Saturday, June 30, 2012
After a damp and dismal day, we get a nice sunset
After a full day of grey clouds and constant raining here in the Mid-Willamette Valley (something that Colorado needs right now), we finally get to see the sun just before it sets. So as I went out to put the chickens away for the night, I grabbed the camera to get proof that the rainclouds let the sun visit today.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Finally, some pictures of the fruit that is ripe
We have two small patches of strawberries that are of mixed variety where I live. I know that some of them are the sweet and juicy Hood variety (my favorite). [By 'We' I mean my parents as I am living with them while paying off my student loans and trying to get back on my feet so-to-speak]
We also have several rows of blueberries (of which only three bushes are producing ripe berries so far)
The cherry trees are starting to produce quite a bit, but it is always a battle between us and the birds to get them first. One year the birds ate all of the cherries off of our old tree while we were on vacation. Sadly, we had to cut that big tree down as it was rotting from the inside out.
I also made another hotpad this morning (the harvest colored one) since I need something to keep me busy until I go back to the cannery. The other one I made on Memorial Day.
We also have several rows of blueberries (of which only three bushes are producing ripe berries so far)
The cherry trees are starting to produce quite a bit, but it is always a battle between us and the birds to get them first. One year the birds ate all of the cherries off of our old tree while we were on vacation. Sadly, we had to cut that big tree down as it was rotting from the inside out.
I also made another hotpad this morning (the harvest colored one) since I need something to keep me busy until I go back to the cannery. The other one I made on Memorial Day.
Just As I Predicted....
Just as I predicted, we will have another delayed canning season here in the Willamette Valley. When did I predict it? Back in March when we were getting snow during the first couple days of Spring (highly unusual for the Willamette Valley). I even said so on my post about March Madness: http://beavercountryramblings.blogspot.com/2012/03/it-looks-like-it-will-be-another-cold.html
Due to the cool, cloudy, and sometimes wet weather that the Willamette Valley is experiencing, crops are being delayed, which is delaying the local canneries. It seems that over the last three years, the season has been delayed a little bit longer. Last year some of the 2nd year workers at the Norpac in Stayton, Oregon (including myself) started on the strawberries around the 20th of June and were still working by December 1st. (I heard that a normal season is done by Thanksgiving) So what's in store for us this year? Will the cannery season go into the second week in December?
Due to the cool, cloudy, and sometimes wet weather that the Willamette Valley is experiencing, crops are being delayed, which is delaying the local canneries. It seems that over the last three years, the season has been delayed a little bit longer. Last year some of the 2nd year workers at the Norpac in Stayton, Oregon (including myself) started on the strawberries around the 20th of June and were still working by December 1st. (I heard that a normal season is done by Thanksgiving) So what's in store for us this year? Will the cannery season go into the second week in December?
Monday, June 25, 2012
A nice June Sunset in the Mid-Willamette Valley
Last night, I went outside after 9 pm at night to check out the sunset. It was a good thing I brought my camera as it was a nice one. From where I live, the sun now seems to set in the Northwest or West Northwest (between West and Northwest) direction.
As I was scanning the sky, I noticed some nice coloring on the clouds to the South. So I went out into the empty cow pasture to get a better look. As I was taking pictures, the three cows came over to see what I was doing.
Before heading back up to the house, I zoomed in to get one last photo of a cloud in the West that was close to the horizon. I'd like to see the folks in nearby Salem get pictures like this without buildings in the way.
As I was scanning the sky, I noticed some nice coloring on the clouds to the South. So I went out into the empty cow pasture to get a better look. As I was taking pictures, the three cows came over to see what I was doing.
Before heading back up to the house, I zoomed in to get one last photo of a cloud in the West that was close to the horizon. I'd like to see the folks in nearby Salem get pictures like this without buildings in the way.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Strawberries are ripe and the Blueberries are comming into season
The strawberries growing in two little patches where I live are producing many berries, and I was able to pick a popcan-sized amount of blueberries from three bushes, but many other blueberry bushes are not even close to being ripe. Both types of berries are perfect for desserts made for the holiday just two weeks from today. I will have to have some blueberry pancakes with strawberries on top for breakfast sometime soon. I am actually kind of surprised that I haven't been called back to the cannery yet to sort out the good and bad strawberries. I will have to get some pictures up later of the blueberries and strawberries.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
It's Finally Canning Season in the Mid-Willamette Valley
It's that time of year again. The canneries in and around the greater Salem area are about to open their doors to seasonals to come in and package strawberries and other early fruits. In roughly one month from now every cannery will be bustling with activity as the new-hires come on. Strawberries are already being picked on local U-pick farms such as Fordyces' near the Willamette Valley Fruit Company. Speaking of which, the Willamette Valley Fruit Company is giving free slices of pies to Dads for Father's Day. Have you tried their Forestberry Pie yet?
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