Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

My apologies to anyone who was or is trying to sign up for our 2009 CSA shares through the internet. Somehow instead of updating the quanities available I zeroed them out ! Thankfully, a few subscribers called to let me know of the problem. If you would like to join us for he 2009 growing season you can do so by visiting our Local Harvest store, or contacting us here at the farm. Thanks, Christine

Monday mornings for me are always difficult to navigate. Working inside a classroom during the week I look forward to the time on the weekend to get things done on the farm. This past weekend the weather was fairly warm here in Sugarcreek. It was great for gardening and getting some much needed chores done. Saturday we worked on a shed that houses our well and pump. The winds this past winter had torn many shingles off the roof and some of the wood had rotted from moisture. There is nothing I like better than hanging off the side of the ledge of a roof and hanging shingles!

A little later on the scents of spring overcame me, and I spied my trusty pitchfork in the barn. For some reason, Spring never officially starts until I turn over the first of the gardens by hand. It's slow going, but smelling the sweet earth always gets me in the spirit to continue. The early cold hardy crops will go in first, and as the weather warms up we will move onto the other ones. Soon enough we will be harvesting the spring crops and anticipating the rest of the produce. The juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, beans, peas and a host of other tasty treats are always the best when they are naturally grown. I can imagine it now... the juice from the 1st tomato dripping down my chin.

Well, it's back to work. I grab the pen that has been traded for my pitchfork and continue with thoughts of the coming harvest dancing in my head. Soon the weather will be even warmer, and the gardens will be ready to start planting the seed that starts it all. School will be out for the summer, and the season I enjoy the most will begin. The flowers and vegetables that were so carefully planted will be ready to harvest, and the satisfaction of providing for family and friends will fill my soul.

Yesterday the day began with howling winds barreling across the pastures. It was a brisk wind, one that cleanses the atmosphere while it tosses around everything in its path. The early morning songs of the peepers and birds were almost all but drowned out by the roaring wind, but if you listened carefully you could still hear them.

Today, we were teased by snow as Mother Nature tries to make up her mind. Will it be winter or spring? We are tempted to plant, but know that we could still be in for some more winter weather. In our area we usually plant peas and potatoes on St. Patricks Day along with some other cold weather crops. We are tempted though to grab the pitchfork and start a little sooner.

 The winds of change have also swept through our lives and at times have thrown us off balance. We steady ourselves as best we can, and set our sights on this years' harvest and the promise it brings. Though the winds may howl we are thankfully reminded that some things will never change. 

 

This morning we were greeted by the Northwest winds roaring across the pastures in Sugarcreek. Occassionally, the winds would subside just long  enough for us to hear the sweet songs of  the springtime birds.

In the past few days the weather here has been warmer, warm enough to send the farm animals into their springtime frolic. The chickens were up for a friendly game of hide and seek and were eager to taunt me with their antics. Instead of laying their eggs in their chicken house they decided to lay them in the barn in a nest of dirt and hay that they had collected from the barn floor.

The heat from the much needed sun was warm and welcoming as we watched many more robins gather in the front yard. We decided to venture out and look for some spring flowers. Like treasure hunters searching for gold we set out, and were quickly rewarded when we spied a lone golden yellow crocus bravely peeking out from the soil.The almost overlooked jewel was nestled among the dead grasses and twigs of last years' growth. Our son seemed the most captivated by its simple beauty as he bent down to get a closer look. We watched as he pushed his little nose deep into its soft petals. "Wow, he exclaimed, "this is the sweetest flower I ever smelled!" That it is, and soon the land will be filled with many colorful flowers and the sweet scents of Spring.

The chickens it seems are convinced that Spring has arrived in Sugarcreek. The warmer weather has them venturing out from the safety of the barn, and we find them out looking for a tasty springtime treat. They strut around the yard clucking loudly as they make their way across the driveway, behind the barn and even into the horse pastures.

The cats too have broken out of  their winter cacoon,and we no longer find them curled up in a ball under their blankets in the garage. Instead, we open the door to feed them and find them ready at the door. Ready to pouce and play in the spring like weather.Later in the day, we find them curled up on the porch enjoying their noontime nap.

The horse's whinny has become more robust as they gallop across the pasture to greet us. They search for the tiny green shoots of the spring grass they know will soon cover the pasture with lush forage. I watch the farm animals and I am swept up by their excitement. I find a small hand shovel and begin scraping the earth looking for the newly emerging flowers. Spring, I think, is not that far away. 

Sanity is a rare commodity these days. Disgusted we turn off the news as the anchorman touts the unemployment in our county as over 10%. We consider ourselves lucky as he adds the comment that the surrounding counties are upwards of 12% and more. Not bad for a hard days work. We are still less than 1/2 that of The Great Depression.   

