Recent Posts

Podcast Episode #20: Darron Marzolf, Butcher

Podcast Episode #20: Darron Marzolf, Butcher

Today I am excited to have Darron Marzolf of Falling River Meats, a 4th generation butcher from the Puget Sound.  We discuss the history of the butcher business in his family, how things have changed since his family started, and how small farmers can work…

Podcast Episode #19: Brad Murphy of The Red Bridge Farm

Podcast Episode #19: Brad Murphy of The Red Bridge Farm

SHOW NOTES Today I am excited to have our feed supplier, Brad Murphy and The Red Bridge Farm. We use their feed for our cattle, pigs and birds. We have had EXCELLENT feedback from our customers on the quality of the feed and how our…

Podcast Episode #18: Larry Snyder

Podcast Episode #18: Larry Snyder

Join me in a discussion with Larry Snyder as a mentor to many at Starbucks, professional photographer, author and auctioneer. “That Starbucks location introduced me to 1000’s of interesting people like you. My friend Traca coined the phrase “Curiosity Conversations” which drives my interactions every…

Eggs – 3 Ways

Eggs – 3 Ways

I have updated this post to reflect the fact we now grow our own eggs and use them every day but decided to keep some of the raw elements of the original post from 2012. I also combined three posts into one as you will…

Jersey Cocktail

Jersey Cocktail

One of the great stories in all distillation history is when apples are fermented into cider and then distilled into whiskey (or bandy). Simple, delicious and intensely North American (if that matters). This favorite takes Applejack Whiskey, add our apple bitters and some simple syrup…

The Barn Quilt

The Barn Quilt

One of the recent projects we put together was working through a barn quilt maker in the Midwest to turn our little farm logo into a barn quilt. When I pitched it to my wife, she was a smidge skeptical as it isn’t all that…

Rendering Lard

Rendering Lard

There are a lot of things we have learned in our short time owning a little farm. Some are dramatic (cows trying to leap fences) while some are so subtle and so simple and yet provide tremendous joy. One such item is lard. Lard was used…

Cuts of Pork

Cuts of Pork

At Lake Joy Farmstead we take great care of our pigs.  Our “pastured pork” is free to graze all day, every day, and we supplement their grazing with 100% organic, non-GMO, Washington based pig feed. When you select your portion, from 1/4 to whole, we…

Cuts of Beef

Cuts of Beef

At Lake Joy Farmstead we take great care of our cows.  Our cows are 100% grass-fed and grass finished and have access to pasture their entire life. We use the very best haylage and alfalfa from throughout Washington state. When you select your portion, from…

Cocktail Recipes featuring Blacksmith Trading Co (our) Bitters

Cocktail Recipes featuring Blacksmith Trading Co (our) Bitters

We like to imbibe now and again and what better than with a happy hour at home.  We spent a couple of years developing four different bitters and we believe have elevated some of the classic cocktails with them. Cheers! The Old Fashioned 3 ounces…