I've had so many things on my mind lately, too much perhaps. I have one very specific resolution this year that has many parts to it. The base of it is balance, I resolve to find balance in my life. I tried simplicity, guess what simplicity is very complicated! I need to step back and get organized. Christmas was exhilarating, so hectic, such positive feedback for the business and the animals, but in the wake of such activity is chaos. Everything including months worth of paperwork, is in complete disorder. The soap kitchen looks like a tornado went through, only a few misshapen bars of soap remain, excellent soap, imperfect in appearance I'll call them ugly bars. The shows were a blast this year, too many wonderful, creative people, not too mention the customers...just amazing! Which leaves me with a dilemma, where do I go from here? The numbers aren't in so I may not be profitable, that's a BIG concern. I can't get to the paperwork with soap to make, wrap and sell plus work at the day job and of course maintain a relatively large family and small farm. I need HELP, but can't afford to pay a full time person, begging the boys to take over my email blasts, which haven't happened due to lack of time and of course the paperwork. Offered to pay $10.00 an hour and they could work at their leisure just keep track of their time. They said no, hmm, this IS a problem! What teenager doesn't need money? Perhaps things are too easy here, too many gimme's, how do I fix this?
Do I leave the day job and take the big risk and handle everything myself? This really isn't the economy to give up your job and open a business, it's one thing as a hobby that pays for itself, depending on it for income is a whole other thing. Terrifying!
I tried something new this year, an open house, it wasn't really advertised, but none the less did very well. I think it is something I will try again for Valentine's Day. So far I am scheduled for The Chocolate Festival January 22 at the Dolce Hotel in Basking Ridge. It is a fundraiser for the NJ Youth Chorus. In honor of the occasion I have created a chocolate scented soap loaded with cocoa butter, it's yummy! Having trouble with the name though... maybe Chocolate Goat? Also premiering will be Sweetheart Rose, Forbidden, and Champagne all packaged and ready to give for Valentine's Day. I may even bring a couple of my Drunken Goat bars just for fun. There's a little story that goes with that bar. As some of you may know we're having quite a bit of trouble breeding Oreo, she can be pretty nasty, she has attacked every male she's had the displeasure of meeting. Finally we actually borrowed a buck named Pedro to spend a couple of weeks here and hopefully get the job done. Oreo was less than pleased. I had a crazy thought, maybe a little wine would loosen her up, it being her first time and all. After presenting my idea to Joe I was promptly informed that I was nuts, well duh!, isn't that oblivious at this point? Joe would not allow any alcohol consumption by the goat, but Drunken Goat soap was "born" A lovely champagne scented goat shaped bar. We have no idea if Pedro had any luck with Oreo or anyone else for that matter. I guess we'll find out in the next few months, based on current food consumption they are ALL pregnant! Other goat news an absolutely lovely lady by the name of Betty has expressed an interest in our goats. As of April, if no one is expecting, Brownie, Blossom and Violet will be moving to Betty's place. My heart is breaking, but I know it is the right thing to do. Betty will love them as I do and I can visit anytime. Maybe we will have new babies in April/May and it all starts over again.
The chickens are at the end of their time, we're down to just 1 or 2 eggs a day. Enough for us, but many disappointed friends looking for fresh eggs. Our new flock will arrive in February. This flock will have a diet rich in Omega 3 producing eggs also loaded with Omega 3, cool huh?
Thinking about starting up the bees again in the spring. I will order nucs from Better Bee and have talked a gentleman by the name of Steve to help mentor me this time around. Maybe we'll have honey this summer!
The veggie garden stands barren and frozen, ready for next season. This past year was a huge disappointment with the veggies. Blight took all my tomato plants, squirrels took what the blight missed. Bean were only OK, no peppers, no zucchini. I don't know what to say. I will try again this year, different seed company and more chicken poo.
Upcoming shows
January 22nd The Dolce Hotel
March 18th Paramus High School Craft Show 10:00 till 5:00
April 29th NJPAC 2:00 till 6:00
May 6th Ridgewood Spring Craft Fair 12:00 till 5:00
May 20th NJPAC 2:00 till 6:00
June 2 & 3 Chester Craft Show
An open house in either late January or early February
Applying to both the Chatham Farmers Market and Madison Farmers Market for the season, maybe the Morristown or Summit Market as well.
More shows to be announced, check the website and facebook page for regular updates and hopefully email blasts monthly.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
A very late update
Hi All,
I do apologize again for the lateness in my posts. I was speaking with someone yesterday that reminded me people really do read my blog to keep up to date on the happenings here on my "farm".
