That's how it's supposed to taste

The farmers market is open again and not a moment too soon. Before we dug into these strawberries my son said, "Man, they're small."

"Just taste them," I said.

"Mmmmmm! These are so good."

"That's how they're supposed to taste," I explained.

I find myself saying that quite a bit when I take the time and plan what we're eating and try to make the most healthy decisions possible, buying fresh and buying local when possible. We're already spoiling ourselves with fresh eggs from our chickens which are completely different from what you can buy in a store, even if the label says organic or free range. Really, there's just no comparison to the color, consistency and most of all taste. Bake with them and you'll immediately see and taste the difference. But you really can't just take my word for it, you'll have to try it yourself.

So why not scout out your local farmer's market this season? If you're not sure where to start, try these helpful websites: Local Harvest, where you can find the producers in your area directly, the markets they serve and even your local CSAs where you can feel like part of the farm and even have their goods year round, not just during market season. Or try the Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide serving your region. This link happens to be for Virginia, but with a little searching I'm sure you can find information for your state.

You may or may not see the merit in this post, ever, or maybe one day you will. Mabe one day when you're nearing 40 or 50 or 60 and your husband has a miserable stomach ache and rolls over and tells you that if he has another Diet Mountain Dew he thinks it will kill him. Instantly. Maybe that will be the impetus you need for change. Or maybe you're 10 steps ahead of us, already eating well, taking care of yourself and being smart about what goes into your body because you see and feel the positive change. If you're one of those folks, share your wisdom with us, please. I for one can use all the help I can get.

But for now it's baby steps in this house. At least I have a captive audience and a husband and children who will eat what I serve. As long as the Pop Tarts and chips are less prominent and found less frequently on the grocery list, and I take the time to really plan my menus, I think we're on the right track.

A hit and a hit

I can't wait to use this new display piece at the market on Saturday. It's a rake, a gift from my in-laws who knew I'd use it at the market and maybe even in my new office (after it's finished). I'm torn, do I hang jewelry from it? Belts? Scarves? I also haven't figured out how I'm going to secure it so it won't fall over, but I'll cross that bridge later. Whatever the case, it's a hit.

Speaking of hit, the chicken coop took a good one today from some random branch in the woods. It wasn't even windy or raining or anything, just a picture-perfect summer day. At least now we know the coop is well-constructed, as if that were in question.

What's new

You've seen this one before, but it was one of three that were sent to a far away place, so now I'm working on some to have at the market tomorrow. They're made out of thick and sturdy hemp. They will last forever. You can use them for anything. I want five for myself.


And then there's this new little hat. We'll say it was inspired by the garden, the rich, dark brown and the soothing green that go so well together, just as nature intended.

What's new

Two new baby bootie combinations have come to life. The one above is inspired by my middle daughter who seeks out the pairing in her clothes whenever she gets the chance.

The one below was actually a special request from a friend a while back and I really like it.

They'll both be appearing at the market tomorrow, hope to see some of you there!

Getting ready for market

I've had these sweaters completed for a while now and realized I hadn't taken pictures of them or listed them in my Etsy shop yet after a photoshoot yesterday with a friend. This time she had the camera and I was her model (yikes!), and it reminded me that I really purchased my new camera to take better product photos for my shop, not just to play around with on this blog.

So I got busy this morning and took some simple photos that I hope to list in the shop soon. But for now these little goodies are headed to the market tomorrow,


for a hot and hopefully busy day!

top picture: organic cotton hand knit sweater, size 6-12 months

second picture: I love my little tags!

third picture: hand knit baby sweater, size 0-6 months

fourth picture: simple crocheted necklace with vintage faceted glass button pendant

Day of making

The week has seemed like a blur once again, in part due to the nod from Cool Mom Picks and the craziness of everyday life, but also because of a little girl's graduation from preschool and the emotion that it has brought. It's easier this third time around to see the future and the fun and excitement that elementary school offers so I'm happy as well as nostalgic, to see her passing through yet another milestone.

On Monday I told myself I was going to be more caught up for tomorrow's market, but as you'll soon see, that's my mantra all summer and I don't think I've once felt as prepared as I'd like to be. The overachiever in me finds no rest. The pictures above can attest to that.

