Genuine Caroline County Grown Pumpkins

A few years ago, I got into the new wave of pumpkin carving and collected all those wonderful new tools to do the intricate designs. I had great fun lining the walkway with my art work BUT it took forever!  Then I had to throw my pumpkins away without using all the good stuff inside!  Pumpkins are truly a "superfood" and I like to use them (and their cousins)for all kinds of baking this time of year.  They provide a huge list of vitamins and minerals that we need for good health even if it is hidden in a bit of brown sugar. This year I made the yearly trek to Beazley's, located on 301 south and decorated without carving..... or almost.  There is one great big Jack O Lantern on my front porch to light the way!  

Halloween for 2013!

Halloween At Red Barn View

Happy Halloween, 2013!

Cover Love!

The Farmer's Wife

Old October

Old October..........                                                                               
Beguile us in the way you know

Release one leaf at break of day
Enchant the land with amethyst
                                                
Robert Frost                          


     Photos of Caroline County, Virginia 

           by Susan  Fitzhugh Sili                                                                                                        

In the early years of Virginia’s history, Autumn brought the end of the year long harvest. In those days, the season meant the preserving of foods to feed large families all winter long. In Caroline and all over the rural south, miles separated farms and homesteads and people gathered together as the cold weather approached to celebrate the fruits of their labor. There was no such thing as an overnight visit. As weather played havoc with the old roads, often, friends and family arrived in October and stayed until twelfth night in January. Over the years transportation underwent incredible changes and food production and modern preserving methods brought about local grocery stores and then the huge chains operations we know today.  This unofficial celebration of the Harvest and October was no more. In the last several years however, an Agricultural  Renaissance has occurred in Caroline with the opening of family farms like Slow Grown In Virginia, and new avenues to showcase the produce of local growers like the Farmers Markets located in both Bowling Green and Ladysmith.  Mt. Olympus Berry Farm located on Rt 1 near Carmel Church is still going strong with wonderful activities and Cheryl English of English Acres Nursery offers not only plants but her expertise on how to grow them These provide wonderful opportunities for a weekend family outing and to return to a time to celebrate the good things of value in our lives and throughout our community.