Gratitude

There are just some times when words fail to convey the gratitude we have for our family, friends, and customers who support us throughout the year. This is one of those times.

As many of you know, we were at the Common Ground Fair in Unity, ME this past weekend. We had a steady stream of people in our tent all three days (including Sunday, which had a rainy, windy, thunder-booming start). Your kind comments about our products and the stories shared about fabrics, art, the fair, and many other topics were heart-warming. This is what keeps us going and reminds us why we're doing what we do. Thank you.

We'll be jumping right back into our usual production schedule this week. I'll share more about our fall/winter events in next week's post.

In the meantime, you can leave comments below, check out our facebook page, or visit our Etsy shop.

Off to find some coffee...hope your week's a good one!

The Maine Woods

Love this time of year to walk in the woods! Really peaceful. No mosquitoes. Nice to get a little breather before gearing up for the Common Ground Fair.

I am drooling over this old stone wall. It gives me ideas for my own yard. (Who has got a strong back and likes to lug rocks?).

Here is a shout out to our wholesalers this past week who received packages in the mail: Conklin's Maine Mercantile in Belfast, ME, Treats in Wiscasset, ME, Kennebec River Artisans in Hallowell, ME, and Attentif Design in Amesbury, MA. If you are in any of those areas, please stop by and say hello for us.

Off to find some coffee and get ready for the day. If you would like to leave a comment below, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on facebook and at our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

The Pickling Project

Even though I hold out no hope of matching the puckeringly good tastiness of Morse's pickles in North Waldoboro, ME, I still wanted to try my hand at canning dill pickles again this year.

The cucumbers came from the Orono Farmers' Market.

 The garlic and dill are from my little veggie garden in the back yard.

I did learn to keep the jars in a simmering water bath as I pack them. Lost two jars when they cooled off too much. They broke when I put them back in the boiling water. I was glad I only lost two.

The weather was nice enough to set up the water bath outside on the porch. I like not having to heat up the house.

Done! I think BF and I canned 26 pints altogether. We got into a nice rhythm by the third batch. The hardest part of pickling cucumbers is waiting until they're ready to eat.

OK, off to do some work. We are getting ready for the Gilsland Farms Arts and Fine Crafts Show this coming Saturday and Sunday (August 17-18). The farm is a sanctuary maintained by the Maine Audubon, so we are really looking forward to checking it out. We hope that, if you are in the area, you will stop by our booth and say hello!

Have questions or want to tell us about your tips to getting that perfect pickle? Leave a comment below, check out our facebook page, or leave us a convo at our Etsy shop. 

A Beet Convert.

I felt compelled to pick up some beets at the farmers' market. Look at these in their richly colored glory! How could anyone possibly pass by the booth without getting some? Thing is, up until this weekend, I had never met a beet I liked.

I thought, maybe I would grill them. Everything tastes better on the grill, right? But, just about dinner time, the skies opened up with rain, lightening, and thunder. Very dramatic, but not very good for cooking beets outside on the grill. So I improvised.

I grated one beet to leave raw and cut the rest up thin. These I tossed in a skillet with some olive oil, shallots, orange zest, juice from said orange, some scallions, poppy seeds, and some white balsamic vinegar. I pan fried these just for a few minutes, then put the skillet in the oven to roast the veggies. The recipe I used is based loosely on this one.

Roasting the veggies in the oven reduced the liquids into a lovely sauce, sweetened the beets, and turned everything red. Some mozzarella sprinkled over the top and a side salad of greens and cucumbers with a mustard dressing rounded out the dish.

Definitely a beet fan, now that I know how to cook them right. Even BF said he'd have them again.

Anyway, last week was another busy one for Madder Root. We sent out tea towels, napkins, and produce bags to Archipelago in Rockland, ME, Conklin's Maine Mercantile in Belfast, ME, Rocky Acres Farm Stand in York, ME, Minka in Kennebunkport, ME, and Lisa Marie's Made in Maine, in Bath and Portland, ME, plus all our lovely Etsy customers. We do appreciate your support!

We've got our sights on August 17 and 18, 2013 when we'll be at the Gilsland Farm Art and Fine Craft Show in Falmouth, ME. Hope you'll stop by and say hi.

