csa wrap up

 Well, anyone who was coming here for the CSA content (lol), I apologize.  I just didn't keep up with it, especially trying to get halfway decent photos - although we did keep up with our CSA boxes as best we could.  Box #13 had a variety of apples, a couple of corn on the cob, some tomatoes, an onion or two, potatoes, an acorn squash, a butternut squash, green peppers and some Anaheim chiles.  We weren't able to pick up #14 so we paused it and instead got two boxes at our last pick-up for the season.  This meant we got two winter squashes (a butternut and a spaghetti), two pie pumpkins, 4 ears of corn, two red onions and lots of potatoes and apples.  

Corn on the cob in mid-October?  The last few ears have been a little starchy and tough, so rather than battle our way through that again, I cut the kernals off the cobs, parcooked them and froze the corn for future use (I haven't had corn chowder in about a million years ...).  I processed about half the apples we've got (we have a LOT of apples) into apple pie filling; I'll do more of that and also some applesauce, which is easier, for the rest as they aren't our favorite apples for eating fresh.  And all those squashes?  Well, just this morning I roasted a pumpkin, an acorn and one of the butternuts - all for Milton.  That boy loves his squash.

Squishy squashes

stalling for time

 I know that there's been a bigger gap than usual here at the ol' blog, but that's because we went to the desert for a few days and now there is SO MUCH LAUNDRY TO DO.  I hope to get something up soon!

falling back on an old favorite

 I didn't have a huge hike planned for this weekend, so on Sunday, after the sun came up enough to brighten the sky, I headed up to Alta to do my new favorite eight mile loop.  It had been over a month since I was up there and the differences were stark.

Aspens aglow

For one, the wildflowers?  Way past peak.  Everything is brown and gold and crispy right now.  I didn't see a single bride or influencer!  As I made my way up to Catherine's Pass through the Albion meadows, it was so cool and quiet.  While there were cars in both the lower and the upper lots, it was so much less crowded.  I saw one trail runner and one hiker on my way up; there were six other hikers at Catherine's Pass when I got there.

Moody scene

It had been a glorious 46 F when I started hiking, which meant I wore some light fleece gloves for the first 1.5 miles until my hands warmed up.  I had to put them on again about halfway down when a light breeze picked up.  It was wonderful being a little bit chilly again after the hot summer we've had.

Definitely past peak (still pretty, I think)

There were a good number of critters out and about with me: lots of those little ground squirrels that look like skinny chipmunks, two different sets of a mule deer doe with nearly-grown twin fauns, and some very chunky pikas who meeped loudly at me as I went traipsing by.

Just before the cutest pika ever started meeping at me

As I came out through the campground (closed), there were definitely more hikers milling about, heading towards Cecret Lake.  It was nothing like it had been in July, though, and I was appreciative of that.  Where were all the people?  It sure seemed like they were heading to Snowbird's Oktoberfest: there's only two weekends left, so if you're looking to get your 'fest on, get going!

Squatchin'

csa box the twelfth

I know that this year was a terrible year for Utah farmers, what with the early warmth that made the fruit trees flower too soon, only to be taken out by two severe cold snaps, plus the very very hot and very very dry summer.  I also enjoy supporting local businesses whenever possible (the smaller the better).  All that being said, I found this past week's CSA box #12 to be a bit underwhelming.  We got a small watermelon, an acorn squash, a couple of ears of corn, a bunch of apples, an onion or two, a green pepper or two and a decent number of (really dirty) potatoes.

The corn we ate right away and while the smaller ear was pretty good, the larger one was subpar.  I chunked up the watermelon and unfortunately it was not as good as the prior week's - a little mushy this time.  The acorn squash I roasted and mashed for Milton (that dog loves his squash) and the apples will be made into apple pie filling for the freezer.  The onions, potatoes and peppers will get eaten, for sure, it just wasn't that exciting a box this time.