a rug of many colors

Molly Alexi of the NC Cooperative Extension holds my pink basket liner rag rug~would be cute in a baby girls room, yes?

Blueberries & Cream (near) and Sunflower (far).  

I love the different hues of blues together.

They make great conversation pieces....I make them and put them on the table at the Farmers' Market, offered up for sale.  I try to take photographs of them before they go to new homes....

Imagine, something plain and boring and folded up on a shelf - turned into something colorful, useful and beautiful.

And they're comfortable to stand on - like comfort food for the feet.

I'm grateful to my Mom for teaching me how to make them.

Handmade by me, Farmhousewife, especially for you, with love.

Thoughtful Tuesday

As I sat on a picnic bench 20 feet away from these gentleman farmers I couldn't help but stare.

I know it's not polite, but they were all so interesting looking, and not at all aware of me and my camera.

I suppose they made me think of my "Papa" - my great grandfather and his son, my Grandpa, and how my time with them was precious.  If only they could see me now.  They'd be proud.

Wednesday morning - the good old boys get together and shoot the breeze; an old timey conversation and some coffee.

Not much of that goes on anymore - we've all become busier, faster, "go-go-go" and for that alone I suppose it is why I sat still and absorbed them.  They were content to just sit and talk.  Not one had to "go to a meeting," or "get to work," or rush home to watch the news.  

speechless sunday

More fun than a basket of......squash?

So it's that time of year again; the farmers' markets in the area are in full swing bringing to the people the local goods that we all want without it having traveled 1793 miles to get to us.

There are two farmers that live close to us raising a fair variety of produce - namely cabbage, zucchini, yellow squash, potatoes, and candy onions.  I've been bringing a small amount of it to market with me as people have been asking for produce, and well, we want to please the people.  The farmers have been so busy irrigating and cultivating they've not had time to actually come to the market, so we help them out and by doing so, help you out by providing locally grown, fresh and wholesome produce.

Last week was busy - three markets, in-laws visiting from CO, AR and NJ and trying to fit in there somewhere was six hours of a Math class and a few hours worth of an English class.

That's us by the way, in the photograph above, the humans of Hope Farms;  we're just like everyone else.  We have dreams, trials, good days, bad days and in between all of that, we're working hard to make sure that what we do is better than just "good enough" and that what we bring to market is of the highest quality, produced with integrity and pride.  And best of all;  it is LOCAL.

In other news, we learned today that we are now officially Piedmont Grown Certified, which means:

"The Piedmont Grown logo is displayed with farm products grown, raised, or made in the North Carolina Piedmont. When you see the Piedmont Grown logo, you know you’re buying fresher foods that support local farms, strengthen the local economy, preserve rural culture, and protect the natural beauty of the Piedmont Region."

So now when you see this logo - think local, think fresh and think:  Hope Farms.

p.s. come see us at the Montgomery County Farmers' Markets 

Town of Star - Tuesdays 2:30pm - 6pm 454 S Main St @ "the pink  house"

Town of Troy - Thursdays 3pm - 6pm 417 N Main St @ the CashPoints ATM parking lot

speechless sunday

Simply Eggs

When the going gets tough:

The tough eat strawberry shortcake.

Strawberries compliments of Parson's Farm, Candor, NC via the Troy Farmers' Market.

Come see us next Thursday and every Thursday 3-6pm Downtown Troy @ 417 N Main St. (in the parking lot with the CashPoints ATM)  

The market will have Pastured Pork and Poultry, Seasonal Produce, Farmhouse Fresh Eggs, Vegetable and Flower plants/seedlings, Grass-Fed Beef, Goat-Milk Soaps, Lotions, Natural Lip-Balm, as well as Freshly Baked Goods, Preserves, Jams, Jellies, Alpaca Wool Goods, Strawberries and MORE!  

p.s. "Like" us on Face Book 

I know why they call it spring

Aside from all the buds on the trees and other flora & fauna springing forth, it is also called spring because that's what you need on the bottom of your boots to keep up!  Lots going on here, just a quick note to say we have not forgotten about our blog; we've just been keeping calm and carrying on.

Here's a few photographs to ease the distance between posts;

 A daily activity here - hanging clothes on the line.

 It is almost Easter, so very fitting to collect eggs in an easter basket!

 Shades of Blue (a splash Blue Orpington)

 A sweet companion

 Hello Mr. Spencer!

 Sam is still a bit camera shy - even after almost two years.

 Any day is a good day when a mother turns to see this....

Peace.

Farmers' Market

Montgomery County has official formed a Farmers' Market Association - a diverse and fun group of dedicated growers and artisans, they've solidified their first of hopefully many more Markets' - it is the Town of Troy's Farmers' Market - Downtown location of 417 N. Main Street in the Cashpoints ATM parking lot.  

The Troy Farmers' Market will be operating Thursdays, the time will be from 3pm until 6pm.  Our opening day, April 7th, will boast entertainment as well as the varied offerings of local farmers and artisans.  


If you'd like more information regarding becoming a vendor please contact Danelle McKnight at the NC Cooperative Extension Center for an application and market rules, or send an email to mcfma2011@gmail.com.


The MCFMA (Montgomery County Farmers' Market Association) is welcoming vendors located within Montgomery County, NC and it's bordering counties.


Hope Farms is thrilled to be a part of this community effort and we are looking forward to providing "farmhouse fresh free range pastured chicken eggs" and other farm-related offerings.  

See you there!!