Cape Abilities Farm

I am a big fan of Cape Abilities. Besides having a clever name, the organization has a great mission:

The mission of Cape Abilities is to serve individuals with disabilities on Cape Cod by educating, counseling and providing residential, therapeutic, social and employment supports that empower individuals to achieve meaningful and valued roles in the community. 

I've spoken of my most-beloved Cape Abilities Thrift Store on Route 28 in West Yarmouth. 

                            

I'm a frequent visitor, and, in addition to the star fish throne chair and ottoman, I've gotten some Sandwich-focused artwork by a local artist who is retiring; a Beatrix Potter puzzle with only one piece missing; some cute tops that Christina didn't want, and I'll never wear; a few sugar and creamer sets, just because they're cute; and some pink tea cups (for the same reason). Here is a smattering of my finds from just the other day:

Total Cost: $5.00

Now, it's time for me to shower my praises on the Cape Abilities Farm on Route 6A (Main Street) in Dennis. The Farm is an equally fabulous place.

Cape Abilities Farm in Summer

The farm market features locally and organically farm-grown produce, as well as flowers, gifts, and art. Although not easy to find when using GPS (identify the address as 6A, not Main Street), a large sign and American flag let you know when you have arrived.

Then, of course, the Cape Abilities Farm truck, parked just below, is a sure sign that you're there.

Due to the time of year, the offerings are scaled back, although what they do have is plentiful. When I first visited, I walked into a post-Christmas sale, which was amazing! I bought some great Christmas tree ornaments for next year, plus some little sticker books for my grandchildren and chocolate treats for TSO. Of all my purchases, however, my pride and joy is a Cape Abilities Farm reusable grocery bag!

A Usable Souvenir

Now that it's winter, the farm looks much different from its appearance during the height of the season, but that doesn't change its ability to operate and offer fresh foods to its customers. There is fresh produce (not necessarily local in winter), bread, milk and other dairy products, including lots of cheeses, and many frozen items, such as various iterations of shepherd's pie. Yum! Of interest to TSO and me is the Winter Farm Box program. 

I was unaware of the Cape Abilities Farm until late December when I received an invitation to participate in the Winter Farm Box program, which includes a head of lettuce from the Cape Abilities lettuce house. TSO and I hopped right on board, signing up for the every-other-week box, plus a dozen eggs.

The produce is packed in a sturdy box, which also includes a sheet of paper identifying the items in the box and, for those who are timid in the kitchen, recipes that incorporate those items.

Lots of Vitamins

The box of eggs comes from a local farm. The eggs are always brown, except for this week. Now, several decades ago, I was stunned to learn that there is such a thing as brown eggs. So, imagine my surprise when I opened the box and discovered blue eggs mingled with the brown!

Blue Chicken Eggs

The only blue eggs I had ever seen were those that had been dipped in Paas egg dye for Easter, and those blues were never so subtle as this blue. I would describe the color as a very pale Robin's Egg blue with a very light grey undertone. I would love to have a house with that color painted everywhere, inside and out! I was simply bowled over. My sister-in-love, Camille, tells me that the Araucana chicken lays blue eggs. I've since researched the subject, and there are other blue-egg-laying chickens around as well. Who knew?! I wonder whether Benjamin Moore can match this color? "Cape Abilities' Chicken Egg Blue." That's a long name.