Good Afternoon!

It's a beautiful day! Yesterday's Christmas Card open house was lots of fun. Cards were made, food was eaten, a good time was had by all (I think!). We eat, we craft, we craft, we eat. I served some mixed melon from my favorite local farm (more on that later) and baked cookies. Several of the Peeps asked for the recipe for my favorite Chocolate Snickerdoodles, so here it is:

                                             Chocolate Snickerdoodles

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. margarine or butter flavor Crisco

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2/3 c. cocoa powder

2 c. all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 c. sugar (I use a mixture of granulated and crystal sugars)

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Cream the softened butter and margarine. Add the 2c. sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until combined. Stir in the flour, cocoa, baking soda and cream of tartar. Chill at least 1 hour. Combine the 1/4 c. sugar and cinnamon in a small dish. Roll dough into small balls, roll in the cinnamon/sugar mixture and place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes until edges of the cookies are set. Cool. Store in an airtight container.

This morning we made our weekly fruit and veggie run to Shlagel Farms. We signed up for their CSA (Community Sponsored Agriculture) program at the beginning of the summer and I am so, so, SO impressed with their farm, their family and the wonderful produce they grow! Here's what I picked up today:

Their CSA is managed differently from most programs, which require a hefty annual payment in return for a portion of the harvest every week. Those CSA's are great, but usually the weekly portion is a lot of food and you never know what you're going to get. Not the best idea for just two people, one of whom is a little picky (who, me???).

Shlagel Farms sends an e-mail with a list of available produce items and prices to members every week. You reply, telling them what you want; they bag it for you and you pick it up on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 12 noon. You aren't obligated to purchase anything and you get just what your family will eat. This plan is perfect for us! We get exactly what we want, freshly picked and it is delicious!! They offer extra items,too, so you can indulge your last-minute veggie impulses or grab something you forgot. I always add tomatoes or fruit because I like to choose my own. And their sweet corn? To die for, seriously.

Farming is hard work. Keeping a family farm running in this day and age is even tougher. When you buy local, you support a family-run business and your community, not some faceless corporation. 

If you live in the Waldorf area I highly recommend buying your produce from Farmer Russ and the friendly folks at Shlagel Farms. You can get more information and sign up for their CSA here: Shlagel Farms 

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