So this is Christmas!

There's been a flurry of activity in our family, both exciting and sweet.  Here a few of those moments.

Wishing you and yours much merriness!

Ah, Lunasa.

You gotta love Lunasa.  This online farmers' market is such a creative idea for connecting food producers with local customers in a warm, festive way.  In fact, I first connected with Lunasa during their December Open House Market one year ago.

This past Friday was their first of two December Open House Markets, so anyone (members and non-members alike) are welcome to come.  It's housed in a vacant barn at the Washtenaw Food Hub, so that's always fun!

There was a host of beautiful and delicious items.  There were regular farmers' market goods like eggs, meats, jams, breads, and produce.

Then, just for the yule of it, there were vendors who brought their jewelry, yarn, cutting boards, and teepee tents.

Intrigued?  See for yourself at the next Open House Market on December 21st!

Last stop for this crazy train

Percolating in the back of my head for the last three weeks was the probably the largest, riskiest, most creative scheme I've had yet.  So large, risky, and creative, that to most people (including myself, immediate family, and strangers on the street) it seemed borderline crazy.

The facts: an abandoned property with a condemned home was being auctioned off by the county treasurer's office this past weekend.  The property's backyard is adjacent to our own backyard.  The lot is 0.43 acres, is just 1 mile south of a state university, is just a couple of blocks west of our city's pedestrian friendly downtown, is around the corner from a forward-thinking gardening non-profit.  The home's listing claims it is 2500 square feet, with 7 bedrooms.

Right away I think: total green rehab (solar panels by SolarYpsi, geothermal heating/cooling, local tradesmen to do the work), Bed & Breakfast, Retreat Center offering sustainability skill-sharing events (breadmaking, knitting, spinning, couples retreats, gardening, canning, etc, etc, etc), with a couple of friendly alpaca decorating the backyard.

This idea lived on and gained momentum in my head while I talked it up to anyone who would listen, including a handful of city officials.  The conversation's purpose was to work out the details, gauge public reaction, and gather ideas for funding.  All of those things were successful!  Ah, but, another bidder, with a more concrete plan (and hopefully fewer city ordinances to amend), is now the owner of this property.

I was surprised and disappointed, but a little bit relieved when the auction ended with the word "Sold!" next to the listing.  I hope the new owners are alpaca-friendly!

Thanks to all of you who rode this crazy train with me, smiling and nodding politely while I unfolded this idea out before you!

KindleFest, 2012

I'm happy to report that my first outdoor night market was lots of fun.  While I'm not exactly sure what the word KindleFest means in German (Kristy, wanna help me out?), for me it meant 'best market ever'!

The booths were so beautiful, colorful, fragrant, creative.  The vendors were cheerful and welcoming.  And the customers were curious and generous.

Here are some visuals:

warming station

sweet wooden dollhouse

soap, not fudge!

fairy houses

wooden cars and trucks

what's a night market without a lantern parade?

wooden spoons

beeswax candles

skinny santas

here's my booth, notice the fun mobiles of the vendor next door!

Next market, Lunasa, Friday 4 - 7pm, Washtenaw Food Hub!