What a Wonderful Year!!!!!

There has been a lot going this pass year with Bayberry Meadow and personally.

We attended a several Farmers' Markets that included being a guest vendor once a month in Coventry and Ellington.  When we were not off doing a colonial event, we were also at the Meriden market as well.  Unfortunately, due to our schedule, we were invited to attend the South Windsor market during the summer month, but could not fit the dates in.  Instead, we did their Winter Market for 4 weeks, where we were able to let people know of our product line and was able to attend for 3 weeks in December at the Coventry market.  LOVED seeing returning customers as well as the new friends I made this year!

Had gone to Los Angeles, California in June for a conference, which was my first time out west.  In July, I went to a colonial event at Fort Niagara.  It was awesome and made sure that I made time to spend one day in Canada.  Visited a couple botanical gardens while I was there.

I LOVED California so much, that I went again in August, but this time to Yosemite with my friend, Jo-Ann.  This was a trip that was in my bucket list for over 25 years.  The mountains were just glorious!!!!!  We stayed just outside the park area and we covered a different area each time we were there.  We would arrive between 9 or 10 in the morning and would watch the sunset at different parts of the park.  My favorite was when we were at Glacier Point, viewing Half Dome.  What a view!!!!!

 

 

What amazed me the most, was the terrain, how tress were able to grow from just about any area, including among the rocks.  The people there were very pleasant and yes, I did put it back into my bucket list, for another adventure there!

 



Then it was off to San Francisco.  Need I say more!!!!!

 

 

 

 

The Fall Season markets kept us busy with our handmade soaps, skin salves and whipped shea butters.  Many of our new customers were the younger generation with very sensitive skin or with skin conditions.  Our Savory Garlic blend was a huge success and we plan on having them in mason jars for the new year with our Garden Blend.  As for our teas, our collection of Colonial Teas with a bit of history was a big seller.  Our Superior Gunpowder, Lichee Congou, Young Hyson and Lapsang teas are similar to what was available during the 1600 - 1800s and what was thrown in the Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party.  Jasmine also has been a big hit this year as well.

 

So as we approach the new year, I want to thank everyone for stopping by our booth or encampment, to enjoy some of our products, learn a little about the history behind our products or just to say hello.  We could not have done it without you!!!!

 

May you all (especially those dear and close to my heart) have a wonderful holiday season with many blessings of happiness, love, health and peace for the New Year!!!!!!

 

 



 

 



Wonderful Year and Season!

Can't believe that Fall has come and the leaves have just about fallen from the trees.  There is still some color, but with the cool weather, its almost time to snuggle in our warm houses as the sun fades to the west earlier.

Its been an awesome year with the Farmers' Markets and colonial events.  Our herbal blends for cooking and black/green teas were very popular with the customers at the events.  We also found the need to expand in our skin care products and see what your needs are for the up-coming year.  We thank you all for continuing to think of us.

What we looking forward to for the rest of the year?  We hope to attend atleast one Winter Farmers' Market and continue to be available for any special orders you may need.  We are also looking forward in having a new herbal blend or two for next year, as we are in the process of testing some out in our kitchen.  Unfortuantely, we thought it would be ready for the Fall season, but some items that we had ordered did not come in on time or was mislabeled.  Good thing we know our spices!!!!!  Definately know the difference between nutmeg and anise!

So, if our paths do not cross during the winter months, do stay in touch.  Think of us, when you are having that cup of Buckingham Palace Garden Party Tea, while snuggled in your favorite chair and with your cozy comforter, dreaming for Spring to come.

Be well and healthy!!!!!

Good day to ALL!!!!

Today we are blessed with a wonderful sunny day, perfect time for working in the garden.  But the best part of it all, this is the time in which Connecticut Farmers Markets are starting to come alive, AGAIN!!!!!!!!

It is also the beginning of our season for encampments and Farmers Markets.  We will be returning to Coventry Farmers' Market, where we were a guest vendor for a number of their events and have been blessed with many friendships. I am happy to announce that we are scheduled to attend their market, once a month. There are a few Colonial events that we will also attend as well, but not posted below.  The events will be posted on our facebook page.

