another trip to breezy willow

scenes from spring

magic

It was the most beautiful, exiting, hope-filled experience I've ever had. Rita and Mike were over. The four of us spent the night crowded around the incubator, squealing at every wobbling egg and muffled peep (did you know they chirp inside the shell?!)

Go Local Fair

Last weekend the school set up a children's booth at the Go Local Fair. It was held at the Carroll County Farm Museum and "doomsday" actually turned out to be the most gorgeous day in a long while. April and May delivered intense thunderstorms nearly every day, but instead we were blessed with powder-blue skies and cumulus clouds. We made seed bombs, botanical prints, plaster animal footprints, and more. I was able to escape from painting faces for about 30 minutes, and took a walk to check out the various vendors. 

The first booth that drew my eye belonged to Kaylala Organic Apothecary. The two sisters create the most wonderful lotions, salves, and ointments from Emu oil.  "The Australian Aborigines have used this for centuries. Emu oil contains essential fatty acids including Omegas 3, 6 & 9. These essential fatty acids are vital to a healthy body, and nourish the skin." Take a look at their website, and if you're local, make some time to visit their Emu farm! (I think we'll have to go sometime soon!)

Next I wandered into White Rose Farm's simple, nostalgic tent. They are an enormous biodynamic farm located in Taneytown. I can't wait to visit for one of their full moon celebrations.  They also offered to teach us a little about their methods of farming.

Rare Opportunity Farm set up camp right next to White Rose and offered glass jars full of decadent baked goods. I had to seriously restrain myself from sampling every single thing. I did try some Graham Pecan Toffee Explosion. Mmmm... If left alone, I definitely could have devoured the entire jar. The husband and wife baking team has some serious talent and even produces a specialty line of jams. The combination of flavors is so creative! You can find them at the Westminster Farmer's Market all summer long. 

I also met Josie and Shawn who started Truffala Seed Produce in collaboration with Garden Gate Farm. I immediately felt a connection with the couple, and after reading over their website, I know why. "As the American food system has become more industrialized, it has adopted the practice of putting profit before people. We want to be a part of a new model; one which puts people first, one which allows farmers and the communities in which they live to work together, and one which allows families to spend time together and share meals." AGREED!

On my way back to the children's tent, I couldn't help but stop in front of a booth piled high with beef jerky. Growing up, the only beef jerky I ever saw was the gross tubular-shaped kind in other kids' lunch boxes. (I refused to eat that crap.) Two years ago, when Jamie brought home a deer, we made venison jerky--- amazing, spicy, chewy, Teriyaki flavored jerky. Ever since, I've been in love with the stuff. Maryland Homestead Products is owned by Trevor Hoff, a college student who works on his family's cattle farm. His jerky is phenomenal. Buy it. Now.