I’m super grateful for the fact that Tumbleweed Farm sits at the base of a mountain. Mountain air is the best because even when we reach triple digit temps in the afternoon it still cools off enough to sleep comfortably at night (we even have to bundle up first thing in the morning for our chores and early harvest).
This past week things have gotten quite toasty in the fields but every afternoon a dunk in the irrigation ditch totally revitalizes us. Evenings have been mellow with beers at the grill and a lot of veggies for dinner! The fields are about 2 + weeks early with summer produce quickly arriving (we’ve actually been harvesting our first round of summer squash and zucchini!) We’re feeling pretty good at the moment with the occasional daily freakout. It’s amazing how many emotions you can experience in one day. However, for the most part, things are looking really good and we’re feeling like the hot (I mean really HOT) summer that lies ahead will still be manageable and profitable for our farm.
The Thursday farmers market in Hood River continues to be a total blast. We have some amazing local customers and it’s always a treat to hear what people are cooking up in their kitchens. We actually have some die hard folks that buy the same produce every week which makes harvesting particular items extra fun. We chat about our customers in the fields and it’s almost like they’re right there with us when we’re harvesting their food. We love our community of supporters and their rad energy is felt throughout our farm fields.
Our weekly field trip into Portland to drop off our CSA shares has quickly become the most stressful and simultaneously enjoyable day of the week. Tuesday mornings begin extra early (with a lot of coffee) and are quite hectic. However, once we pack up the truck and hit the road the simple act of sitting upright, in an air conditioned vehicle is pure bliss. We get to drop off our CSA at an amazing brew pub (Migration) and continue to enjoy a semi vacation from the farm. The brew pub has AC, great beer, and most importantly, our rad CSA members who often times stay and enjoy a cold one with us.
With all that being said, I hope this weekend you all get to cool off with a few tasty beverages and of course, some good food with great people. Cheers from Tumbleweed!
I love your blog and your recipes. You are inspiring. On a non-food subject, I’m amazed at how Henry walks and lays in the rows between the vegetables and doesn’t walk all over them. How did you train him to do that? He’s beautiful, by the way.
Ahhh, you’re too sweet. Henry is a pretty darn good dog. We haven’t properly trained him to stay out of the rows, but for some reason he just seems to get it! However, when we’re harvesting in the turnip patch we have to tie him up because he LOVES turnips. He’ll them up and devour a 200 foot long bed of turnips if left by himself!
What a special spot you’ve found.
Thanks for sharing these pictures with us 🙂
Such lovely photo’s with such strong visual appeal! I love the one with the garlic. We are a bit away here in the NE of being able to harvest anything, it has been so cold and rainy, blah! And that dog looks so steady and reliable. When I need good advice, I know to ask my dog =)