Erickson Ranch May 2013

     Jams and jellies and preserves. Erickson Ranch takes the fruit from their trees to make the most delicious condiments. They also locally source certain fruits, such as berries, if they aren't grown on the ranch. Last May I photographed Victoria and Ray making their Meyer Lemon Jelly. They make each batch by hand, from juicing the lemons to the final stir before pouring the hot contents into jars. To watch the process you know they've been perfecting the art of preserving for some time. They have a skillful system down and to watch them work together is to witness two people who have a common love and pride in their fruit, their product and the art of the handmade. 

     Erickson Ranch is part of a larger community of Solano County & Suisun Valley growers. They utilize the commercial kitchen at Il Fiorello Olive Oil to make their wares. It's such a humbling process to watch the simple, natural ingredients that make up a jam such as their ranch grown Blenheim Apricot and then to taste the finished jam a few days later. My personal favorite is a good ol' peanut butter and jam sandwich! (I would have said jelly, but I've since learned the distinction between a jam and a jelly!)

     If you haven't tried their jams, head out to the Ranch (2482 Cordelia Rd. Suisun Valley, CA 94534) on Sunday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m for their season opening event,  "All Things Apricot". There will be jam tasting along with other local makers and it is a great day to explore the ranch! 

Hope you're all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! 

To see all months from my 2013 year long project click on the month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September

Erickson Ranch April 2013

     April at Erickson Ranch brings on a proliferation of activity and blooms. Fields are tended to, vegetable crops are planted, garden crops begin to pop up and the apple trees begin to explode with their beautiful blooms. There is also a feeling of awakening on the ranch. A feeling that the land, the plants, the animals, the people all are stretching their arms, basking in the sun, taking a deep breath of fresh, warm air and preparing for the upcoming season of growth. And all the while the pretty purples of spring put on a show, from iris' to lilac to wisteria; it makes for a beautiful display to the start of the season! 

April 2014 has been an eventful one, so this particular post will be short but sweet. Hope you all are enjoying the spring! 

To see all months from my 2013 year long project click on the month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September

Erickson Ranch March 2013

     As spring arrives, Erickson Ranch bursts into bloom. Behind the scenes the planting, repairing and planning continue. I think this month the photo's must do the talking. I had so many dang photos of blooms, it was ridiculous... but clearly necessary, who can say no to pretty flowers?  I also thought I'd list a few interesting things I learned throughout this month, last year, below.

1. Chicken feathers are often used for fly fishing lures. 

2. Ladybugs are natural predators to aphids. So not only are they pretty, considered lucky and fun to spot in the garden, they help keep those pesky aphids from devouring crops. If you have a garden at home you can actually buy ladybugs and release them into your crop to help with keeping aphids at bay. If you already have aphids, you might see ladybugs flocking to your garden as they are naturally drawn to them. They might not eradicate all of your aphids but it can't hurt and they are sure fun to have in the garden.

3. Potatoes grow from cut up potato pieces. Yeah, mind blowing right? haha. It is one of many ways to grow potatoes, but simplicity at it's finest. The Erickson's get their delicious potatoes from some tried and true sources, but it'd be a fun experiment to take your favorite organic potato, cut it in half and plant it to see what pops up! You can look up specifics online. 

4. That all fruits begin with a flower, but not all flowers become a fruit. The cycle of a fruit bearing tree is fascinating. Not just for looks, a selection of the beautiful blooms turn into delicious fruits! I am looking forward to fruit and veggie (and flower) shopping at Erickson Ranch this year. I realized last year that I never truly had really delicious fruit until I had it straight from the source! It changed my whole perspective on fruit.

So there you have it, a few things I learned in the month of March! 

To see all months from my 2013 year long project click on the month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September

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