When Life Gives You Olives…

My summer farmer’s market schedule has just begun winding down. Wednesday night was the last Petaluma market and I can’t believe it’s over already! Seemed like we had just gotten started, and bingo!, that was it!!! I am happy to inform my loyal and wonderful customers, (new and old), that Haus Fortuna, on 2nd Street, Petaluma, will be carrying my Foothills Blend throughout the year! If you haven’t been there yet, you really should. The store is filled with incredible, unique gift ideas and is a pleasure to shop at. Tonight, Friday, Gene and I will be at the Marysville market from 5:00 until 8:30. Come and see us and try our delicious “end blend”. This market is only around for another month, so don’t miss out!

It is bittersweet when these seasonal markets end. I love having the opportunity to meet new customers, visit with familiar faces and share my olive oil with everyone. There is also an interesting bond that is created between fellow vendors. We get attached to each other, out of respect for the lives we have chosen being farmers. I always have interesting stories to tell when I get home and I’m always excited to see what’s been going on around here. But really, there’s NO place like home. This is where I long to be the most. With my dog, my kitty, the ponies and the chickies. The birds, turkeys and the starlit sky. And most of all, my man….What an amazing place to return to and watch my olives grow.

Waking up to a very smoky morning, again. The fire up in Dobbins has grown to over 3,200 acres and won’t be fully contained for days. Here’s to all the firefighter’s hard work and to their safety. Being a Fire Chief’s daughter, I have ultimate respect for the job. But being a firefighter in Cape Cod, MA. is a whole lot different than dealing with the terrain of the Yuba County foothills. My thoughts go out to those evacuated from their homes, the young and old dealing with the heavy smoke and all the poor innocent animals involved with this fire. My fingers are crossed that Mother Nature keeps the wind at bay…

I keep meaning to mention how fun it is to eat grapes, peaches and apples while doing such mundane chores, such as picking up horse poops, moving sprinklers and especially when mowing the lawn. What a delight it is to be able to pick from a tree or vine in the yard and snack while you work!