Weight off my shoulders...
Yesterday, after I returned home from the Farmer's Market, I was surprised by a visit from the owner of the cat which went missing during my watch (as explained in the last blog post). I felt so intimidated to see his truck in the driveway that I ran to get Gary to wait in the wings in case I needed "backup". What a wuss I am.
To my relief, the customer had come to apologize, pay me for my daily visits to his house, and to report that his cat had returned. I'm not sure if the situation would have been the same if the pet was still gone, but I was gracious and grateful. I thanked the man for letting me know that the cat was okay and shook his hand in acceptance of the apology and payment.
So, I'm really out of my "funk" again. Despite the blue mood I had earlier, I had a good time at the Market and sold lots of jam and a few perennial plants. A friend who cooks for "camps" (both work camps and occasionally, tourists) has a project coming up, and she wants to pick up two cases of jam on Tuesday! I'm glad that I've let go of the burden of guilt and resentment, or whatever it was, as I need to pick up some speed again. Sometimes it's just hard to keep things in perspective.
Several of we vendors at the Market were saying that there needs to be more baked goods for sale. For many years I sold spankopita and cheesecake in individual slices and made about $100 extra dollars per market day, but items such as those are not allowed to be sold anymore. I also offered bunwiches with garden tomatoes, cheese and lettuce (no meat) on homemade buns, but sandwiches are now supposed to be made in certified and inspected kitchens.
I appreciated that there needs to be more baking, but then I realized that some of my friends were looking to ME to step up to the "lunch item" plate. Not only do I not want to compete with others who bake for the Market, but I'm not sure that I can take on more work. I guess I'll have to "play it by ear". At Dunster, where I used to live, I was thought of as the "bun lady" because I didn't mind making all the dinner rolls for weddings and other gigs that the community ladies catered to, but I'm not sure if I want to bake for the Farmer's Market now.
Last night I made Black Plum Jam with gin, Black Currant and Grape Jelly with Cassis, and Seville Orange Marmalade. I have fruit and berries thawing all over the kitchen, so I'll bottle some more jam today.
In the "kennels" we now have Goldie and Bonnie, Ryder, Molly, Cowboy, Winston, Riley and Mick, Mandy and Shadow. Not much has changed, but the three basset hounds went home and I miss those comical characters. Several dogs were brought by their owners to the Market yesterday, ostensibly to visit with "Auntie Ann"... I enjoy that and I keep the pets out in the park while the owners shop in the pavillion. Of course, I bring hand washing gear with me, in case you wondered.
Time for me to run away again. I'll stay home from the Dunster Market once again; there's just too much to do here (and not enough jam with labels on...). Perhaps I'll be back with some pictures later.
Thanks for visiting here. ~ Ann
To my relief, the customer had come to apologize, pay me for my daily visits to his house, and to report that his cat had returned. I'm not sure if the situation would have been the same if the pet was still gone, but I was gracious and grateful. I thanked the man for letting me know that the cat was okay and shook his hand in acceptance of the apology and payment.
So, I'm really out of my "funk" again. Despite the blue mood I had earlier, I had a good time at the Market and sold lots of jam and a few perennial plants. A friend who cooks for "camps" (both work camps and occasionally, tourists) has a project coming up, and she wants to pick up two cases of jam on Tuesday! I'm glad that I've let go of the burden of guilt and resentment, or whatever it was, as I need to pick up some speed again. Sometimes it's just hard to keep things in perspective.
Several of we vendors at the Market were saying that there needs to be more baked goods for sale. For many years I sold spankopita and cheesecake in individual slices and made about $100 extra dollars per market day, but items such as those are not allowed to be sold anymore. I also offered bunwiches with garden tomatoes, cheese and lettuce (no meat) on homemade buns, but sandwiches are now supposed to be made in certified and inspected kitchens.
I appreciated that there needs to be more baking, but then I realized that some of my friends were looking to ME to step up to the "lunch item" plate. Not only do I not want to compete with others who bake for the Market, but I'm not sure that I can take on more work. I guess I'll have to "play it by ear". At Dunster, where I used to live, I was thought of as the "bun lady" because I didn't mind making all the dinner rolls for weddings and other gigs that the community ladies catered to, but I'm not sure if I want to bake for the Farmer's Market now.
Last night I made Black Plum Jam with gin, Black Currant and Grape Jelly with Cassis, and Seville Orange Marmalade. I have fruit and berries thawing all over the kitchen, so I'll bottle some more jam today.
In the "kennels" we now have Goldie and Bonnie, Ryder, Molly, Cowboy, Winston, Riley and Mick, Mandy and Shadow. Not much has changed, but the three basset hounds went home and I miss those comical characters. Several dogs were brought by their owners to the Market yesterday, ostensibly to visit with "Auntie Ann"... I enjoy that and I keep the pets out in the park while the owners shop in the pavillion. Of course, I bring hand washing gear with me, in case you wondered.
Time for me to run away again. I'll stay home from the Dunster Market once again; there's just too much to do here (and not enough jam with labels on...). Perhaps I'll be back with some pictures later.
Thanks for visiting here. ~ Ann