Want to share your favorite beet recipe? Just leave a comment below, check out our facebook page, or convo us through our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

Artisan Bread Fair

We had so much fun at the Maine Grain Alliance's Artisan Bread Fair on Saturday. It is truly one of those little treasures that make Maine summers such a great thing!

These pictures are from just one of the booths: The Bread Shack from Auburn, ME.

There were about 60 vendors represented: bread makers, cheese, wine and beer tastings, milk shakes with locally produced milk and ice cream, wood-fired pizza, music, crafts people and artisans selling their wares.

Yup, we pretty much ate our way through the day...

Along with getting ready for the fair last week, we shipped out orders to Under the Dogwood Tree in Southwest Harbor, ME and Attentif Design in Amesbury, MA. If you are in those areas, please stop by and say hello for us!

We also heard from Cindy of LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls about a giveaway she is hosting that includes one of our produce bags and a six-pack of her dryer balls. The offer is good until July 31, 2013. For more information, please check out her website.

We're also happy to hear from you on our facebook page or through our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

Healthful Treats

I've always had a sweet tooth, but lately, I've been looking for more healthful treats.

Banana Raisin Walnut Oat Bars

Last weekend, I tried these bars made from bananas, applesauce, milk, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon, and oats. I added some walnuts, which I'd probably roast next time for more flavor. I liked that the bars weren't very sweet - just whatever sugar was already in the fruit - but they were a bit bland. I'd add a little salt, maybe some orange zest, and some more spices (cloves, ginger, cardamom) next time to spruce things up a bit. Still, I'd make these cookies again.

And, then there were the chickpea, peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies.

Chickpea Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Interesting. I liked the texture of these a lot, though I think I'd add a touch more peanut butter to bring out that flavor. They were filling, too, with the chickpeas adding a bit of protein. I think these would be good for an energy boost on hikes or long bike rides.

Anyway...We had another busy week at Madder Root. We got some wholesale orders out to Window Panes in Bar Harbor, ME and Conklin's Maine Mercantile in Belfast, ME. We also sent out a bundle of tea towels made special for the Maine Grain Alliance to Skowhegan, ME. The oats tea towels will make their debut at the Kneading Conference starting Wednesday. The towels will also be at the Artisan Bread Fair this coming Saturday, July 27th (if there's any left by then!!). We'll have a booth set up Saturday, as well, so we do hope to see you there!

If you've got a favorite recipe you'd like to share, please comment below. You can also check us out at our facebook page or at our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

Yay for the OFM!

Lots to choose from at the Orono Farmers' Market this weekend (Yay!) and, even though I had to stand in line for those early tomatoes, they were totally worth the wait.

Peasant Bread, Sourdough, and Olive Loaf

The vendors were saying the combination of super rainy, then super hot days this summer is making some of the crops ready for harvest earlier than usual. Kale, garlic scapes, summer squash, greens, raspberries, strawberries...the list goes on and on.

Cucumbers, New Potatoes, and Carrots

I am sooooo addicted to this goat cheese from Olde Oak Farm. It made an especially good lunch spread on the sourdough bread with a simple salad of greens, freshly sliced cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, and some apple slices.

"Pretty" and "Gem"

We sent out some wholesale orders last week to Northern Tides in Lubec, ME and Treats in Wiscasset, ME. If you're in either of those parts of the state, please stop by and say hello for us!

We also have our sights set on the Artisan Bread Fair in Skowhegan, ME at the end of the month. We were honored when the Maine Grain Alliance asked us to design a special tea towel just for them. The tea towel will be making its debut at the bread fair, so we hope you'll stop by and check it out!

If you have questions or would like to see more of our work, please leave a comment below, check out our facebook page, or stop by our Etsy shop. We'd love to hear from you.

Hope your week's a good one!

Downeast

BF and I visited some friends in "downeast" Maine last week. It was really nice to get a change of scenery. These are some photos I took on an early morning walk.

Something about old barn doors warms my heart.

Love that these aren't just ordinary pickled eggs. They're "wicked good" pickled eggs.

Pretty tough to wake up to this scene (but someone had to do it!).

