Date: November 5th 2009

Terra is in New Haven, Connecticut, talking to Yale students about her book and Henry's Farm, so I (Teresa) am sending out the Farm Notes this week. Henry is busy getting lots of goodies ready to bring up to you, so be sure to stop by his stand and stock up on squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, greens of many kinds, winter radishes, Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, and LOTS, LOTS MORE!

Teresa’s Fruit and Herb News
Season’s End—Re-Stock your kitchen cupboards and your Gift Closet!
Doesn’t everyone have a gift closet or at least a gift shelf? I remember my Mom used to hide all the Christmas gifts in her closet. Everyone knew where they were, but as far I know, no one ever stole a peek. We didn’t want to spoil the surprise.

Anyway, being a locavore is the “in thing” right now, and many people are carrying it one step further and becoming local gift givers. I first heard of it when a couple stopped by the farm to buy aronia jelly this summer and said that they give all Illinois grown and made gifts. If you want to find some unique local gifts, our stand is going to be chock-full of great gift ideas this Saturday.

1. Jam-I have the same three kinds of preserves that I’ve had for the past few weeks, but unfortunately, I still DO NOT have my aronia jam and jelly. It is a long and complicated story, and I am very frustrated with the whole situation, but it is still being held up by OCIA, the organic certifier for Food For Thought, the Michigan jam maker that is making my jam with my berries and my recipes. Makes me want to start my own processing facility, but I just don’t have the resources to do that. I am still hoping that I will have the aronia jam and jelly by the Pre-Thanksgiving Market on November 21. For those of you are not familiar with this market, it is at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Lake Street in Evanston, both indoors and outside in the parking lot. If you are interested in getting some aronia jam or jelly, check the Food and Farm notes to make sure I have it and then, if I do, PLEASE, PLEASE, come to that market!!

2. Handmade Herb Teas-I make these herb teas by hand, first plucking the leaves off the stem, then drying them, then blending them together, and finally spooning them into the little bags and sealing them with the iron. I have 8 different kinds in the teabags and also sell chamomile and lemon verbena in bulk form. This week we will have a special END OF SEASON SALE! With each 6 packages of tea that you buy, you will get a 7th one FREE! These teas make useful, original hostess (and host) gifts, stocking stuffers or gift box toppers.

3. Dry Herbs-I’ve actually had several customers tell me that they already give my dry cooking herbs as gifts. Come early as we are running out of some varieties.

4. Soap Extravaganza!!!-Jill has been busy making soap so we have 8 varieties now! Honey Oatmeal and Cafe au Lait are old favorites, so get them quick if you liked them before—they will go fast. The other varieties are Peaches and Cream, Lemon Medley, Almond Joy, Pumpkin Spice, Tea Tree Chamomile, and Cucumber Melon. These soaps are beautiful. Come see and smell. We also have a few in burlap gift bags with a decorative tie for the Holidays.

5. Frozen Aronia-I am bringing samples of my Aronia Berry Bread to the market this week. Come have a taste and buy a bag or two to keep you healthy all through the long winter.

6. Dry Flower Bouquets-These dried bouquets are stunning! And they last practically forever! I have one from last summer on my chest of drawers and it still looks like it did last year. Save some money and buy a bouquet that REALLY lasts!

7. Hedge Apples-Even though most people buy these for their bug-repelling properties, more and more are buying these for decorations. A big bowl full of hedge apples and baby pumpkins would make a perfect Thanksgiving table centerpiece.

8. Fresh Herbs-I don’t have a lot of fresh herbs yet, but look for a few bunches of parsley, cutting celery, sage, oregano, and mint.

9. Oh, and fresh HORSERADISH! Horseradish sauce is wonderful on turkey among other things.