The Garden Fly at Farmers Market

We were back for another day of Market today. It was a pretty warm day with a slight breeze. The slight breeze was good, too much wind and I’m always afraid my umbrella would fly away!

We had two tables again today, yes, I know…movin’ on up in the world! They weren’t both full, but I like how I can spread everything out a little.

We had a ton of cherry and salad tomatoes today. And I didn’t come home with a single basket!

Actually, all I did come home with was 1 onion, 2 bell peppers, 1 calabaza, and a hand full of slicing tomatoes!

Oh, and Elizabeth. I brought her home, too! She was a very good girl today and we had a good time at Market. On the way home she asked if we were on our way to Market again. Nope, not today, but we will be going back Saturday for the 3rd time this week!

Elizabeth bagged up a pint of tomatoes, walked around to the front of the table, asked me to weigh them, took the bag back, and walked back around the table to her chair. She then opened the bag and proceeded to eat her “purchase”! I told Travis that that was the only pint we didn’t sell, but I can’t complain when my little girl eats cherry tomatoes as a snack! I might have helped myself to a few, too!

Other than being hot, we had a great day at Market and we’re hoping for an even better day Saturday!

Perfect Roast Chicken

There’s a new recipe up on The Garden Fly! Ina Garten’s Perfect Roast Chicken.

The Garden Fly was at Farmers Market yesterday. We had a decent day and took loads of cherry tomatoes!

Elizabeth helped me sort all of the cherry tomatoes into boxes. She really liked just eating them better!

Our booth at Market yesterday. This was the first time I’ve brought two tables, we had so much produce!

I might be crazy, but we’re going to Market again tomorrow! This doesn’t give me much of a break…I have lots of picking to do today to get ready!

The Garden Fly at Farmers Market

The Garden Fly has been to Market a few times this year. These pictures were taken last Saturday, but we were also at Market today.

Travis, manning the table while I take a few shots.

Last Saturday, Market had 10 vendors! We had a great turnout and a gorgeous day!

I drive by Market some days when I’m not selling and it really is a sight-all of the canopies in the parking lot!

We had a pretty decent day at Market today. It was a little cool, overcast, and sprinkled on and off throughout the morning. The traffic could have been better, but given the weather, it was okay.

This was Day 2 of having packaged herbs. People are impressed that I have fresh herbs, which is good! Now, if only people would buy them! I did sell a few packages and I think as people get used to me having them, they’ll start to buy.

I’m also thinking I need to get some recipe cards to go with the herbs so people have something they can try. That may really get people interested and excited.

Anyone have some good (fairly easy) recipes that use fresh herbs? I’m happy to try them out for Market!

This Guy

Today is Matt’s 23rd birthday (well, for a few more minutes…). Getting old, Brother!

I wish I could put into words how much I love my “little” brother. He’s an awesome uncle to Elizabeth. She’s loves talking about Uncle Matt. When he’s around, she wants all of his attention.

He’s also turned out to be one of my best friends. I know I can call anytime and he’s willing to talk for a few minutes. He’s my personal assistant when it comes to helping me with “guy” stuff-especially gifts for Travis!

I know it won’t happen much anymore since Cheyenne moved, but I loved his pit stops at our house when he was on his way to see her or on his way back home. I like that when he’s here and Elizabeth is taking a nap, he’s happy to be taking a nap, too! (Ahem, maybe I nap, too…)

I don’t really think about it much, but I’ve realized over the few minutes I’m writing this, that I’m so thankful to have such a great brother. I’m really blessed. Life would be much different and not nearly as fun without him.

Happy Birthday, Brother! I love you, Matt!

A Few Things…

Ok, so I’ve been a teensy bit busy! I’ll try to do a better job of keeping up around here, even if they are just short posts and a few pictures.

The gardens are huge and have really been producing now for 4 weeks. In this time, I’ve canned green beans, pickled (yes, dill pickles!), and made 26 pints of peach jam. I’ve also got a sink of green beans washed and will can those in a bit.

This is part of the garden at O Road. We didn’t have enough space at our house, so we’re gardening at my in-laws, too!

Here, we’ve got red potatoes, black-eyed peas, cream peas, purple hull peas, 5 varieties of squash & zucchini, okra, sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, cushaw/calabaza, dill & basil.

At our house, we have tomatoes (about 20 varieties), peppers (about 10 varieties), green beans (2 varieties), more squash, more zucchini, cucumbers, and English peas. We also had onions, but they’re out of the ground now. I’m sure I took pictures of our garden at P Road, but can’t find them now…

I’ve never taken pictures of Elizabeth on the potty. Never. I’m sure when she’s older she would have preferred that I kept it that way, but this was just too good not to document!

She’s reading Travis’ Biodiesel magazine! Reading all about fuels of the future!

“Leave me alone, Momma, I’m reading.”

Last Sunday, we drove down to Padre Island to meet and visit with Cheyenne’s family. Her uncle’s house is on a canal and has a swimming pool. Elizabeth was in heaven!

She looked so cute and couldn’t get enough of the water! We had many sets of eyes on her, don’t worry!

We had a nice time meeting everyone. And congratulations to Cheyenne who is one weekend away from being completely finished with school! Yay!

I’ve also been trying to keep up with my flower beds. I planted hydrangeas last year and the work to keep them alive has paid off! I have one pink hydrangea blooming this year and it is completely gorgeous!

I also have two blue hydrangeas, but the cold weather in February really set them back. I’m just glad they budded out and are alive! They’ll be ready to give us a show next year!

The biggest project I’ve been working on since January is the launch of my new business, The Garden Fly. Visit the site, tell me what you think!

I grow the vegetables, take orders, and deliver to homes and businesses. If I still have produce to sell once I’ve filled my orders, I take the rest to Farmers Market to sell there. I’ve been to Market twice since it opened and have nearly sold out of what I’ve taken.

So far, the garden season has gotten off to a good start. Now to keep advertising and getting the word out!

I also post recipes on The Garden Fly. Two have already been posted on this blog, but I just put a new one up today: Spiced Calabaza! Different, but good!

We received 1.3” of rain today! Thank goodness! We’ve been able to keep the gardens watered, but our yard was really needing it!

Now, I’m off to can more green beans!