Wow,
time has just flown by! I can't believe it’s already been about 2 weeks since
my last post.... well in a very short overview, we had Halloween, I carved my
first pumpkin, and we started at a new Farmers market in Bryan. That was a fun market, near all of the
vendors dressed up in costume, and they had lollies out for kids who came
trick-or-treating through the morning. Not only that but for our first time
there we made some really good sales. So here’s hoping that even though we'll
be going just once a month the sales stay up.
On the
3rd of November Ralph left for Australia,
leaving Sara and I to hold down the home front. And I’d have to say - I think
we're doing a pretty good job. :) thanks to moving the cattle onto the hay
paddock thus removing the need to be feeding out bales
and alfalfa daily.... even still between markets, bookwork, meetings
and the boys we've kept our days busy.
This
last Sunday was a wonderful day. Church was, well it wasn't what I
thought it would be, which was a bit sad that they didn't preach love, it was
vastly different to the preaching I’ve grown up with. But all said and done it
was the gateway to a lengthy D&M with Sara, over mmm a divine lunch of a
cheese and veg platter. Sooo good :) Followed up by an equally wonderful spaghetti
Bolognese (a joint effort). And really the elegant meals have continued
through the week.
I think
the recipe to an elegant
meal is:
1. Good
company
2.
ATTITUDE
3. Little
touches in the presentation.
It
doesn't take much to take the ordinary into the extraordinary......
Like tonight’s
hamburgers - our own meat, tomatoes and green beans. It tasted so good, because
it’s natural, and additive free, and fresh! There’s nothing like spending the
evening picking your own veggies then eating them that same night. The biggest
point of difference though was eating out on the porch. We set up the card
table with some candles and ate by the fire that cooked our food. Simplicity.
I beginning to see how in the city we (I) can make the simplest things
quite complicated.....
The
longer I stay here, the more and more I’m inclined to ditch the city entirely.
Move out to the country and live a differently busy life. I’m yet to figure a
way that doesn’t involve me driving regularly back and forth to the nearest
city to buy fabrics/sell to boutiques….. I could try internet based….. J
With
all the work that’s done here (noticeably more then I do back home) this really
is the simpler life. Especially in terms to the food we eat. I’ve switched
sides. No longer do I want to buy whatever’s cheapest. The taste of naturally
raised (near organic) foods is so much higher then the bulk of supermarket
foods. Not to mention the health benefits, or the satisfaction of going into
the garden after a stressful day and finding a treasure trove of ripe tomatoes
ready for dinner! To spend an hour unwinding in nature and then to feast on the
harvest! It’s beyond compare to just buying some meat and veg at the store.
The
work is its own reward, and I can’t
think of a better reward at the end of the day.
I
implore you all to go and search for a local market in your area. Join the
community as you go each week and support your farmers. You make the difference
to the day as you go and chat about anything – the weather, the food, your
respective families, hobbies. Though the vendors would love you to buy their
produce, feel free to chat even if you’re unable to buy anything that week.
Just make sure you go.
Local
produce thrives on community.
