What a fall! I am sitting outside, warm sun shining, grass still lush and green - though quickly getting a covering of gorgeous leaves. The air is just cool enough that getting cozy is a pleasant thought! Fireplaces are definitely going to be in use form now on. Bonfire this weekend? If the rain holds off, most definitely.
Also happening this weekend - Cardinal Point Winery Oyster Roast, Saturday and Sunday...nice wine, good food, VERY fun music...how about some Cajun punk on Sunday?? Easy to get to, and you'll pass my favourite antique store on the way.
Virginia Film Festival happens this week - lots of good tickets still available. SO much to do this time of year - and, the breweries are introducing their holiday brews soon, so even non-wine drinkers have some fun ahead.
Farmer's markets are closed for the season now - even our chickens are slowing down a little bit. I guess winter will come sooner or later - we are putting in winter greens, though the last batch was devoured by a hungry groundhog - maybe a new fence to deter him?
The peacocks are so pretty too - no long tail feathers for the winter, but loads of down makes the birds seem twice their normal size! They have been feasting on the bugs that are getting sluggish in the cool air.
I am off to the orchard for a look at the view, and some more of my favourite apples...and cider for guests this weekend. Ciao!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Lovely fall...and gobbling turkeys
well, the cold has been pushed back enough to feel comfortably cool - so far, a terrific fall, since the deep chill only lasted a few days. The leaves are JUST coming into their best color - I expect another 2 weeks (at least) of gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows...our big sugar maple in front has yet to even get going. As I sit and look into the back garden, the pear trees are just dusting with red at the tippy top of the trees...and the tom turkey is putting out a real 'gobble' now! It is so funny - I have never heard one in person - and about 3 days ago, as I was walking outside - it was as if he was talking...so cute, and the feathers are gorgeous - they are a pair of black and white 'Royal Palm' turkeys, and nearly full grown. Much better looking than when they were first given to us! These two (Turk and Caicos) will not be dinner - no worries for them, but I am hoping for some offspring next year that might be.
We have had many guests taking drives on Skyline drive this week - that is our part of the Blue Ridge Parkway - and they all said it was lovely, but the roads that wind through our part of Albemarle county are just as pretty. And the view on Carter mountain - plus the October 'pink lady' apples - shouldn't be missed if you are here!
The work here now revolves around the leaves, of course - cleaning up and tidying the perennial beds, mulching for the winter, and composting the leaves when the last have finally fallen. I look forward to a few late fall bonfires in the evenings, venison stew, and lighting the fireplaces, once the garden has been put to sleep for the winter...it is a peaceful and contemplative time, those few weeks before the holidays begin...oh, and of course pumpkin and squash recipes come out! I had forgotten how much fun it is to cook a big orange pumpkin into mush - and then something really fine like pumpkin cheesecake, or ravioli...the cheesecake I made this week is nothing like a pumpkin pie - just the smooth, rich flavor of the squash, with a bit of maple syrup and gingersnap crust...yum!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Autumn is starting...
Yesterday was quite a breezy day - lots of early changing leaves, and dogwood nearly finished! It is so pretty to drive and watch the leaves fall; the view at Carter Mountain Orchard today was marvelous! Apples are ready, though my favourite 'Pink Lady' apples won't be in until late October.
I haven't seen the flower beds ever look so lovely this time of year - this is going to be a perfect October. Last season, the leaves were beautiful well into November and it looks like this year we might have much the same. SO much rain this summer (terrible grape season for our vineyard!) has made the trees lush and full - maybe a few hours on Skyline Drive? A tasting at Blenheim - I don't think any vineyard has nicer views...and darn good wine to boot! Gotta love a woman winemaker...
And last - but not least - we finally have our peacocks settled in...a beautiful India Blue named - well, we haven't named him yet. A Blue Pied male called 'Aqua', and a sweet female Cameo named - ok, no name for her yet either. The two turkeys are very happy, and the male is just getting his 'gobble' - I heard it for the first time this morning, and I don't know that I will like it quite so much as the sweet whistle the pair had as young birds. If it is too loud - there will always be next Thanksgiving...
I haven't seen the flower beds ever look so lovely this time of year - this is going to be a perfect October. Last season, the leaves were beautiful well into November and it looks like this year we might have much the same. SO much rain this summer (terrible grape season for our vineyard!) has made the trees lush and full - maybe a few hours on Skyline Drive? A tasting at Blenheim - I don't think any vineyard has nicer views...and darn good wine to boot! Gotta love a woman winemaker...
