Community Supported Agriculture

For the last five years we have been part of a CSA. The first three years we were part of a traditional CSA at one of our local farms. We'd go each week to pick up our bag, do the u-pick portion of our share and spend some time wandering the grounds of the farm. We loved our weekly trips to the farm and we love supporting a local farmer. After a few years as part of that CSA we had heard that our favorite place to pick berries was offering a different kind of CSA opportunity. There the money we paid into the CSA would be put on a debit card and we could use it to choose anything in their farm or farm stand. This option is by far our favorite! We are able to go and choose what we need when we need it in the quantities we need and are never stuck with something we don't enjoy eating. Score! We were super excited when they made the decision to partner with other local farmers to include "new" items in their stand (items like eggs, cheese and bread). It has been a joy to be able to purchase so much so close to home!

A couple of weeks ago a surprise arrived in the mail. I had no idea what this could possibly be and we excitedly opened the box to see what was inside. Once open, a note from a college friend of ours was discovered and read. In addition to the note, she had enclosed two beautiful mesh produce bags that she had made for us, as well as the pattern so I could make some too. Jenny had posted a picture of them on Facebook a little while ago where I commented on how beautiful they were and she decided to surprise us with some of our very own! It's been a good few years since I've spent time with my crochet hook but I think this might just be the project that gets us reunited! These bags are just gorgeous and hold way more than I initially thought they could.

Today, when the girls and I stopped into the farm stand to pick up some much needed provisions, the farmer was there. As he was ringing up our purchases I took out our lovely mesh produce bags and began putting the items inside. It was then that he stopped what he was doing to compliment us on how gorgeous these mesh bags of ours were. I have a feeling that had I said I made them he would have asked me to whip some up to sell in the stand (they are that lovely)! Thank you, Jenny, for surprising us with such a lovely gift. They are the perfect addition to our weekly trip to the farm and we will surely enjoy them for years to come! xo

Peek-A-Boo!

I went out this evening in search of new bunting for the front porch (don't they look lovely?!) and while I was out I found some binoculars that I knew the girls would love. I scooped them up, and brought them home to surprise the girls with. They greeted me at the car and I greeted them with their fabulous treat. They raced into the house to show David who promptly helped them open the packaging. They spent the next half an hour looking at the world (and each other) through their new binoculars. "Oh, Mama, what a great surprise! Thank you!" said Grace. "These are my best binoculars ever! Thanks, Mama!" said Emma as she gave me a great big hug. Between their bikes and now the binoculars I think we know what they'll be spending the majority of this next week doing!

Boots and Bean Sprouts

This morning I woke up to discover this:

How I missed this last night I am not so sure, 

but it was rather sweet to discover it first thing this morning.

And later on we discovered this:

Our beans are sprouting!

The girls made these a couple of Saturdays ago when we went to the Children's Museum.

We've been checking every day, and today they had sprouted!

It's very exciting, and clearly required much investigation. 

The people at the Children's Museum had the girls spray their piece of paper towel with water. 

Then we placed it in the ziploc bag and the staff member stapled it. 

She then had the girls place their beans in each bag above the staples. 

We zipped it closed, and she told us to keep the paper towel moist and 

to tape it to a sunny window.  

We hope your day was full of  surprises, wonder and magic!

As always, we'll see you tomorrow.