Greetings from the Berry Patch!
  The fields are literally VIBRATING with activity. The blueberry bushes are loaded with blossoms and those bees (both the honeybees and the bumblebees) are seriously busy out there. How amazing those creatures are and how grateful we are for the work they do. If you stand out there, you can hear the hum of activity all across the fields. We are expecting the best year ever for berries and are so excited to see everything develop. Pears and plums are also loaded and if things continue to progress as they have, then we’ll be having a bumper crop there, too.
 The blackberries should be ripening the beginning of June, the blueberries by mid-June. We’re planning to open June 1st, so make sure you set aside some of that valuable summer time to get in and visit us. We’ll be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then Saturday and Sunday, 8am – 3pm each day.
May-what?
 Now then, the mayhaws. What, you may ask, is a mayhaw??? Come on city slickers, own up, you have no idea what a mayhaw is, let alone the fact that it is edible. Just for the sake of trivia, I will give you some of the basics. It is a southern fruit that has lost its popularity as it has lost its habitat. It is typically made into jams, jellies or wine. Southern families used to frequently gather mayhaw fruit and make a huge batch of jelly that would last throughout the year. The mayhaws ripen here in mid-May and fall to the ground. If you don’t get ‘em, the birds will, so PLEASE call us and make an appointment to come out and get your mayhaws. The price is the same as for berries, $14 for a level bucket. Oh! And if you make wine, please let us know, we want to try some.
**If you’d like more information on mayhaws, check out these sites:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/fruit/mayhaw/mayhaw.html
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_07/mayhaw_jelly.html
Knock-Knock – Who’s There
 You may notice a different “voice” in this newsletter, and that would be due to the fact that Ann (The Berry Lady) thinks it is fitting that I should begin sharing with you personally. Well, I am delighted to do so! In case you didn’t receive the last newsletter, you may not know that the Baileys are going to retire…for real this time…RIGHT! (wink) Seriously though, they have poured their love and hard work into the Berry Patch, but they are ready to take a breather and pursue some other activities. And that’s where my husband and I, Erick and Jeannie Duarte, come into the picture.
For a number of years, we have been dreaming and planning and looking around because we wanted to buy some acreage, get our hands dirty and share a love for farming, natural living and the outdoors with our family and community. We are both Texas natives and love our state, but we had also been considering Arkansas, Oklahoma and as far away as Colorado. We had shared our dreams with some of our dear friends, Paul and Stacy Kanneman, and they became aware that the Baileys were selling their place and brought it to our attention. It has been many months in the works, but we will close on the farm on April 30, Lord willing. I have to tell you, we are grateful to be staying in Texas, because Erick said it might look a little strange to fly the Lone Star flag outside state lines and believe me, that man is Texan in his DNA.
Diversify, Diversify, Diversify
Well, lest you think that having a berry farm operation isn’t enough, we figured we’d keep up with one of our other major interests, but at least we’re staying with the black and blue theme. If you have never heard of a Black Russian Terrier, then you ought to check them out -
see: www.dogbreedinfo.com/blackrussianterrier.htm
and:
www.akc.org/breeds/black_russian_terrier
Prepare yourself for a shameless plug… Black Russian Terriers (BRTs) are a rare breed, and they are amazing animals. They are working dogs, which basically means they have the temperament and intelligence to do a job. Even though BRTs are large dogs and they are working dogs, they are also bred to be excellent companions and family members. They must be house dogs, because they don’t do well when they are not with their family. Here’s the plug part. I have puppies available from a litter born January 20th, making them about 11 weeks old. Some of the puppies from this litter are at their new homes in California, Oklahoma, Illinois and one is on his way to India of all places. They are champion bloodlines on both sides and the sire is an international champion. I need these puppies to go to good homes SOON, because they have some cousins that were just born on Friday. (What WAS I thinking???) Anyway, if you are interested, please call me here at the farm, but be advised, that they are a rare breed with stellar bloodlines, so they command a price, but they also come with a health and temperament guarantee. I’ll also be taking deposits on the new litter and they should be ready to go to their new homes between 8 and 12 weeks.
You have never seen anything cuter than a 2-day old puppy dreaming about his next meal.
Back to the Farm
In addition to mine and Erick’s faces, you’ll be seeing another new face this season. My right hand, Gaela Renee (who also happens to be my sister), is going to be coming on board with us. In addition to taking care of me (i.e. managing my calendar –challenged self) she will be coordinating events and happenings here at patch. We are hoping to really expand the opportunities you all have to enjoy the farm by hosting events throughout the year, as well as providing you with opportunities to hold your own events at this wonderful and peaceful place. If you would like to have a birthday party, a company event, a church picnic or even a wedding, then please contact us so we can help you out.
Staying in Touch
Don’t forget to send this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested. We’d love to add new folks to our mailing list. Also, we’d be delighted to have you join us on facebook under Bailey’s Berry Patch. We are excited about this coming season and looking forward to having you visit us here at the Patch
We do want to continue the Recipes for you. With this newsletter, we are sending you two recipes that Ann suggested. Since asparagus is plentiful right now, here is her recipe for Cream of Asparagus Soup. With the Mayhaws being available in mid-May, we thought that you might want the recipe for Mayhaw Jelly. (Click the 'Recipes' link above, or click on the Lady Chef at left for this month's recipes.)
Grace and Peace,
Erick and Jeannie Duarte
Home | Calendar | History | Country Store | Berry Facts | Recipes | Map | Links
Web Maintained by DayCom Solutions
|
