Emmett and I headed out for a before bedtime walk. WOW! A full, incredibly distinct rainbow to the East and an incredible sunset through the trees to the West.

Holy Cow!

First, a little blog info … I have had to delete the Subscribe option. There is one more update needed before I can re-enable that. I heard from a few that a re-confirmation email was sent. Sorry! I will put a blurb on the sidebar when all is reset and again, sorry … but you will need to re-subscribe if you’d like to be notified of new posts. Meanwhile, I will be posting at least several times per week and maybe daily if only a photo or two. My Instagram is on “inactive” status although it appears it is viewable to followers … so I’m unclear what “Inactivate” did.

On to gorgeous vegetables and some Lower Valley Farm love!

BUT, Jay and Mandy did NOT let COVID-19 stop them. They applied for and received a grant to allow them funds to buy software and labor to set up an online ordering system. I can login and select a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday “no contact” pickup of vegetables.

As a 1 human household, even a 1 human that tries to make all meals vegetable-centric, it can be a challenge to eat a “share” (actually partial share) of vegetables every week. I have learned a lot over the last 10 years that I’ve been buying and have a process for using and preserving … nothing goes to waste.

For me, the changes made with the online ordering, have been a silver lining of COVID-19. I am able to order online … what I know I will eat … pick up safely and have delicious vegetables. AND, what I buy is picked the morning before I pick it up. This means that what I buy, lasts for 2-2.5 weeks! I do have some containers and methods that I know from experience, work well to maintain various items.

Still, my experience with grocery store organics is that I am fortunate to get 3-7 days life, depending on the item. Yes, Lower Valley Farm is certified organic. And, I am supporting a local family as well as the people that they employ. I am happy to do that and thrilled that I have this available. In fact, the Flathead Valley, where I live, is home to a number of organic farms that do similar, i.e. there are a variety of options, no matter where you live in the valley, to eat well and support local agriculture. HOO-RAH!!

This week, 2.5 weeks after my last order … and I still have some kale, chard, collards … I ordered large:

I usually order for Thursday at the farm, but because of the holiday and not wanting to be out and about on Thursday afternoon before the Friday holiday AND because of the wonderful flexibility offered … I ordered for this afternoon at a location near the small, natural grocery I like …

So, in addition to the large direct order from Lower Valley Farm, I added micro radish from https://www.mountainvalleyfoods.com/ which is supplied by Lower Valley Farm: win-win. For the record, https://www.mountainvalleyfoods.com/ is local family owned and they have been super vigilant about safe protocol: masks, 10 people max in store, 1 way aisles and curbside option.

And lest we forget Auggie and Emmett (NEVER) … Chewy.com will be delivering this week.

We are all set for weeks. Seriously, I have been going to public grocery bi-tri-weekly as well as Lower Valley Farm bi-weekly. My love of cooking means I love to grocery shop, but having segued into longer intervals, I am finding that very freeing, so ???

Onward.

Sadly, although the public stuff is not happening, the private stuff is and it is the private stuff which gives us (me actually, as neither Auggie nor Emmett get upset about the noise…) grief. Bah, humbug!!

It was a beautiful weekend! Some dark skies, some sun breaks … enough sun on Sunday that I was able to mow before what is supposed to be a rainy week. Lots of walks, play and just hangin’ out on the front porch … and enjoying the gorgeous colors of my porch pots!