In the mail this week we received a wheel of cheese. Yes, usually I will buy my cheese from one of the local shops, but this was special. On the Planet Green network there is a show called the Fabulous Beekman Boys. Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell bought a house and farm in upstate New York...Sharon Springs. They have a multitude of goats, sheep, and one adorable llama named Polka Spot who has become somewhat of a mascot and a celebrity in her own right. Because we enjoy an evening of wine and cheese every once in a while and because I was curious, I filled in the form for their waiting list just so that I could buy the cheese. They sent a lovely little email telling me that I was next and so, less than a week from purchase my cheese arrived in the mail.
Wrapped in tissue paper and tied with butchers twine, the package was country lovely. The semi hard cheese is coated in a vegetable based ash that was reminiscent of Homboldt Fog. It was tasty, however, I am giving it a little more time to harden and age. With a drizzle of honey it was great with a glass of Malbec, and I am looking forward to trying it again soon. You can find information about Beekman 1802 products here, and about the TV show here.
Lucky for us, the local farmers market is still opening on Sundays and that means fresh produce all week long. The colors of the season really hit me today
with the pretty red cranberries and the bright golden sunflowers. These petite red onions were so pretty...a few of them came home with us too. Between the community garden and our veggie garden in the backyard, I have come to appreciate these farms so much...the work that goes into the growing is unbelievable.
On a completely different note, I have been visiting the Smiling Sally blog for years now. Her Blue Monday event was the first that I ever tried linking to. She has had one heck of a year and that is putting it mildly. I am so happy that she is on the mend and back at her computer...I put together a special blue mosaic to say thank you to Sally for keeping the faith.
These pictures were from some of my favorite blue moments this year.
This post is being linked to Smiling Sally for Blue Monday and Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
♥, Susan
Oh I just love to visit Susan. I always get whisked away by your adventures. The cheese looks enticingly black and I will be visiting those links for sure.
Our farmers' market is still going strong too. I picked up some goat cheese ricotta today that I'm excited to try. I only wish I still had some vine ripe tomatoes, sigh. If there is one thing I have learned from my Amish friend, Katie, is the appreciation as too how much labor is involved with providing. Hers is a dairy farm and her sister just started exploring producing goat cheese.
Thank you so much for sharing, your tribute is lovely...
Posted by: Louise | October 16, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Really lovely mosaics!! I especially like the "blue" mosaic!!! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Posted by: Cathy | October 16, 2011 at 05:41 PM
The cheese sounds yummy. I love the colorful mosaic with goodies from the farmers markets. And your blue mosaic is pretty, blue is my favorite color.
Posted by: Eileen | October 16, 2011 at 05:42 PM
The cheese sounds delicious. Our farmers' market is now closed but I see yours still has lots of good things for sale.
I've only participated with Sally a couple of times but should get back to visiting her.
Posted by: Lavender Cottage | October 16, 2011 at 05:44 PM
Lovely mosaics.:)
Posted by: A Garden of Threads | October 16, 2011 at 05:58 PM
Farmer's markets are such gorgeous places - so many colors.
Posted by: Lorrie | October 16, 2011 at 06:08 PM
your pictures are so colorful and the cheese sounds wonderful. I love the way you describe the package wrapping as "country lovely."
Posted by: dotsie (aka podso) | October 16, 2011 at 06:22 PM
I love the thought of the cheese with a drizzle of honey and sip of Malbec - taste buds are on high alert!
Posted by: Pondside | October 16, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Wonderfully pretty and delicious Mosaic!
Posted by: Pat@Back Porch Musings | October 16, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Beautiful mosaics! I'll bet that cheese is really good. Nancy
Posted by: Porch Days | October 16, 2011 at 08:26 PM
The cheese certainly looks yummy and all that produce at your farmers' market looks terrific. Your mosaics were great. I really loved the blue one ... loved the dark blue car bonnet and the blue lights on the ferris wheel.
Posted by: Bernieh | October 16, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Very lovely mosaics, especially the blue! One never gets tired of the blue colour, does one? Cranberries grow in Sweden too, but are not so common to find in supermarkets or farmers markets as in U.S. Cranberryjuice is becoming popular. Have a nice week.
Posted by: Ingmarie We | October 17, 2011 at 12:27 AM
Now I am really hungry...I love cheese! Beautiful mosaics! Hope your week is wonderful :)
Blessings,
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | October 17, 2011 at 01:20 AM
A fun post and good mosaics! I especially like the last one with all of the pretty blues, my favorite color! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | October 17, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Oh, Susan, you MADE my day! Thank you for your kind words.
Happy Blue Monday to you!
Posted by: Sally | October 17, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Oh my that cheese looks special. And your blue stuff love it!
Farmers Market Galore
Posted by: Kim,USA | October 17, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Love your blue mosaic! Have fun on your wine and cheese night. It sounds wonderfu!
Posted by: Joy | October 17, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Hi, I love cheese! This looks so yummy. The colors of Fall are gorgeous! There's nothing quite like fresh produce. What a nice tribute to Sally. I have linked with her a couple of times, but really don't know the history. Glad that she is doing better. Hope she continues to improve!
Posted by: Jann Olson | October 17, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Hi Susan, that's a beautiful blue mosaic for Sally. Love those blue lights of the ferris wheel.
Happy Blue Monday!
Posted by: Ebie | October 17, 2011 at 07:47 PM
I am in SF and finally have a Internet connection that is allowing me to visit my favorite blogs :) I love artisanal cheese and thsi sounds really wonderful, Susan.
Your blue mosiac is beautiful!
Posted by: Pat | October 18, 2011 at 11:12 PM
Love your mosaics, pretty colors of the season and the market! The cheese looks delicious. Wine and cheese night sounds fun!
Posted by: Carol | October 19, 2011 at 06:35 AM
I have been following your adventure in Cali Pat...cant wait till you write about it!
Posted by: susan ericson | October 19, 2011 at 07:14 PM
It is a treat to try a new cheese! I do like visiting your blog and am off to hit the "follow" button. Can't understand why I haven't done that already! :)
-Karen
Posted by: My Little Home and Garden | October 20, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Susan, so glad that you liked the cheese! Thanks so much for including us in your lovely blog post!
Posted by: Brent and Josh | October 28, 2011 at 01:51 AM