Terresa from Terra Hills Natural Products writes:

Just wanted to share a few of the recent reviews left on my Facebook page for the Soothing Scents Vapor Rub! If you or a loved one has been battling congestion this winter, read on!

“If you are sick with cough or sinus issues, this vapor rub is great! Opened me right up!” -C.L.

“The vapor rub is a wonderful option when noses are stuffed. It is all natural and has no harsh chemicals.
I have even tried her new bathroom cleaner. It cleans well, leaves no residue and since it is all natural my daughter can help clean without any chemicals.
You can’t go wrong with these products!” -K.P.

“We also have the Vapor Rub which smells so much better than the typical commercial kind. Used it for a couple of colds and it does help open things up so we can sleep better. Highly recommend both products.” -D.L.
(She is also referencing the Magnesium Body Butter, which is currently unavailable, but will be added back soon!)

(L to R) Soothing Scents Vapor Rub; Magnesium Oil Spray with Lavender; Bathroom Cleaner.

Erdmann Farm is on the market this week and still has Connecticut Field and Long Island Cheese Pumpkins. Weaver Farms still has a good selection of pumpkins available as well.

John Erdmann says:
Pumpkins are doing nicely in my cooler if anyone is interested in eventually making pumpkin soup not just pie.
He has contributed a couple of recipes using pumpkin.

From Southern Living Cookbook:

Moist Pumpkin Bread

2/3 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin
2/3 cup water
3 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
2/3 cup rainins

Cream shortening; gradually add sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in pumpkin and water.

Combine flour and next five ingredients; add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Fold in pecans and raisins. Spoon into two greased and floured 9×5×3 inch loaf pans; bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans, and let cool on wire racks. Yield: 2 loaves.


Flying S Farm has added a squash and a jam:

From Cooking from the farmers’ market:

Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Sage Cream

Makes 6-8 servings

1 sugar pie pumpkin, about 2 lb
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
6 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups (32 fl oz) chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Cut the pumpkin into 2 inch chunks. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, about 1 minute.

Add the pumpkin and broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer until tender, about 25 minutes.

Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender. Return to the saucepan and season to taste with salt and pepper. Reheat over medium-low heat.

Ladle into bowls, drizzle the sage cream on top, and serve right away.

Sage Cream

12 sage leaves with stems intact, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream

Combine the sage and cream in a small saucepan, Place over medium heat and cook until small bubbles appear along the edges of the pan. Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 20 minutes to let the flavors develop.. Strain the sage pieces out of the cream and use right away.

Connecticut Field Pumpkin and Long Island Cheese Pumpkin.


From Linda at Dogwood Valley Greenhouse:
Brrr! It’s cold outside! While you’re paging through seed catalogs and planning next year’s gardening adventures, you need a friend or two inside to keep you company. Dogwood Valley Greenhouse has several really nice full wandering Jew hanging baskets available. And if you weren’t able to find a nice Christmas cactus, we have a new crop just coming into bloom, all a pretty lighter shade of pink. Our Rex begonias are also very pretty, many in bloom during winter. So bring some color to your dining room, coffee, or bedside table with one of these nice houseplants.

(L to R, top) Pink Christmas Cacti under fluorescent lights; and one Pink Christmas Cactus, wrapped and ready for delivery.
(L to R, bottom) Wandering Jew and Rex Begonia.