And as life seems to throw everything at me all at once, it's also been a difficult day with that little preschool graduate, who knows my every button and pushes them all as fast and relentlessly as possible. We had to separate after a minor debacle at the grocery store and I found myself taking deep breaths and repeating words calmly like attitude and rude and apology. I suppose I learn as much as I teach with these interactions, knowing that my reaction is likely what she seeks and it's what I give her if I'm not paying attention. The art of the "non-reaction" is so desperately what I want to invoke on days like this. I think I'm there now.

But at the end of the day I wonder, how, just how could a mother not be completely enchanted with a face such as this?

Day of work

I've taken some new shots of an old favorite and my most popular jewelry piece on Etsy thus far. I'm pleased with how they turned out. I could rave about the camera all day.

But more than the pictures, today is a serious work day as I lost a whole day yesterday to a migraine. Usually I can stave them off, and do enough to keep moving along despite the head, but yesterday's was one of the doozies that had me in bed by 5:30 p.m. having sent the rest of the family off to Chick-fil-A for dinner. I fell asleep with clothes on, watch on, earrings in, no dinner and an ice pack for a best friend. I hate those days.

So today I'm back on track, scrambling to remake favorites and fill in the holes created by last week's market, not to mention making sure I have lots of pretty jewelry on display for tomorrow's market, which of course is the day before Mother's Day. How fortunate I am that this is work!

The market

The market starts this Saturday and I can't tell you how excited I am for the season to start. If you're anywhere near central VA you should come for a visit. It's a laid back, friendly, peaceful, not to mention beautiful rural market with outstanding produce and some craft vendors as well. They focus on the food and I can tell you I take lots home every week. From chicken and eggs to bison and steak and of course any kind of veggie you could want. This time of year they'll have great berries and preserves, honey and I forgot about the flowers -- heirloom varieties as well as great table bouquets that will last for at least a week. Hope to make even more new friends this year, so if you read this and visit and I don't know you yet, please say hi!

I know it seems like all I make is baby booties and maybe some jewelry here and there, but I thought I'd show a smattering of some of my other creations. I have tons more stuff at market than I can possibly put in my online shop. Here goes.

News

Just got the news that I'll be vending again at the Goochland Farmer's Market this summer! You may remember how it all started and the little bit of press that I thoroughly enjoyed and was surprised by and how I met great friends and ate great food and brought home pretty flowers any time I could. We taught men to knit, dodged the rain and did I mention the food?

I'm so looking forward to another season I can hardly wait. Each year the market grows by leaps and bounds and this year should follow suit with more vendors applying than ever before and an increased interest throughout the area to buy local, eat fresh and participate in keeping small town America alive and well.

And if the knitting wasn't enough, or all the crazy ideas Kevin and I have been entertaining about what to do with ourselves (ie. chickens, additions, etc.) we've added another one to the list of things to do "one day". I'll give a more in depth account of how the notion was born (it's my fault), but for now, click if you dare.

Waiting

This new boot/planter, a Christmas present from my in-laws (isn't it cute?) is waiting.
This old washtub/converted planter is waiting,

and I am waiting, waiting, waiting for Spring! It's always at this time of the year where I'm so tired of winter and I just can't wait for the weather to change and Spring to arrive. It's also the time of year where I'll tell you over and over until you get sick of me how much I'm in love with our woodstove and how it's the one thing I look forward to in January and February. Of course it was snowing this morning, just a tiny little Virginia flurry, and I'll admit I do love the snow and I really like to ski, but I'd much rather be hot than cold. I have a very long time to wait, I know.

Certainly I'm not the only one who feels this way, part of the reason I'm thinking Spring is there are reminders everywhere. First of all, every store I pass has shorts in them already, swimsuits come in the bombardment of catalogs that seem to hit the house daily, a friend and I started talking about a Spring "show" and I just got the application for the farmers market this summer. I can't wait for market season!

So, I'm thinking about my display and how it needs, no, how it HAS to have a serious upgrade this year. I bought a couple of old shutters with the idea of hanging sweaters from them at the entrance of my tent and then some for the tabletop to hang necklaces on. Here's a pretty blue one:

I brought them home and said excitedly to Kevin, "honey, look at the cute shutters I bought for my booth at the market!"

"Why'd you buy them? I have about 20 of them out in the shop" he said.

silence.

That's always the case, I should know by now. He always has 20 of something out in the shop, or 500 or 8,000, whatever. His probably aren't a pretty blue.

