Auld Lang Syne...welcome 2013!

Lord Thomas and fair Annet
Sat all day on a hill
When night was come and sun was set
They had not talked their fill.


Wreaths and Holiday Decorations

After a long day of foraging on the farm, the greens are piled high  and there are the cozy evenings around the woodstove making wreaths and holiday decorations.

often working late into the night...

Elves come to add their individual creations

the start of an eight inch wreath

some colorful ribbon

A parade of kissing balls off to market



Wreaths, garland, swags, and kissing balls from large to small available at our farm stand and always by custom order

Rug Sale Inside the Farmhouse, November 10 and November 11



We've had a great season outdoors with the rugs this past summer and fall.



 

But with the Nor'easter they're predicting for today and the crazy weather we've been having lately, we are bringing the rugs indoors this weekend for a big Open House, November 10 and November 11 from 10 AM until 4 PM both days.

Come join us!

Surviving Sandy



The impact of Hurricane Sandy was felt hard in our area, coming ashore Monday, October 29, we lost power simultaneous with her arrival.



  Taking advantage of power and water, we hurriedly prepared many meals in anticipation of days without either of these luxuries.  Our two WWOOFers, Claire and Lucia, had flights for home that needed to be delayed and rearranged and the novelty of experiencing a hurricane was, at first, very exciting.  Once our power was out, we kept busy playing endless card and board games.

After the storm, we took a walk down the driveway and across the street to the beach.  Our property damage was not as severe as we experienced during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six days without power left us appreciating many aspects of our life that were taken for granted in days gone past and we are keeping a candle lit for our friends in neighboring areas in hopes their lives find some respite soon.

New England Farm Wedding



We were honored to have Erin and James choose Barberry Hill Farm to be married.  We wish them much health and happiness!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Erin and James;  Alice Gao

Thai Pumpkin Custard



I first heard of Kaboocha pumpkins when my oldest son, Taylor, came back from Japan.  They eat them often over there and he insisted we try and grow them.  This year was quite prolific so I couldn't resist sharing another recipe for Kaboocha.  Our newest WWOOFer, Claire (who comes from Austin, Texas) told us about a recipe from back home for Thai Pumpkin Custard made with Kaboocha.

 

First you make your custard with 9 eggs, 1 1/2 cups coconut milk, 2 cups sugar, 1 teas. vanilla and spices (we used a dash of nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon)  Whisk together.

Claire

Remove seeds from Kaboocha (medium size works well).  We also used a sugar pumpkin as an experiment, but the end result was much better in Kaboocha (although I love sugar pumpkins for pumpkin pie!)

When filled, place on cookie sheet and bake for 90 minutes in oven preheated to 375.

Slice and serve (the skin is edible).  Deliciously different!

Kaboocha Pumpkins

Here is some of this week's produce. 

We have been experimenting with growing kaboocha pumpkins.  This pumpkin is very mild tasting and an easy to prepare addition to dinner.  Just bake and serve it the same way as the more traditional (and my favorite) butternut squash.

A Baked Kaboocha Pumpkin (Just bake them until soft.)

While I eat mine in thick slices, many guest prefer it in the more familiar mashed form.