Three Farm Day

Can an orchard technically be called a farm? I'm saying yes because I've identified it that way in my title. Work with me here.

Yesterday morning was busy with visits to two farms. When I texted my daughter-in-law Friday evening to see if she wanted some of the apple pie filling, she let me know that Erik had already eaten the applesauce I made from their apples earlier this year. Well, don't you know I totally dropped my pretense of being finished with canning for the season, and we headed out yesterday morning to pick up more apples.

The farm store was mobbed. They had some kind of event going on with hayrides and visits to the pumpkin patch.

I just grabbed the appropriate number of pre-bagged apples and we got the heck out of there, crowd phobes that we are. Well don't you know as I typed those words, I had to consult The Google to find out if there is an actual name for this condition. Of course there is. Here is what The Google told me:

The fear of crowds or Enochlophobia is known by different names such as Ochlophobia and Demophobia. As the name indicates, this phobia consists of an irrational fear of large crowds and gatherings of people. 

Have I said lately how much I ♥ the internet? Probably, but I'll just say it again. Oh yes, and since I'm sure you needed to know that, you're welcome.

So anyway...on the way back to the car, we marveled at how prolific their trees are. This is just one small part of their large orchard.

Long rows...

Row after row, heavy with apples.

Farm #2 was a visit to Working Hands Farm, and the home of our CSA farmers, Brian and Jess. Here is where they grow our vegetables. I believe they have 40 acres total, of which about 15 is planted in vegetables. We got into a discussion with Farmer Brian about where their water comes from. As it turns out there is an unnamed creek running on the east side of their farm. Brian told us that when they were considering purchasing the land, the price was low because there were no water rights. He very assiduously studied the records at the county and discovered that in fact, water rights to the creek had been granted to this property in 1895 and no one knew it. It was at this realization that they made their decision to purchase the land. Lucky for us, no? 

The two "tunnels" on the right in this image are new this year. It's so much fun to watch these two young people building their farm and a life they both love.

Before we ever purchased our first share of the bounty, I was following their Facebook page. They post the most beautiful pictures of their life on the farm. Then, one day I was driving by, and noticed their barn, which is unmistakable. The pumpkins were for members to pick up yesterday. They are jack-o-lantern pumpkins, and so we decided to leave ours. It makes a pretty picture though. I've added this one to my file of barn pictures.

We got to see their friendly cows.

And their even friendlier goats.

I imagine we'll be seeing this pretty kale in our next share.

Here's where they keep track of chores that need to be done and what needs watering. Keep in mind that it's just the two of them doing this enormous amount of work.

I just liked this picture. It's some sort of little storage shed.

We had some lunch at a nearby restaurant and then headed for home. Right away, I got back to work building my own farm. Yesterday I added the fence at the bottom.

That allowed me to fuse the rooster.

Then I made Chicken V.

Chicken W.

And I fused the two of them into position overlapping one another. They aren't fused to the piece yet, but this is how they'll look.

Then I made Chicken X.

And Chicken Y. This one reminds me of Foghorn Leghorn, although I guess technically he's a rooster. (Please tell me you know who Foghorn Leghorn is.)

When I left them, they were positioned on the piece, but not yet fused.

All that's left to do now is make two little chicks and one large tree, about ten pieces total. When everything is in place, I'll fuse the whole thing to the background fabric, and this section will be finished! Yahoo!

First, however, we're having breakfast with our former neighbors who moved away a few years ago. They're in town for a day or two and asked us to meet them for breakfast.

And, with that, off I go. Better hit the shower now if we're going to be there on time.