Winter is coming!

Over the past few days, winter’s white mantle has spread its splendor over the mountains, forests, and meadows. It’s hard to believe that winter will soon be here again in the Gastein Valley. Snowflakes danced out of the clouds and blanketed our farm all the way down into the valley. Gerhard Michel from www.gasteinertal.com took this gorgeous featured image from the Schareck—thank you!

As every year, the first snow brings a very special fascination for young and old, and the first winter sports enthusiasts are already stocking up on ski equipment and mountain railway tickets to show off their skills on the slopes as soon as the ski resorts open.

Here on our farm, we’re now getting ready for winter, and the fields, farm, and alpine pasture are being prepared for the snow. Although the snow has melted away from the valley floor, the animals will soon be “put away”—that is, they’ll be sheared and brought into the barn, where they’ll be fed and will no longer go out to pasture every day. What happens to the meadows in the near future will be covered in the next farm story.

After a hard day’s work in the barn and around the farm, there’s nothing better than a warm drink to warm you right up. I’d like to share a recipe with you because it not only tastes great but is also healthy, quick and easy to make, and helps build up your strength for those cold days!

GINGER PUNCH

Ginger 100 g freshly cut or grated

Sage blossoms

100 ml lemon juice

200 g cane sugar

100 ml water

Bring everything to a boil and set aside. Add lemon sage, lemon verbena, or another fragrant herb.

Strain and let cool slightly.

Pour into bottles and refrigerate.

Pour hot water or apple juice over the punch base – done.

For adults, a little rum can be added as desired!

This ginger punch is just so handy when you have guests—you always have it in the fridge, and all you have to do is pour hot apple juice over it—and it’s ready! What warms you up best on cold winter days?

Your Farmer Katharina