The chickens are laying a bakers dozen almost every day. We are up to 14 dozen eggs in the refrigerator PLEASE come and get some if you need them before my family rebels and starts throwing them at me. Kids can not live on eggs alone.
The veggie garden is doing very well. I already have small green tomatoes on most plants. The weeds are waging quite a stand this year. It took me three days to clear the garden, I should probably start back at the beginning again. Late last night two animals got into a terrible fight, not sure what kind of animals but it was awful. I couldn't sleep afterwards and my thoughts turned to the weeds and how similar people are to gardens. We all have the potential to be beautiful productive gardens then the weeds come...selfishness, greed, laziness, you get the idea. Like I said it was very late at night and it seemed very poetic at the time. I tried planting potatoes this year, but was too late and I don't think we will see any yield. Live and learn. Beans look excellent, I'm growing a purple bean in addition to the regular crop this year only a few plants came up, but I'm excited to taste them. I have this new idea rattling around in the back of my head, one of those ideas that bring my husband nothing but work. I would like to have a root cellar to store crops over winter and I would like to plant a fall crop this year to stock the root cellar with. How cool would that be?
I have no bees, the pick up date for my packages was postponed and there was a conflict with my schedule that could not be rearranged. We will start again next year and hopefully have better luck. I do miss watching there comings and goings. Bees are quite beautiful if you take the time to observe their constant activities.
The goats are so wonderful, Kota has proven to be a wonderful mother. The babies are growing by leaps and bounds. Brownie has taken her role as Aunt to heart and plays and teaches the little ones. Oreo is a bit more disagreeable, I think she may be a bit jealous of Kota's family. She has become quite a head butter, no one is safe from her wrath anymore. The babies are a constant source of entertainment. They run, jump and frolic all day long. Willow thinks she is a lap dog and enjoys sitting on your lap and chewing whatever she can get into her mouth. Violet & Blossom LOVE to chew your hair, it can be a little frightening when they all jump on you at once. They have all settled into their new big shed that Amish built and constructed on site in about 6 hours. The Amish rock. I really respect them and think we should all take a page from their book. They put themselves last, community and others all come first. I think our society would benefit from a little of that logic. I was driving the other day and was sitting at a stop light. A gentleman all dressed for work was running across the street in front of me, he fell at the sidewalk, pretty badly from what I could tell. He proceed to pick himself up and continue to the gas station. I felt bad for him but continued on my way. Coming back down the hill from my short trip I saw the same man pouring gas into his car from a can. All I could think was I should buy this guy a cup of coffee, what a crap day he was having. I've been there, I talked myself out of it thinking how stupid I was being. I should have bought the coffee. I'm going to try and follow my gut from now on.
Da' business. I love soap making, when I get down into my soap kitchen I'm so happy!! The soap is getting better and better. I make a batch almost every day except when there is a show. I made Blue Hydrangea Wednesday and today is Grace. I'm a bit low on lotions but fingers crossed my order of my jars will arrive today. I've also decided to add a 16 ounce bottle of lotion with a pump to the line. I've had several requests for them, I've just got to come up with a way to label them nicely. I've posted a picture of my new booth set up-gorgeous if I do say so myself. My sweet husband found a very talented sign painter at the Chester Craft Show and had a sign made up for the booth. It's just perfect. The artist's name is Terri Palmer, no relation, but she made the mistake of signing her work T. Palmer, could be me hee hee. I have been allowed to join the Madison Farmer's Market Thursdays 2:00 till 7:00 and the Chatham Farmer's Market Saturdays 8:00 till 1:00. My first Madison market was wet but successful. This Saturday Willow, Violet, & Blossom will be joining us at the Chatham Market. Stop by check out the new booth and visit with the girls.
Lastly I have to say I've changed, I'm a completely different person in some ways. I used to love clothes, I never left the house without makeup, spent a fortune on haircuts, I worried about what everybody else thought. I still love clothes, I just buy them at Tractor Supply. I still wear eyeliner when I'm going somewhere, well most of the time and my haircut of late was Joe trimming my bangs in the kitchen because I could stand them in my eyes anymore. I look a little like one the Marx brothers. I still care what people think, just not as much and not enough to change myself without careful consideration. Have a wonderful summer, I will write when time permits, no more promises I can't keep. Great reads "The Dirty Life Memoirs On Farming, Food, and Love" by Kristin Kimball "Just Like Heaven" by Julia Quinn a lovely beach read, and lastly I'm in the middle of "Surviving The Apocalypse in The Suburbs" by Wendy Brown. I know the last one seems a bit on the extreme side, but it's really interesting and it never hurts to have an idea of what you would do if things were to change. In the book she talks about a life without oil and all the things connected with it. How to start really eating locally & seasonally, taking responsibility for yourself, your food, pretty much everything. Now I want a wood burning stove to supply heat to the house and to cook on if necessary. Poor Joe Palmer, he shouldn't have bought me that Look Book, I just keep reading and getting more ideas :)
I do apologize again for the lateness in my posts. I was speaking with someone yesterday that reminded me people really do read my blog to keep up to date on the happenings here on my "farm".
