Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

      I've heard stories about the blight that has many left without tomatoes, but here in Sugarcreek we have a bumper crop of them. We've used them in salads and salsa as well added them to very meal imaginable. In addition our CSA members and friends have been gifted with bags of them.

We decided to get creative and make healthy a tomato juice, which by the way is full of vitamins and minerals. It also makes a great mix for a Bloody Mary. It’s fairly easy to make, but  it can get a little messy. I would cover the area with newspaper before beginning to keep your table and counter tops from getting stained.

Gather together the following ingredients and have fun.

12-15 medium size tomatoes

3 sprigs of parsley

2 celery stalks with leaves

1/2 cup of water

2-3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon oregano

Wash 12-15 medium size well ripened garden tomatoes. You can use ones that have slight blemishes, but if they show signs of decay I would not use them. Cut away any blemishes and the stems. Quarter the tomatoes and leave the skins on. This will enable to you to capture the majority of the vitamins and minerals in the skin. Place them in a quart size sauce pan.

Slice the onion and add it to the pot with the celery, basil, oregano, parsley and water. Bring the mixture to the point of simmering and slightly crush the tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for at least one 1/2 hour. Remove from heat and let the juice steep for 5 minutes and then remove the cover allowing the mixture to cool for an additinal 5-10 minutes. Carefully pour the mixture through a strainer and into a quart size container. You can reserve the pulp for recipes that call for stewed tomatoes or tomato pulp.

Once the juice has cooled slightly mix in sugar and paprika. Chill juice covered in the refrigerator at least one hour before serving. Prior to serving stir well as the pulp may settle. Garnish with lemon or lime for a zestier juice.

Come with me on a morning walk through the some of  gardens on the farm. Just now the irises are blooming, and the summer garden is growing. It's peaceful here in Sugarcreek on this Sunday morning. The weather has been beautiful and the plants are reaping the benefits of the  many hours of sunshine. Here are a few pictures of what's growing today.

Today seems no different than those early spring days when I feel I have to work a little harder to make up for the time I’ve been away from the gardens. The winter provides a much-needed slumber for the beautiful plants that surround our farm, and by the time the ground softens I am stealing minutes and even hours outside. Mornings are still chilly here in Sugarcreek, but the afternoon gives way to the gentle warmth of the springtime sun.

 Last night I was feeling energetic and decided to tackle a small garden in front of the barn. Some plants had grown under a large stone, which was surrounded by two smaller ones. Well, I’d like to say that I am the patient type, after all growing from seed and carefully cultivating does take patience, but in some matters I am the first to admit that I want it done NOW. I decided that despite my small stature I would move the large stone with merely a shovel and some misguided ingenuity. As most ill planned projects go this one was doomed from the start.

I had not accounted for the fact that my body weight was not enough to move the stone, and that placing my gloved hands under it was probably not the best idea. I did manage to move the middle- sized stone, and began gently working away the earth around the plants. I must admit that I was quite proud of my accomplishment until I realized that the tubers of the plants had grown directly under the larger stone.

 I tried to move the large stone, but after much huffing and puffing I decided that the stone was more stubborn than I, and I had to admit defeat. Despite my protests I would have to ask my husband for help in moving it. I clumsily picked up the middle-sized stone to place it back to where it was originally, and set my sights to another day. As I am lost in thought I set the stone down too close to another and wedged my fingers between the two. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t let go of the stone in my hand and then proceeded to smash my already wedged fingers.

For now I have been gracefully sidelined, but at least I know there is always tomorrow....

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.

We finally received our first real snowfall of the season. It's probably a good thing since I have been working outside up until a few days ago. The ground had not yet frozen so I took the opportunity to move a huge heirloom rose to a spot where it could grow without getting in the way.It took me the better part of the day to get it's roots out and relocate it. As I worked I snacked on the sweet rose hips ones I had snacked on through the fall. I decided I should leave some for the animals and birds that eat them. I think they were getting frustrated with me as I ate them longer into the season than I normally would have. I like to munch on things when I work and the tasty rose hips were just the right snack. They are loaded with vitamin C.

 Now that the weather has changed it's time for indoor projects. I spent most of the weekend drying,  and sorting  seeds for our use as well as to share with others. It won't be too long before he ground can be worked and the newly planted seeds emerge holding their promise for a yummy harvest. I also find it fulfilling and inspiring to grow from seed, and watch the cycle from begining to end. No matter how many times I do this I am still amazed. We offer a few of the seeds on Local Harvest, and hope to add a few new ones this year. Just now I am working with Aunt Molly's Husk Tomato, Heavenly Blue Morning Glory, and some Lamb's ear. If you have the opportunity to grow from seeds it is well worth the investment.

Even if you don't have land you can still grow many seeds in containers. Here are some Lamb's ears I grew indoors. They sit happily on my windowsill stretching to reach the rays of sun. I like to grow in the winter and set the plants out when the weather is warmer. It keeps my hands in the dirt and my soul in the garden  so to speak.

It also reminds me of a saying on a windchime my husband gave me some years ago,"To plant a graden is to believe in the future." -author unknown.

Wishing you a warm winter and a bountiful harvest !

Double R Farm