We have a new discovery. The locals here make a sweet bread they call Finnish Biscuit (Pulla). It has a little cardamom which makes it just sweet enough. We experimented (read - Kathy’s idea) this morning, making French Toast. Add a little sweetened whipped cream and some of the aforementioned fresh blueberries. Yummy! We’re sure it will be a favorite breakfast for our guests! Also, saw a young doe saunter through the yard this afternoon, not sure how they know when the dogs are inside so that it is safe. Come early evening, they like to wander through the field, just close enough to tease our  dogs (Stella, Brownie and Piper – more later about these three rascals). The dogs go nuts and the deer just stand and stare towards the house. One can only imagine what they are saying in deer speak!

Rumor had it the blueberries were ready so off we went this morning on the great hunt! Armed with bug spray, a cooler with ice and water and a few snacks, we made our way down a few country roads. Somehow, through the heat and the bugs, this is a truly rewarding experience, filling your bucket with these sweet wild blueberries. Kathy made a small blueberry pie that was to die for and gave us the energy to go back three more times this week. The Blueberry Scones will be even better made with our “catch”.

Exciting news – the partial barn remodel is almost complete. We decided to turn the first third of the first floor into an antiques and gift shop (Homespun Acres). Kathy will start making her candles again and sell these in the gift shop too. Look for the shop to be open in the fall. Stop by and you may be treated to an impromptu candle making lesson in the shop.

Lots of outdoor happenings here on the farm as well it should be since it seems that summer has come a month early. That is a huge deal up here in Embarrass or the “Cold Spot of the Nation” and we are making sure to take advantage of it. We have planted our usual garden and added a new section with potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkins, onions, green beans, herbs. If we don’t keep an eye on it every couple of days, it seems as if we have planted that wonderful (?) vegetation called the weed. We are looking forward to a great harvest and adding many items to the breakfast menu. We are spending a lot of time on the yard this summer and are trying to do quite a bit of landscaping. Kathy’s daughter Gina and friends Gretchen and Tressa came up to help plant our multitude of beautiful flowers. It’s amazing how they brighten up the yard!

Welcome to Northern Notes, a section of our fabulously redesigned website (thank you Popular Front) that we hope will keep you sufficiently updated on the comings and goings at our B&B (affectionately referred to as the farm in future posts). Enjoy!