First Day at Old Homestead Farm Market

Three days before we opened we knew we had a problem. Chris somehow had twisted his back. OUCH! The pain was not going away, so would-be tasks went unattended. Things that didn't get done: (1) the topsoil that someone wanted didn't get hauled away; (2) the firewood did not get split and stacked; and (3) the great big 12-foot-high wooden sign that is barely more than a drawing on paper did not get made. Instead, Chris got resourceful. He took permanent markers, an old shower curtain, a piece of used plywood, and fence posts to fabricate a quick sign. This will be just fine for awhile. We're jumping the season anyway! As a landmark, I told people to just watch for a flying cow in front of a barn. Kids seemed to love that idea. When the wind gusted just so, it looked like the cow was on the barn.

Roosti guards the flock.

Kids also loved going out to see the ducks and the chickens. Roosti-roo crowed incessantly! I guess he was a little excited, but he didn't try to get mean so he hasn't ended up in the pot yet!

Friends Tracy and Caitlyn came just in time to get the last of the bread.

I am so grateful to Pam Pauley for making this sign!

Sales were amazing! We sold out of most things fast but, oddly, after so many people had told me in informal polling that they thought no-bake cookies were a MUST, no-bakes that day didn't sell well. Still, I was incredibly pleased with what did sell! Bread sold out in less than 2 hours! Eggs sold well. The jellies and jams sold well. The pepper jelly was a hot item and has to be replenished. Brownies and chocolate chip/walnut cookies went fast. Cakes, I didn't make. I wanted to but ran out of time because of making ALL THOSE NO-BAKE COOKIES!

Here's the story on the ONE cake. I made a huge angel food cake. 14 medium sized egg whites! I didn't have packaging for such a large cake, but it looked so GOO-O-OD that I didn't want to part with it anyway. On the other hand, eating it all was out of the question. So Chris thought, let's give out samples and see if people like it. Great idea! They loved it!!! So I will be making angel food cakes in the future, smaller than that one, with proper packaging.

Our first day was windy, too windy for the awning, and cold. But  no tornado!!!

My son Josh wants a lifetime supply of the pepper jelly.  He says he's gotta have it!

The farm market's first day was like a party atmosphere! Several people took the farm tour, and I think we all had a ball! Chris and I deeply appreciate the friends, family and newcomers who came out to it, some from Cincinnati, Gallipolis, and north of Columbus. We had a drawing for a free item. Danita Milliron won that!!! YAY for Danita!

What I learned:  (1) It's easy to run out of breads and (2) Preparing for this was hard work but fun, but not as much fun as actually seeing all the people enjoying their outing!!!

I will be making more artisan and gluten free bakery items in the future as well as some different novelty items that we will announce each week on our FB page. For example, St. Patrick's Day just begs green popcorn balls, don't ya think? And we're doing this every Saturday through September, so there will be different items as the seasons change. We'll have fresh veggies on the table as soon as the crops come on!

Even with Chris being out of commission on our first day of the farm market, he set up the camper and table, came out and visited, showed children and adults around the farm, and saw that everyone had a great time! For that I am so very grateful and ever amazed! I want to thank Pam for the egg sign. Thank you, thank you, Pam! And thanks to the elusive but lovely Jessi for putting the Facebook page together and clean-up! And of course, a big big THANK YOU to all the people who came and liked the food I have to offer!  Thanks! I had a wonderful first day!!!  It was like, like, like...
 a PARTY!!!Follow us (click LIKE on Facebook at Old Homestead Farm Market) for more photos, a video, and upcoming offerings. We'll have a drawing each week.