Weekly Update: Oct 12
I knew this week was going to be amazing, because it started with a jar of pickles.
Two months ago, when we were harvesting our cucumbers, a customer came in and bought 150 pounds to pickle — an annual tradition he’s been doing for decades. This week, he dropped off a jar of the most flavorful pickles (pictured half empty).
I was privileged to hear lots of stories of traditions. Stories of recipes handed down from grandmothers and friends. One man called me a few times to ensure he’d come right after the cucumbers were picked. This year he and his friends had a gentlemen’s bet who could make the best pickles, and he wasn’t leaving anything to chance.
Even during the smoke from the fires, people were coming to the market to get their cucumbers and dill. I learned a lot. In fact, next pickling season is one of the things I’m most excited about for the season. Our farm has a long history of growing high quality cucumber for pickles. In the 80s and 90s, before the farm was Kruger’s, it was the Sauvie Island Market. They grew a lot of pickling cukes and even supplied the cucumbers for Steinfeld’s Kosher Dill Pickles.
As more and more people came out to the maze, the number one attraction appeared to be looking for frogs.
Lulu got sick this week. It was either because she was fed flowers and weeds thru the fence that are poisonous to her - or it was just the sheer amount of grass and weeds she was given through the fence. She had such bad gas and diarrhea that she rubbed her back against a post until it bled (you can see in this photo the areas on her back she rubbed raw). As more and more people are out for October, I am concerned about how much all the animals will be fed.
Lulu bounced back the next day after electrolytes and a little pumpkin to dry up her diarrhea.
All the animals bring so much joy, that I want to keep them close enough so kids can pet them. But with that comes the challenge of not having them overfed or fed stuff they shouldn’t eat. We’ve tried signage but haven’t figured out the best way yet.
Our homemade caramel apples have been a huge hit. Don’t worry, we have classic ones too, without all the candies.
Next Saturday, Oct 17, we are having our first Costume Day on the farm. Please pass on to anyone you know who might enjoy dressing up, that we’d love to have them come on out.
The following Saturday, Oct 24, is Unicorn Day. Our favorite mini-horses, Elmo and Tiny Dancer, will be here.
This year there is a full moon on Halloween. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this is the first time since 1944. Even though we didn’t think we would have the bandwidth to put on a really great haunted maze on our first year (especially with COVID), the stars have aligned. Thanks to some very talented friends, and a lot of creativity, we have come up with a very safe and amazing experience.
Without giving away the details of what you will see, your experience will start when you board the hayride. You must buy tickets in advance. Up to 10 people will depart every 20 minutes. Then your ride will drop you at the maze, where the second half of your journey continues.
We will only have the Haunted Hayrides & Maze for two nights, Friday, Oct 30 and Saturday, Oct 31. Hayrides depart between 6-9pm. Here are the links to book your ride:
Speaking of talented friends, check out beautiful banner drawn by Nick Stokes. Our first year would not have been so great had it not been for all the amazing people who have supported us and the farm. Thank you all!
xo,
Kat