The chickens are laying a bakers dozen almost every day. We are up to 14 dozen eggs in the refrigerator PLEASE come and get some if you need them before my family rebels and starts throwing them at me. Kids can not live on eggs alone.
The veggie garden is doing very well. I already have small green tomatoes on most plants. The weeds are waging quite a stand this year. It took me three days to clear the garden, I should probably start back at the beginning again. Late last night two animals got into a terrible fight, not sure what kind of animals but it was awful. I couldn't sleep afterwards and my thoughts turned to the weeds and how similar people are to gardens. We all have the potential to be beautiful productive gardens then the weeds come...selfishness, greed, laziness, you get the idea. Like I said it was very late at night and it seemed very poetic at the time. I tried planting potatoes this year, but was too late and I don't think we will see any yield. Live and learn. Beans look excellent, I'm growing a purple bean in addition to the regular crop this year only a few plants came up, but I'm excited to taste them. I have this new idea rattling around in the back of my head, one of those ideas that bring my husband nothing but work. I would like to have a root cellar to store crops over winter and I would like to plant a fall crop this year to stock the root cellar with. How cool would that be?
I have no bees, the pick up date for my packages was postponed and there was a conflict with my schedule that could not be rearranged. We will start again next year and hopefully have better luck. I do miss watching there comings and goings. Bees are quite beautiful if you take the time to observe their constant activities.
The goats are so wonderful, Kota has proven to be a wonderful mother. The babies are growing by leaps and bounds. Brownie has taken her role as Aunt to heart and plays and teaches the little ones. Oreo is a bit more disagreeable, I think she may be a bit jealous of Kota's family. She has become quite a head butter, no one is safe from her wrath anymore. The babies are a constant source of entertainment. They run, jump and frolic all day long. Willow thinks she is a lap dog and enjoys sitting on your lap and chewing whatever she can get into her mouth. Violet & Blossom LOVE to chew your hair, it can be a little frightening when they all jump on you at once. They have all settled into their new big shed that Amish built and constructed on site in about 6 hours. The Amish rock. I really respect them and think we should all take a page from their book. They put themselves last, community and others all come first. I think our society would benefit from a little of that logic. I was driving the other day and was sitting at a stop light. A gentleman all dressed for work was running across the street in front of me, he fell at the sidewalk, pretty badly from what I could tell. He proceed to pick himself up and continue to the gas station. I felt bad for him but continued on my way. Coming back down the hill from my short trip I saw the same man pouring gas into his car from a can. All I could think was I should buy this guy a cup of coffee, what a crap day he was having. I've been there, I talked myself out of it thinking how stupid I was being. I should have bought the coffee. I'm going to try and follow my gut from now on.
Da' business. I love soap making, when I get down into my soap kitchen I'm so happy!! The soap is getting better and better. I make a batch almost every day except when there is a show. I made Blue Hydrangea Wednesday and today is Grace. I'm a bit low on lotions but fingers crossed my order of my jars will arrive today. I've also decided to add a 16 ounce bottle of lotion with a pump to the line. I've had several requests for them, I've just got to come up with a way to label them nicely. I've posted a picture of my new booth set up-gorgeous if I do say so myself. My sweet husband found a very talented sign painter at the Chester Craft Show and had a sign made up for the booth. It's just perfect. The artist's name is Terri Palmer, no relation, but she made the mistake of signing her work T. Palmer, could be me hee hee. I have been allowed to join the Madison Farmer's Market Thursdays 2:00 till 7:00 and the Chatham Farmer's Market Saturdays 8:00 till 1:00. My first Madison market was wet but successful. This Saturday Willow, Violet, & Blossom will be joining us at the Chatham Market. Stop by check out the new booth and visit with the girls.
