The Market is Open

This post expired on April 13, 2023.

Greetings All!

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful weather! Now, if the pollen would just go away – it would be perfect!

A word of warning: I am very chatty this week, partly due to the fact that I accidentally erased my original Newsletter and well, mostly because I am just normally verbose “chatty”! My point is this: If you want to skip reading my musings, which do include Market News, Weekly Specials, Farmer of the Week information, little known facts and tidbits about ‘this and that’ then click Take me to the Market. For those of you who are still here (there are some, aren’t there?), grab a cup of tea, coffee, Kombucha and get comfortable!

Market participation this past week was great despite the fact that many people were gone for Spring Break. Please know that Mary and I are grateful for your support of Heirloom Living Market. Your continued endorsements to friends and family are helping us grow the Market and we appreciate your efforts! Please check us out on Facebook and while you are in the vicinity — please “Like” us! You will find the link at the bottom of this email!

For the next several weeks I will be concentrating on highlighting all of our Farmers/Growers and Artisans in the Newsletter. Some each week — otherwise I am afraid you would still be reading when it is time to close the Market! You help support these wonderful folks and we think it is important that you get to know them and a the products they offer.

Market News

Little Tot’s Estate, located in Loganville joined the Market last week offering Goat Milk! (It is a Raw Milk product and as required by the Georgia Department of Agriculture is labeled for Pet Consumption. This is the only way Raw Milk can legally be sold in the state of Georgia.)

I ordered some for Dudley, (the Black Lab mix that lives with me); however, I reasoned that since I bought it, I should be allowed to have a glass or two! Dudley was not thrilled with this scenario — evidenced by the fact that while I was on the front porch he consumed the entire glass that I had just poured and placed on the coffee table! He even ‘cleaned up’ what he spilled! I digress — The taste of the milk is nothing short of AWESOME! I drank Goat Milk from the Farm growing up and Rusty’s milk from his Nigerian Dwarf Goats is the best that I have had since childhood. Truly an “Heirloom” Food and we are proud to have Rusty and Lucy and the tiny goats as part of our Heirloom Market Family!

Rusty just sent me a text as I am writing this Newsletter…
News Flash SPECIAL! Goat Milk will be available Buy One – Get One Free this week! Rusty shows his little Nigerian Dwarf Goats and is a highly respected breeder. As a result, his kids sell quickly (goat kids – not children kids!) Many of the kids have found new homes this past week, so additional Goat Milk will be available this week! Goat milk can be frozen and usually thaws smooth and creamy. Rarely, it will not be as smooth, but it will still be tasty and is still great for drinking, for cheese, yogurt and baking! This is a phenomenal deal on an AWESOME product! Miss Lucy makes Goat Milk Soap so I would be willing to bet that she will be a ‘busy bee’ this next week! Her soap is not offered on the Market; however, you can find it at Boss Brothers in Loganville. To take advantage of the BOGO click on the Weekly Specials in the Product Listing!

And rest easy, those of you who are worried that Dudley is not getting adequate Goat Milk, he will be getting his own bottle this week! Thanks, Farmer Rusty!

Dances With Bees is offering the rich, delicious, raw and local Honey to our Market! It was a great seller this past week! They also have ‘creamed honey’ both flavored and unflavored! Check out their products including Patti’s Lip Balms, Salve and Face Nectar — all natural, all local, all handmade! Mary and I are so happy that Dances With Bees has joined us and offer such fine products!

Phoenix Gardens, created by Gwendolyn and Brennan Washington, is located in Lawrenceville. They are offering some Heirloom Tomato Seedlings (4 varieties) and Summer Squash Seedlings (2 varieties). You can find these under Plants/Heirloom Seedlings in the Product Listing! Now is the time to get these in the ground — what great items to add to your Summer Garden! Brennan and Gwendolyn have a fantastic place and have been creative in their use of space and created a sustainable ‘mini-farm’ all on about 2.5 acres! I have it on good authority that Heirloom Tomatoes and Basils will be available in several weeks! Thank you, Gwendolyn and Brennan for joining our Heirloom Living Market Family!

Speaking of Plants, Doug from Doug’s Garden is offering beautiful Virginia BlueBells ! They are a intriguing plant and although they only bloom in March and April their light green foliage pairs well with darker greens in your garden for the remainder of the Spring and Summer.Read about Virginia and Texas Bluebells and This and That here!.

Mary from Patchwork Pastures, has Daylilies to add to your Spring Plantings! These rich orange flowers are always a welcome addition to any garden. Mary is also offering the Raised Garden Beds which are made from re-purposed oak machinery shipping crates. They are collapsible and measure 3ft x 4ft x 8in when set-up! One of my favorite features is the small, but sturdy metal brackets that make them stackable! You can find these under Home and Garden Supplies.

