Fall is in the air, and everything seems to happen all at the same time. School starts back, the apples and pears begin to fall from the trees, if you have your own garden (which I aspire to one day!) it is definitely harvest time. The walks across to the barn in the morning to milk the goats are definitely fall(ish). Those cooler mornings, the air feels crisper, and if I stop to look across the way the trees are just beginning to change. Nothing absolutely breathtaking yet, but change is in the air. I'm quite enjoying these cooler mornings. This year has been particularly hot and humid here in Western New York, and well, fall is absolutely one of my favorite times of year. Nope, I'm not too keen on what is quick on the heels of fall, but still, I love fall.
So, if I'm not an avid gardener (quite yet), what do we harvest here on the farm in the fall? Well, we were blessed to find apple trees, pear trees, a plum tree, grapes, and cherries on the farm when we moved in. This year the apples were abundant, the pears in plenty, and the grape vines laden. (Our eldest son trimmed back the cherry and plum trees last fall so we didn't expect, nor did we get a harvest this year.) The apples were turned into apple sauce and the pears were dehydrated and made into pear juice. The grapes also were juiced down. Other things that we like to put away for the fall I usually get from the local fresh produce vendor at the farmers' market we go to. It's great we get fresh produce and to support our local farmers all at the same time.
Several years ago, a friend of ours commented on some wild grown plants they used each year to make a cough tea. At the time it wasn't uncommon for my husband to end up most winters with a visit to the doctors with a chest infection. We decided to give it a go. For the past several years we have found ourselves harvesting these wild grown plants. Our dehydrator goes into use as we dry and save for later each of the plants. We are also blessed to have elderberry bushes nearby and harvest those each year to make elderberry cough syrup.
It's the little things I guess that help us feel like we are making good use of what we have been blessed with around us. Not only are we blessed with these wonderful things, but also wonderful neighbors who drop by with peaches, or an apple picker to borrow!
As the season begins to change, and the busyness of the holiday season draws closer, I want to capture the beauty of what is around us. I'm very thankful for where we live, very thankful for the fit and healthy herd of goats that keep us making the wonderful goat milk skin care products we have all come to know and love.
I'm thankful for a family that are willing to embrace this lifestyle. It may not always be easy, but it is for sure an adventure.
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