News from Harvest Hill Farms

2007 was a busy year on the farm. Though we want to take a moment to ponder this past year, 2008 is alrealy pulling our attention towards the future. After the New Year we'll share our plans. They include expanding the farm and additional family events. Until then we wish you safe travel as you venture forth to share glad tidings.

Yours truly,
Kathie and Peter Bolduc

Pete's Farm Diary

December Christmas Tree

Tis the Season!

Tis the season to be grateful for all that we are blessed with, to be thankful for our health, our families, our friends and our prosperity. It is a time to reflect on the recent year past and to make plans and goals for the coming year.

All of us at Harvest Hill Farms would like to thank you for your patronage and let you know how much we appreciate it.

From our family to yours, may you be blessed with all things good during this Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas,

Peter

Living Green Tips

Good Night's Sleep

December should be called Stressember. There is too much
going on and as the daylight shortens, the time needed to
complete the days' activities just seem to lengthen. This month
we take a look at sustainable tips for relaxing and getting a good nights rest. Should you find you can't fall sleep at the end of a busy day,
try these tips for unwinding.

*Give yourself time to unwind before going to bed. Do something relaxing for about 15 or 20 minutes, such as listening to soothing music, reading a book for pleasure, or taking a shower. If you still cannot fall asleep, try a relaxation exercise.

*If you cannot stop thinking and go to sleep, give yourself one or two minutes to review whatever it is you are thinking about, and then imagine putting it away until tomorrow.

*One way to help clear you mind before bed is to briefly jot down your thoughts and anything that is on your mind (i.e., concerns you may then return to and deal with later).

*Do not lie awake in bed for extended periods of time. Get up and do a chore or relaxing activity for 15 to 20 minutes and then return to bed.

When you get into bed, think about a time when you had a wonderful night's sleep.

Additional information can be found here http://www.ewu.edu/x6660.xml

RECIPE of the MONTH

Crockpot Beef Stew with Apple Dumplings
Serves 6+

5 pounds stew beef cut into 1 1/2" cubes
1/2 cup flour
3 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups onions -- sliced
2 garlic cloves -- minced
1/2 cup beef broth
3/4 cup apple juice
2 Tbs vinegar
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp curry

Apple Dumplings

1 cup applesauce
2 eggs, well beaten
2 tsp parsley, chopped
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Coat meat with mixture of flour, salt and pepper. Combine meat, onion, garlic, beef broth, apple juice, vinegar, thyme and curry in crockpot. Cover and cook on
auto 7 hours; or high 4 to 5 hours; or low 8 to 10 hours. Remove cover and
place tablespoons of dumpling batter on top of stew. Cover and cook on high
for 20 minutes.
To make dumpling batter, blend applesauce with eggs and parsley; add flour,
baking powder and salt and beat into egg mixture.

http://crockpotrecipes101.com/crockpotbeefstewapple.htm

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Harvest Hill Farms - Peggy is our recipe tester and she had this to add regarding
this month's recipe. "I made the beef stew recipe today - it was really good.
The flavor was great, dumplings were tasty & tender. The directions stated to
coat the meat in flour, salt & pepper - but made no mention of the crushed
beef bouillon cubes - so I coated the meat in the flour, pepper & crushed
bouillon cubes. Overall - a really good recipe that I would definitely make
again!"

Clip N'Save	FARM SPECIAL of the MONTH! Natural Range Fed Beef for Stew Beef Stew Meat $2.99 per lb.
Offer Expires: December 31, 2007