Hey Reader!

Last week I told you we were getting ready to level the ground for our above ground pool, and Theron did an amazing job.

He rented a skid steer and had the pool area dug out in about 4 hours. And since we had the machine for the weekend, he also made me a few more garden beds because I made an impromptu purchase of over 80 strawberry plants with no place to put them.

Because apparently that is how we do things around here! Buy everything first, then figure out where it is going later. 🙃

After the pool area and garden beds were done, he moved over to the barn. We had a lot of mud where the cows walk, and he wanted to clean that up too. The muck was hauled over to the area where we dump manure and let everything compost down.

Now let me try to explain this part.

Just past our compost pile, there is about a 10 foot drop. Theron decided it would be a good idea to push some of the compost over the edge to free up some room and make the area look neater.

What he did not consider was how soft the ground was.

Needless to say, he got stuck.

And the more he tried to back up and get out, the deeper he dug himself in. It honestly looked like a Looney Tunes cartoon, where every time he hit the gas, the machine just buried itself a little more.

We tried everything. We dug around the sides, added stone behind the tracks, tucked stone under the back part of the tracks, and still nothing. He just kept sinking this $30,000 machine that did not belong to us.

After countless attempts, he finally called the man we rented it from. His advice was basically, “Just go forward. Don’t worry about the machine. It has been through way worse.”

At that point, the drop was still about 6 feet, which was plenty scary enough for me. I grabbed my phone, not to film it, but just in case I needed to call an ambulance. Now that I am telling the story, I kind of wish I had recorded it.

Thankfully, Theron was able to use the bucket to move some of the compost from underneath him to the front of the machine. Then he would inch forward, move a little more, and repeat the process. After about 5 minutes, he made it safely to the bottom.

Someday I know this will be one of those stories we laugh about.

At the time, I was scared out of my mind.

Although, I will say, it still does not quite compare to the time a couple of years ago when he was new to cutting down trees and misjudged one. It fell in the wrong direction, brought down an electrical line, snapped the top 6 feet off the pole, sent the transformer crashing to the ground, and then it caught fire.

So yes, we have some stories.

There really never seems to be a dull moment around here, and I am sure many of you have your own stories like that too. The kind that are terrifying in the moment, but somehow become the ones you laugh about later.

Happy first day of August, by the way. Can you believe it?

It feels like summer is flying by, and all of a sudden we are in that funny place where peaches are all over the farmers market, elderberries are starting to come on, and I am already thinking ahead to the colder months.

If you have elderberries growing near you, or if you keep dried elderberries on hand, this is a good time to make syrup. You may even be able to find fresh elderberries on Facebook Marketplace this time of year, depending on what is available in your area.

​Elderberry Syrup Recipe, with Fresh or Dried Elderberries​

I like having elderberry syrup ready before cold and flu season really gets going. This recipe works with fresh or dried elderberries, so you can use what you have or what you can find.

And since peaches are everywhere right now, this is a good one to make while they are in season:

​Easy Sourdough Discard Peach Quick Bread Recipe​

This peach quick bread is soft, simple, and a great way to use fresh peaches and sourdough discard. It is the kind of recipe that works for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or something easy to bring along if you are visiting family or friends.

I also wanted to share this sauerkraut recipe because this is such a good time of year to start thinking about simple ferments:

​How To Make Fermented Sauerkraut, Coleslaw Recipe​

This one is made more like a fermented coleslaw, and it is a great way to use cabbage while adding something crisp and tangy to meals. It is one of those old-fashioned recipes that is simple, practical, and worth keeping around.

​How to Make Easy Homemade Fermented Dill Pickles

And if cucumbers are starting to pile up where you are, these fermented dill pickles are a good one to try. They are crisp, salty, tangy, and such a simple way to put extra cucumbers to use.

If you still have fresh berries to use, this cream tart is a fun one:

​Easy Cream Tart Recipe with Fresh Berries​

It looks beautiful with fresh berries on top, but it is still very doable at home. It is a good dessert for summer birthdays, gatherings, or just when you want to make something pretty with the berries you have.

So whether you are picking elderberries, buying peaches at the market, starting a ferment, or just trying to make it through another project-filled weekend, I hope this gives you a few seasonal recipes to keep close.

If you try any of these recipes, tag me on Instagram @idiesfarm. I would love to see what you make!

From my kitchen to yours,

Stephanie
Idie's Farm

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