Here at Blackcreek Farm, we have been fortunate to enjoy a bountiful harvest following a year with much rain, certainly more than usual.

Two dozen packets of fresh sweet corn in the freezer await the reminding of taste buds when weather turns cold.

Eight quarts of a new project – “Pinot Jam” – shortly I’ll be tasting on fresh cinnamon bread.

Applesauce shares the freezer with frozen juice from the Concord and Catawba vines.

Off now to walk the farm with Sweet Betty and Muddy Waters the 2nd at my side.

A glorious summer has come and gone, an autumn begins in earnest, and we give thanks for the simple things, here at Blackcreek Farm.

Last sun of September

Gurgle of the West Branch

Crackle of a woodfire

Wind through the treetops

Leaves begin to change

Various greens

A hint of yellow

A dash of red

Smoke from the campfire

Swirls

As if deciding

Which way to blow…

As if called by the leaves desiring to turn, cooling air creates low-lying clouds in the distant highland hill of Northern Michigan.

The sweet corn has been picked and put up for another year. Vinifera gently begins to turn to rich purple. Soon the grapes will be turned to must for another year’s vintage.

And in the meantime, we enjoy this sweetest of of seasons, as fresh tomatoes from the vine burst with each flavorful bite.

by Glenda Catherine Conlan

May’s Super Flower Moon hides behind incoming storm clouds.

In the month of March, we choose our projects only as nature allows…

A few warm days early in the month allowed an opportunity to prune the Pinot vines. Such a joy to form and train and watch when the buds appear, and they will, but not in March.

A bit of snow before another break in the weather and the turning of the garden begins. The almanac favors planting sweet corn in my environs with a favorable moon – May 15th until the 24th – so nearly two months to prep the soil. Never too early!

As the northern Michigan weather turns cold, we can bask in moments gone by.

I am honored to preview a poem that will appear in Michigan Trout Magazine – a publication of Michigan Trout Unlimited.

The poem is accompanied by a photograph taken by my friend and neighbor Bill Dietrich.

The culmination of a year’s endeavors results in a limited edition sweet Pinot Blend.

This Morning’s Treasures –

And the Scarecrow Woman is losing her clothes!!