Yesterday as promised we had a good hard frost. 
Our John covered a variety of plants with blankets but I think we are reaching the end of the summer vegetables.
Bobby Blanc is in love with one of the Surrogate Milkers. They are getting a handle on the routine very well and soon will take over a few milkings each week. Giving me extra time to get the farm in tip top condition before I go. I leave for New Zealand at the beginning of December, for three weeks. YES. You are coming too!
Yesterday we had a game of soccer with a basket ball. Ton Ton brought a stick thinking it was hockey and Charlotte refused to pass, even though Sheila was in the open… ah well.. lots to learn in the sports department.
Good morning. We are all prepared to pick the grapes today. They are in the midst of a gentle frost this morning as I am writing. Freezing and sweetening those grapes.
It will be a very busy morning. I do the picking because I will do the late summer prune at the same time. Pruning and training for next year is an important business. 
We will destem and crush into big buckets and then the waiting will begin.
The grass fed, and alfalfa finished, beef we collected yesterday from the meat locker was tasted last night and was pronounced outstanding by Our John. I was deeply impressed. He had never tasted a pasture raised animal until we started to grow them ourselves. The steak was tender and tasty. A massive improvement on my first attempt to grow beef before I had enough good pasture. Raising only one steer a year means I have to get it right. I have had a great confidence boost from last night’s dinner. Everything on the plate was from our own farmy and gardens. I opened another bottle of last years Farmy wine -we have to decide on a name- and much to my delight it has mellowed, losing all it’s cleaning fluid notes. There is not a lot left. I probably should not have had so many ‘tastings’ through the year. I told John to hide this years vintage from me.
Good luck with that I hear you say!!
Have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
47 responses to “Pigs Play Ball Too you know…”
I’m always sad at the end of the summer veggies.I have a couple bushels of green tomatoes that are slowly ripening so we still have fresh tomatoes. We are also enjoying our first home raised beef this year. Not totally grass fed but we’re working that way! We’re hoping to grow wheat and oats next year. Will you be showing your wine making process? I’m looking forward to a trip to NZ and it’s great that you’ve found someone reliable to help out while you’re gone. It makes for a much more enjoyable trip! Have a great Sunday, Celi!
love the photos and hope you have a lovely holiday!
Oh my dear, dear Celi. Another morning of smiles and delight. Your enchanted Farmy is the light of my life. Hugs for you this Sunday morning.Virginia
Love the photos and post… and look forward to the NZ trip… you once again gave us a hiding at rugby but I will forgive you….
A wionderful post: Jock and I laughed till we cried over your description of the wine as losing its cleaning fluid notes!
I see TonTon!
You must be sooo excited about your trip and I’m glad your farm will be in good hands! I’m wondering if they shouldn’t blog us about their experience as well.. it could be fun!? xx Hide those bottles!!!
That looks fun! And you must be sooo excited about your trip, remember to stock up on Kiwi Marmite! 🙂
I too cannot wait for NZ, whose sauvignon blancs are the only wine I ever drink! And I can’t imagine the amazing feeling one must have while partaking of food and drink produced from one’s own efforts–but reading your blog I am getting close.
I love that you take us along… that is one part of the world (OK, one of *many* parts of the world) that I haven’t visited (yet). And you know I love your photos, so…
Another outstanding post, C! I always enjoy visiting you and seeing what you are up too. Here, in my part of Colorado, we have lots of winery’s…the labels on the bottles say many things…like Road Kill Red and even Colorado Sweet….your wine label ….what have you thought about…? With your gift for words I’m anxious to hear.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Sounds wonderful, as always!! I hope you are well?
It sure does nice, looking outdoors, with the sun shining and the “kids” playing ball in the yard. Too bad it’s not another 20˚ warmer. And someone should mention to Charlotte that being a ball hog is not a good thing, despite the name. Like Bobby Blanc, Max gets the very look when you scratch behind his ears.
After that frost, it will be interesting to see what’s left at the farmers market this weekend. There will be less and less on display for each of the remaining 3 or 4 weeks. I hope John was able to save much of yours and that today’s grape harvest went well.
Celi I’,m in love with the pigs, and Ton-Ton, and the sweet cows, and you. I have a smile on my face every time I finish reading about the sweetness of your life, and so good to know that there are some animals who are loved as they deserve XX
How wonderful! I can only imagine your pride of having the entire table with food you grew! And the flavours must have been incredible!
I love the photos of the guys playing ball! So sweet.
I can imagine your excitment for your upcoming trip, and I’m so excited that you will share it with us. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving.