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Kyle and I went to Blue Hill at Stone Barns earlier this year for dinner as my Birthday treat– an hours-long, Foodie paradise that was seriously a cut above any dining experience we had ever had.  It was such an amazing way to indulge in the Farm-To-Table movement, and we left forever obsessed with the farm, the food, and the environment that Blue Hill is creating in Pocantico Hills, New York.  When our friends mentioned to us that there are Family Weekends at Stone Barns Center where children and their parents get to experience the behind-the-scenes Farm magic firsthand, we jumped at the chance!

As you probably already know, Marlowe is obsessed with animals.  She also has been much more interested in cooking recently, and more specifically in eating what we grow.  We have a vegetable garden this summer (tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce) and she recently ate salad with dressing on it for the first time since she was so intrigued by the fact that it came from our yard! Hey, whatever works! I thought a visit to Stone Barns Center would be interesting for Kyle and I, but also super fun for her to be able to see the animals in person and to begin to understand a little bit about how food grows before we eat it.

Our friends have a four year old girl and a two year old girl, so it really was the perfect environment to get all the girls together and explore around.  The farm had a really cool itinerary to follow that included a visit with the Honeybees, egg collecting, and visits with the chicks and sheep– as well as more epicurean ( and parent-friendly) activities.  It was really supposed to be an all-day experience, but we decided to focus on the morning portion and stay for lunch at the incredible Café & Grain Bar before heading home for naps (…for everyone )

When we arrived at the Farm in the morning, all of us were blown away but just how gorgeous the grounds were in all their Summertime glory.  Wildflowers and herb gardens exploding everywhere, rolling fields, and beautiful stone work in the elegant main building all looked like the perfect postcard moment.  Idyllic farmlands surround the property as far as the eye can see.  It was a gorgeous sunny day, made only slightly uncomfortable by the fact that it was ten o’clock in the morning and already HOT.  It was going to be a scorcher.  Three small children and a pregnant lady in ninety degree heat for a few hours might sound like a nightmare– but we actually did pretty well by dunking the kids’ heads with cold water, having them take turns in the shade of the stroller, and covering them with tons of sunblock.  As for me? I drank three bottles of ice cold water and STILL had to pull my Tshirt up above my bump to air it out and cool down a little.  Not the chicest look around, but sometimes necessary– Ha!

The kids actually loved traipsing around the grounds, finding sticks and rocks, and pointing out any animals we happened to see.  But their favorite activity was definitely collecting eggs!  Stone Barns Center had helpers at each station to explain to interested parents and kids about the process and lots of cool little facts– as well as to give some tips for how to engage safely.  I, for example, didn’t know that we in the United States have to refrigerate our eggs because in processing we wash off a coating of bacteria that helps keep the eggs from spoiling! It also means that after handling fresh chicken eggs it’s necessary to wash hands VERY well in order to avoid transferring this bacteria to your mouth.  The pregnant lady in the group was extra attentive to that one.  After collecting eggs (and washing our hands) we headed up to the Café to have lunch.

And lunch was definitely MY favorite part of the day.  The tiny little storefront opens up to a long covered patio with picnic benches, and sells tons of different kind of bites and treats to nibble on in addition to organic sodas and delicious coffee.  We basically got two of everything on the menu, and I can barely explain how yummy every single item was.  The fried chicken was like eating fried chicken for the first time.  Marlowe even loved it so much she at two drumsticks by herself! We sampled some amazing salads and grain mixtures, and even picked out lots of sweet and savory baked goods.  One strawberry muffin was particularly heavenly, as was a savory kale and cheddar scone.  My favorite thing I tried was a knee-buckling-delicious open faced bologna sandwich with pickled vegetables and arugula.  It was such an interesting and inspiring combo.  All the meats, veggies, and dairy at the Café are made and grown on the premises, including the bologna! Marlowe particularly loved the hard boiled eggs they sell which were from the very same hen house she had visited just ten minutes earlier.  It doesn’t get fresher than that! I could tell she was finally putting it together that the egg she was eating came from the chickens she had met that afternoon, and I felt so happy to be giving her an experience that was connecting her concept of eating with those of agriculture and farming.  The Café & Grain Bar is definitely worth a trip to the farm all by itself.

After lunch, we visited the chicks! Who doesn’t love a baby animal! The chicks were adorable, and organized from youngest to oldest so the kids could get a sense of how they grow and change.

Finally, it was time to pack my own tired and sweaty little chickadee in to the car, blast the AC, and head home for an epic nap.  While the car was cooling down, I popped in to the little farm store to take a peek…and immediately swooned.  I could have spent an hour in there! There were so many beautiful things, including recipe books, housewares, children’s apparel and toys, and even jewelry and beauty products. There’s a little farmstand in there as well to pick up any fresh Blue Hill produce you might want to cook with at home! I found a beautiful set of linen napkins and a cute hat for Lowie and headed on my way– but I will definitely be back to scour the aisles and drink in the chicness of that little shop again soon!

All in all, we had a really memorable and fun day with great friends, and I look forward to bringing Marlowe back to Stone Barns Center more and more as she gets older and can enjoy all of the activities.  Understanding and appreciating where nutritious food comes from is the first step in making sure we nourish our families properly– and I was so grateful for that reminder!

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