Monday, December 5, 2011

Wreath Making

The first thing you notice is the smell of pine when you enter the house, that's part of the magic.  Boxes and bundles of greenery foraged from our farm are piled high throughout.

Then there's the laughter coming from all of us while we spend hours making wreaths, kissing balls, swags, garland and much more.  It's cozy...sitting by the wood stove keeping warm.

Friends stop by to give a try

This year we are taking orders for custom made wreaths and also selling the wreaths at Farmers Markets.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Filling The November Farm Stand

We have been blessed with incredible growing weather this November.
Less than a mile down the street from the Madison Congregational Church, our farm stand is benefiting from a temperate November.  Our cool weather crops are continuing to produce, bringing summer freshness into the Fall. 


Sweet Bell Peppers in Many Colors


Bibb lettuce makes a salad or sandwich.


Fall is the time of year we plant garlic.


Picking broccoli...


...for power nutrients.


Hurricane Irene took down some standing deadwood, resulting in top quality, perfectly seasoned firewood, now for sale.


We love November at the Farm.

Monday, November 7, 2011

November 12 and 13 Rug Sale Moved Inside


We have had a great series of outdoor rug sales at Barberry Hill Farm this Summer and Fall. 



The light is perfect, and looking at rugs under a canopy of trees is such a treat. 


And this year we have had an especially good selection. 


However...


...since the weather has been somewhat unpredictable, we will be having our big Open House Rug Sale on November 12 and 13th (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 to 4 in the farmhouse.


And, looking at rugs indoors has its own benefits as well. 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

A Rainy October Day at the Farm - Rewaxing the Outerwear

Rain on the farm tamps field work.  But we save up some activities to take advantage of the inclement conditions.. 

One such activity is rewaxing the coats and overalls for winter.  This task keeps the waxed cotton garments in service, rain-proof and thorn-proof, for many more years. We do this every fall in preparation for winter.

First, we heat the wax dressing to soften it.. 

Then we rub it in thoroughly, paying special attention to the seams.  Soft rags work well.  We let it dry for at least 24 hours and then rub off the excess wax.

It is not the worst way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Five Signs that Fall has Arrived on Barberry Hill Farm

Here are five signs that fall has arrived on Barberry Hill Farm.

1. The Turkeys are Getting Ready for Thanksgiving and Meat Birds are Plumping Nicely; Both are Ready for Orders

A 29 Pound Turkey

2 Pound Cornish Rock Hens

2. Fall Flowers are Out

Brightening up our Farm Stand



3. We are Scoping Out the Best Materials for Christmas Wreaths for the Winter Markets..

Doing Some Test Wreaths

Putting Our Old Boxes to Use (and they will get a third use when we ship out our handmade wreaths)
We are taking orders for custom wreaths, which we also ship.  They will also be available at our stand and farmers markets, starting just after Thanksgiving. 

4. Pumpkins are Everywhere




5. Ursa Gets Even More Playful (according to me)/ Annoying (according to Bear)

Bear is Patient

Ursa Exercising the Pastured Turkeys

Monday, October 10, 2011

Making Hay While the Sun Shines


The town of Madison has a lot of grass to mow on the various town properties.  But one place they don't have to mow is the Bauer Park.  Kingsley does it for free and we use the hay to feed many of our animals during the winter.


Sometimes the antique Farmall and New Holland baler needs a bit of coaxing. 

Don't try this on your lawnmower!

I took a turn.

The fields have to be cut, then raked (or tedded), then baled.


The clear fields are great for running...

...and exploring (here, a Monarch butterfly caterpillar).

Back at the farm we load the hay into the loft...


...with plenty of help.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Fall In




The seasons are changing and there is a chill in the air...gleaning the fields to prepare for the winter months.


Grace cleans the stalls

The farmall is ready for second cut hay (a little late after all the rain!)
Our farm stand in fall color


The last vestiges of summer color

and the season turns
still, cosmos linger in the cool temperatures.