Spyglass Gardens

I remember when I was just a lad growing up on our little farm...fall was worth waiting for... the fruit trees were always fair game as long as you let mom have some for jam and make dad a pie...Hidden in the leaves would be treasures kissed by the sun...After school and during chores those treasures would be the secret snack.  Only you and God knew you had tasted this gem...it's juicy sweet meat and tangy core was all yours...I would savor every bite, mind you now, you only ate one or two a day unless they were tooooo ripe,  cause you must not waste this treat!  I remember finishing my chores with a a sticky smile, tasting just one more before going to the house....As entering wiping my hands on my jeans..."Whats for Dinner"..Yes I am starved...haven't eaten since lunch!...Mom always knew the real story...or was it the juice stains on my shirt!...Remember fall is always worth waiting for....and a warm peach, juicy pear and crisp apple straight from the tree is the best snack of all! 

        There are farmers, want a be's, and then there are "farmers".  These folks that are "farmers" have jeans that if they could speak would tell you adventures beyond your wildest dreams.  These "farmers" were folks that were brought up growing for their survival, sustaining their very being. They grew up with a shovel in one hand, a straw hat and a knak for understanding mother nature. They had to, it was their life.

        The skin on the hands of the "farmer" is browned, tough, but yet soft to a childs face. The eyes of a farmer sees farther and deeper and yet has an understanding wink. The smile on the "farmers" face cannot be mistaken, for it speaks of truth, kindness and love.

        These "farmers" can read the land, understand soil without a microscope and love to eat a fresh dug raw potato.

         Our ol' red tractor is missing his friend this spring. His "farmer" has left our fields for greener pastures. Oh the tractor is still started each day and proudly plows the fields but there is someone missing when you see it pass by the house. Even though that ol' red tractor is just made of rusty iron it will always host the rememberance of "Tractor Papa" now driving his new tractor in Heaven.  Miss you Papa...

    This time of year can be either a time of slumber if you are a ground hog or for the farmer an important time of planning. The past years of harvest results have been documented and seeds were ordered for this years crops. Most of which have been received-organized-and filed for successional planting or propagating. Now comes the waiting game. 

    The ground is too wet or snow is still covering some areas. The soil is soft and mushie, but the farmer knows that the tiny micro-organisms are munching and creating a rich bio mass that will insure a great start to an intense harvest. Patiently he waits, if the ground is disturbed to early it can be packed down. The riches that have been created will be distroyed before they have had a chance to be asorbed by freshly planted seeds.  Clean up is even hard around the farm. Mulch that was placed to protect the berries or overwintered bulb crops still needs to be left alone.

    Still the farmer has work to do...grease wheels on the machinery, overhaul and change the oil on the tractor. Repair broken tines, replace discs and tires. Oh and he watching the weather. The weather just doesn't play a part in the day to day activities on the farm but it's future. Many farmers pay for a given amount of water base for their acerage and needs. This allotment is based on the previous years snowpack or moisture. So during the winter and early spring if the moisture level is lower than normal (like this winter!), he may have to adjust how he plants, what he plants and definately how he is going to get water to his fields.

    Many folks think the ol' farmer just takes the winter off...But you see that there is more that just getting your hands in the dirt!

    Well the hot hot days of summer are behind us. Why do I know this?Because this morning the trees out back were swaying in the morning breeze and golden leaves, that were parched by the heat,  were falling to the ground like snowflakes-quiet and harmless.

   The smell of fall is in the air, hayfields are being cut possibliy for the last time, cow corn is being harvested, the mint fields are being mowed and the tomatoes are Red and Ripe!.  The smells of fall are all around us. Green peppers are coloring to Red, Zinnas are 5 feet tall and the Peach Trees are laden with fruits the size of softballs. Imagine the smell of peaches ripening in the hot sun, picking one and eating it just seconds later. O' Farm life is grand. Especially here on our farm.

   Our grand-dads taught us to care for the land and you shall reap the rewards. Not always profit mind you but, the reward of growing quality foods to sustaine the family.  Not only just to fill the pantry but to fulfil your tastebuds and your soul.

   Fall is a wonderful time to reflect on the bounty. To store away for winter, to enjoy the colors and to savor it's taste!

All of us have a dad, but many of us have never knew we had a DAD!...

I  did.. I knew from the moment I opened my eyes. We shared a bond that not many have experienced let alone admit. He taught me how to laugh, to cry, to walk, to farm, to  fish and hunt. To play ball, golf and to play for keeps! To love God...most important to Thank Him for each day.

My Dad taught me how to work hard, to get my hands dirty in the dirt to plant and watch our fields grow with color and bounty. To enjoy the smells of sweet flowers in the spring and the decaying leaves of fall. To listen to the quiet whisper of winter and watch how snowflakes danced to the ground...

Later...My Dad taught me to be an adult and to love the country we call America. To keep her and love her thru the good times and bad. To fight for the freedoms of others...

My Dad has been gone for sometime now and I know he is watching over us in Heaven...Fishing, Hunting and playing Golf with God...

I love you Dad...and I Thank you for being My DAD....Wendy

We must never take for granted Memorial Day...especially for those who receive a day off because of it's existance. Our country is based on a democracy that didn't come by chance. But one that has been bound by the ultimate sacrifice.  Because of these sacrifices we can voice our own opinion (even if no one is listening!), watch TV when we want and pretty much what we want (that can be good or bad), purchase foods and clothing anytime of day, have a family and our children can go to school. And the list goes on and on....