Lastly I have to say I've changed, I'm a completely different person in some ways. I used to love clothes, I never left the house without makeup, spent a fortune on haircuts, I worried about what everybody else thought. I still love clothes, I just buy them at Tractor Supply. I still wear eyeliner when I'm going somewhere, well most of the time and my haircut of late was Joe trimming my bangs in the kitchen because I could stand them in my eyes anymore. I look a little like one the Marx brothers. I still care what people think, just not as much and not enough to change myself without careful consideration. Have a wonderful summer, I will write when time permits, no more promises I can't keep. Great reads "The Dirty Life Memoirs On Farming, Food, and Love" by Kristin Kimball "Just Like Heaven" by Julia Quinn a lovely beach read, and lastly I'm in the middle of "Surviving The Apocalypse in The Suburbs" by Wendy Brown. I know the last one seems a bit on the extreme side, but it's really interesting and it never hurts to have an idea of what you would do if things were to change. In the book she talks about a life without oil and all the things connected with it. How to start really eating locally & seasonally, taking responsibility for yourself, your food, pretty much everything. Now I want a wood burning stove to supply heat to the house and to cook on if necessary. Poor Joe Palmer, he shouldn't have bought me that Look Book, I just keep reading and getting more ideas :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The babies have arrived
On April 25th at 3:00am Kota delivered triplet girls while I slept. I heard a small cry and thought someone had once again locked our cat Mrs. Dash outside, when I went to investigate I soon realized it was not Mrs. Dash, it was the new kids. I was able to help Kota clean and dry off her new girls. Kota is a wonderful mother who is very attentive to her new family. The babes are nursing regularly and seem to have grown already. Kota had a bit of trouble but I think we are through the worst and can just enjoy this wonderful time.Our ladies are Violet, Blossom, and Willow. Willow will stay on here with her Mom, Violet and Blossom are going to hopefully be adopted. I would truly love to keep them all, but I don't think Madison would be too keen on that :(
We've run into a problem with our new packages of bees, the pick up date was pushed for the 2 time back to June 4, which happens to be the last day of school for my class, something I cannot miss. If you know of anyone with packages to sell, I'm very interested.
My seedlings look great with nowhere to plant because of all the rain. There is plenty of time I suppose.
The chickens are doing better we got 6 eggs tonight, not great, but better.
This a very busy time with the soaps, wholesale I've just been ask to make soap for a wonderful lady's catering company. I'm so excited to be working with her! I'm also doing wedding favors for a small reception. Upcoming shows are Shannon Bauer's House Party this Friday and Saturday, please see the invitation below. Sunday is the Summit Street Fair from 11:00 till 5:00, it should be a great day! May 12th is the Madison Green Fair from 3:30 till 7:30 at the Museum of Early Trades. The new babies should be making their debut at the Green Fair. Today we made Zucchini Flower Soap, the house smells so good, it's so cool to be able to create something so beautiful and useful.
I think now that we've actually had an animal give birth here we can be considered a real, but small farm, Weeping Tree Farm to be exact.
Time to check the new kids and give them their nightly hugs and Kota her graham cracker treat.
We've run into a problem with our new packages of bees, the pick up date was pushed for the 2 time back to June 4, which happens to be the last day of school for my class, something I cannot miss. If you know of anyone with packages to sell, I'm very interested.
My seedlings look great with nowhere to plant because of all the rain. There is plenty of time I suppose.
The chickens are doing better we got 6 eggs tonight, not great, but better.
This a very busy time with the soaps, wholesale I've just been ask to make soap for a wonderful lady's catering company. I'm so excited to be working with her! I'm also doing wedding favors for a small reception. Upcoming shows are Shannon Bauer's House Party this Friday and Saturday, please see the invitation below. Sunday is the Summit Street Fair from 11:00 till 5:00, it should be a great day! May 12th is the Madison Green Fair from 3:30 till 7:30 at the Museum of Early Trades. The new babies should be making their debut at the Green Fair. Today we made Zucchini Flower Soap, the house smells so good, it's so cool to be able to create something so beautiful and useful.
I think now that we've actually had an animal give birth here we can be considered a real, but small farm, Weeping Tree Farm to be exact.
Time to check the new kids and give them their nightly hugs and Kota her graham cracker treat.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
A heavy heart
Hello All,
I write today with a heavy heart. My gardening guru/ nemesis who I have written about often has suffered a true tragedy. His son passed away suddenly, I missed the service because I found out too late. I cannot imagine the heartache he must feel at this time, I have lost so many important people in my life and sometimes it seems unbearable, but a child would be to much to bear. Please send your good wishes to my very dear friend.
My notes on the garden will be short as well as late. The seedlings are doing well and I will move them this weekend out to the greenhouse. Nothing to be done in the garden...it's too WET!!!
