Thoughtful Thursday

While this winter has been mild, we've still had some cold spells and brisk winds to remind us that indeed, it is still winter-time.  As the pastures, fruit trees and vines lay somewhat "dormant" I can't help but think about all of the things in life that move in cycles, with busy times and times of rest, as well.

Sometimes, in the daily tasks we go about, whether we are farmers, teachers, bankers, servers or an employee in a manufacturing plant, it is important to just be.  This is what I have found the leafless trees, the naked vines and straw-colored grass to be doing.  They don't have to impress anyone.  They're not worried about missing the 20% off sale at the not-so-local department store.  They don't even worry about what they will wear tomorrow.  It's all planned out - in good time - they will be productive again.

While there are occasional fears as to the pre-Easter freeze we usually get in this area, I'm trying not to give in to the "what-if's" of life.  For usually where there is a deficit, another kind of abundance will be yielded.  This year, the addition of a greenhouse will be our season-extender, and I'm currently enjoying lovely green salads with kale, spinach, Swiss chard, romaine lettuce, Simpson lettuce, arugula.  Blessed, indeed.

While there isn't a particular point to this post (are there particular points to any of my posts?) I will leave you with some photos of pre-spring life in the greenhouse;

In other news

Long overdue update, yes?  We've been busy - who on a farm is NOT busy? No matter the size, if there are animals and plants involved, time is consumed in large increments.  We hope your season ended brightly.

New on the farm:

On December 11th, Bacon Bits gave birth to eight tiny piglets, all healthy and cute! Four white (pink!) females, two red with black spots and two white with red and black spots.  They are all spoken for as of four weeks later (that went by fast!) And now Mama Bacon Bits is looking at us as if to say, "Is it time to wean these young'uns yet?"

Until next time,

Wordless Friday

all photographs are my own; if you'd like to use them, please credit them to "farmhousewife"

Where is August?

Is it true?  Did I miss the entire month of August without a post?

It is.  I'm soon going to be entering the ranks of, "examples of how not to manage a blog."  Busy much?

Fall is around the corner;  time for planting garlic, kale, collards, broccoli, carrots, beets and some other stuff to put on the never-ending list of things to do.

On a bright and happy note, the Montgomery County Farmers' Market Association is going to be adding a third market to the schedule in the Town of Candor!  Fridays, 2:30-6:00pm weekly until the week before Thanksgiving.

Did someone just say Thanksgiving?  I was still wondering where August went.....

Happy Farmers' Marketing, people! If you haven't signed up for the weekly (or thereabouts) e-newsletter, please do!  mcfma2011@gmail.com.  Put "Add" in the subject line.

1st Annual Sandhillls Farm Tour

Do you like buying local? Do you enjoy visiting farms? If so be sure to take your family on the 2011 Sandhills Farm Tour! Local farms in Montgomery, Moore and Richmond counties are hosting their first annual farm tour Saturday July 23rd from 3-7 PM. This is a perfect family outing where you can tour the farms, sample great locally grown food, and have a day of excitement!

Each farm has a specialty whether it is with local food or providing outdoor sports. Some of the farms will have cooking demonstrations and family fun activities. If you are interested in attending tickets are only $10.00 per car before July 22nd! Tickets can be purchased from Montgomery Cooperative Extension office or you can purchase tickets at the farm site the day of for $15.00 per car (giving you access to all farms). 

The list of participating

farms:

Clayton Orchard 

289 Research Farm Rd. 

Candor, NC 27229 

Dewitt’s Game Farm & Dewitt’s Outdoor Sports 

443 Jimmy Carriker Rd 

Ellerbe, NC 28338 

Hilltop Angus Farm 

1708 Pee Dee Rd. 

Mt. Gilead, NC 27306

Hope Farms 

117 NC Hwy 731 E 

Mt. Gilead, NC 27306 

Shadow Hill Farm & Kennel 

1723 Belford Church Rd. 

Jackson Springs, NC 27281 

Triple L Farms 

2205 Derby Rd. 

Ellerbe, NC 28338 

Vang Farms 

189 Beaman Rd. 

Troy, NC 27371

For more info or to purchase tickets come by the: 

NC Cooperative Extension 

203 W. Main Street, Troy NC 27371 

(910) 576-6011

Come see us!

speechless sunday

Notice how she always has one ear on me all the time?  She's listening, even though I'm not saying anything.  

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.