As far as Madder Root goes, we're in full swing and getting ready for the Maine Grain Alliance Artisan Bread Fair in Skowhegan, ME July 27th. This will be our second time at the fair. Looking forward to all the great food and beautiful crafts. We're working on a new product we hope will be ready that weekend.

We also sent some produce bags to LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls. Cyndi's pairing the bags with her great wool dryer balls as a special offering. More details to come.

Garry at Conklin's Maine Mercantile in Belfast, ME stocked up on produce bags and napkin sets last week as well, so if you're in the area, please stop by and say "hi" for us.

If you'd like to learn more about us, please feel free to check out our facebook page or our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

A Whole Lotta Green

It's 11:30am and I'm just noticing it's Monday. Madder Root Monday. Already. Whew! That week went fast!

Parsley and Ornamental Peppers

Remember the cold frame experiment? I've been harvesting parsley, basil, kale like crazy over the past few weeks. The shallots are in the ground and looking good. I could have planted the rest in the ground as well, but I love seeing a whole "lotta" green on my porch!

Basil

My gardens are young, so I don't have much blooming at the moment, except the rose campion. Love that little burst of color.

Last week, we got the cars unloaded from the Vintage Bazaar, sent an order of napkins and produce bags to Conklin's Maine Mercantile in Belfast, ME, and got caught up on our Etsy orders (thanks for everyone's patience while we were away at the show).

Also, the June giveway for a farmers' market set of produce bags at Kitchen Vignettes has wrapped up. Thanks to Aube for hosting us on her blog all month and to all who participated and left such nice comments! 

Anyway, I mostly wanted to get a post up and say how much we appreciate everyone who supports Madder Root on facebook, in shops (see the list to the right of this posting), and online. You keep us inspired!

Hope your week's a good one.

A Moose, a Goose, and a Fox

Three days last week I was startled by wildlife stepping out from behind tall grass or woods onto the road in front of me while I was riding my bicycle.

First, a pair of Canadian geese too startled to honk. I got past them before they regained their wits. I have to admit the phrase "wild goose chase" came to mind.

Next a moose. I wish I had pictures. It was a little eerie how quiet he was for such a big guy! We watched each other for a while before he slipped back into the woods. Exhilarating.

And, finally, a fox ran across the road in town, followed by a bunch of crows yelling at it. Awesome way to start the day!

These encounters got me thinking about inspiration. Whether drawn from nature, from the people in my community, or from within, it's worth taking a moment to be thankful for inspiration, the opportunity to be creative, and the ability to experience the simple things that bring so much joy and beauty into life.

It was a busy week again last week. Maine's "waking up" for the summer season. We sent out a package to Rocky Acres Farm Stand in York, ME. We are also printing and sewing tea towels, napkins, and produce bags for more wholesale orders going out this week. 

The Vintage Bazaar at Pettingill Farm in Salisbury, MA is coming right up: June 22 and 23, 2013. It is open from 10am to 5pm each day. There is a $5 admission fee (children free) and free parking. 125 artisans and crafters will be there, including a bunch of Mainers: On the Round, Quench Metalworks, AP Floorcloth Design, and Madder Root. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello!

In the meantime, you can reach us by commenting (below), checking out our facebook page or sending a convo through our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

Egg-citing!

Ok, lame title, but you have to admit, these are pretty awesome looking eggs.

Eggs

Got them at the Orono Farmers' Market on Saturday, along with some New Ace pepper plants (mine didn't survive the cold frame experiment), some frozen chicken pot pies (for company) and some goat cheese that I added to some pasta and fresh veggies for lunch.

More eggs

I was going to talk more about the Maine Women's Fund luncheon, but I'm still kicking around some ideas from the other women who spoke. I want to give it the attention it deserves.

Instead, I want to mention that we've partnered with Aube of the home cooking video blog "Kitchen Vignettes" for a June (2013) giveaway. To be eligible for a Farmers Market set of 4 produce bags, you'll need to check out her blog and either leave a comment saying why you'd like to win the giveaway or go to her facebook page and share the giveaway photo on your page. The full details are listed on her blog. You'll get really cool recipes and cooking tips as well, so definitely check it out!

Farmers Market Collection Set of 4 Produce Bags

We also had a chance to talk with Louis Bassano and Jim McConnon at the Penobscot County Cooperative Extension. Very helpful in answering some questions on the business side of things. Busy week!

