Dear Sweetlanders,
Tomorrow is the winter solstice; the shortest day and longest night of the year. The sun will rise at 7:19 am and set at 4:15 pm, and the forecast for a peak temperature of 23 degrees just happens to match the peak angle that the sun will reach on the horizon. The low-angle sun rays will wash over the quiet farm fields as we stock the last of the season’s CSA boxes into the pickup fridge and batten down the hatches on our carpentry projects before the holidays. At 4:15, I’ll be lighting a candle to mark the momentary pause in the seasons.
Farm work is inextricably tied to the sun. Our crops turn sunlight into food. We wait for sunny days to cut and dry our hay. We prune our orchard to let sunlight filter down to the ripening fruit. We work from sunup to sundown. In June, that makes for some pretty long days. So here at the other extreme we are happy to slow down a bit and celebrate the darkness as much as we do the light. The winter solstice is also called the hibernal solstice, and a little hibernation sounds like a nice idea right now!
This week, may you also find time to slow down and appreciate the balance between light and dark, warmth and cold, activity and rest. May you light candles to remind yourself that the light will soon return, but also that there is beauty in the night sky. May your glasses steam up when you come into your warm kitchen from the frosty outdoor air. And may you sit still for a moment, knowing that you will launch forward to your next project soon enough. It’s all a balance.
Thanks, all, for being part of our winter CSA this season. Happy holidays and happy solstice!
Norah and the Sweetland Crew
Week 8 (Final) Winter Harvest
Blue Hubbard Squash, 1
Sweet potatoes, 2.5 pounds
Potatoes, 4 pounds
Rutabaga, 2
Carrots, 1.5 pounds
Apples, 4 pounds
Kale, 1 bunch
Napa greens, 1 bunch
What’s Cooking This Week
You can find ingredients for all of these recipes in our farm store! We source meats, dairy, grains, beans, sweets, and more from local and sustainable producers. Don’t forget to use your CSA member discount!
You can find ingredients for all of these recipes in our farm store! We source meats, dairy, grains, beans, sweets, and more from local and sustainable producers. Don’t forget to use your CSA member discount!