As you know, I started my sourdough journey, thanks to Stacey, who not only gifted me her starter, recipe, and baking kit, but also tipped me off to a very good deal at the new Ocean State Job Lot in the North Cape May mall.

Apparently, you need to bake sourdough in a cast iron Dutch oven.

I didn’t have the right size, so naturally, I had to go check it out. Have you been in that store?

I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of their inventory and price point, much better than the store they replaced.

They had 6-quart Dutch ovens for $35 — what a steal!

I bought two (because really, you can never have too much sourdough… or cookware).

My first loaf actually turned out pretty well: it rose, browned, and didn’t resemble a doorstop.

Kathryn raved about it, and you know children, they don’t hold back on their opinions.

That felt good.

With Stacey’s expert coaching, I tried again a few days later, timing it with my oldest’s visit.

This time, I baked not only my second loaf but also sourdough chocolate chip muffins.

I have to say, those went very well.

Embarrassingly, I’m now baking so much that I don’t have enough starter and have to increase my supply.

At this rate, I may get so cocky I’ll bring muffins to the wreath workshop. (What say you?)

Speaking of which, our Winter Wreath Workshops kick off mid-November and run through mid-December!

Our first session is full already, but there’s still a lot more options.

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It’s our favorite annual tradition: music playing, prosecco flowing, evergreens scenting the air, and everyone leaving with a gorgeous custom wreath and a memory worth framing.

Gather your family or friends, make it a yearly thing, and come create something beautiful together (no baking skills required).

Be Part of the Fun!

Farm Happenings

The tulip bulbs have shipped and, as of this writing (Wednesday), they’re expected to arrive today!

All varieties are on their way except Affaire, which should arrive toward the end of this week or early next.

All my tulip folks will get an email soon with the option to either wait to pick up if they ordered Affaire, or grab what’s ready now.

This is just the nudge I needed to get my derriere out there to plant the iris bulbs and prep the tulip bed, although if you’re local to Cape May, you still have plenty of time.

We haven’t had any frost yet!

Full planting and harvesting instructions are included with every tulip order.

This long stretch of mild temperatures means my heirloom mums are still blooming away, along with the last of our celosia and statice.

The eucalyptus are practically waving at me to be harvested, too, perfect ingredients for our fall bouquets.

The flower stand is still open and stocked with our late-season blooms, so stop by for a little autumn color before the frost finally says, “enough already.”