Fall Dirt

Halloween dinner during the storm power outage...boiled ham dinner from the hearth

Since it isn’t actually winter yet, I  can  still write about the Fall. After a hustling Spring and a long Summer of picking, packing, markets, letter writing, CSA, when October comes, we are ready to wrap up the season and catch up on activities with our children (both young and older), visit friends, sit by the fire with a cup of tea or glass of wine, and of course, eat. 

By November 1, most markets are over and most of the help has returned to Jamaica. It is perfect that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. This year JJ, from Cuisine en Locale, created one of her amazing Once dinners at the farm. She, and her wonderful help, were so much fun and we so enjoyed their energy and great spirit. I was especially delighted to have Ken, in JJ’s team, be as pumped about cooking the sausages over the kitchen fire as  I  am. There was a perfect turnout of folks who had driven out to collect their Thanksgiving turkey and those who had simply decided it was a good time to share a harvest repast at the farm. Glenn and I truly enjoyed sharing our home and a fabulous meal. JJ and gang are welcome anytime – I loved watching the farm dinner come together under someone else’s supervision.

Thank you to the Cuisine en Locale/Once team AND to all our guests.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving at Kate’s house. We shared dinner in our typical Stillman Farm fashion, welcoming not only family, but any of our help who were in want of a gathering. It is true, on this farm, that our family extends far beyond blood relations. I am reminded of my Grandmother’s fond saying, “You should always invite a stranger to dinner.” and I do believe she was happiest when one of her children or grandchildren brought a guest. 

Thanksgiving Family Dinner

I, too, am happiest eating and visiting…

I am ALWAYS thankful for the bounty our farms provide – if nothing else, we are well fed. I have been greatly enriched by so many of our customers and CSA members and am thankful that when any of you find your way out to the farm for any reason, it is a welcome visit. Most of you probably do not realize we actually are listening when you tell us about your lives, we even discuss your news at our dinner table. We’ve smiled at your weddings, promotions, babies, and shared your sadness at lost jobs, pets, illness…

Eating Stillman’s raised food connects us all…we share dinner whether we sit across from each other or miles apart.

CSA Open House and potluck

This fall we donated several CSA memberships. What a great fundraiser, or incentive for an organization. And I secretly (still a small blog here )  feel pleasure in knowing eating good food can be beneficial in multiple ways. Our family might be joining the CSA winner’s table for the first time next year, and you’ll be there too.

The Stillman's were guests at this table

It is the norm here to send food home with guests…I think it is a subconscious effort to be remembered later. Many times I receive an email or a phone call, ” What is such and such?”  it’s the perfect way to continue the visit!

May you be blessed with good health, have a bounty of amazing food, and always enjoy the company of friends and family.