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Showing posts from 2019

Les Fleurs

I love flowers!  Every year I grow more. I love giving away bouquets and I love having fresh-cut flowers in the B & B.   Many have come and gone since Spring, but here are some of what’s in bloom in late August. I hope they put a smile on your face!                                                       Shasta Daisies at Aubergine Band B                                                                      Sunflowers in the Finger Lakes                                                            White hardy hibiscus at  Aubergine BandB                                                                                Aubergine Dahlias                                                                Rose of Sharon at Aubergine Band B                                                                                   Aubergine Clematis Heliotrope at Aubergine-tres Victorian!                                                                            Finger Lakes Dahl

Garden to Table

Here in the Finger Lakes, “farm to table” restaurants are very popular. It is such a great way to take advantage of our local farms which provide such beautiful produce.  We have vineyards, orchards, dairy farms, and so many great chefs who use all of these resources to turn out fresh, delicious dishes. I like to think of Aubergine as a “garden to table” establishment.  With so many fresh ingredients available, some question why I even bother with a vegetable garden. But gardening has been my passion for many years and I just love the process. Weeding to me is a form of “moving meditation.” I grow my vegetables and flowers from seed in my basement and just love that I can offer my guests homegrown berries on my homemade yogurt, fresh flowers, and omelets and frittatas made with fresh-picked veggies. I wish Penn Yan would let me raise chickens!  But fortunately the local farmers provide the very freshest eggs. I buy my meats locally, and, although on my bucket list is making my own

Aubergine 2019 Garden

The long-awaited sunshine has finally gotten things growing at Aubergine!  Today picking snow peas (had to cover them in Remay cloth to protect them from the deer!), Swiss chard, beets ( both protected from critters with chicken wire), lettuce, kale and arugula. Been eating strawberries and the raspberries are almost ready!  I don’t  grow corn but the local farmers had to plant really late because of the rain so we’re all praying for this summer weather to last. I can’t wait for my first tomato!

Spotted Duck Frozen Custard

Anyone who knows me knows that ice cream is my favorite thing (well, maybe after creme  brûlée!). And Aubergine guests will attest to the fact that I always send them to Spotted Duck!  It’s right up the road, on Route 54.  Frozen custard is made with egg yolks and these delightful folks make theirs with duck eggs!  And the ducks (as well as geese and other birds) are right there on the property. They make amazing flavors, kids can have fun looking at the animals and they do flights!  Heaven!   spottedduckflx.com

Sonnenberg Gardens

As many times as I’ve visited, I never get tired of beautiful Sonnenberg Gardens.   Just a 20-minute ride from Aubergine, there is something for everyone here: manicured gardens, an historic mansion, music events and wine tastings!   My favorite is the Japanese garden.