Other than that, we're getting ready for Vintage Bazaar at Pettingill Farm the end of the month (June 22-23), and sending out wholesale orders. Last week, we sent another bundle of tea towels, napkins, and produce bags to Conklin's Maine Mercantile in Belfast, ME.

As always, you can find us at our facebook page or Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

Pizza Palooza

After a few months of slacking off making homemade pizza, it was on the menu twice this week. The first was kale pesto pizza with tomatoes, onion, and kalamata olives. Gotta love that green-green kale!

Kale Pesto Pizza Ready for the Oven

Fiddleheads (tips of ferns) are in season for just a short time in Maine and are a sure sign of spring. Got some at the Orono Farmer's Market on Saturday.

Fiddleheads

BF and I grilled them with just a little olive oil, salt and pepper, and onions. Everything tastes that much better on the grill!

Fiddleheads and Onions on the Grill

 Then we topped the pizza dough with a homemade red sauce, the fiddleheads, onions, and some feta cheese. Simple, but so yummy!

Pizza Topped with Fiddleheads, Onions, and Feta

Here's the pizza fresh out of the oven. (It didn't last long). The fiddleheads look dark, but they had a nice, grilled taste, with a crispy freshness that's hard to describe in words. Simple ingredients. Big flavor!

Fiddlehead Pizza Fresh from the Oven

Got a favorite pizza recipe to share? Let us know about it in the comment section or on our facebook page.

Last week, we sent a couple packages of tea towels, napkins, and produce bags out to Casual Interiors, in Boothbay Harbor, ME and Lisa-Marie's Made in Maine. Her stores are in Bath and Portland, ME. You can also find us online at our Etsy shop.

This week, Janyce will be speaking at the Maine Women's Fund Leadership luncheon in Portland, ME on Thursday. Should be a fun time! More about that in next week's post.

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Peaceful Bike Ride

Something peaceful about starting the day with a bike ride. I always love the fog lifting off the river.

Didn't see any deer this morning. Usually, they're in the fields or on the bike path. I've learned to "snort" to get them to move out of the way. Otherwise, they just stand there staring.

Nothing much new in the gardens. Still waiting for the lupine to bloom.

 Anyway, off to do some sewing. We're getting ready to send out some orders this week. We'll post those on our facebook page, once they've gone out. You can also find us any time at our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

Vibrancy

The word for the day: vibrancy. It's spring. The sun's out and warm. The plants are growing in leaps and bounds. Some have bloomed, adding color to the yard's palette. Bees are buzzing. Lawn mowers are revving up. Gardens are being dug (at least at my house!). Nice to be able to get some yard work done this weekend before the mosquitoes and black flies join in the fray. Here are some pictures from the week:

Bleeding Heart's bloomed.

Herbs from the local greenhouse.

Shallots are in the ground.

Astilbe's gaining foliage.

We sent a big package of towels, napkins, and produce bags to Conklin's Maine Mercantile last week. We also heard that Lisa Marie's Made in Maine has expanded their Bath store, so we hope you'll stop in to say hello for us. Janyce was also invited to speak at a Maine Women's Fund leadership luncheon on May 23, 2013 so stay tuned for more news about that.

If you'd like to know more about us, please check out our facebook page or stop by our Etsy shop.

Hope your week's a good one!

Sun's Coming Up

The sun's coming up on the container garden.

The kale's looking strong.

The basil's looking and smelling yummy.

The shallots are ready to go into the ground some time this week. It's tough taking a good picture of those, so here are the daffodils instead! They'll be in full bloom this week as well.

We got tea towels out to Betsy's Sunflower in Brooklin, ME last week. She's opening shop on April 30th. We also sent a bundle of towels to Bowerbird and Friends, in Peterborough, NH, a package of towels and produce bags to Archipelago (The Island Institute Store), in Rockland, ME, and stopped by Conklin's Maine Mercantile in Belfast, ME with some whale tea towels (we'll be shipping Garry more items this week). If you're in any of these areas, we do hope you'll stop by and say hello for us!

If you'd like to check out our Etsy Shop or like us on facebook, that's cool, too. We'd love to hear from you!

Hope your week's a good one.