Ann’s Weblog

This afternoon I made jams: Saskatoonberry, Blueberry, Apricot, and Mango. I lost track of how much jam I sold this weekend, as I went to both the McBride and Dunster Farmer’s Markets, and sold some to the Beanery (coffee shop) also, at least 5 dozen. Also for the Markets, I’ve made packages of “mixed” vegetables as they become ready: cauliflower, broccoli, onions, kohlrabi, carrots and peas, and people seem to appreciate those.

Gary’s garlic has been selling well also: about 200 heads so far. Just today he harvested the last of the hard-neck garlic. People have been putting in “orders” of all sizes, up to 20 pounds, because they know it keeps very well. Some heads of that garlic won first prize in our Town Fair this weekend.

Gary asked me a couple of weeks ago if I was going to have enough jars for the season, for jams and jellies. I chirped, “Oh, sure…” and now… I am completely out of my “signature” jars, a 9 oz hexagon from a wholesaler. I hate to pay the freight on another bunch of jars, but don’t know when I’d get to Calgary or Edmonton to get more. I can use standard Bernardin mason jars, but they are more difficult to label, and are not the shape that people look for when returning to buy more jam. Because the Beanery 2 Bistro is another outlet, I can now make and sell jam throughout the winters as well.

The four-legged population at the Pet Hostel is back down to a dull roar… just Duke and Duchess, Smudge, Tika and Scruffy. The Tika who is staying with us this weekend is a different one than the Tika who has boarded often; this Tika is an elderly labrador cross who is a real sweetheart. Today Casey, Teddy, Missy, Sam, Toohey and Remus went home, and a little chihuahua was brought just for toenail clipping. This is Chiquita (’Kita), that canine friend, during a stay at the Pet Hostel:

I went to a yard/moving sale today and scored some more vases (I like to give a bouquet without wanting the vase back), some DVDs, and miscellaneous good junk. I need to have another yard sale of my own to share MY stuff.

We went out last night to a nearby Bed & Breakfast, which was hosting a music session featuring some friends who sing, and play guitars and fiddles. I think I was overtired as I found it difficult to sit still and the vocals seemed too loud; I appreciate others’ talent, but I had to get up and walk around the farm as I listened.

At the Market in McBride this Friday, I was delighted when a couple stopped at my table and ask if I was Ann who has the Pet Hostel. Although they were strangers to me, they reported that they have been reading my blog for months! Goes to remind me that I never know who reads this weblog; I know from a couple of mistakes I’ve made that I need to be very careful what I write here (or alternatively, not give a rip…). Anyway… a SPECIAL hello to new residents of the Robson Valley!

Must go, am nodding off in front of the computer. Love you guys for reading my blog. HUGS ~ Ann

I can’t believe that so many weeks of the summer, and the local farmer’s market, have gone by. I haven’t tired of it, though some Friday mornings I think the Market makes my life too hectic. On the other hand, it has been quite a few years since I’ve missed, as a vendor, even one.

Because of new health regulations, or old regulations now being enforced, sellers such as I can’t sell most “lunch” items. Some foods are not allowed even if prepared in a commercial kitchen. For about 9 years, I sold spanakopita and cheesecake in individual portions, often making an extra hundred dollars at each Farmer’s Market in McBride, and another few dollars when I went to Dunster Market. Sometimes I made ice cream on site, another forbidden practice now. Last year I sold bunwiches occasionally, which were made from my home baked buns and filled with homegrown tomatoes and lettuce, and cheese… however, I realize that they are not allowed either. Patrons of the farmer’s markets are complaining that there is no “lunch” served any more. There are many beautiful items of baking, and most weeks a veritable cornucopia of produce, and more, just not exactly “lunch”. I have my jams and jellies there, samples of which have been tested and certified “safe”.

Pictured here are some of my friends who are fellow vendors:

That’s Carol, pictured at her own table, and Joyce, Rose and Barb at Joyce’s table with quilts, knitted items, baked goods and preserves. We are some of the “mainstays” at the McBride Market, and there are a few other regulars as well. Anyone with homemade or homegrown crafts or food is allowed, subject to the “regulations” of course.

For a few days I have been checking on Jennifer and David’s farm. You have met some of their menagerie in previous posts labelled “Jennifer’s Motley Crew”. Upon arrival, I found that my friends had got back from their travels.

Here are a few pics that I took on my vist to their farm this morning.

As always… click on a photo to get “the bigger picture”.

That is the handsome gelding, “Dophin”. His colour is “bay”, but he appears jet black some days. He was almost asleep in the warm morning sun, but got up when we approached: I had brought him a handful of carrots from our garden. In one photo he seemed to be saying, “Is this my good side? “.

Raspberries… I picked 9 gallons yesterday afternoon, and have about the same left to pick. I haven’t been able to get to this fruitful task, and ripe berries are falling onto the ground as I reach for them and any time I touch a branch or tug on a berry. I only quit when it was time to get some supper together, but the mosquitoes were finding me anyway. I want to finish this “picking” today. Here’s just part of our plantation:

We’ll also have a bumper crop of Norland Apples, Rescue applecrabs, and Dolgo crabapples.

Pictured below: Bernie and Emily, two of my many favourite Jack Russell terriers, hamming it up in Gary’s chair. Click to see the whole picture.

I’m getting antsy to get back outside, tired of fixing and uploading pictures (not YOUR fault.. I enjoying sharing and will be back later!). I have to look into why the last few pictures have failed to load; my account is not a “free” blog, but perhaps I’ve reached my limit!

Thanks for visiting. Love you guys. ~ Ann