And while we're on the subject of Kevin, you've probably noticed my camera was somehow found. It came back with a few more dents than it had when I last saw it (he has a nasty habit of dropping it frequently, it's a wonder it still functions). There was no big "ta da" when it was located, it just suddenly appeared on my desk. I didn't ask questions nor do I need to know the details of where it was or how narrowly it escaped being lost, I'm just glad it's back.

Which brings me to my next thought. There's one more thing that's waiting and it's little Miss Sunny Sunshine who is perpetually waiting for her next walk or game of fetch or romp in the yard, any of the above will do. I caught her gnawing on my rosebush this morning the little stinker. Thorns? What thorns? I have a feeling my flower garden out back is in for some serious destruction this year.

Yes, the back doors are waiting too for someone to Windex the puppy smudges off them. Goodness.

color part 3: water

It's been so windy I've had trouble taking pictures outside, but today I managed to between gusts.

the yarn: Sublime (don't you just love the name?)
what it is: 100% extra fine merino dk weight
how it feels: like a spongy cloud of blankety warmth (weird way of putting it I know)


Some updates: the last market was cancelled due to weather, bummer! But I'll be headed to some of the holiday markets in Charlottesville, weather and Kevin's fishing schedule permitting. Once the market was over I looked at the calendar and he'd written, "Kevin fishing" on every Saturday between now and Dec. 31st. Guess he's planning on going.

Etsy has been keeping me busy and local orders, wholesale and a show coming up. I'm also going to be participating in a holiday market on Nov. 15th that the Goochland Farmers Market is sponsoring (my tried and true favorite). And there are plans in the back of my head to slowly integrate some new hat looks into the shop. Add all that to a sleepover birthday party full of 7 and 8 year olds, Halloween and the enormous bruise/black eye on Allie from a horsey ride on big brother gone bad and there's never a dull moment.

I leave you with a random quote for the day (I just can't pass this one up): "When I'm in heaven, will I see what my soul looks like?" --Allie, almost 5

A beautiful thing--men who knit

There he sits, Cricket, our market manager who graciously served as our first knitting student during a demonstartion we had a yesterday's market. I have to say that he and the next student, also a man, were our quickest learners and began knitting as if they'd been doing it for years. I showed them both how to cast on, knit and even purl, I bet you anything at least one of them shows up next Saturday ready to cast off something they've knitted this week.

I was supposedly in charge of the demonstration, but I gotta hand it to my knitting compadres Mary and Pam who pretty much ran the show. And Mary, with her gorgeous sweater and bag knitted by her mom that we all drooled over and each took turns petting. If only I'd remembered my camera I could show you. Mom brain strikes again!

Happenings

1. John has taken to making microscopic origami. He's been mildly obsessed with it since he learned some in a camp this summer. The boy cracks me up and amazes me all at the same time. Of course the microscopic part was his own idea. The Legos are just about out of hand. Every day he painstakingly constructs a new boat to take with him to the pool. I'm sorry for the other mothers because he's now got about 3 or 4 other boys doing the same thing.


2. The porch is now classified as "unfinished but fully functional". So it fits right in with the rest of the house. I swear when I'm 60 I'm still going to be describing the house as a work in progress. At least it's always interesting. The odd post up there is because it's a new one. The span of the roof was too heavy for the number of posts that were there originally. The step is just temporary. The plan is to tear out the border and make the step wrap around the length and width of the whole thing. I'm so glad we decided on wood instead of redoing the concrete. It's much brighter, softer, homier and more welcoming. It even looks bigger somehow.

You might wonder why there's a new chimney cap sitting on the porch. That's because the old one was smashed when a huge branch fell on the house Friday night. I was sitting in the room below it and it was so loud and long that I thought the porch Kevin had just finished was falling down. It was so big he couldn't even move it and had to saw it up right there. Never a dull moment.


3. The first of my organic offerings are now in the shop. I ordered some other organic yarn and have been waiting all week to get it. I just about can't wait and hope it comes tomorrow.


4. This crazy thing happens every year and I'm jealous, one of my friends makes it an annual event for she and her husband and another couple. She says they come back looking much like the Beverly Hillbillies with cars and trucks completely loaded down with antiques and other wonderful old stuff. They must have some patient husbands!