People here in Sugarcreek and the surrounding towns are shocked. Shocked at how quickly the economy has swallowed their jobs, homes and livelihoods. We should be proud though shouldn't we? As Americans we have allowed politicians to pledge 900 million dollars to the people of Palestine while ignoring the cries of their own people.

I find myself outside again staring at the stars. Looking for some sort of guidance. The problems facing many of us today are monumental. Peace and serenity can only be found  far away from the blaring television. I hear the wind and I listen for some message of hope. I know it is there somewhere in the stillness of the night.   

It's early here.Too ealy for even the sun to rise as we greet yet another frigid morning in Sugarcreek. It is bitter cold. Just how cold I am not sure. I have stopped looking at the thermonmeter and only catch pieces of the weather forecast. It is that time of year when I start looking outside to see the weather and the wonders of Mother Nature. 

Spring for me holds much promise with the anxious bulbs that peek through the frozen ground and the welcome return of the robins. I can tell we are getting close when I see the daffodils up about  a 1/2 inch and one plump robin at the feeder looking a little out of place. Soon the bulbs will burst forth providing a canvas of color that only Mother Nature can create.

Not long after the emergence of the early spring flowers baby birds will hatch. Watching the mother birds teach their young to gather food and learn to fly provide us with hours of entertainment. We also enjoy a host of springtime wild bunnies.Sometimes we name our springtime guests. We have had Dory the mourning dove, Hopper the robin, and Thumper the baby bunny.

As I put the dog out this morning I stop and look up into the early morning sky. I look for the Big Dipper and some of the more familiar constellations. I barely even notice the cold. As I watch the twinkling stars I  remember of a story one of my students told me, and I can only smile. 

This past year we had a bad wind storm which knocked the power out in our area.While most of the students were complaining about no t.v., no video games and the fact that they had to go to bed early becasue they had no lights one students voice rose above the others. I listened while she told the story of how she had seen "the most beautiful thing".

She told the story of how out of boredom she and her Mom had stepped outside and with no street lights she had been able to see something for the first time. Something that we sometimes take for granted. Just above their house they noticed the evening sky. She was amazed at how brightly the stars had twinkled and just how dark the evening sky was. Normally, this magnificant veiw would have been washed out by the street lights.

So as I start my day filled with thoughts of peace and solitude I am determined to hold onto these no matter what craziness this day will bring.  Should I  begin to fret or worry about things I can not change I need only look to Mother Nature for Inspiration.

The midwest has always been considered the heartland of America. From it's gentle rolling pastures to it's simple way of life. It has for many years and  for many people held the promise of the American Dream.

We moved here years ago hoping to give our children a slower pace of life and an opportunity to build a closer relationship with the land. For the most part it has been a rather pleasant experience. We were able tfind a small Amish farmhouse in a place most people only dream about.

We are nestled in the small community of Sugarcreek, Ohio and are surrounded by some of the most generous people in Ohio. From the Amish to the English each caring for themselves and their neighbors. It is unique here and in my opinion one of the  best hidden treasures of this great country.

Lately, I have found myself very saddened by what I see happening here as well as in other parts of the U.S.. As I have said in previous posts the current state of the economy has dealt  devistating blows to many communities. Daily we see and feel it's disasterous effects. We watch helplessly as our friends and neighbors as well as ourselves loose jobs, homes and sometimes faith.

We like many others were taught that the American Dream was  within everyone's reach. That by working hard and living a clean life we would always be able to provide for ourselves as well as to help out our neighbors. As I learn that a co-worker has recently borrowed  money to pay property taxes even though the loan will not be paid by the time she needs to borrow more money to pay her taxes yet again; I can only shake my head. Or maybe it's the 63 year old gentleman with diabeties who has just lost the job he  loyally held for the past 15 years  and  no longer has health insurance to pay for  the insuln he needs.

This economy not only effects Americans finacially, but it also effects the inner sanctum of family traditons. Recently, an Amish man took the life of his wife and son. He lived a few towns over and when he heard his daughter would be relocating to our community he could bear no more. You see in the Amish community they do not send their older parents and relatives to nursing homes. They build an addition onto the farmhouse, called a dowdi house, and they live out their final years at home with their family. To this gentleman having his daughter leave the family home with her husband who had no choice but to relocate after he losing his job found it too much to bear.

I am not too sure where we as Americans are headed and honestly the uncertainty is unsettling at best. For those who are currently facing the brunt of this recession/depression my heart goes out to you. May God bless you and your families.