In our book, Over the Rainbeau, we name each seasonal chapter with a pair of descriptors—Fall is "Bittersweet Bounty", Winter is "Restoration & Reflection". So as I stand here on the cusp between both seasons, I’m feeling a bit of each.
Being in the latter half of Fall, it’s more about bittersweet—knowing that the garden is coughing up its last, best efforts to fill our pantries, root cellars and freezers before being put to bed for the winter. Having been tended so lovingly by Isaac, Sara, Samantha and scores of volunteers, it has been a truly remarkable harvest.
With winter fast approaching—ask the goats to tell you about their already popped, winter coats—the daily burden of tasks is diminishing. We’re only milking enough to pasteurize every other day; only one more week of farmers markets; evening chores are done within an hour. The extra time allows for catch up on projects left unattended for many months, paperwork that should have been pushed long ago.
And having just celebrated the holiday of Thanksgiving, enjoying evenings in front of a fire, I find myself in a contemplative mood as I reflect on the 2010 season and muse on what’s to come.
Reflecting on this past season, I have to acknowledge and thank all the many wonderful people who helped make 2010 so fabulous. From our farm team to our teaching staff to our ever-growing group of volunteers, THANK YOU! Without your dedication and hard work, we would not flourish. Our customers—individuals, kids, families, our book readers, restaurants and stores—are among the best. We appreciate your support, your feedback and loyalty. Presumably the rewards of community, nutritious and delicious food, food and learning experiences have meant a lot to you.
No thanks would be complete without singling out two individuals, without whom the farm would not exist—my husband Mark and my sister Karen. I couldn’t do justice to their contributions so I’ll leave this with my bountiful thanks.
There is one last piece of bittersweet to the season. Isaac and his wife Jen (or as I like to refer to her, Dr. P.J.) will be leaving us shortly when they move to the next leg of their journey as she pursues her medical career. Besides Isaac’s being an awesome grower, soil scientist, teacher and all around nice guy, Isaac and Jen have become an important piece of Rainbeau Ridge’s family and history. We wish them well and hope they’ll stay close to us even when they are far away.
For now, I’ll finish tasks at hand and retreat to the warmth indoors and brainstorm on how we’ll roll out our 2011 (9th!) season, hopeful and confident that as in every season past, it will be an even more remarkable adventure.
In thanks and with love,
-Lisa
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