What to say Wednesay

When one has been absent for so very long..where to begin but keep it interesting and concise. How about more pictures than words? I will try that approach..

This has been a whirlwind of a summer and fall. But, one of the most exciting things for our farm was selling  at the Farmer's Market at Bean's Creek Winery in Manchester. We did so much more than sell farmy "stuff". We made friends in the community, turned folks on to "natural" beauty products AND oldest farm child now works full-time at the winery as a "winery rat".. He said that is the official term for someone who does whatever they are told to do.. He likes having a title.

I was featured on Live Green Tennessee, for my soapmaking.. They did a nice 10-minute segment with an interview and demo of making a sea salt bar. The producer told me that they would put the episode up on youtube. They LIED haha. one day maybe and I will share. We did, however, have folks come out to the farm and to the winery after seeing the show! Oh cool is that?!  This is me in the studio we added on in July and I have just now moved everything in (December). SLACKER

Muscadines that we ate so many of.. growing on an arbor in front of the winery.

Duke Brown (and his little boy Zeke on the side of the stage) at the summer concerts (you guessed it.. at the winery).. we spent a lot of time there this summer and into the fall.

Can't get enough if this peace... When we lived in the city.. we could never see so much sky. Same with the night stars, gazing never gets tiresome.

My brother-in-law MADE this for me~!! Being the pizza chef that I am *ahem*, This is black walnut and cherry wood from trees taken out at another friend's property. Isn't it just gorgeous?! I WILL build a cob oven outdoors next year to bake breads and pizzas in!

We added a second laying flock to the farm. 25 ladies who will begin to share their offerings in March.. yes, we played with them and were very careful. We also washed the heck out of these toys when finished :)

Does this count as school? Of course it does!

So after a long blog break and the markets are almost over (yes, we extended into December and I still have special orders to complete)... I will be back to this (filthy.. I see it) laptop, my knitting and having my cat take advantage of my stillness.

There will also be lots of this... My special thrift store dishes (LOVE my ecclectic mix of old/funky and handmade items I find)... coffee and my own herbal blends for tea! C'mon over, we can sit on the porch, drink something warm and have a chat :D

I am coming back.. really!

I apologize for such a long, unexplained absence! I have missed the bloggy world and am coming back very soon! Thank you for kind words and expressions of missing the hootenanny! Very encouraging! Our newest mouth to fee ;), Red Mama! Tennessee Walking Horse. good girl.. just a bit bossy!

More on Farmer's Markets :)

I am back! I truly apologize for leaving this space so empty for far too long. We have been involved with the markets for over a month now and enjoying the blessings of new people and of course, selling some farm stuff.

Check out the interview on Doorstepbakery's blog. This is my friend and amazingly talented in many ways friend, Rita. She and a few of her children, she has 10, have a licensed kitchen and bake sourdough breads, granolas (using our honey) and cookies! We eat like kings and queens on her goods each Thursday! Her blog is also interesting and fun to read.

On the body care side of things, the soaps/salves/balms and anything else I have time to create are flying off the table :)> The reception in our area has amazed me. Folks WANT natural products. They really do. All ages, shapes and sizes of people. Women AND men! I have learned a lot about marketing and standing behind what I am selling. to be proud of something that you make, makes it an easy sell. Bottom line is the dollar but I am thankful that people want to put good, clean things in and on their bodies to stay healthy!

Happy Friday and many blessings ~Tracey

Of Farmer's Markets and Things

I apologize for not keeping up with this space and thank you if you have checked in to see what we are up to but you know what my excuse will be so I won't even mention it. :)

We thought long and hard about selling off the farm, our honey and bath products (soaps, salves, balms and more in the works) and a virtual farmer's market seemed the logical starting point to get our toes wet. So a few weeks ago, I contacted this market aobut 30 minutes from home.

Three weeks in and we are doing fairly well. I enjoy the drive up the mountain, visit with new people and the children play on a new playground ;).  TJ met us last week and we got a treat at Sweet CeCe's frozen yogurt! YUMM.

Last week, I spoke with the manager of another virtual market within the locally grown.net family and this week we are selling on this market

Today is the cut-off for ordering and we shall see how we do there.

THEN, if that wasn't enough all at one time, we were contacted by Beans Creek Winery to sell at their new for real market! I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. The market is new and small enough still where I can dip my toes in and not be too intimidated.

 Selling things, anything, to people has never been mine nor TJ's strong point. Recently, though, TJ and I have had many conversations about it, been encouraged by our amazing family and amazing friends and realized that we have good stuff. Honey, nuff said, soaps and balms and salves.. well they are good, I know they are. I have worked very hard for a while now on these items, they are my formulas and I love them. Selling them has been tough. Not everyone will want it, I will be ok if they don't. No clue what my anxiety has been all about but it has been there. My family and friends are the best coaches and testers and I appreciate them so much. We can also bring anything we grow ourselves and want to sell. Okra, cukes... I got em this year so  I may take whatever I pick that day and just see. If not, it goes in the freezer anyway.

So here we go. Off the farm and into the world of markets. I think we will like this. I hope I don't throw up with nerves before we get there ;0). I am like that ya know!

Bliss!

Oh yeah, more of our busy days... hanging with some of my fave people and hitting the books early. While it is hot, I decided to get a good early start with school work this year in order to take a break during the nice fall weather! It has been a tough couple of days with the garden also coming in and the milk still flowing but we will adjust and manage. We are also selling honey at a local virtual farmer's market with possibilities of 2 other local ones and adding my soaps/balms and salves! God is good and always answers my prayers! This time, I think He is saying YES~~

Blessings on your days! ~Tracey

Phases

 This is one of those days when words just don't cut it. May the Lord bless your days.

~Tracey

Around the Farm Thursday!

It is summer. There is so much to do, to see, to care for, to prepare for. My head spins but it doesn't stop the to-do list from growing.

Andrew has abandoned the sand box that TJ made for him and loves the dust in the driveway!

Wil picking Wonderberries for me. Most have gone for honey-berry syrup but I am stockpiling for a pie. Can't wait!

Katie playing withe camera and shadows.

Darn beetles!!!! Darn you. We will get you in the early morning hours.



Jango Fett! Starwars theme again :)



The corn is coming along nicely. Andrew kept posing for these photos. So cute!

The hops vines were experimental. To see if we could grow them. I will, however, use them in teas this winter. Great for B vitamins.

So much more coming into the Harvest Kitchen. Zucchini, Okra, Squash, Peppers, flowers, Berries... Awesome time of year!