We are picking up two packages of bees on May 27th to restart our hives. We are trying Italian queens this time, supposedly they like to stay "home", and not swarm. I don't know why I think that is so funny but I do ;)
My dear sweet Kota is so pregnant, it painful to just watch her move. She barely fits through the door of her house. Her due date is April 26th and we check her 4 times a day for any signs of labor. My good fiend Kristen has generously volunteered to help with the birthing, something neither of us has done before. Kota fortunately has done it before so I will follow her lead. There is a tremendous website with more goat info then any one person should have, it has been a lifesaver for me. It's my goat bible. If you're interested it is fiascofarm.com check it out. We are going to try to video the birth of our new kids and will post it IF it works and I can get one of my boys to be the camera man.
Upcoming shows: Wednesday April 20th Normandy park School, Morristown 6:00 - 9:00
Sunday May 1st Summit Street Fair 11:00 - 5:00
I am doing a house show at a friends on April 29 & 30th, I will post the invitation, look for it.
Lastly, we have invested in a new goat house. It is 12 x 20 and should be up and ready by the 2nd week of May. I believe this calls for a Barn Raising even though the actual raising will be done by some wonderful Amish gentlemen. My thought is an open house/ garden party the end of May maybe early June. The gardens will be in (if it stops raining) the window boxes planted, and baby goats will be frolicking. Of course the soap will be around for sniffing if anyone is interested. All will be welcome, just bring a treat to share. I'll post an invite as soon as the babies arrive and I figure out a good date.
I almost forgot I would like to start calling my little hobby farm Weeping Tree Farm. I don't know the legalistic to doing that, or if there even are any. I particularly like to initials of my new farm name. I think it suits us.
Wishing you the joy and heartache of family. Love is never perfect, perfect is boring. I will never be boring.
Tracee
I write today with a heavy heart. My gardening guru/ nemesis who I have written about often has suffered a true tragedy. His son passed away suddenly, I missed the service because I found out too late. I cannot imagine the heartache he must feel at this time, I have lost so many important people in my life and sometimes it seems unbearable, but a child would be to much to bear. Please send your good wishes to my very dear friend.
My notes on the garden will be short as well as late. The seedlings are doing well and I will move them this weekend out to the greenhouse. Nothing to be done in the garden...it's too WET!!!
We are picking up two packages of bees on May 27th to restart our hives. We are trying Italian queens this time, supposedly they like to stay "home", and not swarm. I don't know why I think that is so funny but I do ;)
My dear sweet Kota is so pregnant, it painful to just watch her move. She barely fits through the door of her house. Her due date is April 26th and we check her 4 times a day for any signs of labor. My good fiend Kristen has generously volunteered to help with the birthing, something neither of us has done before. Kota fortunately has done it before so I will follow her lead. There is a tremendous website with more goat info then any one person should have, it has been a lifesaver for me. It's my goat bible. If you're interested it is fiascofarm.com check it out. We are going to try to video the birth of our new kids and will post it IF it works and I can get one of my boys to be the camera man.
Upcoming shows: Wednesday April 20th Normandy park School, Morristown 6:00 - 9:00
Sunday May 1st Summit Street Fair 11:00 - 5:00
I am doing a house show at a friends on April 29 & 30th, I will post the invitation, look for it.
Lastly, we have invested in a new goat house. It is 12 x 20 and should be up and ready by the 2nd week of May. I believe this calls for a Barn Raising even though the actual raising will be done by some wonderful Amish gentlemen. My thought is an open house/ garden party the end of May maybe early June. The gardens will be in (if it stops raining) the window boxes planted, and baby goats will be frolicking. Of course the soap will be around for sniffing if anyone is interested. All will be welcome, just bring a treat to share. I'll post an invite as soon as the babies arrive and I figure out a good date.
I almost forgot I would like to start calling my little hobby farm Weeping Tree Farm. I don't know the legalistic to doing that, or if there even are any. I particularly like to initials of my new farm name. I think it suits us.
Wishing you the joy and heartache of family. Love is never perfect, perfect is boring. I will never be boring.
Tracee
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday
Hello all, just a very quick update. I'm very tired and I just want to go to bed. I stayed up last night to watch the Love Saga on the Hallmark channel. Think cheesey paperback novels all set on farms of the past. The best part of the saga was the movies went in sequential order, a continuing journey through these peoples lives. I had to record the last two movies the whole thing ended at 6:00 this morning, I made it to 2:00am.
