Clearing Up Confusion - We're Closed - and We're Open

This photo has nothing at all to do with this blog post.
But, guess what where we went today and guess what Michael did?

I thought I'd try to clear up what's happening here at The Simple Farm.

WE'RE CLOSED: For the month of August (and maybe a little into September) we closed the regular Thursday morning market - it's just too hot, we need to plan and plant for the Fall season and it's a good time to do that now.

WE'RE OPEN: What we are doing is an Honor System Market - 7am - 7pm, 7 days a week.  Read here how it works.  Not only do we have our regular goat cheese, goat milk and gelato from Crow's Dairy, but we have caramel, eggs, honey, jams, sometimes apples and the past two days we had okra, eggplant, bunching onions, fresh snipped herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary), squash (golden acorn, butternut, spaghetti), melons, and a few extra loaves of bread.  If you want to special order bread - here's how you do it. Otherwise there will be a limited selection of Grano de Vida breads.

When you use this Honor System Market - simply weigh your own produce if it needs weighed. There is a hanging scale under the market patio. Write down what you are buying and how much everything costs. Put your name on the paper - then put paper and either cash or check (sorry there is no change available) into that Drop Box in the big black armoire. It's simple and not only do we love the system but it seems like a lot of you do too.

We're generally around doing something on the farm, so if you have a question, don't hesitate to give me a jingle (480-206-7821). We're glad to help out.

Thanks again for supporting your local farmers. We appreciate you!

Michael and Lylah Ledner

Weekend Food Feast - Eating in Season Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Eggplant . . .

 . . . along with peppers, sweet potatoes, okra, basil, a few loaves of Grano de Vida Bread and of course Crow's Dairy goat cheese will be filling the Honor System Market today and Saturday.

So you can "Eat the Season" we're complementing with Desert Roots organic produce today and Friday.  Kelly, the beautiful farmer at Desert Roots, is an organic grower and an incredibly lovely woman and I am thrilled to be able to provide some of her produce for our market.

Eating local, supporting your local farmers and eating in season is what it's about today.  Here I blogged about How to Shop the Market and then Plan Your Menu. 

Here's a couple of ideas for your Eating in Season weekend food feast
Roasted Eggplant and Feta Dip

Photo from David Lebovitz

Israeli Couscous with Butternut Squash and Preserved Lemons (David Lebovitz)

David Lebovitz photo

Baba Ganoush - with our eggplant and David Lebovitz recipe here.

Bread Deliver Day Correction...Friday Morning Eggplant, Cheese, Milk, Caramel

.... ok.. my goof. Bread orders are finalized Monday mornings and delivered to the farm Friday for a Friday pick up. NOT a Thursday pick up like I'd originally posted and have since corrected over here

....my goodness, is fall here yet?

Honor System Market
I am totally LOVING with capital letters LOVING the Honor System Market and I think those of you that are taking advantage of it do too.  Salted and the Vanilla Bean Caramel, Honey, Red Wine Jelly, goat cheese and goat milk are all being randomly picked up at the market.   I harvested a HUGE watermelon and that went pretty quick this morning.  Just gathered eggs were put out this morning and 3 dozen went immediately.  So, thanks for supporting us - as we prep beds, plan for the possibility of more beds and plant chard, kale, green beans, onions, carrots etc...which I know we're all longing for.



Friday Morning Basket
Our farm bread maker delivers her speciality breads to those who ordered on Monday. I ordered a few extras just in case those of you that missed the Monday morning order time wanted a loaf or two for the weekend.  There will also be a basket of eggplant and all these items will be set out that you can purchase Friday.

French Style Baguettes 

Farm eggplants

Bunching onions.

Basil

The Bread . . . of Life. . .

Cinnamon raisin bread. 

. . . ok, Carol's bread company - Grano de Vida isn't really....but her bread is pretty amazing and it's time to think about what you want to order for next weeks bread delivery.  I posted the breads available here.  Just email me back with your order. Delivery and pick up is on Fridays.

Very cute grandkid.

I know, I got a little crazy with grandkid pictures . . .   but sometimes, I just can't help myself!

How Little Farm Kids Work