5. Last but not least, the Goochland market is really taking off. The past two Saturdays there were 1,230 and 1,350 people there and today's issue of Discover Richmond (an insert in the paper) listed it as one of the best kept secrets in Richmond. It's totally the little market that could!

the Cure

While I love the band and nothing will get me dancing around the kitchen faster than their song, "Just Like Heaven", that's not really what I'm talking about when I say "cure". What I mean is, when it's been a tough week, when Allie's on ear infection #2, when I'm feeling stressed, it sure is calming to walk into a beautiful, serene yarn shop with smiling, helpful (but not pushy) salespeople. I'm definitely not suggesting retail therapy to cure emotional ills, but it sure was fun to come home with a bag full of pretty yarn that I needed for the business anyway. The green and variegated yellow are Lamb's Pride worsted and the brown is O-wool balance which is an organic merino/cotton blend. I must say it was heavenly to knit with.


I'm thinking of carrying an all organic baby line in the shop. I frequently have people asking me if I carry organic options. So, I think I will. And that green? It's intended for a custom felted purse order for someone from the market. I love the color and just hope she does too. Speaking of the market, yes, I'll be there tomorrow!

Listening

The urge to hear Billy Joel's "And so it goes" hit me this morning as strong as chocolate. So I started pulling out old CD's, the ones that still sit in the cabinet or in my car as they do in this iPod-less household. I need this music today.

Most days I'm listening to the best radio station I've ever found, WNRN out of Charlottesville. Anyone who plays 80's alternative, The English Beat, Sugarcubes, Cure, Fugazi and REM, but also all the new stuff, Kate Nash, Feist, Matt Nathanson and even Patience's beloved Flobots has me as a listener for life.

But today I feel quiet. I want to listen more than I talk. I want something familiar, something reassuring and good. This is what I need when change is imminent, feelings are bruised, life seems big and when new doors open. Music is there when I'm tired, or exhuberant, thoughtful or blank, or when I just want something real.

Barney didn't last long here. I'm quickly converting the kids to my taste in music and even some of their friends. Yesterday Lauren's friend who was over was dancing like crazy to Feist's "I feel it all" in the living room. I love it. Allie is partial to Pete Yorn and John's favorite is U2's "I will follow", a boy after my own heart.

One order of business. I will be back at the Goochland Farmer's Market tomorrow from 8-12. So happy to have had a break, haven't made nearly as much as I wanted to but I'm okay with it, and I'm excited to be going back. I've missed it.

Hope you all enjoy your music today and have a wonderful weekend.

I lost the raffle

So I didn't win the raffle at the market today. The prize was a handmade broom and a gallon of honey. That's alot of honey! I'm a sucker for watching people make things by hand and lucky for me this was directly in front of my tent.


Kevin and the kids stopped by for an unexpected visit on their way to John's baseball game. I caught up with them at the game long enough to see John get a couple of base hits before taking Lauren and Allie to a birthday party. It was a hot and sticky day, fortunately the party involved water and swimsuits and the airconditioned car ride was right up my alley.

The market slowed down and was actually a welcome relief from yet another hectic week. I had some time to sit, finish a few booties and start on a hat all while chatting with a young visitor (the anklet wearer) who couldn't stop playing with the chocolate bunny in my shop.


I really am going to take a week off here soon. I keep telling myself that, so we'll see what actually happens. I am known to change my mind.

Is it summer already?

My favorite find at the market today was fresh, homemade strawberry jam. As you can tell by the half-empty jar, it's not going to last long. The kids loved the homemade banana ice cream the same folks were making with their own, fresh whole milk. I had no idea there'd be such great vendors there this year.

I had so much fun today and saw tons of people I knew. My best market day yet. Seems like the circles of friends are all intwined somehow and everybody knows everyone else, or the kids will see schoolmates and suddenly the community seems small, familiar and really like home. I can't explain how quickly this all has seemed to have happened. It feels like I've emerged from the cave of motherhood I put myself in having three kids in three years. Now they're out in the world and I'm finally out there again too. Whew. It's busier but easier in so many ways.

Case in point was the pool today.




I sat. When I said the water was too cold they said, "oh, come on, just try it mom, it's not that bad". But I still sat and it was okay, because they were okay and had a blast. Lauren and John can both touch bottom in the shallow end and still have their heads above water. They also can both swim in the deep end without flotation. Allie still needs arm floats or a vest but is fine if she has them.