And last - but not least - we finally have our peacocks settled in...a beautiful India Blue named - well, we haven't named him yet. A Blue Pied male called 'Aqua', and a sweet female Cameo named - ok, no name for her yet either. The two turkeys are very happy, and the male is just getting his 'gobble' - I heard it for the first time this morning, and I don't know that I will like it quite so much as the sweet whistle the pair had as young birds. If it is too loud - there will always be next Thanksgiving...
Monday, August 17, 2009
More bounty...
We have added a few rabbits - I hate to admit it, but they are primarily supplying us with fertilizer. They are cute, but squirmy - maybe after a few weeks of holding them they will come to appreciate us. Right now, the only time we get much of a reaction is when we bring them fresh veggies.
We also have 3 newly hatched chicklets!! A sweet hen from our flock was simply determined to sit on a clutch of eggs...a few others have tried to no avail, but here we are looking at these 3 little cuties...she seems to be a good mother, she has already taught them to eat and drink, and they are scratching around the hay looking for treats with their teeny tiny feet...so cute.
Next week, we are expecting to 'rescue' 2 peacocks, a mini goat, and another rabbit...I have heard the peacocks can be a bit noisy, but that as soon as they acclimate to their new home, they are good 'watchbirds' and will roost in the highest trees, so they won't need barn space. We shall see - too noisy and they will need to find new homes. The goat is called Lovey, and is really cute...she will earn her keep helping with some poison ivy removal near the vineyard.
Our guests love to visit the animals and they all love to feed and hold the little ones - I am sure Lovey will enjoy the attention. Come see us and the new additions! FALL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER - and so is the reason so many people come to the mountains of Virginia - leaves will be changing soon, and the nights will be cool and crisp...great apple picking or winery touring weather. www.cartermountainorchard.com
The Bounty of August....
https://www.greenwoodgourmet.com/blog.asp
This is a great little blog, from one of our favorite local shops...I hope they do another one looking back on 2009! It was a fantastic place to get pumpkins and gourds last fall (we will be back!), and also lunch on the way to wineries or Blue Mountain Brewery (unless you are having lunch there of course). We are looking into having a pumpkin stand of our own here, and with a little luck, we will have a nice place to take fall pictures and get a good jack-o-lantern pumpkin or some other interesting gourds...
I found myself with a little time this past month, and re-read 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle'. It was funnier this time around - maybe because I was having such a great summer and had time to appreciate the writing. What a book! What an experiment! Most people can't begin to do what this family did, living entirely off local foods for one full year (mostly what they grew, froze or canned). I appreciated their exceptions - coffee and olive oil I am sure I wouldn't want to do without.
It does make you think though - how much we take for granted, why DO we have to have mealy tomatoes out of season? I know that by making local purchases, and mostly eating in season, our food tastes much better than if we didn't. And even people who haven't ever thought about this idea before probably instinctively understand the basics: why do think people love bean soup in the winter and watermelon in July? Because we can keep dried beans in a pantry all winter, and watermelon needs long hot days to get good and juicy. I can't quite break from my Florida roots - I know that our Virginia strawberries are better than anything shipped 700 miles. And I buy them from a farm 2 miles down the road in May and June. BUT...I also know that in February, Plant City has warm, ripe juicy berries - and when I see them in the store, I give in. Same with Mangoes in August, and oranges in December. Those don't grow here and they never will - so I indulge, and remember living in Florida. What I do try to avoid is mangoes in January and oranges in August...that may be the season on the other side of the planet, but that's a little too much fossil fuel with my produce....700 miles is slightly better than 3000, but not as good as the farm next door, I know.
Some other good advice I keep in mind when shopping for family or the inn: if your grandmother would recognize it, it is probably ok to eat. Actually, Michael Pollan said pretty much if ANYONE'S grandmother would recognize something, it is probably ok...my grandma might not know what tofu was, but plenty of Japenese grannies would. On the other hand, which one of them would recognize much of what is on the labels of the foods people buy these days - some ingredients are downright unpronounceable - and we are supposed to EAT it?? For anyone wondering: American cheese is NOT cheese - "processed cheese food" doesn't equal anything near the fresh, local Virginia cow, sheep and goat cheeses we have available here, and in many other places also.
Take time to look around your area - you might be amazed at what you can purchase locally - and spending only $10 a week at a local farm instead of buying from a chain will help your neighbor and you! And if the mealy tomatoes in January sit there, well, maybe someone will get the message that we are standing up for our food choices and demanding better for ourselves.
This is a great little blog, from one of our favorite local shops...I hope they do another one looking back on 2009! It was a fantastic place to get pumpkins and gourds last fall (we will be back!), and also lunch on the way to wineries or Blue Mountain Brewery (unless you are having lunch there of course). We are looking into having a pumpkin stand of our own here, and with a little luck, we will have a nice place to take fall pictures and get a good jack-o-lantern pumpkin or some other interesting gourds...
