Collards!

When I was at market yesterday, there was a cooking demo. They were sauteing garlic in oil with chopped up collards. Just for a few minutes, til wilted. Then she put tahini in it. It was good. 

So just now, I chopped up garlic and I like to smash it several times to release the oils. I had sesame oil so I put the chopped garlic in the warm oil for a minute. Then added chopped collards. For just a few minutes til it's all wilted down. Then I added soy sauce. That's all I had. It is SO good! I could live on this stuff. Even my daughter liked it. 

                                               This was actually about 4 cups of collards.

  And this is it almost gone! Yum! Y'all have got to try this. You could probably add sesame seeds on top too.

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.