I know sad but true, summer is officially over and we are onto fall. There are several things which signify the changing of the season to me, the first of which is when I make my first pumpkin pies of the season. Well, last night was the night.  I made two delicious pumpkin pies and am looking forward to doing a lot more fall and winter baking in the upcoming months.

Aside from pumpkin pies signifing the fall season this weekend also marks the opening of my favorite place to enjoy the fall harvest in Whatcom County, Stoney Ride Farms in Everson. I drive by the farm daily on my commute and always anxiously await it’s opening and the start of the pumpkin season.

For those of you that have not yet visited Stoney Ridge Farms you will want to make it a stop this year. Stoney Ridge is not just about pumpkins. The farm is home to over 6 varieties of apple available for U-pick or from the farm stand. Also available are the traditional pumpkins, gourds, squash and fresh apple cider. While at the farm be sure to also check out the corn maze, farm animals, pie shop and hot dog stand.  Stoney Ridge Farms is a great family outing and also a great place to snap a couple of family pics for the upcoming Christmas Cards…. Yes, I said it CHRISTMAS and it’s only October 2nd.

If you are still holding onto unused Lummi Island ferry punchcards that expired on June 1st, you have a limited time to exchange them for credit toward new cards.  With the summer car and driver rate up to $10 per trip, purchase of a new 10 trip punch card at $72 will save you $2.80 per trip, and purchase of a 25 trip punch card at $160 will save $3.60 per trip.  It’s worth stopping at the 2nd floor of 322 N Commercial St (across from the library lawn). . . or call 360-676-6876 and they will tell you how to exchange your old cards by mail.  The deadline for exchange is August 29th. �

Whatcom County berry picking season is in full swing. Strawberries have been ready for at least a few weeks now, the raspberries started there first and second picks this week and last and blue berries aren’t far off either!

There are few things more “Whatcom County” than berry picking. Berry picking in the summer has served as a first job for many county kids, is a crucial time for people looking to make their jams for the year, or just a time to hang out with the kids and enjoy some time outside picking something everyone in the family is sure to enjoy.

Last Saturday my little brother Chance and I headed out on a Raspberry picking mission. We called my usual favorite spot Boxx Berry Farms and they weren’t open for U-Pick Raspberries until next week, so we set out drive to see the next U-Pick farm that we could see was open. Living in Everson, we didn’t have to go far we immediately came upon a family owned patch located just north of the Hannegan on the Pole Rd.

Chance and I were the first pickers on our row and were greeted by thousands of plump red raspberries ripe for the picking. 11lbs of raspberries later we headed out. At $1.75 a lbs for raspberries I considered it a real steal. I took my berries home, cleaned them, made desserts and froze them for future use to enjoy throughout the year.

Below is a quick list of a few local farms open for U-pick currently.

Boxx Berry Farms (360) 380-2699
Barbie Berries (360) 384-1260
Crystal View Raspberry Farm (360) 380-5975

If you are looking to pick some berries feel free to send me an email or give us a call at (360) 303-2734 and we’d be happy to point you in the right direction.

I must admit I love the snow, but driving in it…. not so much! Below are a couple of pics from my way into work this morning.
The view from my front door looking at Everson Park, snow still coming down and temp. about 26 degrees. Brrrrrrr……

Main St in Everson, just around the corner from my house, roads covered in snow and ice!

Headed down the Everson Goshen Rd on my way to the office in Fairhaven. Nasty road conditions!

Now here is the difference between my house, and my commute and where my office is located…… Here is a shot in Fairhaven.

Nothing but rain here in Bellingham’s Historic Fairhaven District. What a difference in weather. Just goes to show you how diverse Whatcom County can be!

For those of you who live out in the County or who travel that way; the Everson-Goshen Rd is under repair this week.  The area around the Smith Rd interesection is being repaved.  Work on the road will take place between September 10th- Sept. 14th between the hours 7:00am to 7:00pm.

Take if from me if you can find an alternate way around take it!  I sat in the back up this morning for at least 15 minutes….

 Happy Driving!

48 new homes will be built in Nooksack starting this spring. The Village at Nooksack is being built by Himalaya Homes Inc. of Snohomish County on land that they recently purchased for $3,762,500.

It will be interesting to see the development of smaller towns such as Everson, Nooksack and Sumas as Bellingham continues to grow. As prices and densities increase in Bellingham, many people may start to look further out in the county to find newer homes, on reasonable size lots that are affordable.

That’s right - come January 2008 Everson City Council members will get a monthly salary of $150 instead of $100.

So really not that much of a raise (but it did make a fun headline!).