One of the best things about living where I do is that there is a family farm just 2.5 miles from my house – Phillips Farms. They once were a small roadside stand, but expanded and built a much bigger store in a more accessible location.
They grow everything they sell, and it’s all fresh and delicious. They have over a dozen variety of apples, including my favorite macouns.
Plus every fruit or vegetable imaginable as the months roll by. We are often advised to eat foods that are in season, and Phillips Farms makes that easy. Plus they offer apple and pumpkin picking in the fall, berry picking in the spring and summer.
When they expanded, they built a kitchen on the premises. They bake pies, doughnuts, and fresh breads, and make their own jams and pasta sauces, all these items with their own produce
They offer fresh flowers in every season in pots or cut to make your own arrangements. This year they added eucalyptus.
New Jersey is known as the Garden State, and my county is the highest agricultural county within the state. Living here does mean some sacrifices in that a trip to go see art or other events in NYC or Philadelphia is a bit of a trek, but a good life with fresh and delicious food all year-round just 7 minutes away seems a pretty good counterbalance.
Summer is just about gone, and soon, with it will be the wonderful bounty that we love so much this time of year in New Jersey – peaches, corn and tomatoes.
I’ve been enjoying all three as soon as they hit my local farm market, but had yet to do anything special with them. Time flies! I really wanted to make something delicious with peaches before they’d no longer be available.
I perused a bunch of recipes I’ve yet to try, but instead settled for a fabulous favorite, German Plum Cake. It is usually made with Italian prune plums when they are in season, but works equally well with peaches or apples, and is so easy to make.
Lots of butter, lots of sugar, lots of peaches. One of my favorite recipes, especially because it takes almost no time at all. Yum!
The pandemic and other factors in all our lives have affected us and often left us feeling “trapped inside” and missing what we used to do. Personally, I am done with it. I need to go out and see the world again (carefully, of course). To that end, I went out this morning to a vegan place for breakfast I’ve been wanting to try and for a visit to see some art at the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, NJ.
Above are The Three Graces by Toshiko Takaezu at the front of the museum, the side view, and an untitled piece by Noriko Sakuyama.
As I’ve spent quite a bit of time in photo prep, I am going to refer you to the museum’s website to learn more about the artists’ work, if interested.
One of the pieces by Maxwell Mustardo in his Dish-Oriented exhibit.
Above are several images by Rina Bannerjee: Blemish, In Deep Pink Everyplace Begins, both sculptural and drawing. The last image was a discussion if the Chinese Lanterns in a 3-D piece were real or constructed by the artist.
This marble bust is best described by the accompanying text. You can see more of this installation on Instagram @jeannebalsam, if interested.
There was also an exhibit of some student work on the third floor.
Above are images of the Red Mill, an iconic landmark in Clinton, just across from the museum on the other side of the South Branch of the Raritan River. At the base of the waterfall, if you hadn’t caught it right away, is a Blue Heron, wading.
Okay, I’ve been out! Soaked in some sunshine, had a wonderful visit with a friend and some art, plus a great breakfast — what more could one want?
This morning was a space of wonderful normalcy. My friend and I went down to Frenchtown to have brunch at a favorite restaurant, Lovin’ Oven. They serve the most consistently delicious food at truly reasonable prices, and sourced as much as possible from local farms.
The outdoor patio with umbrellas for shade, bright orange picnic tables, and lovely decor.
Eating outside felt so safe and comfortable – tables well-distanced, staff wearing masks, and menus available through a QR code on little cards on the table.
The lovely fresh flowers at each table, also grown locally.
I’ve been a fan of Lovin’ Oven from when I first moved into my little town fifteen years ago. They were located just a few blocks away, right next to the Delaware River, in a turn-of-the-century Victorian house. It was kind of crowded, but totally charming, and the kitchen, tiny. At some point, they moved to Frenchtown in much more spacious quarters, part of a converted warehouse.
This wall of Hindu statuary shields the patio from the road beyond. It was a fabulous find from the former store next door, Two Buttons.
What stayed the same in the move is the wonderful staff, always smiling, considerate, and kind, and, of course, the fabulous food which includes plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Putting aside for the moment that I don’t eat meat, there is rarely anything on the Lovin’ Oven menu that I wouldn’t eat. How many places can you say that about?
Breakfast scramble – scrambled eggs with locally grown cherry tomatoes and sweet corn plus cheddar, and accompanied by roasted potatoes and oatmeal porridge bread.
It was a huge amount of food, and I already knew I’d be taking half of it home, especially if I might be considering dessert (yes, at that hour of the morning – too good to pass up.)
Vegan taco – fried plantains, refried beans, Rancheros sauce, roasted tofu, pickled red onions on a grilled corn tortilla.
My friend chose the vegan taco which was as wonderful as its presentation. She, too, took half of this mound of food home for later consumption.
Top shelf of homemade baked goods – muffins, scones, cookies – all made from scratch.
Another plus here is that they bake all their own delicious treats right there on the premises in small batches. Not for those watching their weight or sugar, but for every now and then, do we really care? The little shelf pictured above sits over the refrigerated case which holds such wonders as Key Lime Pie, Caramel Nut Tart, or what I had … pictured below.
Peanut butter pie – a whipped peanut butter silk pie sitting on top of chocolate ganache and a graham cracker crust – just heaven.
When my peanut butter pie arrived, I was honestly so excited I forgot all about photographing it! So I borrowed this from Lovin’ Oven’s Facebook page which I doubt the owner – who now knows me for 15 years – would mind. What a dream of a pie.
I am so happy that this restaurant made it through the pandemic. Julie developed a takeout menu for 3 times a week, and all the loyal LO fans came and kept them afloat. Coming back when they could actually, physically, open again was like old home week. Staff and diners all greeted one another like long lost friends.
I think when you’re are doing the right thing for the right reason you’ll make out OK. And I think they are proof of that. They just do everything right. It’s always a pleasure to be there. Glad we all got to see you on the other side. And thanks.
My last post was quite lengthy, so for this one, I’ll be quite brief. Just some thoughts for a happy holiday weekend and beyond.
Go out and find some fabulous local produce at a farmer’s market or farmstand and enjoy the bounty of the season!
Get around to the gardening you’ve been waiting to do! (Or in my case, pot the poor plants that have been waiting way too long to look fabulous!)
If planning an outing, find a good crafts or art show where local artisans are showcasing their wares. Like this fabulous Lemon Peel Soap I came across recently by a local soap maker. Support your local artists!
No matter how busy you may be – or not be –
make some time for your furry small fry.
And above all – and which may include all of the above – take the advice on this journal given me by a dear friend – Do more of what makes you happy!
Still A Dreamer 