I found myself with a little time this past month, and re-read 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle'. It was funnier this time around - maybe because I was having such a great summer and had time to appreciate the writing. What a book! What an experiment! Most people can't begin to do what this family did, living entirely off local foods for one full year (mostly what they grew, froze or canned). I appreciated their exceptions - coffee and olive oil I am sure I wouldn't want to do without.
It does make you think though - how much we take for granted, why DO we have to have mealy tomatoes out of season? I know that by making local purchases, and mostly eating in season, our food tastes much better than if we didn't. And even people who haven't ever thought about this idea before probably instinctively understand the basics: why do think people love bean soup in the winter and watermelon in July? Because we can keep dried beans in a pantry all winter, and watermelon needs long hot days to get good and juicy. I can't quite break from my Florida roots - I know that our Virginia strawberries are better than anything shipped 700 miles. And I buy them from a farm 2 miles down the road in May and June. BUT...I also know that in February, Plant City has warm, ripe juicy berries - and when I see them in the store, I give in. Same with Mangoes in August, and oranges in December. Those don't grow here and they never will - so I indulge, and remember living in Florida. What I do try to avoid is mangoes in January and oranges in August...that may be the season on the other side of the planet, but that's a little too much fossil fuel with my produce....700 miles is slightly better than 3000, but not as good as the farm next door, I know.
Some other good advice I keep in mind when shopping for family or the inn: if your grandmother would recognize it, it is probably ok to eat. Actually, Michael Pollan said pretty much if ANYONE'S grandmother would recognize something, it is probably ok...my grandma might not know what tofu was, but plenty of Japenese grannies would. On the other hand, which one of them would recognize much of what is on the labels of the foods people buy these days - some ingredients are downright unpronounceable - and we are supposed to EAT it?? For anyone wondering: American cheese is NOT cheese - "processed cheese food" doesn't equal anything near the fresh, local Virginia cow, sheep and goat cheeses we have available here, and in many other places also.
Take time to look around your area - you might be amazed at what you can purchase locally - and spending only $10 a week at a local farm instead of buying from a chain will help your neighbor and you! And if the mealy tomatoes in January sit there, well, maybe someone will get the message that we are standing up for our food choices and demanding better for ourselves.
Monday, July 6, 2009
whew...
What a summer so far! We are so lucky to meet such wonderful people at the inn...just this past week, we have had several aspiring or new-to-the business winemakers. Democracy Vineyards was here for the 1st annual Wine Tasting at Wineworks - just a short drive up the road. They have a pretty vineyard in Nelson County, and make their wine at Michael Shaps' Wineworks. Also, a great couple from Montreal hoping to have a farm/winery up in the cold north in the next year or so! This week, we have a couple scouting locations to plant vinifera...the countryside here in Virginia couldn't be prettier, dotted with vineyard and rolling hills.
Biking - we had over 2000 people roll through Scottsville last month with Bike Virginia. Sometimes guests pack the bikes and head off for the day touring vineyards that way - most places will hold purchases for you to come back and pick up later. Weather - also perfect! 80's in the daytime, 60's at night...sunny and beautiful. And of course, tubing or canoeing on the James River is in full swing - that is another perfect way to spend a lazy summer day. (tip - plan a midweek trip...stay one night and get your second night half price here, and the river isn't nearly as crowded as on the weekends. Though here at the Horseshoe Bend, the river is WIDE enough to accomodate A LOT of tubers/boaters.
And the best news of all for Scottsville - drum roll please - our new pavilion is up and the Thursday and Saturday Farmer's Markets are in their new home! It is beautiful - open air post and beam, big enough for everyone to have some shade. Thursday evening there is a guy with terrific vegetarian Indian food - bring dinner from the market back to the garden at the Inn - we do it nearly every week!
Biking - we had over 2000 people roll through Scottsville last month with Bike Virginia. Sometimes guests pack the bikes and head off for the day touring vineyards that way - most places will hold purchases for you to come back and pick up later. Weather - also perfect! 80's in the daytime, 60's at night...sunny and beautiful. And of course, tubing or canoeing on the James River is in full swing - that is another perfect way to spend a lazy summer day. (tip - plan a midweek trip...stay one night and get your second night half price here, and the river isn't nearly as crowded as on the weekends. Though here at the Horseshoe Bend, the river is WIDE enough to accomodate A LOT of tubers/boaters.
And the best news of all for Scottsville - drum roll please - our new pavilion is up and the Thursday and Saturday Farmer's Markets are in their new home! It is beautiful - open air post and beam, big enough for everyone to have some shade. Thursday evening there is a guy with terrific vegetarian Indian food - bring dinner from the market back to the garden at the Inn - we do it nearly every week!
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