Winter is coming!

In the past few days, winter’s white dress has spread its splendor over the mountains, forests, and meadows. It’s hard to believe that winter will soon be back in Gasteinertal. Snowflakes danced from the clouds and powdered our farm all the way down into the valley. Gerhard Michel from www.gasteinertal.com took this magnificent feature photo from 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 at the farm, everything is now being prepared for winter, and fields, yard, and alpine pastures are being made ready for snow. Although the snow in the valley bottom is gone again, the animals will soon be “brought inside,” meaning they will be shorn and brought into the stable, fed there, and will no longer go out to pasture daily. What happens to the meadows in the near future will follow in the next farm story.

After a day’s work in the stable and on the farm, a warm drink is very welcome to warm the body again. I’d like to share a recipe because it not only tastes good but is also healthy, quick and easy to make, and strengthens the body for the 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 simply practical; when guests come, you always have it in the fridge and just need to pour hot apple juice over it – done! What warms you up best on cold winter days?

Your farmer Katharina