CHEESEMAKING WORKSHOP

It always seems that February is one of those months that should be fairly quiet and lend itself to reflection........but somehow it turns out to be one of the busiest of the year!

One February event is our annual Cheesemaking Workshop, which this year takes place on Feb 25th.

It is a full day of learning and hands-on experience, making 3 different varieties of cheese. Participants receive a recipe/workbook to take home, plus a selection of Farm House products.

The fee is $250, and includes lunch (with wine:) and coffee breaks, the workbook, a soft cheese draining bag and a discount on the book "200 Easy Home Made Cheeses", and cheese of course.

We have just had a couple of cancellations for Saturday's workshop, so if you are interested give us a call at 604-796-8741, or email debra@farmhousecheeses.com for an info package.  

Back to work!

Our shop and cheesemaking is back to a regular schedule today. The shop is open from 10-5 Monday through Saturday, 1-5pm on Sundays. 

Come in for fresh cheese curds, fromage frais, and chevre, and our whole assortment of handmade artisan cheeses!

The traditional winter cheeses are in great supply-

• take home some "Heidi" Gruyere for the table or to top off a French Onion soup  
• try some year-old Fermiere for grating on a hearty pasta or shaving onto a healthy salad
• invite friends over for a cozy evening of Raclette made with Alpine Gold

For perfectly easy winter entertaining, treat your guests with a:

Farm House Fondue-a blend of Heidi Gruyere and Farm House Gouda 

Farm House Raclette with Alpine Gold, rich aromatic bubbly cheese served with small boiled potatoes and pickles

See the Recipe page for directions and tips

Dont' have a Fondue set or Raclette maker? We can lend you one! Just ask in the shop. (there is no charge though we require a credit card # as deposit)

ALSO:

• It's never the wrong season to enjoy a creamy Gelati! Try one of 10 flavours, just arrived
• Fresh free-range organic eggs in good supply

OUR SCHEDULE

Just a reminder that we are open until 5 pm Dec 31 regular hours, and will be CLOSED from January 1 through 27th, re-opening January 28th at 10 am.

During this time we are able to do some maintenance and any necessary repairs to the cheese building, and take a bit of a breather!

A few hours with a good book in front of the fire never hurt anyone, I am told.

Our wholesale customers will still be receiving their orders on the regular shedule.

For fresh bottled goat milk, please go to Agassiz Produce in Agassiz,  Lepp Farm Market in Abbotsford, and Marche St. George in Vancouver (2 blocks west of Fraser Street on the corner of 28th)

2 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS!

Stop by the Cheese Shop on the farm to pick up your last minute gifts and supplies for Christmas. We can prepare cheese baskets and sampler packs, and supply your holiday cheese needs.

We are now stocking a larger range of local food products including

• Honey from Honeyview Farm
• Sauerkraut and garlic sauce, teas and herbs from Limbert Mountain Farm
• Chocolate and fresh baking from "bonbons by Becky". Becky is our daughter , a trained pastry and chocolate maker
• Whole wheat organic locally grown flour
• EGGS. We  have LOTS of fresh organic free-range EGGS for the BEST eggnog and baking you could possibly have. AND we have fresh free-range DUCK EGGS!

SHOP HOURS: Christmas Eve: 10-5

                       Christmas Day and Boxing Day: CLOSED

                        December 27-31: 10-5

We are CLOSED from January 1-27, re-opening January 28th at 10 am.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

The Journey to Bethlehem Pageant was well attended, and went very well! We worried about the weather, but in the end the overcast skies created a quiet atmosphere that really enhanced the mood of the evening performance. the angels' voices carried out on the still air, the donkey's hooves crunched on the gravel as Mary and Joseph sought accomodation.

Thank you to everyone who came out to experience the Journey, and to all the wonderful local people who volunteered to help!

Now the mornings are crisp and clear. Yesterday we hitched up the Clydesdales, Blake and Dick, and drove with the wagon over to Limbert Mountain Farm to cut our Christmas tree. claude and Trudie Bouchard of Limbert Mountain Farm were waiting with a saw, and once we selected the naturally grown Noble Fir, Claude cut it down for us. The horses enjoyed their day out, and now we can put up our tree. We are not of "the earlier the better" school of thought regarding the tradition of Christmas trees, more the European way of erecting the tree just before Christmas Eve.  

 

BETHLEHEM WEATHER FORECAST...

