CSA #36

December 20

Good morning everyone!

With just a few days before Christmas we finish the 2014 CSA season!  If only my back could have waited 2 weeks things could have finished on a better note.  However, I do count myself lucky that I have some time to recuperate before things get too busy again.  The 2014 season was blessed with fantastic weather  and crops did really well. We did have some issues with egg production but that won't be of any concern next season.
Plans for the 2015 are already underway, many changes have been made and we are planning for an easy going season next year.   Our CSA has shortened in length dramatically and many of you have voiced your concern.  There is no need to worry, we still plan to grow all year long.  Our products will be available in our store on weekends and at the St-Catharines market on Saturdays.  We are thinking this will work better for us and want to give it a try.  With the new schedule, we have decided to continue our annual plant sale which after this year we were thinking of eliminating all together because it was just too stressful.

This weeks basket:

Potatoes
Carrots
Leeks
Celery
Garlic
Cooking Greens Mix
And everyone who had eggs received 2 times

Extra Greens: Salad Mix and Tatsoi

Unfortunately, this weeks lack of mobility made it impossible for me to make a large batch of salad mix.  There are some bags available in the store though.

Let me take a moment to thank you for a wonderful season.  Our customers, many whom have been with us forever, are very special to us! We wish you all that really matters.... health and happiness! Merry Christmas!

Shirley, Rick, Sky and Austin

Chez Nous Farms


Some pictures of the season:

CSA # 35

Good afternoon everybody

This weeks baskets were brought to you thanks to my husband who carried alot more of the load than usual. Thankfully, I got a head start on my salad mix at the beginning of the week because the second half I was bed bound, adding to the load of extra work for my beloved, needing him to wait on me.  I was struck by a sudden terrible back ache that i guess is  called a spasm. Today,  can walk a little but can't sit down, yes, I am standing to write this! Our family also had to deal with a car accident where thankfully no one was hurt but an inconvenience for certain.  Today, our egg washer blew a belt, so if the eggs are a little dirtier than usual, forgive us, the nesting boxes are keep pretty clean so it shouldn't be too bad.

In your baskets:

Salad Mix
Spinach
Bok Choy
Cooking Greens

Greens Upgrade: Beet Greens and Kale

Unfortunately there was a lack of time for celery, but hopefully it will be an extra next week.

Thanks and have a great week!

CSA #34

Good morning

I hope you have all caught on to the fact that my usual Friday night newsletters have been bumped to Saturday mornings. This Fall, basketball has taken over pretty much all our free time, Friday nights included.  This week I ran, like crazy....I didn't even take one single picture.  I am starting to think about slowing it down for a little bit, do some baking, organizing...make my hot sauce!  I can't believe I haven't made hot sauce yet. Even though, we have already posted next years CSA plans, we have been talking about making some changes, mostly regarding the length.  We can't deny how successful doing markets has been and we are more than likely to continue through the summer. So we'll continue to ponder and then make some changes.

At this point in the season, all crops have had a special treatment, they have been "Frost Sweetened" and are at their best!

Unfortunately, we had no 18 pack egg cartons or extra egg cartons to give out the extra eggs this week. We'll be on the lookout for some this week.

Some members purchased a fresh Organic Pastured Heritage Chantecler this week, here's the link to roasting, Enjoy!  http://cheznousrecipes.blogspot.ca/search/label/Roasting%20Heritage%20Chicken%20%28Chantecler%29

In your baskets this week:

Chez Nous Salad Mix
Curly Endive Frisee


Kale Hearts
Tatsoi
Arugula
Potatoes

Extra greens also got: Parsley, Hakurei turnips and Sprouts

The greenhouse is doing well.

This week all outdoor Kale was fully harvested.

I am so in love with Escarole and Endive this year! I just love it sauteed in butter.

Tatsoi! 

2 weeks left!

Shirley and Rick