myself that I am in this for business and food, so I will toilet brush my peach trees 2 times each this spring.  If I shed a tear while doing it, only the bees and I will know.

But for now, weather permitting, I will be out trimming trees A LOT.  Apparently gentle hands with tree trimming is not what is needed.  I will hatchet these trees and see if I can get a crop this year or next. 

Moral to this story:::  Don't be afraid to ask for help.  People are more than willing to share their knowledge.  I think Steve enjoyed having an apprentice this afternoon. At least that is my story and I'm sticking to it.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

TREASURE TOWNS

I saw this phrase recently in a magazine.  Don't you love it?  It was in an article about groups of people revitalizing their hometowns.  Trying to make the place they grew up in somewhere to be proud.  Wouldn't you love to be able to yell from the rooftops

I grew up in......(fill in the blank)

Take a stroll down Main Street in your hometown.  For most of us it is a little disappointing.  Old buildings we remember have been torn done or should be because of safety issues.  Destruction, mayhem and foolishness.  Where are we?  In the projects?  (No disrespect intended)  

I gre up in

HYMERA, INDIANA

This is a town like most small towns.  When I was a kid, there was a Old Soldiers Reunion in May (?).  A carnival would come to town and be put up in the grove behind the school building. ( This school building was supposed to have a ballroom in it on the 3rd floor that was off limits because the floor was falling in.  I was always too scared to sneak up there to see it, I sure wish I had.  It is gone now and a new school building is in its place. )  I can still see the bingo tent with the corn pieces for covering your numbers.  Kids weren't allowed to play because the prizes were just that.  A huge prize table sat in the middle of the tent and the winner chose from there.  I can still smell the fish from the fireman's tent that my Uncle Harry used to cook at each year.  My Grandma Carpenter would always wait for that fish sandwich.  And wait you did, there was always a long line to get your fish.

But the best part of all, the PARADE.  It seemed to last for hours and people threw lots of candy!!! 

The firetrucks, police trucks were so loud.  There were so many floats that it was hard to pick your favorite.  Kids decorated up their bikes and rode the route. Do kids even ride bikes anymore?  

Now it's your turn, tell me where your from and why it is a TREASURE TOWN

See ya on the farm

Charlotte 

PIE for your sweetie

Why think of chocolate and cake when it comes to Valentines Day?

THINK PIE

as in

POURAPIE

Check out our website at

http://www.appleseedfarm.com/

and suprise your sweetie

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

Just some fun

YOU KNOW YOUR A FARMGIRL WHEN...

Your water troughs are cleaner than your bathtub.

You get fencing and gates for Valentines Day

You get a chicken coop for a Christmas present and you love it

Your choice of transportation is the Farm Truck


Does any of this sound familiar?  I was thinking of something to post and this popped into my head.  All of it true.  My life - gotta love it.

We are in for a little more snow, so I thought I'd try and show a picture of last years greenhouse in mid April.  Keep dreaming of that warm weather.

Crowded but cool

See ya on the farm,

Charlotte

WINTER DAY ON THE FARM??

When the weather is cold and blustery, our water is out again, and something is invading the chicken coop; having its way with the chickens  (not in a good way),  living on the farm is still the best place to be in the whole world!

In the midst of the freezing, snowy weather yesterday, I was transplanting basil.  The seedling room smelled like the farmers market.  It was fabulous.  I  was in my T-shirt, singing to myself and in transplanting heaven.  What could be better?  Oh yeah, I could hear the drill and saw noise coming from the barn.  My Farm Man was building nesting boxes for my chickens.  That was pretty cool.  We are getting about 2 dozen eggs a day.  I have to meet up with my sister and give her about 20 dozen!!  Her kids love eggs and without a farmers market going right now, we surely have a surplus.

I am on the look out for a old farm sink.  One basin, high back, large area for draining.  Must be old but usable.  Let me know if you have one.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Super Bowl Frenzy

GO COLTS

Of course I am for the Colts.  I am from Indiana, afterall.

SEEDLING UPDATES

After having some trouble getting used to the new seedling room.  Heat adjustments and such, I am having much better luck with the seedlings.  I cooked the early tomato seedlings, so I am reseeding today for another round.  I have also lost about half of the basil.  Starting more of that today too.   Celebrity tomatoes, lavender eggplants, cilatro and 2nd round basil are looking good.  Also leeks, and daisys.  Today, I seeded basil, tomatoes, more cilantro, flat leaf parsley,black beauty eggplants, dill and hollyhocks.  The 2nd basil should be ready for transplanting on Tuesday.

We have more snow coming in tomorrow night.  I do love snow but it is getting a little old.  Doesn't make it easy to get all the barn chores done. I also have to get to the greenhouse.  It is still loaded down with stuff from last year.  We just sorta threw everything in there when we were done last year

I am itchin to get to plantin.  I have a copy of "The Victory Garden"  It is a great how to book and what to do each month.  I have great plans for extending the seasons this year.  That is goal number 1.  To up production in order to have enough to supply demand and put up for our winter use. 

We seem to be having our share of weird animal stories this winter.  Today, I went into the bathroom and found my cat nose to nose with a snake.  YES, A SNAKE.  It was a little one; about 7 inches long but it was a snake none the less, in the house.  My big brave man hit it with a shoe and flushed it.  Ticked the cat off.  I have no idea how that thing got into the house.  It is the second one this winter.  not good.

Back to the super bowl.  Also not looking good for the Colts.  Gotta go root them on.

