SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME, SUM, SUM, SUMMERTIME!!!!!

Nothing says summertime, like sweet corn on the cob and watermelons. Of course the 95 degree days are also a dead giveaway. Springtime was lost somewhere along the way, but we are making the best of it, preparing for the hot, dry days of summer. The okra loves it, the black eyed peas love it, so we just buck up and water on! I capitulated and turned on the air conditioner in the house.... it was so hard to close everything up, as I love the night breezes and the sounds of life outside the kitchen window. The farmer patiently waited until I gave him the signal to clean the air filters and batten down the windows. As I spend most of the day outside anyway, it is tolerable to be a shut in at night. I have been known to get up in the night, sneak outside in my gown tails, drag a lawn chair out near the kitchen garden and fall asleep listening to the crickets and the bull frogs. All is well here on the farm, we have had great success with the blackberry pickers. Every one seems to be getting the amount they need, the berries seem neverending, but that is a good thing! Some of the varieties are nearing the end of their production, as new growth is starting for the next year. We will be harvesting through June and possibly the first part of July. We will have OPEN PICKING on Saturday, starting at 8:00 AM. and will pick until around 10:00 AM. as that is the time the heat starts to set in. Special appointments can be made for other times. We have had pickers come as early as 7:00 AM throughout the week. Just call a day ahead and let us know you are coming! We are just starting the summer crop harvest, summer squash, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, still have beets, potatoes, onions and garlic. It will be a couple of weeks for the tomatoes and melons, closer to the 4th of July. The canner will be going, so will have pickles and preserves in the market. The hens have decided that it is entirely too hot  to go to the effort to lay an egg, so the egg supply is zilch! HINT! The Farmer promises some honey in the next couple of weeks! From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!