Tuesday, May 28, 2013

My crazy week

It all started last week- work, the end of Luke's school for the summer, and Memorial Day.  Add in I'm starting to get excited about canning season, and I'm all flustered!  ;)  I purchased 4 more tomato plants to go with our obscene amount of heirlooms from Mississippi Moon Naturals

Mississippi Moon Naturals is a family owned, woman owned greenhouse, garden, and seed company.  They are located in southern Illinois, and I found them when I was looking for black beans.  I found those, but I also found so MUCH more!  I love them!  They have excellent customer service, and shipping is fast and very affordable.  I ended up buying 11 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, with peppers and cucumbers, and beans, and peas.  In addition, they gave me 2 more heirloom tomato seeds, bringing it up to 13 varieties!  Yes, we're crazy! 

So all that's in the garden now, and our rhubarb is in season now.  I have absolutely no idea what to do with it, as I've never eaten it, and Charlie doesn't like it.  So apparently we're going to leave it for right now, and then decide later.  I could make strawberry rhubarb jam for the farmer's market, but am not sure.  I don't know- there's just so much I want to do for the market, yet, I don't want to step on other venders' toes.  At the same time, if they're not there weekly, I should be able to do what I want in terms of selling items. 

Strawberries aren't quite ready yet, we're planning on going picking next Friday.  I asked my boss if she wants to come with, and she probably will, which will be awesome!  :)  I've planned it out I need around 20 lbs, I want to make 6-8 jars of plain strawberry, plus Charlie is going to show me where mulberries are, so I can pick those.  Honestly, the only reason I'm writing this all down, is so that I can remember what I want to make when all this stuff comes in season!

I also got an email from Whole Foods, and they get Muscadine grapes!  I will be making Muscadine Jam this year too!  Even if it's only a small batch, like 2-4 pints, I don't care.  I'm in love with it.  And it'll be perfect for Christmas.  *If* it lasts that long.  ;)

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Keep it classy, ladies, keep it classy

  I never really thought I was that much of a prude, I mean, I can hold my own with the dirty talk, and not much embarrasses me. Truly. However, I was reading a thread in a mom group I belong to, and well, one of the threads made my ears blush. It started out innocently asking why Christians are bashed and called racist but every other non Christian religion can say the same things and its acceptable. It devolved from there into the one outspoken beyotch talking about boobs. And it really didn't make my ears burn, except that she's a MOM. She has a 7 year old. That 7 year old knows his mom likes boobs. Seriously. And that bothers me. A. Lot. There are just some things that shouldn't be known in such detail at such a young age.  I'm not a prude, but really..... And this mom has had CPS called on her because her child has threatened suicide. It's just a cluster.... I feel badly for the child, but mom kind of brings it on herself.

The farmers markets have been going decently. Next week, I am not doing cinnamon raisin bread. The last two weeks it did not go at all. So even though its super easy, I don't want to waste anything else for it. I did make French Bread, and I'd like to try something else this week, but still not sure. Perhaps I'll try the blueberry bread, two loaves, and 4 loaves of French. Maybe even 6 loaves, I can always freeze what doesn't sell. I'm also thinking of granola, or a snack mix. I have a few days to come up with something. I'm just trying to be inexpensive. But still make money. 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

It's been a while!

And for that, I apologize!  It's been a crazy busy month, and I've been coming up with blogging ideas, I just haven't had the chance to put pen to paper? Fingers to keyboard?  to write them down, and out. 
First off, Happy Mother's Day to all my dear, dear mom friends.  You all make me a better mother, just by being you!  Enjoy your day!  All of you! 
Farmer's Markets start Wednesday, here in town.  Both Charlie and I are doing that one, and then Charlie by himself is doing the one in a neighboring town.  So for Wednesday, I've decided to make fruit breads.  With bagels and sourdough loaves occasionally for variety.  I am planning on making a loaf of Strawberry bread tomorrow, after work, and will post pictures and possibly a recipe, tomorrow.  I wanted to do Blueberry bread as well, HOWEVER, I refuse to spend $4 on a small jar of blueberry jam, and haven't had time yet to make jam from the frozen berries.  So, whatever.  ;)  So my goal is to have a few (2-3) loaves of Strawberry bread, and perhaps cinnamon raisin.  I don't know yet.  It all depends on how they turn out tomorrow.  I would also sell jams, but am really not sure about that.