See ya on the farm

Charlotte

Alert: Weather moving in

Bad weather moving in tonight. Rain, freezing rain, tons of snow. Winter is one of my favorite times of the year. Beautiful

Things are gearing up for the market season here. I have transplanted seedlings into the cell trays. Yesterday was 100 0r so Genovesie Basil; while today I did Jet Star tomatoes, leeks, and sweet basil. That should be it for a few days when more seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves. So for now, it is back to starting seeds and putting them in the seedling room to germinate. I'm thinkin' more tomatoes, classic eggplants, more herbs. Basically whatever strikes my fancy.

I finally got around to testing the blackberry rolls. I love, love, love the sweet bread that I use. It is easy to make and raises beautifully. I decided to try PourAPie (like you would use the cinnamon sugar for cinnamon rolls). This first try was not a home run but...with a little tweaking, I think we might have a new offering this summer at the farmers markets we go to. Farm fellar loved it but he is pretty easy to please. If it is homemade, he's happy!

Haven't heard from the economic guy since I sent the last e-mail. I have thought of a few more things that our farm business could use: a packing area for cleaning, sorting and packaging of the fresh picked produce and a walk in cooler/freezer. That would make life so much easier.

Met Sam, Jennifer and my Mom (Dee) at McDonalds today for a quick lunch. If you ever want to see a cranky princess, it was definitely Sam in her party dress. She was baaaad.

Gonna go watch Survivor preview. I'm so lame.
See ya on the farm
Charlotte

I'm not listening to that darned groundhog!!!

That darned groundhog saw his shadow today. I really like winter but am ready to gear up for the new market gardening season. I have been reading the Four Season book by Eliot Coleman and have been so inspired. My husband built a seedling room for me in the barn. It used to be the horse barn but we finally got rid of all those wonderful gentle giants and have the chickens housed in there now. Anyway, I have basil, tomatoes, tarragon, chives, leeks, and daisy up and doing well. In fact the tomatoes and the basil will receive their first transplantings today since they have their first set of true leaves. I bought a bender for bending electrical tubing to make small hoop houses and hope to get some of these plants out in the garden (I have some raised beds) by the middle of March. This will be an experiment. Keep you updated.

Our next show is coming up in March and we want to be able to offer some plants for sale there. So I really have to get busy planting and nurturing these little babies along. This show is the Master Gardeners in Terre Haute, IN. It is March 13.

I went out to feed the chicks yesterday. Nothing unusual. They were sqwaking worse than normal but I was a little later than ususal. I started pouring the feed into the trough and saw somthing white with a long tail in the coop. NO, it was not a skunk. (Thank God) A possum had burrowed under the door and was in the coop. Of course, we had no eggs left in the coop but all chickens were acounted for. My farm guy kindly disposed of the possum for me and life got back to normal. You know your a farmgirl when all you do is just close the door and go get a shovel to hit it with. No screaming involved this time.

I got a response from the economic development center man last week. He requested that I set goals and priorities for Appleseed Farm. That was hard for me. Our big goal most of the time is increased revenue in order to stay in business. But I needed to set goals as to how to accomplish that. If you have never done that in your life, it is time to start. I responded with a marketing plan and implementation. Then work on increasing production. Let's see where this goes.

The shop is about 50% back to normal after it was crashed into. The kid got into trouble with the lawman. But I have forgiven if not forgotten. It is hard to forget whenever I see that shop back in drywall and a mess. We are unable to work there now and have to rent a place until it is totally repaired. The poor kid has to do most of the repair work himself (His dad is showing him how) and pay for the repairs, rent of the temp site and the heating bill out of his savings. I feel a little bad for him but lessons must be learned.

I have to get back to the taxes. I am almost done and will have them to the tax preparer today or tomorrow. Glad to get that off my back. One of my new goals is to do this monthly and not have to spend hours going over it in Jan and Feb.

Now tell me what you are up too. It is cold so I want to hear all about you hibernation projects.
See ya on the farm
Charlotte

Bloom where you are planted

I read that on a plaque somewhere and that it was pretty appropriate. Most people are not happy with their lives. This year I'll be turning 47 and am feeling the pinch of unreached goals. The bucket list syndrome, I suppose. January has been the month to take stock and see if I am truly blooming where I am planted. So let's see:
1. Phone lines (therefore dial-up computer lines) have been down for over a week. Every time it rains hard we lose our phone service.
OLD ME: How inconvenient. Paying for service I do not get. Can't be online when I want to
be., etc
NEW ME: How nice not to have the phone ring all day. Not really unsafe as I do have a cell
phone, can get a whole lot more done without talking on the phone.

2. It is so incredibly cold that I can't get a lot done in the barn without freezing my tushy off.
OLD ME: Just get done the have to stuff and get the heck back in the house.
NEW ME: Do as much as I can, warm up and get right back out there. If it is too cold; do
the necessities and then get the heck back into the house!! (I am not dumb)

3. Not working outside job so no paycheck in my name.
OLD ME: This is a tough one. Having cash in my pocket sure made it easy to get whatever I
wanted within reason. Also meant having easy access to money if Appleseed Farm
needed somthing before I could make the money.
NEW ME: This is a tough one. Upside to all of this is I get to stay on the farm as much as I
want. I can go places when the walls start closing in but who wants too? There is
always the barn, the seedling room, the greenhouse, something needing my
attention.

4. Not enough time to do the "housewife" things
OLD ME: Either just didn't do them or stayed up all night to make sure the house was in
order, meals prepared, etc..
NEW ME: Just don't do them or stay up all night to make sure it is all done. (why hasn't
that changed?)

I could go one but I guess the best lesson for me is that I have always bloomed wherever I have been planted. Sometimes I just need a dormancy period to have a gorgeous flower whenever I want to.

See ya on the farm
Charlotte