Justamere Tree Farm Blog

Gathering Sassafras Saplings

                           J.P. Welch and Caleb Mitchell went out on a sassafras hunt in Connecticut this past Monday and Tuesday.

As you can see by the pictures, they gathered many saplings. They were put into the loft of our barn where they will dry out and be put to use as the handles for our trademark brooms. Sassafras is a desired wood for broom handles because it's a light wood and the bark stays intact.

The bark of the sassafras trunk is thick and red-brown. All parts of the sapling are very  fragrant. They are unusual in having three distinct leaf patterns on one plant. Till next time......

 

 

 

 

 

 

What A Trip!

We arrived home from New York City, Wed. January 23rd, after J.P. appeared on the Martha Stewart Show.
We were exhausted from our two day stay in New York City, but what a great experience it was for both of us.

On Friday January 25th, when the Martha Stewart Show aired at 2:00 P.M. here in Ma., I went to the neighbors to watch it. I was pleased with how it turned out. J.P. stayed here and kept making brooms!

The orders started to come in as it was broadcasted across the country. My neice Cela who lives in Minnesota even told her teacher about her Uncle J.P. being on the Martha Stewart Show. When the third grade class came in from recess, the segment at our farm was on and the whole class viewed the show. They thought that was cool!

You can view J.P.’s segment on Martha Stewart by going to marthastewart.com. It is worth checking out, if you have not seen the show yet.

Also I could not resist putting this picture on the blog. J.P. is standing with our logistics women from Martha Stewart Studio. J.P. gave Sarah the nickname of handler. She handled everything as far as when and where to be. She even looked up in New York City as to where we could go to hear our choice of music. We cannot thank her enough. She made everything happen smoothly. Be sure to check out the show online. Till next time....

J.P. and Marian meet Martha Stewart in New York City

Hello Everyone, J.P. was asked to be on the Martha Stewart Show. We went there for Jan. 22^nd and 23^rd. As some of you already know they came out to our farm to film broom making with J.P. for two days in Dec. On Wed.Jan.23^rd we were at the studio in the audience and our segment from the farm was shown and then J.P. talked about some of the brooms with Martha. The program was taped and will be on national TV tomorrow, Friday Jan. 25^th. For the time of the show in your area, go to marthastewart.com and be sure to check us out.

We were treated like royalty by all the staff at the Martha Stewart Studio. I could not resist sending the picture of J.P. getting his hair trimmed. I even got a makeover. What fun we had with everyone. Be sure to see the show! Till next time…….

 

Winter Food for a Snowy Day

The snow is falling as I am typing. I went outside to take this picture of our sugarhouse this morning as it awaits for the 2008 sugaring season to begin. What better time than now to pass along my Hot Cocoa recipe using Justameres Pure Maple Syrup and also Maple Walnut Cheese Spread which I know you will enjoy on your bagels or on just about anything!

Hot Cocoa

6 cups milk

1 cup water

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

½ cup Justameres Pure Maple Syrup (Grade A Dark Amber or Grade B )

½ tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ cup heavy cream (optional)

1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg

Directions

In a double boiler heat water, cocoa, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Whisk until cocoa dissolves. Whisk in scalded milk and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and serve topped with whipped cream and dash of fresh nutmeg.

Maple Walnut Cheese Spread

4 Tblsp Justameres Pure Maple Syrup ( any grade will work)

1 cup cream cheese softened

2-4 Tblsp. chopped  walnuts

Directions

Mix all ingredients in food processor until smooth. Spread on bagels, crackers, english muffins, waffles and toast.

Excellent winter fare! Enjoy.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It........

Yes, Martha Stewarts T.V. sent a 3 member filming crew along with 2 producers out to our farm. They arrived  on December 21st, and filmed J.P. talking about broom making and actually making a broom from start to finish. They were here two full days filming in our broom workshop and also our farm and surrounding acreage. We were covered in snow the day they arrived. We are anxious to see it air on television. Martha Stewart bought two brooms from us in Katonah, New York at the John Jay Homestead last year. We were told that she liked them alot and wanted us to be on her television show. We are very excited about this and will let everyone know when it will be on national television. They told us it will probably air 3-4 months from now. Till then......

Fed Ex Truck and Girl with a Blue Coat.

It is the season to be jolly, appreciate what we have, share with others, honor traditions, enjoy the snowflakes that fall to the ground, eat well and stay healthy.
We are well into our busy season sending packages of maple goodies and handcrafted brooms. We continue to sell Christmas Trees, wreaths and swags as well. I have posted a picture of our painted Fed Ex truck which we have down at Hampton Ponds Plaza in Westfield. We sell trees at the plaza and have the truck
there to go inside and stay warm. We have a  wood stove in there so smoke billows out of the stack and floats in the air for people passing by to admire. It is painted red with green trim and is perfect for the job.
We have also been busy selling trees at the farm here. It is a great to see and  get to know your neighbors and fellow residents of Worthington and beyond. I keep busy making wreaths on my wreath machine and tying swags when it is slow. It is great to use up most of the greenery which comes from the bottom branches of trees taken and it smells wonderful too.
I had a young lady in a blue coat stop by with her Dad over the week-end. She was dressed for the occasion  They found a beautiful Fraser Fir Tree to celebrate Christmas with. As you can see they are very happy. Also a mother daughter team found a tree as well.
I have important news to tell in the next blog. Till then.............