[caveat: yes, the arm floats and ring are overkill and apparently dangerous according to lifeguard staff. one or the other. we got it.]

I love the water but not when it's 71 degrees. Give me water above 80 and I'm in. Shivering, goosebumps, blue lips and all, the kids could have cared less.

Skirt!

I have no market pictures for you today, but I can report a fantastic turnout, strong sunshine, not too much wind and no sweating. It was a great day. What does this have to do with the little skirt buttons up there? Well, I was lucky enough at the very end of the day to meet the Richmond editor of Skirt Magazine! It is a fun and trendy women's free publication across the country and it just so happens that Richmond is one of the lucky cities where it can be found.

I was packing up at the end of the day, the girls were melting all over the ground and my bins full of stuff, ready to go meet Daddy and John for lunch when Constance (the editor) walked up and we started chatting. Long story short, she needed a baby gift, I obliged with a pair of hot pink booties and if all goes well...cross your fingers...maybe they'll be pictured as one of her favorite picks in an upcoming issue! Could I really be that lucky?

I've learned not to expect things to happen before the actually do, but I'm excited and wanted to share the enthusiasm.

For the record, and for those of you who may not have seen them, the booties are the same style as the green ones below, only in hot pink, with white "flowers" on the toes.


So for something fun, different, interesting and inspiring, you can click on the link to their website over in my sidebar on the left. And maybe just maybe, one day you'll see me in print!

Reprieve

much
needed
run

feels like I've been climbing uphill all week so I decided to hit fatigue head on and force it out by going for a run

either it's going to work or get worse

had to try out a Mother's Day gift (shirt) from Kevin who was outside cheering me on, "GO AMY GO" with each loop around as if I was in a race or something

we cracked ourselves up

I said, "I feel like I'm 80!" as I raised my index fingers triumphantly

"You look like you're 20!" he said

gross exaggeration but a girl can dream

sometimes he knows just what to say


Market Report for tomorrow (5/17): 78 degrees and sunny. 5-10 mph winds so I'll have to tether things down but I'll be there! Here's the link for times, directions and the vendor lineup. It wasn't up yet when I just checked it, but should be soon I would think.

The jewelry selection is ever changing and if I finish it I'll have the 0-6 month version of the pink baby sweater I posted about last week. That and a couple of different hats and the blue baby booties and hat from yesterday.

Come out if you can! I'll have the girls for part of the time which means honey sticks all around.

They came anyway

I woke up at 3:30 in the morning to rain and thought, "uh oh, there goes the market". But fortunately it stopped shortly thereafter and never rained the rest of the day. It was a damp and chilly morning, but still they came, lots of people to look, chat, eat, buy. It's looking like that great kind of market, where everyone is happy to be there, vendors greet with relaxed smiles, neighbors and friends run into each other and stop for a chat and catch up on life.

I'm in a lucky spot, next to some great neighbors of my own. First, the Evans Family Collective, a warm and happy group of five or six folks who somehow put it all together and create an eclectic and inviting experience for all who pass by. Here's just a little snippet of what they offer:


A bit further down is Hickory Green Farm, a husband and wife team with beautiful flowers and wreaths, creatively displayed. Their ever present smiles match the happy decor.


And on the other side, we have Mary. Mary with the busy hands. The weeds don't stand a chance based on her energy, and I get the feeling she could grow just about anything.


It was also a day of bouncing. Luckily I was right next to the big blow up dinosaur which my kids thouroughly enjoyed. That and the honey sticks were a huge hit. Thank goodness the days are over where they screech and flail when it comes time to leave. Happy, agreeable children all around.

Lauren insisted on helping me pack up sold items and hand them to the customers. John was the money counter (as he was last week) but graciously waited until we got home. And Allie? Well, Allie just gobbled up most of the fruit a friend gave me, (I made her save me some), kept telling me how starving she was and was an otherwise permanent fixture of the dinobounce.

As if there wasn't enough bouncing, we then made our way downtown this evening for a bluegrass concert. Kevin actually survived a trip to the city and back without too much moaning and groaning. There the kids had their faces painted, and I mean PAINTED. Entire face. Alien, dog and cat. I dodged paint all night. There were exotic balloon shapes, which Allie managed to destroy (all but her own somehow) and more bouncing...bouncing...bouncing. I'm all bounced out. Ready for a relaxing Mother's Day. Hope you enjoy yours!