First harvests and lightning strikes

Lots to share, lots has happened this year, we've been so busy I haven't had much chance to update our progress, but here are some highlights:

First HU peonies

AND

First Riesling harvest, and our first homemade young  Riesling wine, after first racking

First very small muscadine/scuppernong harvest, just enough for some jam

Our first commercial harvest was fantastic

Sauv Blanc

Chardonnay

Over a ton sold to Crowe Farm and Winery

Grew some sunflowers, yum!

And enjoyed the lavender blooms and harvest

However, we did have some unnecessary adventures in July when lightning blew a hole in the gable end wall, shooting through the roof, starting a flash fire, severing our satellite, burning out TV, computers, and solar panels.  We were very fortunate no one was hurt, as we were home at the time and in close proximity to the strike.   And, of course we had just finished pointing that wall (doing one wall a year).  We have just now completed almost all the repairs to the structure and systems.  It was a busy summer!

The amazing blackberries, seen here ripening, almost made up for the stress of the lightning strike.

Hope you are getting ready for the cold winter ahead.

Kate

Cycle of a season

Time has slipped away, a simple murmuration.  Where did it go so fast?

Maybe it vanished like a blue tail skink that slides noiselessly under the door.

Much beauty has appeared in its place

as a wispy dream,

a fond memory,

or peaceful reverie.

Growth, at once jumped up riotous,

giggling like a child,

and carried its potential gently.

Harvest time in the fall brought great treasures,

though much work separating the kernel from the hulls even though the oats were supposed to be hull-less, and we had to keep milling bit by bit to flatten the flake,

so that we could enjoy some apple crumble with homemade ice cream!

New fruit, pomegranate, was an unexpected treasure from this first year tree,

and our only 2013 grape bunch harvest holds the promise of much greater excitement, and healthy anticipation of the work ahead with our first full harvest in 2014.

Even our vegetable garden brought many gifts, as well as an overabundance of food that we shared with friends, but are still eating as the spring (lucky us!)

 Warmth will soon overtake the winter freeze.

This new year will bring many cherished gifts to the farm and the house, as our dear family and friends, and our newest babies and friendships, will find much love here.

Kate