Is Your Social Gathering Meeting Your Guests Expectations?

LunaGrown can offer you some pointers on a clear path to a well-planned social gathering. We are not talking about a large reception by any means but a small social get-together. The same suggestions would also apply for a more intimate gathering.

Never Say “Yuck” to Green Tomato Jam!

Personally, I like Green Tomato Jam on toast. An artisan grain bread toasted with butter and a savory Green Tomato Jam. Also, I enjoy it as a cheese pairing with a tangy sharp cheese, the sharper the better!

Into the Autumn

Autumn is Upon Us

At the farm, Autumn means it’s time to start preparing for next spring. Well in a way that’s what it means. During the cold winter months when the ground is frozen very little can be done with the soil, the equipment is too cold to work on, and no planting can be done. So Autumn is a very active time.

We had some relatives visit us this month and assist in the expansion of the grape fields. My humans have found that spring planting is much easier if the support lines and irrigation are set now and ready to go come planting time. I was exhausted after a day of supervising them, but they did a great job! The expansion they worked on means an additional 125 or 150 grapevines. The additional help was greatly appreciated and we had an enjoyable visit as well.

Also, I have been assisting my human Markus as he clears the lower field near the barn. This was an extensive clearing of rocks, brush, and stumps, but we’ve got it pretty well under control. Chris built the biggest cat box I have ever seen in the field there. I’m looking forward to having it filled with sand and cats, lots and lots of ~~rotten~~ pretty cats. I have not quite decided what should happen in this field yet. My human companions and I are still discussing it, but I’ll let you know.

I have kept Paul busy, as this is the best time to put down grass seed and lime. I know some that will disagree and they should know they are wrong, ask any dog. The best time for grass seed if you want it to come up in the spring is after the first frost in the Autumn. We’ve had a few light touches of frost already, thankfully not a good hard frost yet as Chris still needs to wrap the fig trees and raspberries since they are still young.

Paul has also been working extensively on the barn and future kitchen. It seems the lazy hazy days of summer are behind us all for this year.

The only one who really has to work through the winter is Chris, as he is responsible for making jam for everyone to enjoy through the winter season. I can’t wait for vacation days. We still have a lot to accomplish before then though.

Ben has been visiting on weekends and you would think he never gets out, he’s so full of energy. Today I dared him to roll in bear scat and he did it! It was under his collar and behind his ears and down his neck! Who’s the stinker now Benny? He had to get a bath out behind the barn with a hose. No one was very happy about this, and everyone said I was a smart good girl for not getting any on me.

Work hard while you can, it’s good for your mind and your soul. Remember, don’t go home with scat under your collar others will know where you’ve been and what you’ve been up too. Sometimes in life, it’s best, just to let shit lie.

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Small Pleasures Bring Great Joy

The Joy of Good Company

Benny finally made it up to the farm this week for a visit. He is my friend and lives with his human companion Chris. With our busy schedules we don’t get to visit as often as we would like so we make the most of it. Which is important in any friendship. I showed Ben what has been accomplished in our kitchen area and he agreed that everything is going along smoothly. He congratulated me on the progress and the ability to keep my humans happy during such an undertaking. We agree it is important that they are walked daily or at least take time to exercise by throwing a ball.

We spent a good deal of time inspecting the fields and discussing the lack of rain. Ben was amazed at how low the water was in the pond and how dry some of the berry plants looked. We have seen this before though and every year is a new experience. Later in the day Markus took us for a ride in the open car that only goes on the farm. It is our favorite thing to do. Sometimes we’ll just sit on the front seat together hoping one of our human companions gets the hint! Usually they do, but they don’t always, like the hint about the crunchy broccoli and asparagus I’ve been mentioning.

Ben and I run so much we usually rest on the cool floor outside the barn in the afternoon, although it was so nice to see him I shared my raised farm bed with him. Ben and I have known each other for more years than I have dupe paws. Time really does not matter though when you have good company to enjoy it with. I am very glad all my humans get along. Of course we can’t get along with everyone, some creatures have butts that just don’t smell right and you can’t trust them.

Ben mentioned how exciting it is for him to see my humans, Paul and Markus, as he does not often get human visitors at his home. He said there are some that walk by and he calls to them to stop and visit. He said they get this scared look and back away. It seems the cats there feel the same way. He commented that a human in a brown truck stops by and leaves packages but won’t visit either. I explained to him those are called UPS humans and they are afraid of our kind so he should stop asking him to play.

Ben and I finished our conversation over a bowl of cool water. We talked of our upcoming plans for the fall. We agreed we need to try to get afternoons together more often. Although we both understand the busy lives of our humans and look forward to days ahead.

