Market Day. And it's COLD!

This morning I went to the farmer's market. It started raining on the way but then stopped as I got a little closer. I kept thinking I should just turn around and go back home. I don't have a canopy. But I went and it quite raining. But it was windy and so cold! And I was wearing short pants and a short sleeve shirt. It was not cold at home when I left.

This is some of my soaps in thrift store baskets. I think they look so cute. I actually sold one of my "man" soaps, the Ceder-Safron soap. The guy who bought it really liked it.

And here is my spot. You can see how wet it was and all the fallen leaves on the ground. I had my collards and turnip greens in the black totes on the ground. No room on the tables for those big things. I sold them all too! And all my Blue Lake beans and most of the Roma beans. And some radishes and peppers.

The purple eggplants and banana peppers    in the brown baskets are from my friends, Stephanie and Craig, up the road at Everette Heritage Farm. She didn't have a lot to bring so I took them for them to sell. I sold half the eggplants and some peppers. It was busy at times them slowed down. But a good day. I think people see a cloudy day and think we won't be at the market. But we have to go because all this food has been picked.

About 11:00, the market manager came over with a nice canopy tent for me! Set it up for me. I love this market. The people are so nice and friendly. And helpful. And I also have repeat customers! So cool when I see people who have bought from me the week before and they come back and want more and say how good it was. So nice to know that. I really love this market and the people are great.

But I am not ready for the cold weather. It's only supposed to get to the 50's the next few days. I want to go build a fire! And I still need to get all my winter stuff out. And I need a good raincoat to do farm chores in. My other one has rips in both shoulders so it's got to be thrown away. I am soaked after I go out in it.

Is anyone ready for winter? Is it getting cold where you are already? I just hope we have some fall and not go stringht into winter again, like last year.

He's getting better

He really did great today. He gets better each time he comes here. And I think he enjoys being here with the sheep. He follows commands much better. I think he just may become a good herd dog after all. I am proud of him.

The sheep were a little winded after a few times around the pasture and yard though. They were all panting. It was around noon when they got here so was a little warmer. But we did not over work them at all. It was only about 5 minutes total. They are getting used to the dogs too.

I love watching the sheep running. They run with their heads help up high. So regal looking.











Bonnie, the older dog, was not quite as interested in the sheep today. She's about a month along in her pregnancy now so needs more breaks. So we didn't keep her in too long with the sheep.  So another good shepherding day with the Border Collies.

And I made 2 batches of soap! One is Pumpkin Spice and the other an Orange-Clove. The house smells so good! I love making soap. I need more vegetable shortening again. I am always running out of at least one oil. I'll take pictures of the soap when it comes out of the molds.

Around the farm

It's a cool kind of wet morning here in North Georgia. The grass is real wet. Went out to hang clothes this morning barefooted and it's cold. But it looks like it will be sunny and in the low 80's. Hopefully enough to dry up some of this slippery mud.


This is Penelope and the little Boer buck, who is nameless right now. Last night it looked like that spot on his back was shaped like a heart. But not this morning. More like just a red circle. He is SO fat. And little. I really don't think he has gotten anything done since he's been here with Penelope and Sandy. They both still act like they are in heat most of the time. And teasing poor John Henry on the other side of the fence. I do believe John Henry has done the deed. All 3 of the does he's with look settled. I'll keep them all together till the middle of October.

Yesterday, I opened the fence to the North garden. It's so buggy and nothing growing good in there. So I decided to let the sheep have at it. I did get some cucumbers but they were small. The bugs ate every bit of the field peas I had planted in Aug. And the turnip greens are all holey. The okra is done. And the sweet potato patch is a jungle. So the sheep can clear all that out for me so I can find some of them. They do such a good job of weed eating for me. And the chickens love all the bugs out there too.

This is Fiona and Axel. This morning I thought maybe she was coming in heat so I put her over in the "breeding yard". Went and got Axel and he chased her all over the yard. Not at all like Leelah and Alfie the other day. And she baaahhhed the whole time she was in there, except when she was running. Poor Axel is pooped. So I  put her back over with the rest of the girls and him back with the boys. He looked really disappointed, poor guy. But there will be another try later.

I had put Gracie and Darla in with Alfie a few days ago. Gracie was in standing heat. Darla, not so sure about her yet. Didn't actually see anything. But saw Alfie hanging around her a lot. So I think Gracie and Leelah are settled. Maybe Darla.





And this is a bird nest I found under an apple tree yesterday. Made with Darla wool and grasses. So amazing. I love that the birds used the wool I left out there for them. Just amazes me the intelligence these animals have. I love it.

I went to the Battlefield market yesterday with lots of collard and turnip greens, radishes and Blue Lake and Roma green beans and bell peppers and banana peppers. Sold quite a lot of it. But had to leave early to take my daughter to work. So came home and put a lot of greens in the freezer and will cook some for dinner tonight. I feel like a big pot of collard greens with a smoked ham hock. And some cornbread too of course!

Oh, and the Border Collie's are coming again today!! So looking forward to seeing them again. It was pouring rain Monday so they had to wait til today when it was a little dried out here. They are so pretty and clean, I hate to get them all muddy.

And I will be making some soap today. Gotta get some more made. I will make an orange-clove soap and more pumpkin spice. Love that smell! Just like a pumpkin pie right out of the oven. Yum!

So that's what's going on here at Outback Farm. I hope y'all are having a great Thursday so far!