Today we cleaned all animal housing, the goats and chickens are resting peacefully on completely clean bedding. It will last till the morning when they mess it all up again, kind of like my house. I'm in charge of the chicken coop while Joe handles the goat house, both jobs have there hazards. There is a chicken we have dubbed Pecker, nasty old bird who loves to peck ANYTHING. As I was cleaning the dropping board today she decided it would be just great to take a chunk out of my head. I'm going to eat her. Joe on the other hand was shoveling out Oreo & Brownie's side of the pen, Ore, I guess was quite fond of her mess and Joe was really ticking her off. Every time Joe bent over to scoop up shaving she would ram him as hard as possible in the backside. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. Finally she got totally fed up with him and went for the front side, Joe took her down with the sleeper hold. I wish I had a camera so I could share with you how completely ridiculous a grown man looks wrestling a goat. I'm laughing so hard right now I can barely see. Ain't life grand?
Sad bit of news, we checked the bees today and both hives are now gone. My one weak hive did not survive this winter. Joe and I are trying to figure out if we should try again next year or not. I love beekeeping, I just don't know what to do.
My gardening guru/nemesis Tony has already started his pepper & eggplants. I guess I better get a move on. His plants will be 2 inches high by Monday morning. I'll start tomorrow.
Soap News! I'm almost afraid to write this in case something unexpected happens. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum of Morristown is going to feature Secret Garden in the Haggerty Education center. There will be a picture of me, a small bio and a display of 6 soap fragrances in the lobby. The soaps will be 3 ounces for $4.00 and be labeled for Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Cool huh? I hate pictures of me, I asked if I could just put a picture of the goats, but they said no, people want to see me. God knows why. Anyway if you're around the Arboretum in April & May stop in and check it out.
Well, I've got to get some sleep, back to work tomorrow.
Good night all...
Today we cleaned all animal housing, the goats and chickens are resting peacefully on completely clean bedding. It will last till the morning when they mess it all up again, kind of like my house. I'm in charge of the chicken coop while Joe handles the goat house, both jobs have there hazards. There is a chicken we have dubbed Pecker, nasty old bird who loves to peck ANYTHING. As I was cleaning the dropping board today she decided it would be just great to take a chunk out of my head. I'm going to eat her. Joe on the other hand was shoveling out Oreo & Brownie's side of the pen, Ore, I guess was quite fond of her mess and Joe was really ticking her off. Every time Joe bent over to scoop up shaving she would ram him as hard as possible in the backside. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. Finally she got totally fed up with him and went for the front side, Joe took her down with the sleeper hold. I wish I had a camera so I could share with you how completely ridiculous a grown man looks wrestling a goat. I'm laughing so hard right now I can barely see. Ain't life grand?
Sad bit of news, we checked the bees today and both hives are now gone. My one weak hive did not survive this winter. Joe and I are trying to figure out if we should try again next year or not. I love beekeeping, I just don't know what to do.
My gardening guru/nemesis Tony has already started his pepper & eggplants. I guess I better get a move on. His plants will be 2 inches high by Monday morning. I'll start tomorrow.
Soap News! I'm almost afraid to write this in case something unexpected happens. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum of Morristown is going to feature Secret Garden in the Haggerty Education center. There will be a picture of me, a small bio and a display of 6 soap fragrances in the lobby. The soaps will be 3 ounces for $4.00 and be labeled for Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Cool huh? I hate pictures of me, I asked if I could just put a picture of the goats, but they said no, people want to see me. God knows why. Anyway if you're around the Arboretum in April & May stop in and check it out.
Well, I've got to get some sleep, back to work tomorrow.
Good night all...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
I have to add this little story I got today in my email from a good friend, it made me think, maybe it will mean something to you too.
Carrots, Eggs, & Coffee!
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee. You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
This week has been relatively uneventful, a good thing in my world. The goats are well and eating way too much of their favorite hay. Two emergency trips to Tractor Supply to restock are just too much. I've go to look for a local source for hay. Bees are quiet, I hope the hive will survive this very cold winter. That little tease of a warm day makes spring seem too far way. I love the spring, everything new and fresh, the smell of the potting soil as I start all my seeds even all the mud is great.I made potting soil soap, it smells just like a big bag of seed starter when you first add the water, wonderful, probably will never sell but I love it. The chickens are laying like mad, best flock I've ever had Meyers Hatchery has wonderful birds if you're ever in the market. The weather keeps them inside a bit more, twice the clean up but think of all that fertilizer for next year. Everything is a circle, everything effects us all, I hope I can teach my children that.
