New life and signs of spring abound on the farm these days even if the weather isn't always as merry and bright as we might be hoping for. The first litter of piglets were born and are doing very well. It was an exciting evening crowded into the new pig house with Rosie the pig, Bill & Eve and eventually 10 piglets.  We are busy plotting all kinds of fun new things to do this year while waiting for the fields to dry out. A new parking area is being cleared near the barn where the CSA will be picking up shares, light fixtures are being built, rewired and installed, raised bed design and permaculture style food forests dreamed about. 

Wow, what a week we had! Looking back at the weather makes me very thankful for this week of sunshine. Everything grew by leaps and bounds.  Flanders Brook, which runs right past my bedroom window, is rushing with all the snow melt and rain. Things are buzzing along here on the farm with lots of spring cleaning and preparing for the season ahead. 

It was Eve's birthday last week so I whipped up a rhubarb, blueberry,  ginger crisp and a winter squash coconut pie. I had been wondering if I could make a pumpkin a pie with coconut milk and it turns out it is so easy! So if you have any winter squash or pumpkin left sitting around your pantry, or you froze some over the winter this is a great way to use it up! I used a combination of butternut squash, sweet dumping squash and long island cheese pumpkin for the filling. We have been eating huge spinach salads with every meal too! 

Over the weekend I was able to visit my dear friend Meika. who has a family Shiitake Farm up in Rumford, Maine. For the past few Septembers I have joined them at the Common Ground Country Fair (which if you have never been, I would encourage the road trip!) to sell fried shiitake mushrooms. This year I was able to participate in the annual planting of the logs and even got a few to take home! I can't wait to see what happens!

The seeds planted from last week are up and while the weather outside hasn't been the most conducive to growing, these little ones are reaching for the sunlight up behind the clouds! 

I had a surprise opportunity to sell some spinach and onions at the Tamworth Farmers' Market on Saturday. The onions I have been holding on to since last fall, they were the most beautiful onions I have ever grown, and I am very proud of them. I have to admit I was a little sad to see them go as I have been lugging them around the state all winter, sharing them with friends and making lots of yummy meals.  It was very fun to get to participate in my first market on my own and meet lots of folks in the community. Thank you to everyone who came out!