…And the Farmer of the Week this week is Mary from Patchwork Pastures In addition to the the Daylilies and Raised Beds, she offers all Natural Laundry Detergent and Dishwasher Powder that work like a charm and are not full of the nasty chemicals we are all trying to avoid. Her Goat Milk Lotion and Dead Sea Bath Salts infused with a variety of doTerra Therapeautic Oils are quickly becoming legendary as word spreads about their quality and effectiveness. Mary is truly a multi-talented, multi-dimensional woman — a lady with an amazing ability to excel in her abundant skill sets! She also makes Cheeses and Yogurt and teaches Cheese Making Classes. I certainly admire her and her talents, but just thinking about her schedule makes me tired! Patchwork Pastures also offers an amazing line of Flavor-Infused Salts, Organic Spices and Mary’s Spice Mixes! Her talent for creating mouth-watering recipes and knowing which flavors/spices/ingredients pair well truly make her a gastronomy expert! (In short — She is an AWESOME chef! — just one of her many talents!) So, come meet the owner of Patchwork Pastures and see what goodies she will be sharing as Farmer of The Week! Are you wondering if “Mary” is the same Mary as my partner, the Market Manager, the Mary you see every week at Market pickup? You will have to come to Market pickup on Thursday to find out for sure!

David Huenergardt, known at the Market as The Roastin’ Fool has other talents besides being a Global Securities Account Manager by day and skilled coffee roaster! Last night, we witnessed his gift for drama in his portrayal of Judge Danforth in “The Crucible”by Arthur Miller. The tale, based in fact, relates a story of jealousy, scandal, rumor, false accusations and blatant pretense resulting in the deaths of many accused of “witchcraft” in the late 17th century in Salem. It is also a tale of conviction, honor and love. David was flawless in his interpretation of the commanding role of Judge Danforth. Although the New London Theatre is a “bare-bones” operation, the quality of the actresses and actors was astonishing. The characters were brought alive by this great cast! Congratulations to you all! David: You’re free to explore other avenues, good sir, as long as the coffee gets roasted! I absolutely must have my cup of David’s signature blend Vigilance Coffee every morning!

New London Theatre is a 100% Volunteer, Community organization with a goal of providing Snellville and the surrounding communities with the finest performing arts experience as possible. They also offer classes in all phases of the ‘stage’, lighting, acting, sound, sets – a great Community resource and Family entertainment/learning option! Please support your local community endeavors and check out New London Theatre Facebook Page here!

Dena of Good Shepherd Herbals has an additional product in her wonderful line of Medicinal Herbs, Salves and Teas. Her Rescue Linimenthelps in the relief of bug bites, insect stings and angry acne. Her Breath Easy Blend Tea is helping me deal with my allergies and the Trauma Balm I am using to help relieve pain from Sciatica. If you have questions about Medicinal Herbs, be sure and be at Market pickup on April 25th when Dena will be our Farmer of the Week.

Dabrielle bakes with love and passion and it certainly is reflected in her offerings from My Daily Bread! I am a regular for the Organic Spelt Bread and absolutely addicted to the Gluten Free Brownies. I have offered them to friends who have stopped by to visit and NOT told them that they are Gluten Free; they agree, they are the best brownies they have ever eaten! Don’t take my word for it, try some this week. You will be amazed. I freeze them individually and they are delicious frozen, thawed or warmed! Thanks Dabrielle!

Farmer Brown (aka Ricky Brown) of Back River Farm has added Mustard Greens to his offerings this week. Arugula is no longer available, however we will be seeing more produce items from RIcky in the near future!

I haven’t mentioned Mary Beth Sellars of Joyful Noise Acres Farm in a bit. As one of our primary meat producers, her devotion to nutrient- dense foods and passion for providing pasture-raised, non-medicated, chemical free chicken and pork products are evidence that she believes and cares about what she is doing! Although she produces chicken and pork, at present only limited amounts of small whole roasters, 1/2 chickens (larger roasters), leg quarters and wings are available. They will be processing again in another month and additional products will be available.

I have been posting about Greg Hutchins of Heritage Farm and the Lamb that is now available. The meat is excellent and I have been extremely pleased with everything that I have purchased. We chose Greg and Heritage Farm as one of our primary meat Farmers because of his excellent reputation for not only his product but also for the way he Farms and the values he holds. His passion for providing the community with fresh, local, Certified Naturally Grown products and his efforts for sustainability make him a perfect fit as a provider for our Market. He also has Beef and Pork, Duck and Turkey listed on the Market and you will find that the quality can’t be beat. Although Greg’s Farm is ‘local’, he is in Carroll County so it is quite a hike to deliver meat to our Market once a week. Our continued support of the Hutchins’ Heritage Farm will ensure that it will remain viable for Greg to deliver to us weekly. Connect to Heritage Farm Facebook Page here!

One last item — we had a visit this past Thursday from Mandy McManus and Andrea Brannen! Names sound familiar? They should! Mandy McManus is the Manager of the Lilburn Farmers’ Market and Andrea Brannen is the Assistant Manager. We were a little busy when they came in to pick up Mandy’s order, but have promised to get-together for coffee and talk about how we can support each other. Lilburn Farmers’ Market is held in the quaint village of Lilburn in the Greenway Trail Parking Lot every Friday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm starting on Friday, June 7th! Get to know your Farmer and where your food is grown! Support Lilburn Farmers’ Market! Connect to Lilburn Farmer’s Market. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so. We’ll see you there!

I am sure you finished your tea or coffee or favorite beverage by now, so I will end this small epistle (throwback to my 16 years of Catholic education!). I hope that I have given you some good information and insight into the Market, our Farmers/Growers and Artisans and a couple of available Community resources.

We appreciate your support of the Market, our dedicated, LOCAL Farmers/Growers and Artisans and the local economy!

We will see you Thursday at Gwinnett Gymnastics Center between 4:30pm and 7:30 pm!

Joyful thoughts and blessings!

~Maryanne and Mary

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