Relishing the Beauty: Summer CSA ’12 ” Week #15
A little over a week ago, Edie was still in my belly, and I was doing everything I could think of to coax her to come out.
The Friday before she was born, I put Zea down to sleep early and walked out to the field. Due to the extreme heat and my pregnant body, it had actually been a couple of months since I’d really walked the fields. My summer has consisted of greenhouse, wash/pack house work, office work, and the pigs.
Slowly I walked from field to field, relishing the beauty and the smell of good, living soil. To the west was a magenta-streaked sky and all around me kill deer swooped down from the sky with their distinct calls. Tomatoes, winter squash, peppers, brassicas, greens, repeat. Around and around I walked.
What started as walk to coax the baby turned into a walk of reflection and gratitude. The pace of farming life in the high summer is so fast, so intense that we rarely stop to take pause, to absorb the success and beauty of what we create on this small piece of land. This summer was particularly intense, with the drought, the heat, and the pregnancy. Each day had every minute spoken for. So round and round I walked, soaking in the beauty and feeling thankful for how fortunate we are.
Mike finished moving irrigation, and joined me on my walk. By this time it was dark. We did one more loop around the field, and then my brain switched back to baby coaxing. Would he take me on a bumpy golf cart ride to try and get the baby to come?
So we saddled up on one of the golf carts that we use as a harvest vehicle. Mike was behind the wheel and I sat beside him with my eyes closed. We turned the lights on and then around and around we went in the fields. He drove fast. I had to grip the roof of the cart to stay on. The bouncing was so incredible (and uncomfortable!) that all I could do was laugh. I managed about two loops around the farm before I just couldn’t take it anymore.
The baby didn’t come that night, but relishing the beautiful and taking pause has continued daily since the night of that walk. I cherished our last weekend with Zea as a family of three. And now that Edie is here and healthy, we continue to count our blessings.
Thanks to all of you who have sent your well wishes and congrats our way! We hope that all of you will get a chance to meet Edie at the annual harvest party in the barn. Saturday, Sept. 22nd. Potluck at 6:30; live music starts at 7pm.
A few veggie notes for you: If you aren’t sure what to do with your Anaheim peppers, try dicing them up and freezing them. They are great for throwing into chili in the winter! It’s the first week for leeks. Try them out in a classic potato leek soup. Lastly enjoy the dragon tongue beans, as this is most likely the last week for beans.
Sincerely, Mike, Cassie, Zea, & Edie!
In the Box:
- Anaheim Peppers (GREEN, spicy)
- Carrots
- Carmen Sweet Peppers, Red
- Chard
- Dragon Tongue Beans
- Jalapeno
- Leeks
- Potato, Yellow
- Red Bell Pepper
- Tomatoes ” assorted heirlooms, slicers, salad
REGS Only:
- Bok Choi
EOs Only:
- Basil
- Beets
This Week’s Recipes:
Summer Week #15: Wednesday, September 12th ” Everyother Group A
