pancake tuesday!  how fun! for for breakfast, lunch or dinner,  apple pancakes are always a good thing!   this recipe is adapted from john mitzewich. it makes 8 delicious small pancakes. you’ll need:  2 eggs 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg  1 teaspoon vanilla extract  2 cups shredded apple.. i used 2 ambrosia apples  2 teaspoons lemon juice  1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt  3 or 4 tablespoons butter   to make: combine eggs, s ..read more

don’t you just love squash season? most weekends, margo makes soup for our staff. we are fortunate to have a fabulous staff, and a fabulous crop of squash. commercial ovens to roast large quantities of them in helps too.  the squash, not the staff!  i am still tickled with my garage sale soup tureen!   roasted squash soup it's a loose recipe.. we are all ‘dumpers’ in our family.. we don’t really measure. don’t worry if your measurements aren’t exact..  it will be delicious and you can adjust to your taste.  you will need.. 4 ish cup ..read more

 i am happy that it finally feels like autumn in the orchards,  and her colours are pretty spectacular.  oh, and 'sweda weather' too! a warm comforting bowl of soup is just what i crave after wandering  in the fresh, crisp, apple scented air. oh this garlic soup.. one of our favourites! our friend dale made this for us years ago. you will love it! warm, creamy, and bursting with flavour.  did you know we grow garlic for you? when i say we, it’s the kids.. spencer, margo and jamie.  the cloves are large and so pungent ..read more

our favourite luxury pumpkin pie ‘luxury’  because it uses or luxury pumpkin.. and it is decadent and rich! this recipe makes 2 pies plus a little left over filling that you can fill a few ramekins or individual custard dishes with. its so creamy, silky and delicious on its own.. you might not even want pastry! you will need.. for the pastry 1 2/3 cup (250 grams) all purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt  1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (180 grams) cold butter cut into little cubes 1/3 cup of ice wa ..read more

welcome autumn! the colours in the valley are just starting to change!  isn’t it wonderful to wear sweaters again?  we know we are spoiled to be able to enjoy an apple a day. and to be able to bake with so many different varieties of apples is pretty special! i love this rustic apple tart..  made with my favourite.. cortland apples. it would be equally wonderful with a combination too.. our smoothie, empire, mutsu, jonagold, ambrosia, golden delicious,  ida red or granny smith would be excellent choices.  (they aren’t all available to pick quite&nbs ..read more

i could happily pick apples and bake every day, especially now that the days are getting a little cooler.   here is another cake to love..  french apple cake.  so delicious and moist and flavourful.. there’s 12 cups of apples inside! we have enjoyed this throughout the day.. not just for dessert. for breakfast, later with a cup of tea or coffee,  a little pick me up in the afternoon, and a late night treat.   i love that it’s not too sweet. you will need.. 12 cups of apples.. sliced and unpeeled that’s about 9 or 10 apples, depen ..read more

our little pear orchards are doing well. did you pick some of our harovin bountys last weekend? i am happy to share a fun recipe for them.  we have another variety that will be available to pick a little later this season.   vanilla bean pear tarte tatin a lovely french dessert traditionally made with apples..  but using pears kind of elevates it unexpectedly. you will need.. 5 pears (our harovin bounty or sunrise) peeled, cored and cut in half 1/2 cup of sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon ..read more

hello september and hello apple and hazelnut layer cake i am beginning our apple picking season with a cake.   i see i ended our season last year with a cake too!  it’s still a good thing.  the nights are cooler.. the days continue to be warm and breezy. i love this delightful combination of in between seasons. this cake is light and delicately apple flavoured.  its a simple cake, sprinkled with calvados, with dreamy layers of whipped cream, tart apples and toasted hazelnuts. the cake has to be made the day before ..read more

some november days are so lovely!  especially when they feel like august days!  there are leaves still swirling,  and the colours in the orchard are still gorgeous.  after our busy harvest season, our lives are less hectic  and i love having a little more time to bake.. here is a fabulous, easy strudel to make.  adapted from donna hay’s recipe book  ‘seasons’  apple and date strudel   8 sheets of filo pastry* 7 apples cored, peeled and sliced  i used idareds and jonagolds  (cortland, golden delicious or empire would be gre ..read more

i always feel a little sad when our apple season ends.. i also feel so grateful for another wonderful harvest,  delighted to see so many familiar faces and to meet so many new guests! thank you.  our spring, summer and fall are quite busy and intense and  i welcome a slower pace.   we have an extensive to-do list on the farm..  it will keep us busy for the next month.  my personal to-do list is also extensive.  healing a broken heart is the first thing on my list.   cake helps..  adapted f ..read more