Always cherish the moments you have with those that bring you the smallest amount of joy! Remember, it’s better to ride with the wind in your face, than to put your head out the side window and watch the world go by. You can share that wisdom with a friend!

Sunny Days

Sunny Days are Meant for Dogs

Sunny days are meant for me is what I wanted to say. Is there anything more wonderful this time of year? The air is thick and dry, just a little bit of running and you are ready for a nice cold drink of water and a cool piece of ground to lay on. The sun just shining its warmth on your face. Could anything be more perfect? To be honest I do prefer my cold water from a clean container and I have a raised bed on the farm so I don’t have to lay in the dirt. Ben, however, will drink from the pond and lay in the dirt, he seems to enjoy his spot. I enjoy mine. We do agree on sharing the warm sunshine though.

The men came that make the electric go from the tall stick in the ground to the barn and made it work. Everyone is happy, and now the box that blows cold air is working, and our water now comes out of a long snake-like thing called a hose. It’s very cold water. I have watched my human Paul attaching things to it and telling Chris where the sink will go. I am guessing this will be the kitchen where they intend on creating crunchy broccoli and asparagus treats for me. I still have not gotten any this year, but a fan of our jam did send some very nice chews that Chris said help keep my teeth clean. So whoever you are thank you!

I have been helping my human companion Markus clear another area just outside the barn. There are so many rocks I wonder where they all keep coming from. It does look much better already. There was nothing but tall swamp grass and rotten stumps there before. I’m not certain if I will have my companions plant more harvest-able items or maybe just some grass. A driveway might be nice there so on rainy days I can be let out just at the barn and not have to run through it. We’ll see, I have not made my mind up yet.

I heard that Chris is planning to take September off from his regular markets in Goshen and New Hampton. I made arrangements with some of his market associates who will offer our jam in his absence. Of course, I made sure he got the online store open, so there’s that option. I don’t know what date he is planning to take his short leave but I’ll make note of it.

I hope you take some time to enjoy the sunshine, I promise you will love every minute of it warming your face! Just a thought, when meeting a new friend for the first time (whether animal or human) it is wise to properly introduce yourself prior to physical interaction. We all have boundaries that should be respected.

You’ll Adore Jam Filled Dessert Crêpes a la LunaGrown

If you are planning on enjoying these for breakfast consider serving with a plain yogurt sauce. If dessert is more to your liking, they are wonderful with fresh whipped cream and some dark chocolate shavings.

Raspberry Ricotta Pie

I set out to make a pie yesterday with things I had lying around since there was no time for a trip to the store. Plus, as I said, I tend to dive into an endeavor at a moment’s notice. It’s good for me to have recipes in my arsenal that are terrific and rely on pantry and fridge staples.

The Fox and the Grapes

We Have a New Visitor on the Farm

My humans don’t think I know, but I can smell it. There is a new visitor to the farm. The kind that looks like one of my relatives got stuck together with one of those unpredictable hissing things they call a cat and made puppies. Humans call these things Foxes. While they are timid things, for the most part, I don’t trust them.

They will attempt to eat other visitors that cause mischief on the farm, even those things that play dead. In that aspect these Fox things are good, but they spread fleas terrible and sometimes rabies and I for one don’t want either.

Thankfully I have not had to waste my energy chasing it off the farm, but I know it’s there. I can only hope Ben doesn’t see it.

As usual, we have been very busy. I can’t believe a whole month has gone by. I have not seen much of Chris, the Jam Maker. It is a busy time of year for him. My humans have been working on the roads and buildings here. We are finally ready for the electric to be turned on. Now that the weather is a bit cooler I don’t know if i’ll need that box in the wall that blows cold air. Although I’m sure there will be a few more hot days to come.

I am pretty sure it is a crunchy treat time of year. I love these things they call broccoli and asparagus. It’s like grass or baby pine trees only better, and it doesn’t bother your stomach. I hope someone brings me some very soon.

Luna Backyard As for the fields, they look good to me, although some did brown a bit after the past rains. But it looks like they are coming back just fine. I remember hearing something about fireplace ashes for around the plants so I guess that is something my Human companions will be doing. I am impressed that our grapes look so nice this year. I guess like most things they just needed some extra attention to really shine.

The nice-looking grapevines bring me back to the fox, which is where I started. I recall an old human story that has been passed down even though my kind about a fox who was trying to eat some birds that were eating grapes. I have heard some humans call it the sour grape story. Well, I don’t remember exactly how the story goes but do recall the lesson: Only a fool will despise what he cannot have. The wise will appreciate not having it. I will have to nap on that thought, it is a human story and human logic doesn’t always make a lot of sense.

I hope you are enjoying your warm months and are taking belly rubs often! Remember to have your nails clipped before going on vacation. When they are unkempt they are unsightly and a danger to you and others.