Well, the weather forecast does not look great for our event on Saturday, however we just remember that Mary and Joseph didn't get to choose the weather when they set out, so just come prepared! At this point in time, it looks like boots and an umbrella might be required. We are planning to go ahead rain or shine, unless there is a blizzard and freezing temperatures.

Watch this spot, we'll update again tomorrow.

GETTING READY FOR THE PAGEANT

Things are pretty busy on the farm, as we prepare for our annual fundraiser, the "Journey to Bethlehem" pageant to benefit the mission Haiti Arise, specifically the Goat Dairy Project.

Stringing lights, cleaning pens, setting up "village scenes", sewing costumes, and preparing food, there is lots to do. I know Becky is making some of her famous chocolates and biscotti, which will be available on Saturday.

The sheep came home today from their stay with the (ahem!) ram, just in time to appear with the shepherds in the fields. Lambs should be born in March!

The little booths for the Christmas market arrived last night, and will look so super, decorated with lights and greenery, for a little European flavour! Many thanks to Tim of Mini-Built Structures in Rosedale! (tel: 604-845-7434).

Check our What's New page for more info about Saturday's event.

Hope to see you out for it!

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY

Today and tomorrow is the Agassiz-Harrison Mills Circle Farm Tour's Christmas in the Country weekend! Lots of special activities and products available at the farms!

This weekend we have a cup of hot apple cider and a Swiss Christmas cookie ready for you.

Guess the weight of one of our new FERMIERE CHEESES and enter a draw to win a Wine and Cheese Party for 6!

Sample some cheese crisps made with our new FERMIERE cheese

We have lots of NEW LOCAL PRODUCTS in the farm shop!

• From Limbert Mountain Farm: FRESH SAUERKRAUT, GARLIC SAUCE, HERBAL TEAS AND and CULINARY HERBS
• From Gouwenberg Family Farm: FRESH CHRISTMAS CRANBERRIES: dry-harvested for perfect ripeness and long shelf-life
• From Honeyview Farm: several varieties of local honey, including CRANBERRY, BLUEBERRY, CINNAMON BLENDS,  and lots of delicious liquid BERRY HONEY
• From Cedar Isle Farm: FRESH ORGANIC FREE-RANGE EGGS and ORGANIC WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR from grain raised right on the farm in Agassiz!
• Farm House FRUITCAKES: my mother's recipe, still the best! Baked in a beautiful wooden basket and tied with raffia, a necessary addition to the Christmas larder or the perfect gift for the fruitcake lover!
• Farm House COUNTRY BREAD: brick-oven baked, all organic flours: choose from rye/unbleached white or unbleached white bread, made from a traditional Swiss recipe, using a pre-ferment, flour, water, salt and yeast (no diary, no sugar, no fat)
• Farm House Fondue Cheese Blend available for the perfect easy winter supper, or try our Alpine Gold for a delicious Raclette meal
• NOW AVAILABLE: Farm-raised meat. Choose from Goat, Pork, and grass-fed Beef. Various cuts.

Hope to see you out today or tomorrow, rain or shine!

FUN EVENTS THIS WEEK

Winter is coming, but the cold days are sweetened by fun events to celebrate the season.

Check out LADIES NIGHT at Minter Country Gardens on November 24th, 6-8pm. Event is free, but you must call to pre-register: 604-792-3799. Debra will be presenting cheeses for Easy Entertaining. Come out and learn which cheeses to pair with wines, beer and other holiday drinks.

 GUMBOOT DINNER at Seasonal 56 restaurant in Langley. Debra and George will be joining dinner guests at the table to talk about milk and cheesemaking. so excited about what Chef Adrian is planning! www.theseasonalexperience.ca  

CIRCLE FARM TOUR CHRSITMAS IN THE COUNTRY! Yay, one of our favourite weekends of the year is here! Come out to the Agassiz-Harrison Mills area and explore what the local farms have to offer. Taste and shop, and start the Christmas season with a warming country experience. November 26 and 27, at various locations. www.circlefarmtour.com  

ps....Katelyn (she will be the one who serves you in the shop) wants everyone to know that today is her birthday!!

CRANBERRIES!

We are selling local dry-harvested cranberries at the farm shop. Dry harvested means the fields have not been flooded to float the berries for harvesting, so the berries have a much longer shelf life than when wet. (the water compromises the quality of the skins). All beautiful and red too!

Use fresh or dry some for winter use in muffins, pancakes and on salads.

$2.50/lb ($5.50/kg) serve-yourself.