I did a show a Livingston Mall, met some wonderful crafters and got some good tips. I also came up with a new table set up, but forgot the camera, it's good I think. I'm going to try and set it up again and get some pic's to share with you as soon as the snow melts. New shows so far are Normandy Park School in Morristown April 20th 6:00 till 9:00, hopefully the Green Fair here in Madison no date yet and I'm sending an application out to the Chester Craft Show, it's juried so I'll just have to wait and see if I pass inspection. I think this is the year for a Garden Party, I'd like to invite my favorite crafters to set up out back and invite anyone who'd like to stop and enjoy the garden, shop, meet the critters including baby goats and make new friends. I'm thinking late May if the yard drys up on a Friday during the day. I'll check the Farmers Almanac for a good date.
I'm talking to two different ladies who may be including my soap in their line ups for this spring, I'm very excited and hopeful we can come to a mutually agreeable and profitable arrangement. Please keep your fingers crossed.
I almost forgot, I hope you all had a happy Valentine's Day! My husband, being who he is, came up with such a unique and thoughtful gift I have to share it with you. He search his favorite place to shop...ebay and found two lovely vintage soap dishes to start my new collection. He said that when we get our store (do you love this guy?) we can make a display wall of vintage soap dishes either behind the counter or in the restroom. Too cool! I'm a very lucky girl. On that note I will end this post hoping that the adversity we face makes only coffee. I will be a breakfast blend, I like the sunrise and new beginnings.
Carrots, Eggs, & Coffee!
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee. You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
This week has been relatively uneventful, a good thing in my world. The goats are well and eating way too much of their favorite hay. Two emergency trips to Tractor Supply to restock are just too much. I've go to look for a local source for hay. Bees are quiet, I hope the hive will survive this very cold winter. That little tease of a warm day makes spring seem too far way. I love the spring, everything new and fresh, the smell of the potting soil as I start all my seeds even all the mud is great.I made potting soil soap, it smells just like a big bag of seed starter when you first add the water, wonderful, probably will never sell but I love it. The chickens are laying like mad, best flock I've ever had Meyers Hatchery has wonderful birds if you're ever in the market. The weather keeps them inside a bit more, twice the clean up but think of all that fertilizer for next year. Everything is a circle, everything effects us all, I hope I can teach my children that.
I did a show a Livingston Mall, met some wonderful crafters and got some good tips. I also came up with a new table set up, but forgot the camera, it's good I think. I'm going to try and set it up again and get some pic's to share with you as soon as the snow melts. New shows so far are Normandy Park School in Morristown April 20th 6:00 till 9:00, hopefully the Green Fair here in Madison no date yet and I'm sending an application out to the Chester Craft Show, it's juried so I'll just have to wait and see if I pass inspection. I think this is the year for a Garden Party, I'd like to invite my favorite crafters to set up out back and invite anyone who'd like to stop and enjoy the garden, shop, meet the critters including baby goats and make new friends. I'm thinking late May if the yard drys up on a Friday during the day. I'll check the Farmers Almanac for a good date.
I'm talking to two different ladies who may be including my soap in their line ups for this spring, I'm very excited and hopeful we can come to a mutually agreeable and profitable arrangement. Please keep your fingers crossed.
I almost forgot, I hope you all had a happy Valentine's Day! My husband, being who he is, came up with such a unique and thoughtful gift I have to share it with you. He search his favorite place to shop...ebay and found two lovely vintage soap dishes to start my new collection. He said that when we get our store (do you love this guy?) we can make a display wall of vintage soap dishes either behind the counter or in the restroom. Too cool! I'm a very lucky girl. On that note I will end this post hoping that the adversity we face makes only coffee. I will be a breakfast blend, I like the sunrise and new beginnings.
Monday, February 7, 2011
It's been a long time...
I seem to have broken my promise to keep this current, I'm going to try very hard to come up with just the right schedule. Perhaps soap making Monday thru Friday, Saturday barn chores, and lastly Sunday will be for blogging? I will figure it out.
It would be impossible to recap so many months of activities so just highlights. The balance of the summer was relatively uneventful. Goats did very well, the babies are beautiful and no longer babies. I lost 1 hive of bees and the second hive was pretty weak by fall. We have our fingers crossed the hive will survive this snowy winter. The garden lays quietly waiting for spring. I have purchased sooo many seeds in hope of spring. I will start planting in the next few days. I start them in my sun parlor, (my husband's whole family calls the room that, who am I to disagree)soil, water, a space heater, plenty of sun and they will grow. Truly a miracle, something so small and insignificant creates the very plants that feed my family and friends. I'm going to try to grow a few new things this year, including potatoes, purple potatoes, how cool is that? The chickens are tremendous, the best flock I have ever own. We are still getting about a dozen eggs a day. In fact I have about 12 dozen eggs right now, they are yours if you want them, just let me know you're coming. The holiday season was tremendous, I still can't believe the response we had to our soaps and our new milk & honey lotion.
