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Sunday, August 21, 2011

farm fresh bento



Hi bento pals! This weekend we visited a pick-your-own farm in Delaplane, VA: Hollin Farms, with a hilly orchard of peach trees, neat rows of scarlet and green tomatoes, peppers and other summer delights on acres of well-tended land...


Peaches seemed to glow on the trees...we came home with an abundant selection of several varieties.




Okra plants have beautiful ivory flowers, a fun discovery!


Golden zucchini blossoms






Sweet summer still life


A magical aisle of sunflower and zinnia hummed with color...and butterflies!




A pretty violet eggplant flower






After picking our peaches and tomatoes, we were hungry and a bit tired...Frost Diner in Warrenton came to the rescue with a restorative lunch!




Fried chicken, coleslaw, grits and gravy:


Lovely old fashioned pickled beets and buttery lima beans, yum!








Before driving home, a stop at the Red Truck Bakery Cafe, also in Warrenton. A cheerful, relaxing cafe space and wonderful baked items make this a local gem...


This cinnamon apple oatmeal muffin was delish.


Tangy sweet lemon squares (also in Monday's bento!)


A lush peach pie




Apple cake with maple glaze...a foretaste of fall!




Ripe farm tomatoes in our kitchen


Monday's bento brings the sunny out of doors to the office with a farm tomato stuffed with basil chicken sausage, toasted bread, fresh basil leaves, garlic and chopped tomato and topped with a goat cheese-mint flower heart.

Also for lunch: a golden slice of yellow pepper, more basil, farm blackberries and white peach plus a sweet slice of lemon square from the Red Truck Bakery. Have a wonderful week and happy cooking!

17 comments:

origa-me said...

Tree ripened peaches...sigh.......
BTW did you know that the okra plant is related to the hibiscus and cotton?
This post makes me seriously discontented with my mini veggie garden!

Emily Ng said...

wow..fresh and delicious bento. Love those peaches...mouth watering..hehe. Nice scenery and yummy food, I had a nice trip with you too, thanks Jenn. ^^

Bobo said...

Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures..
Love the glowing peaches and the vintage Frost Diner.. cool!

Bentobird said...

Hello origa-me, thanks for sharing that interesting fact, news to me! What do you have in your mini veggie garden?

Bentobird said...

Hi dear Emily, thanks for coming along and commenting :) Have a super week!

Bentobird said...

Hi Bobo, how are things? Love to read your comments, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... the peach pie *yummy* I'd like a piece of it - NOW :)

Nice and fresh Bento!

Anja

Bentobird said...

Hi Anja! Peach pie is soooo good, had some at a friend's house last night and the combo of ripe peaches and a tiny bit of cinnamon in her version was delightful.

Have a great day and happy bentoing this week :D

Happy Little Bento said...

Those peaches look incredible! And everything else looks so summery and fresh!

Bentobird said...

Hi Sheri! Thanks for coming by with these sweet comments, happy Tuesday!

Sonoma Bento said...

How fun to visit a pick your own farm! I would love to try that. Did the peach trees smell as good as they look?

Robin O said...

I can just imagine you walking through the farm, sun warming your face and the fresh, earthy smell of ripening fruit wafting in the air. Your images capture it all... including the smile on your face as you raise the fragrant tomato to enhale it's perfume.

Wow. What a special bento to capture all of this Jenn!

Bentobird said...

Hi Michelle! I was thinking of you when I made this post, given your sunny philosophy of locally sourced, farm fresh bentos!

Are there some pick your own places in the Santa Rosa area? Hope all is well :)

Bentobird said...

Hello sweet Robin, thanks for joining me on this summery farm outing. There is a gentle, abundant feel to the countryside in this area that's really special. I think we'll go back to this farm when autumn crops start arriving.

Have a wonderful day :D!

Anonymous said...

I heard about the earthquake close to Washington. Are you o.k.?

Anja

Bentobird said...

Hi Anja, thanks for checking in!

We are fine, it was a crazy few seconds when we realized it was an earthquake, with a rumbling cracking sound that made us run outside like our neighbors. Happily it did not last and everything is o.k.!

Anonymous said...

Oh Jenn,

i am very relieved!

Have a good time.

Anja