Last of the Harvest

 Andrew bringing in the last of the cabbages.

 Some of the last leeks.

Andrew harvesting the last beets.

David in the Leaves

We had some gorgeous fall days in October during some of the last Farmers Markets. The Chewelah park was lovely with all the leaves floating down and carpeting the ground. All the market children were exuberantly playing in the leaves; tossing them an rolling in them. David had such a great time joining in. It was so cute that I couldn't resist snapping some pictures.

Harvest Season

It's that time of year again. That time when the evenings get dark earlier and the mornings have a chill in the air, while the days are still warm and sunny. The leaves are beginning to turn a golden shade. And the garden is winding down. It is the time of the harvest. I love this time of year. We are gathering the potatoes, onions, and squash in from the field. The dehydrator is running most of the time filled with tomatoes, pears, or onions. I canned 21 pints of salsa verde and the apple butter is cooked down and ready to can also. The pantry is filling up, all stocked for winter. Soon it will be time to get our firewood in. This time of year is busy and yet there of something slower about it,  something cozy, a hint of winter rest.

Of Babies, Autumn, and Farming

Things have been busy around the farm these days. We are in the peak of harvest and market season and on top of that we just added a new baby. He is such a sweet little guy and we all love him so much. He adds so much joy to our lives. He keeps mommy busy, cuddling him, nursing him, and changing him. And of course I love it! He loves it when daddy comes in from the garden and holds him and talks to him. He is becoming so alert; looking at faces and noticing voices. David is getting used to his new brother and even adjusting to sharing Mommy. He likes to hold him and kiss him and pick out his clothes :)

I have been mostly resting and recovering from the birth and enjoying my new baby. The last few days I have enjoyed getting back out into the garden a little bit. I wrap Matthew in his Moby wrap and pick a few tomatoes or I hold him on my lap while sorting cucumbers or weighing out beans. Today I enjoyed going back to the Chewelah market for the first time!

Andrew has been doing most of the farm work and all the markets by himself. And he is doing a fantastic job! The booth looked wonderful when I stopped by for a few minutes last week. We have been appreciating the help of my sister with much of the harvesting as well.

Around the farm fall crops are starting to come on. We harvested the first leeks this week and the pumpkins and winter squash are getting close. Andrew harvested most of the garlic and it is hanging in the barn at my parents place. Soon it will be time to harvest the potato crop.

There has been a chill in the air in the mornings and evenings lately. We even had a light frost last weekend. Autumn is definitely on its way. The hoophouses are all covered up again and some of the beans and cucumbers have floating row cover over them. I am looking forward to the autumn season ahead.

Our Second Son

We are so happy to announce the birth of our second born Matthew Jonathan Engell. He was born at 6:41 in the evening on Tuesday August 14th. He weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and was 21 inches long.  My labor went really smooth this time and wasn't overly long. I went into labor around 7:30 in the morning. I kept going about my normal business for awhile. My contractions started picking up around ten.  And everything went steady and smoothly from there. I don't remember when the pushing started but it doesn't seem like it was too long.  And then Matthew was born at 6:41. I felt so good after he was born just relaxing in my bed holding my sweet little son.

Weeding the Potatoes

Little Luxuries

Sometimes while living the farming life it can be easy forget to make time for little luxuries. Money can get tight so we don't buy extras or we can get so busy that time seems to be in very short supply. Recently I have been enjoying making sugar and sea salt scrubs. I have been selling them at the farmers market but I always make a bit extra for us. They are wonderful on dry feet, hands, knees, elbows or anywhere else. I use them in the shower on any rough spots from working in the garden. Andrew even likes to use them on his hands. So now I am going to share my quick and easy recipes with you. Enjoy!

Sugar Scrub

3/4 cup organic cane sugar

1/4 cup coarse turbinado sugar

1/3 cup sweet almond oil or other light oil

20-30 drops essential oil (I like blending vanilla and lime)

Sea Salt Scrub

3/4 cup sea salt

1/4 cup himalayan pink salt

1/3 cup olive oil

20- 30 drops essential oil (I have been using lavender and grapefruit)

For both recipes simply mix all ingredients together and store in a lidded container. I like to put mine in small cute canning jars.

Just a couple of cautions now. If using in the shower be careful because they can make the flour slippery. Also the sea salt one will sting or burn any open cuts or scrapes.