CSA Heaven

Today I picked up our first CSA share from Heritage Farm. Blissed out. As I drove up the dirt road past the pastures, past the farm stand, past the gardens and to the little red store I felt a huge sense of joy. Was this because I had a new lens and family in the van to watch over the kids? A little. Cam met me inside and showed me the ropes and the beautiful tomatoes I will be canning tomorrow. Giddy. Seriously, I was giddy. Camera out and bag in hand I didn't know what to do first. Pictures of those luscious tomatoes left for me to weigh and purchase. Lucky me! 

On her way out she told me to grab a bouquet of fresh flowers, I almost started crying.

 When I came to the Heritage to collect my shares two years ago, I loved it. I appreciated it.


Honestly, I didn't, not the way I do now. After two summers of growing on my own, I have a tremendous amount of respect for what these hard working and talented people present us with each Tuesday. It is truly a gift. I gathered my share and then grabbed the handful of items from the fridge.

I stepped back outside and sighed a big heavy sigh as I looked out across the long rows of cabbage, lettuces, zinnias and more...and more. On the far side, I spied a gathering of sunflowers with their golden faces aglow and their feet busy with Nasturciums. Oh dear. Waterworks. I couldn't help it. I can't grow sunflowers. I have tried and tried. Seeds, seedlings, some starts did ok, but nothing like these magestic giants. Bees were doing their thing and the sunflowers just towered. I believe if there were to be royalty in the plant kingdom, the Queen would definitely be the Sunflower.

 
Here is this week's pick up list:

• Bagged chard
• Bagged mizuna
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cucumbers: slicing and pickling
• Fennel
• Flower Bouquet
• Garlic
• Herbs: basil, korean mint, summer savory, parsley
• Kale
• Onions
• Potatoes: blushing duchess and all red
• Scarlet runner beans
• String beans: yellow wax and royal burgundy
• Summer squash: zucchini, eight ball zucchini, crook-neck and patty pan
• Tomatoes: cherry, stupice and heirlooms
• Turnips

Yes, this is for THIS WEEK. And you wonder why I feel like I am in heaven?


For dinner we BBQed local steaks, had crash potatoes and grilled carrots, zucchini, and crookneck squash. A big hit for everyone at the table.


Any suggestions for the rest of the week?