Harvest Time

So we have finished canning pears off the Bartlet pear tree last week. Now there is an even bigger pear tree that has been patiently holding on to its fruit for the last three weeks.... now their falling on the ground and we can’t keep up.

I also need to buy more canning jars... Note to self... stock -up on jars all year long so you do not have to go several stores just to find the all the jars left are half-pints.

We have filled something close to 150 jars of various sizes filled with all manner of yummy things. (And we are not done.) My lovely wife has taken to our new found hobby quite well, and has come up with some interesting ideas for jams and jellies. So far we have Rhubarb-Orange jam ~ Pear, Apple, Peach jam ~ Concord Jelly ~ Peach Pear Jam ~ Raspberry Apple Jam ~ Raspberry Pear Jam (and more to come I’m sure).

During this time of canning, I discovered the world of antique BALL jar collecting. I only have a few so far, but next year at this time, I should have many more. Just last week I canned a jar of pear juice in a blue Ball jar from the early mechanization period 1895-1910 with 3L transition embossing. “Translation” that’s means its old and rare to all non-jar collectors out there...LOL
(I crack myself up. If I don't who will?)

We have been told of a place close by that has an apple press. We’re going to bring in 150lbs at least and have all our apples pressed into cider. This is a very exciting time, even if it is busy.

Our second shipment of chickens arrived last week 12 Barred rocks and 12 Cornish x Rocks and 1 Rooster (his name is Boo-Boo chicken (after Donald Duck’s pet chicken on the Mickey Mouse Club house show).

Boo-Boo Chicken will hopefully become the pet that our daughter can grow attached to and he won’t go “missing” after a few weeks.


They are SO cute. You know your life has change when you spending your money on chicken feed and canning jars. Last year at this time I was going to wine tastings on a regular basis and seeing Phantom of the Opera and enjoying the city nightlife. Now its all about chicken poop, compost and growing your own food.

I have to say with the help of dear wife we’re on track for a fairly successful first year on the farm. There is still a lot of work to do yet, its going to be a busy but rewarding fall harvest.