Posts Tagged ‘fishing’

Pumpkins and Grass-Fed Beef, Pigs and Free-Range Animals on Whidbey Island

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Don’t forget Sherman Farms off Highway 20, north of the pedestrian overpass, 46 S. Ebey Road, Coupeville. Look for the pumpkin signs. I believe they do trolley rides through the fields on weekends, 11-4. They also have a cool catapault where they let you launch Hubbard Squash and watch it splat. Speaking of which, you can always pick up delicious pre-cut squash at Prairie Center/Red Apple in Coupeville. Not sure of other groceries. It’s inexpensive, delicious and full of vitamins. I use their microwave directions, add a bit of butter and brown sugar, and YUM!

Also, stop by the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, 10-2, for Harvest Fest, the last market of the season and check out pumpkins, fall flowers, tomatoes and other bounty from the garden. Georgie from Willowood Farms will have her terrific farm-to-market cart full of local produce. Case Farms and Dugualla Bay in Oak Harbor also offer a pumpkin patch.

After the Market, head south to Greenbank Farm for the Oktoberfest on Saturday!

Speaking of buying local…did you know there are several options for locally grown grass-fed or free-range animals. Vegetarians stop reading! But for the rest of us who like hormone free, tastier and healthier food, here are a few options:

Sherman Farms is now selling grass-fed beef. Call them at 360-678-6344.

Jenne Farm will raise pigs or beef for you. I think poultry too, but I’m not 100% sure. 360-678-4433 or click on the link to get to their email link–sorry, couldn’t post it–and they’ll send you more information.

And 3 Sisters Beef sells beef, pork and free range eggs at the Farmer’s Markets, Prairie Center/Red Apple in Coupeville, Bell’s Farm off West Beach Road (eggs only, though they are grazing cattle there now), Saar’s Market in Oak Harbor, Payless Foods in Freeland and other places and by calling 360-675-2136.

And lastly, speaking of eating locally, did you know one of our Krueger Commons folks has caught TWENTY-THREE SALMON so far this year! From the beach! My poor other friend has only caught Sole from his boat. In fact, another fishing friend gave his wife a fresh salmon “so her husband would know what they look like.” They laughed, ate like kings and gave back some delicous homegrown corn from their garden–their salmon. Which actually, it kind of is as she used the Native American tradition of putting a dead salmon in the planting hole with each seed. She also used some kind of radioactive chicken poop because her garden this year was amazing. Hands down, she has a green thumb.

Enjoy the fall! We had another offer yesterday, so only four units left. Two corners and two interiors, all exceptional.

Boating, Salmon and Raspberries

Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

Got a phone call from a friend who was out on her boat today. She was offering to bring some fresh salmon over if I’d like it. Who wouldn’t like fresh salmon? Well, sadly, I passed, because I’d just served dinner, had Penn Cove mussels waiting in the fridge for tomorrow night and then, we had a dinner invitation following that. On Saturday, we have an even bigger party to go to–with two great local bands and a celebration of someone’s birthday. Then, we need to decide if we’re going to the Pig Roast that benefits the Toddler Learning Center on Sunday! Whew…summer on Whidbey is great, but hard to choose from all the great things to do.

After speaking with my boating friend and another neighbor who also boats, I’ve been thinking about all the great places you can go with a boat. Unlike Los Angeles boaters who only have Catalina Island, boaters on Whidbey have so many choices of where to take their boats. How about 786 San Juan Islands to explore, 150 more with our neighbors to the north–the Queen Charlottes–and then add the neighboring towns around the Puget Sound…well, that’s a good way to avoid saying, “Are we taking the boat to ___ AGAIN?”

The fishing, crabbing, or heck the scenery might slow you down, but, if you want to go exploring, I can’t think of a better place than the Puget Sound. There’s something about living right next to the water that is so relaxing.

The Arts Festival was terrific. I found lots of presents for birthdays and Christmas–and hot pepper jelly. One of the great things about Coupeville, is seeing folks you know and catching up. Wandering the streets was a relaxing combination of viewing wonderful artwork and visiting with friends and neighbors. The walk from the waterfront to the condos is officially “less than whining” distance for a five-year old. She walked there and back, and up and down the streets without a fuss. The kids made free crafts and were especially proud of their homemade wreaths.

I made two batches of raspberry jam today. The farm south of town went out of their way and picked three flats for me. They were out for a bit, “overpicked”, but she’d “see what she could do for me.”  They called the next day. How’s that for customer service? And, yes, I have an addiction to raspberries. The native wild blackberries are ripening now…small, but delicious. Makes the walks to the beach all the more enjoyable.