{this moment}: Friends Frolick in Fall Foliage

A Friday ritual. A few photos - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama. 

Feeling Fall

CSA week of October 11

Our sweet surprise today was a beautiful little pumpkin in our basket. The sight of this beautiful fruit sent C off into fits of glee. "Pie! Pie! Pie! We are going to make pie!" K just stared at him while he started chanting his new jingle within an inch of her face. (Side note: isn't it amazing what siblings tolerate from one another?)

As I was leaving the CSA stand, I had to snap some pictures of the presence of rain. Broad leaves and rain drops, who can resist?

While I was clicking away, I heard some shuffling off to my side and noticed four curly little tails cruising around in the corner. These are Tamworth pigs. These piggies are a special heritage breed. This is not the pork you will find in your grocery store since these breeds cannot stand up to the stresses of mass production farms. However, you can find these grass loving pigs at Heritage Farm. After reading a bit, I found that Tamworths are supposed to make the best bacon. I will have to chat with the owners to see if I can, um, agree with this statement by acquiring some when the time comes. *wink wink* Their pen has been taking a regular trip, cruising around the property so they have fresh grass. Bacon.

Ok, so here is the list of this week's beautiful gathering:

• Bagged arugula
• Bagged mizuna
• Beets
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Chard
• Collards
• Eggplant
• Fennel
• Flower bouquet
• Garlic
• Onions
• Peppers: various varieties
• Pumpkins (sugar pie)
• Scallions
• Tomatoes

There was a little note that this might be the last week for tomatoes. It has been a delicious and plentiful run!!

CSA October 4

Fall. It is official. Time for soups, stews and homemade bread. For the last two weeks, I have found myself thinking about soups as I looked at the offerings of the weekly share. I do have to admit, that I haven't been using all of my greens. This really troubles me since I do not want to waste food and I DO want to preserve what I can. We have been off island, with family and blah blah blah. Excuses. I know I am better than excuses; however, I just haven't pulled it together to blanch and freeze those greens. This week it will happen, although that means it must happen TODAY. Another crazy busy week ahead.

One item in the share that I am excited about this week is the celeriac. Into the mashed potatoes it will go or perhaps diced or shaved into the weekly soup.

This week I was given a HUGE beautiful head of cauliflower which reminded me of one of my favorite recipes: Country Captain with Cauliflower and Peas a la Bon Appetit. This is a crowd pleaser in our house and we just might have to visit it come Sunday.

Another happy find in our basket, the delicious cucumbers. It turns out they are our littlest one's favorite food (next to sausage). Who can complain? Perhaps me, I could eat cucumber and tomato salads all week with the amazing collection of tomatoes that are included. The folks at Heritage have raised the bar on tomato production. Week after week we have been gifted bags of red beauties. I am so thankful each and every week since I know I cannot grow a tomato to save my, well, you know.

Oh, and the basil! I am going to throw one more batch of pesto into the mix with the basil. I know there are plenty of uses for basil, but nothing captures it's palate punch for me like good pesto and now that I have my No Fail Pesto recipe, it is hard to turn to anything else.

Here is this week's share:

Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celariac
Chard
Collards
Cucumbers
Fennel
Flower bouquet
Garlic
Head lettuce
Herbs: korean mint, basil
Onions
Peppers: hungarian hot, italian pepperocini (the long skinny redish one)
Potatoes
Scarlet runner beans
Spinach
String beans
Tomatoes

Photos this week were taken with my new gadget, an iPhone. I am working on the intricacies of photography a la phone. Thanks for your patience :)

First Day of Fall

My favorite day of the year. Happy Autumnal Equinox!!

Forsythia