Christmas Tree Care, Classic Fraser Fir

How to keep your tree fresh: Water, Water, and Water. Give your Christmas Tree a fresh cut before bringing into your home. Cut off a 1/2 inch from the bottom before putting into a stand. A fresh and healthy tree will drink a gallon of water initially and then one or more quarts every day.
The most popular tree is the classic Fraser Fir Tree with its tight branches and short needles, known for staying on the tree for a long time. A Fraser Fir Tree is the official White House tree this year.
We have a choose and cut Christmas Tree Farm here in Worthington, MA. We also retail our Christmas Trees at Hampton Ponds Plaza in Westfield, MA.
We received several inches of snow Friday night and the Christmas trees were covered with a blanket of snow this morning. It is bitter cold today but people have come by to cut down their Christmas tree with snow all on the ground. It is a fun,  family,  holiday outing of choosing and cutting a tree no matter what the weather is doing! Our neighbors and friends stopped by today.(Check the photos out!)
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Holiday Baking with Pure Maple Syrup and Sugar.

                     Maple, Cranberry, and Pecan Shortbread Cookies(can cut recipe in 1/2)
Makes 30-40 cookies, Preheat oven 350 degrees, Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly browned.
Cut dough into ½ inch slices and arrange on baking sheet.       
      1. 3 sticks (11/2 cups unsalted butter softened)
      2. 1/3 cup Justameres Maple Sugar or ½ cup white sugar
      3.1/4 cup Justameres Pure Maple Syrup(no substitution)
      4. 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
      5. 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour or can substitute with white flour
      6. 1/2 tsp. Salt
      7. 1 cup dried cranberries
      8. 1 cup pecan pieces, toasted
Directions
      Mix  together butter, Maple Sugar, and Maple Syrup. Add vanilla and stir to combine. Add and stir in  flour, salt, cranberries, and pecans. Shape dough into two logs and chill until firm,1-2 hours.
If you can not do this all in one day, it is a great recipe for that reason,  because you can keep in the refrigerator over night and bake the next day.
Also the dough freezes well so keep in a log in the freezer and you will be prepared to provide holiday visitors with freshly baked goodies at a moments notice. Enjoy!

                           

Last Farmers Market and Justameres x-mas Trees

I had my last Farmers Market of the year yesterday. Here I am in the picture all bundled up   It was windy and quite cold but people came to store up on maple cream, maple sugar and maple syrup. Also people bought gift items for the Holidays. It is really catching on the idea to buy local when possible. It is so great to see people appreciate good wholesome and locally grown food. I stocked up on a few items myself. We will return to the market in May which is less than 6 months away. Seems forever tho to think about it.
We sold the last of the firewood today, so that is a good feeling and now we can utilize that area where the firewood was. As you see in a picture down below we had a lot of firewood for sale this year
We are busy getting ready for the x-mas season. We sell our trees at Hampton Ponds Plaza in Westfield and also we are going to open up our farm this year locally for choose and cut on the week-ends. We have mostly Fraser Fir trees which are very popular amongst  people because they stay green for a long time and needle retention is great. Also it is a soft needle tree which makes for handling much easier. Once people experience our Fraser Fir Trees they come back each year for more of the same.
We hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with good food shared with family and friends.
I will pass along my maple shortbread recipe next time. Till then...

                               

Girl with a broom and woman with chick

With November here, the oaks and beeches are hanging onto their leaves as long as possible while all the other trees are naked.
My garlic is all planted and most of the garden is put to bed. Here is a picture of me planting the garlic. We are still eating our fall greens which taste especially good this time of year.                        

This past week end, we did our last craft show for this year in Rehoboth, MA. I still have 2 more farmers markets in Amherst, MA. People will be preparing their Thanksgiving meals around what locally produced vegetables are for sale at the market.
Maple Syrup is great to have around for holiday meals. It is great in pumpkin pies, glaze for the turkey or ham, added to bisques, squash cavities with butter, and butternut squash blended with cinnamon, butter and maple syrup.
Maple syrup has flavor which can replace most sweeteners in a recipe. Give it a try and you will be pleasantly surprised.
I have a cold slaw recipe that I would like to share with you.

Cold Slaw Recipe- Mix these ingredients                                                                                                                    1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
                    1/3 cup vegetable oil
                    1/4 cup sugar or less(Maple sugar or syrup can work here)
                    Add some celery seed or FRESH celery for flavor(greens or stem)
        Add to- 1 cup chopped maple walnuts
                             1 cup dried cranberries
                             1/4 cup sliced red onion
                             2 cups finely sliced red cabbage
                             2 cups finely sliced green cabbage
               Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours before serving. Stir and drain off all liquid before
               Serving. Enjoy the beauty and flavor of this salad. 
I have included a picture of another satisfied customer and friend. Here she is with her 25 year old broom from Justamere Tree Farm, still good as new (the broom that is!) Also here I am holding a favorite chicken of ours. We love our chickens.