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Helen's Mulberry Lane Farm Journal
April 1, 2010
Things are gearing up for our spring and summer season here at Mulberry Lane Farm. Folks are reserving our popular fresh picked asparagus---you should too if you don't want to miss out! One gentleman was so keen that he brought over a red shoe box, told me to fill it with asparagus and call him when it is full! Timothy has just rushed in with the news that "the first asparagus has been sighted!" Well, it must be spring!
The red shoe box with the customer's info removed.
Photo by Helen Aardsma, March 2010.
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We are excited to announce that we are opening up our strawberry patch to U-Pick this year! Sometime in early June, plan on headin' on over with your ready-to-be-filled ice cream buckets in hand---but U-Pick is by appointment only! The reserve list is filling up, so reserve your spot today! Click the link at left to learn more about "U-Pick Strawberries." Of course, already picked strawberries will be available as well! Did I mention that this year you will now be able to make your purchases using credit/debit cards?
Can't you just taste 'em?
Photo by Helen Aardsma, Spring, 2009.
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We planted our first seeds this week, getting some lettuce, radishes, spinach, beets and swiss chard in the ground.
First we till. 'Beka did the honors.
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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Caleb gives 'Beka a break.
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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The seeder takes a break, too.
Photo by Rachel Aaredsma, March 2010.
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The tedious job of planting lettuce.
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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A work of art by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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Oh no! Farley (Tigger?) is coming to "help" us plant!
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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It must be spring.
I can "hear" my laundry making flapping noises on the line.
Photo by Helen Aardsma, March 2010.
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A friend brought me a dozen of these beautiful daffodils.
Friends are better than diamonds or daffodils for that matter!
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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A lonely ball on a spring day looking for an energetic boy to play with.
Photo by Caleb Aardsma, March 2010.
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Luscious, melt-in-your-mouth Kuchen, made by 'Beka.
Photo by Helen Aardsma, March 2010.
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It looks so good, I know you'll want the recipe. Here you go!
Cinnamon Swirl Kuchen
1/2 cup butter (you can use margarine, but you'll regret it!)
1/2 cup shortening
2 1/3 cups sugar, divided
4 eggs (from Mulberry Lane Farm!)
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and shortening. Gradually add 2 cups sugar; beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine milk and vanilla; set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smooth. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle 1-1/2 teaspoons into a greased 10 inch tube pan. Pour a third of the batter into pan. Sprinkle with half of the remaining cinnamon-sugar; top with a third of the batter. Repeat layers. Smooth with spatula. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Wiggle the icing over the top like the picture. Yield: 16-20- servings.
What in the world are they doing?
Repairing the caulk on the roof.
Photo by 'Beka Aardsma, March 2010.
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Making doughnuts from scratch.
See the salt shaker top being used for the doughnut hole middle?
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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A dieter's nightmare! You can't stop with one!
Photo by 'Beka Aardsma, March 2010.
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Got beef? We do and this is Matthew processing it for our freezer.
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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My ever faithful bottle washer, Rachel.
Photo by 'Beka Aardsma, March 2010.
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'Beka babysitting her niece Brooklyn Gioja.
Photo by Tim Aardsma, March 2010.
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A happy day for all of us---the day of
Matt's baptism and testimony to faith in Christ.
How proud we are of Matt!
Proverbs 3: 1-6
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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Time for a checker tournament! I was the grand loser.
Can you guess who the grand winner was? Gerald, of course.
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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My grandaughter Cailyn Aardsma
(our son David's daughter)
on her first birthday.
She is riding the wooden horse we bought her.
Photo by David Aardsma, March 2010.
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All work and no play makes Jack (Tim) a dull boy!
Photo by Rachel Aardsma, March 2010.
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Don't forget to order your asparagus! See you soon!
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