PTB

The farmwork never stops. But we implore ourselves to find the play in between the chores. Counting stems becomes a game. Racing down the farm road is a contest. Watching in awe as an incredible hatch of flying insects burst into clouds above the pasture and giggle in delight at the birds swooping and diving to feast. An umbrella provides sun shade and becomes a prop in an impromptu play and supporting monologue.

A lot of farming these days looks like handing off the kiddo so one of us can squeeze in a 20minute work session. It's also a lot of freezer inventory and packing buckets full of flowers into the minivan for deliveries. It's remembering that preschool pickup is in 10 minutes when I'm elbow deep in potting soil. Basically, it's not photogenic or share-worthy, or when it is I simply don't have the capacity to get my phone out and share. It's also been so hot and so dry and so weedy and humbling at every turn.

Years ago I read an essay by Mary Oliver about the personality of a trap door spider she befriended while on a writing retreat. I was reminded of the story today when I came across these two while harvesting amaranth. Hot biscuits amaranth to be exact. I spent the rest of the morning noticing all kinds of tiny creatures while going about my work, glad we maintain a strict no spray policy so we get a glimpse of the mighty universes that surround us everyday.

It rained. And now a wave of relief washes over us as we can literally watch the grass grow for the first time in months. August green up is better than no green up.

August meatboxes are dropping!!

One thing I thought I'd never be able to do as a farmer is take a summer vacation. But this year marked several milestones in our family and so (with help and support of lots of friends and family) we did! And now we're back from admiring English gardens and playgrounds and connecting with long lost cousins and sweet old uncles and their spaniels.

We are refreshed and ready for a productive second half of the year! Our online store refreshed, we're already preparing for Cobblestone Farmers Market on Saturday, we're about to restock Aubrey Cupit in time for this evenings open hours, and we're set to release the August meatboxes as well! Also BOLO for our fall freezer sale info - it's almost that time of year again!

June is almost over and next week it will be July. July is a hot month filled with long summer days. If you don't want to have to plan your farmers market forays around how to keep your meat frozen (pro tip: come early and pack your insulated bag!!) then order a meat box! Our July meat boxes might just have a few surprises so be sure to get yours!! Options for the PTB meatbox are: small (10lbs) or large (20lbs), subscription (monthly/recurring) or one time. Pickup is by appointment on the farm ~ about 20min north of downtown Greensboro

This week we celebrate 12 years of marriage. Twelve years of building a farm, a business, a house, a family, and a life together. I think I read somewhere this one is considered the silk anniversary, but I'm going to call it the basil anniversary. And I'm going to make pesto this weekend. You should too, even if you're not celebrating.