Whether you take the day off or not, please take a moment, pay homage to the flag and thank the good Lord above that you live in this great country.  And if you see a service man on the street greet him with a smile and tell him "Thank you"...it is just that simple.

Our family is very thankful for all that have given that ultimate sacrifice,  and we are proud to say that we are Americans.  We have many soldiers past and present in our clan and are very proud of each every one of them....God Bless America

Have you ever taken the time to just sit and smell?  Now is the time.

Oh you could have allergies but just sit and smell....The fruit trees have been blooming for a few days. Water has filled the canals and some are irrigating the wind blown fields. Farmers are tilling the soil, uplifting composted matter that will nourish their bounty. Folks in town are mowing the tufted snow laiden grass in their yards. Tulips are popping up among the fallen forgotten leaves...  Lilacs fill the air...

Just take time to sit and smell...Close your eyes...and remember a time when we didn't look at our watches. We didn't watch TV after the news was over...And we took time to sit and smell...

The smells of this time of year reminds us of the days to come.  The harvest from our gardens and from the orchards. The sweet smells are converted to the sweet tastes of Cherries, Peaches and Apples and crisp crunch of Sweet Corn not to mention the smell of a Red Ripe Tomato picked in the hot summer sun.

It's not too late, Take time to just sit and smell...We are truely blessed living in such a great valley...

That is why it was called the " Treasure Valley"!

I was 9 when my Dad let me grow pumpkins at the back of the family garden.  Our garden was huge and supplied our family and neighbors with tasty produce all summer and Mom canned for the winter. I watered, weeded and cared for my little round buddies all summer. I watched as they grew and when the days of September grew shorter they turned a beautiful orange. My Dad helped me cut them from their life line and one by one I placed them in my 'lil red wagon'. I pulled them up to the road at the end of our driveway and sold them to folks driving by.  In October after school and after my chores were done, Mom could always find me out by the road selling my pumpkins 25 cents a piece.  It took me 3 seasons of growing and selling my pumpkins to save up enough money to buy a small motorcycle so I could ride with my Dad when he went fishing.

Now 40 years later my family is still growing a garden. Only difference between my tiny pumpkin patch of yester year and the 5 acre garden we grow now is the last 8 years our garden has been our family business.  Growing all natural produce and selling it here on the farm has become the primary focus of income to our family.  We have taken pride in sharing our farm with others. Teaching the youth of today the importance of growing your own food has become our mission statement.  My 'lil red wagon' makes countless trips back to the pumpkin patch every season.

2009 is our 9th year and we now face "The Dawn of a New Age". We have been instructed by the county that we can no longer sell our produce here on the farm or have folks out to the farm. Some others have been contacted of the same. In order to stay in business we must take our produce to the Farmers Markets or design a CSA program. During the winter all of us got together and with help of legal counsel we have designed a new version of the Farm Stand Code.  It has been submitted and if it is adopted it will set the stage for future Farm Stands.

For now the 'lil red wagon' awaits the sounds of children with its wheels anticipating a heavy load of prize pumpkins!

   Once again snow blankets the valley. Our warming sun is hidden in a dense fog sending our thoughts and desires into sleepy mode.  The birds search for tidbits of seeds forgotten while the buds on trees remain tight to the branches.

   Down in the basement of the ol' farm house in front of the fireplace, catalogs are spread accross the floor. Lists of choices are being made for tasty vegetable seed and sets.  The almanac has been read from cover to cover 10x, in fact pages are torn out and pasted to the cork board. The calandar on the wall has plowing & planting dates picked, some same from last year some new dates just because. You must not mix up the piles, no need to vaccum till planting is done!

One such planting date remains true "Good Friday". Time to plant potatoes, peas and beans.  Don't know why just has been that way in our family for decades.  Yes here on the farm every early spring starts the same. Snow on ground, lots of fog and sittin by the warm fire with the piles of seed catalogs.  It truely is a great way of beating the fog blues, all those tasty colorful veggies and brillant blooming flowers! 

We have decided that all folks need a couple of new Vitamins in January... Vitamin F and V. One dose a day keeps the blues away!

We wish to take this time to reflect upon this year.  Spyglass Gardens has been in business 8 years this last July.  Every year has had its trials, tears and joys. This year was of no exception. 

We wish to Thank our Family & Friends for helping us, plow, plant,pick water, organize and bring us dinner on those long days.  There is simply not enough hours in the day to master all.  Working together in the mud, sweat and dust brings all of us closer! This year has been awesome for the farm.  Locally grown products are becoming a necessity in our daily lives.

Our family is celebrating this Thanksgiving Season in a Traditional yet Spiritual Manner.  Wendy's Mom has finished 12 months of Cancer Treatments and is doing fantastic. This summer during our peak harvest Steve was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. His surgery and pathology on November 17,  is complete and the Cancer is gone! Praise God--Truely!

We are looking forward to 2009-Growing for you and your families All Natural Farm Fresh Produce. 

Take time to be with your family and friends-Give them a hug-let them know how you feel- and Thank God for Each Day!  

Best Wishes to All--Steve and Wendy of Spyglass Gardens - Meridian, Id