The big news is Kota, my 4 year old goat is expecting. The Saturday after Thanksgiving Kota was in season, for those of you unaccustomed to this technical term, she was in the mood for love. I called my friend Amy, better known as the goat guru, and we loaded Kota in the Astro van and drove to Stillwater to meet Spencer. You would be surprised how many people stare at an Astro van painted a great deal like the Scooby Doo mystery machine with a very excited goat staring out the back window. It made the trip even more memorable. When we arrived there were no candles, music, or quiet conversation, it was straight to business. To say the least Spencer and Kota are very good friends now.
New soap scents! I'm doing so many new fragrances for 2011. I've decided to go with categories. Florals, of course, new this year blue hydrangea & sweet pea Green Scents
bamboo & hemp (my fav), Veggie Scents tomato leaf & zucchini flower and my crazy impulse scent potting soil, it smells just like a new bag of damp dirt, I LOVE IT!!! No one else does yet, but you never know. The lotion is awesome, I'm probably not suppose to say that, but it really is! I'm doing 5 scents sweet grass, lettuce, gardeners, zucchini flower, & lemon grass sage. I put it in these 5 ounces plastic bail jars, the old fashion kind with the silver latch. Very cool.
I'll be at Livingston Mall this Sunday the 13th from 11:00 till 6:00, come visit. Check out the website secretgardensoapofmadison.com, I met a new friend who's going to help me improve the website to better reflect our business and be able to take credit cards. WooHoo! Lastly, I will do my best to update my blog and keep anyone interested up to date on the happenings here at Secret Garden.
A great read that I highly recommend "The Seasons on Henry's Farm" by Terra Brockman definitely in my top 10 books.
It would be impossible to recap so many months of activities so just highlights. The balance of the summer was relatively uneventful. Goats did very well, the babies are beautiful and no longer babies. I lost 1 hive of bees and the second hive was pretty weak by fall. We have our fingers crossed the hive will survive this snowy winter. The garden lays quietly waiting for spring. I have purchased sooo many seeds in hope of spring. I will start planting in the next few days. I start them in my sun parlor, (my husband's whole family calls the room that, who am I to disagree)soil, water, a space heater, plenty of sun and they will grow. Truly a miracle, something so small and insignificant creates the very plants that feed my family and friends. I'm going to try to grow a few new things this year, including potatoes, purple potatoes, how cool is that? The chickens are tremendous, the best flock I have ever own. We are still getting about a dozen eggs a day. In fact I have about 12 dozen eggs right now, they are yours if you want them, just let me know you're coming. The holiday season was tremendous, I still can't believe the response we had to our soaps and our new milk & honey lotion.
The big news is Kota, my 4 year old goat is expecting. The Saturday after Thanksgiving Kota was in season, for those of you unaccustomed to this technical term, she was in the mood for love. I called my friend Amy, better known as the goat guru, and we loaded Kota in the Astro van and drove to Stillwater to meet Spencer. You would be surprised how many people stare at an Astro van painted a great deal like the Scooby Doo mystery machine with a very excited goat staring out the back window. It made the trip even more memorable. When we arrived there were no candles, music, or quiet conversation, it was straight to business. To say the least Spencer and Kota are very good friends now.
New soap scents! I'm doing so many new fragrances for 2011. I've decided to go with categories. Florals, of course, new this year blue hydrangea & sweet pea Green Scents
bamboo & hemp (my fav), Veggie Scents tomato leaf & zucchini flower and my crazy impulse scent potting soil, it smells just like a new bag of damp dirt, I LOVE IT!!! No one else does yet, but you never know. The lotion is awesome, I'm probably not suppose to say that, but it really is! I'm doing 5 scents sweet grass, lettuce, gardeners, zucchini flower, & lemon grass sage. I put it in these 5 ounces plastic bail jars, the old fashion kind with the silver latch. Very cool.
I'll be at Livingston Mall this Sunday the 13th from 11:00 till 6:00, come visit. Check out the website secretgardensoapofmadison.com, I met a new friend who's going to help me improve the website to better reflect our business and be able to take credit cards. WooHoo! Lastly, I will do my best to update my blog and keep anyone interested up to date on the happenings here at Secret Garden.
A great read that I highly recommend "The Seasons on Henry's Farm" by Terra Brockman definitely in my top 10 books.
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