It's Halloween Weekend!

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” — Humbert Wolfe

 

Welcome the last weekend in October and the start of two glorious months of Holiday celebration! Jesse always says October brings the most exciting season of the year, and our house is bursting with the excitement of Halloween followed by the palpable excitement of the Holidays. Though I can't quite believe we're here already, I'm ready to welcome the joy of the next few months.

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Today, I'm typing with a ten-day-old baby on my chest, completely overwhelmed by the sweetness and love this little girl has brought us. She's a fourth baby, so of course I was prepared for the sweet moments but nothing, seriously nothing could have prepared me for the way my Mom heart has grown this past few days. In watching my older kids (especially our teenager) get to know the baby and take genuine interest in her; or the sweet laughter that erupts when she coos or spits up or (even) toots have been almost overwhelming! It always amazes of how much love we're capable- it's like a glimpse of Heaven here on earth. Thank you to all of you for your messages of congratulations: we've read through every single one and appreciate you all for taking the time to love on our family.

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As we prepare for a weekend of Halloween fun, Jesse and I were so glad to get back into the creamery this week to recreate one of our most popular gelato flavors in the best way possible! Last year, at Halloween, we made a Trick-or-Treat gelato featuring all our favorite chocolate candies. But this year,  our friend Muir suggested a caramel-peanut butter swirl to take it over the top and OH MY WORD! Our classic vanilla base gets a swirl of rich caramel peanut butter sauce before it's loaded with all the classic candies you love. Think Butterfinger, Kit Kat, Oreo, Reese cup (bats,rather), Cookies-and-Cream bars, and classic milk chocolate. It's the perfect flavor explosion to pair with a Halloween weekend. But this is a one-time, limited edition flavor that won't be made again until next October, so grab a pint while you can at our farm shoppe this Saturday 10am until 2pm!

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We're also excited to bring more locally sourced apples (Pazzaz and Ambrosia: both crisp and delicious in their own way: a close cousin to Honeycrisp but longer keepers: my new favorites!) and fresh, locally pressed apple cider. We've got a restock of yogurt (pumpkin, too!) and lots of pumpkin milk in the cooler. Our gelato freezer has Spiced Pumpkin, Apple Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel and Trick-or-Treat gelato available. We're ready for a Halloween weekend at the farm shoppe: Saturday 10am until 2pm!

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This week's links + finds:

• All the flavors of a PSL but without the caffeine: I've added a couple of these Pumpkin Spice Steamers to my daily fluid intake lately: delicious! I don't have the syrup so I just use a little brown sugar to sweeten and it's delicious.
• It might not be perfect, but we love these USA-made clippers for at-home haircuts for Jesse and Alex. Under $50 and last for years (just be sure to watch a few tutorials before you wing-it!)
• The Barefoot Contessa was my first favorite cooking show and I've always been inspired by Ina Garten's journey to successful entrepreneurship, so I grabbed her new memoir and can't wait to learn more!
• We've had so many delicious meals dropped of this week that have reminded me just how loving it is to bring someone a homemade meal. My sister brought pepperoni rolls and I'm reminded just how great they are to have around! I'm using this simple bread recipe to make more today.
• We're gearing up for the Holiday Season and looking for your gelato flavor recommendations! Comment below and I'll gift a winning flavor a few pints!

Thanks so much for being here, we appreciate you!

Happy Halloween weekend!

xx,

Jesse and Lisa