This year, Bayberry Meadow Herbs was also invited to participate in a couple of other markets as well.  Come out and say hello, sometime this season! Unfortunately, we will not be at all locations every month.  You can also email us at bayberrymeadow@cox.net with any questions or requests you may have.

For the month of May:

May 27th - West Suffield Farmers Market - Located at Ebb's Corner, at the intersection of Route 168 and Babbs Road, West Suffield, CT.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.


June

June 2nd - Ellington Farmers Market - Arbor Park, Main Street, Ellington, CT.  From 9a.m. to noon.

June 3rd - Coventry Farmers' Market - Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street, Coventry, CT.  From 11a.m. to 2p.m.

July 

July 14th - Meriden Farmers Market - tentative

July 15th - West Suffield Farmers Market - Located at Ebb's Corner, at the intersection of Route 168 and Babbs Road, West Suffield, CT.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 21st - Ellington Farmers Market -  Arbor Park, Main Street, Ellington, CT.  From 9a.m. to noon.

July 22nd - Coventry Farmers' Market - Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street, Coventry, CT.  From 11a.m. to 2p.m.

August

August 18th - Meriden Farmers Market - tentative

August 19th - West Suffield Farmers Market - Located at Ebb's Corner, at the intersection of Route 168 and Babbs Road, West Suffield, CT.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 25th - Ellington Farmers Market -  Arbor Park, Main Street, Ellington, CT.  From 9a.m. to noon.

August 26th - Coventry Farmers' Market - Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street, Coventry, CT.  From 11a.m. to 2p.m.

September
 
September 8th - Ellington Farmers Market -  Arbor Park, Main Street, Ellington, CT.  From 9a.m. to noon.

September 9th - West Suffield Farmers Market - Located at Ebb's Corner, at the intersection of Route 168 and Babbs Road, West Suffield, CT.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

September 15th - Meriden Farmers Market - tentative

September 16th - Coventry Farmers' Market - Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street, Coventry, CT.  From 11a.m. to 2p.m.

October

October 6th - Meriden Farmers Market - tentative

October 14th - Coventry Farmers' Market - Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street, Coventry, CT.  From 11a.m. to 2p.m.

October 20th - Ellington Farmers Market -  Arbor Park, Main Street, Ellington, CT.  From 9a.m. to noon.

October 21st - West Suffield Farmers Market - Located at Ebb's Corner, at the intersection of Route 168 and Babbs Road, West Suffield, CT.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 Please note that we will not have our handmade soaps at the Ellington Farmers Market, but expect them in our other events. We will have our herbal cooking blends, Colonial teas as well as an assortment of new teas, herbal skin salves, herbal bath blends.  During our cooler weather, we will have our whipped shea butter moisturizer, sugar scrubs and solid lotion bars.  You can email us if you have a special requests for gift baskets, or any occasion.

Have a Spring Day!!!!!
Rose

Butter Toffee Nuts

Went to the SWAP at the Coventry Farmers' Market today and what a delight it was.  I got a chance to see a few friends that I haven't seen since October.  Upon request, I brought some of our sea salts, our mixture of Herbes D Provence and I made some Butter Toffee Nut mix.  I found the recipe on oprah.com since it was one of her tasty homemade gifts list.

The first time I made the nut mix, was for a family holiday gathering in December and it was a hit.  I then made them for New Year's eve. I made a huge container full, approx. 18 cups worth (easily) and before the night was gone, alot of it was gone, as well.  If you chose to try making them, keep in mind that you need a good strong arm, as you continue to stir the mixture from a powdery state, to a glossy smooth texture.  I did leave some of the sugary state on the nuts, just to give it alittle different texture and flavor.  http://www.oprah.com/food/Butter-Toffee-Nuts-with-Sea-Salt .  I did change the recipe alittle and did not put the sea salt on the mixture, since I used raw sugar.  I wanted the taste of the molasses to come through.  I also continued to stir the sugary mixture until it was becoming thick and a nice light brown color, before adding the nuts.  Finished the cooling mixture with a touch of fresh grated nutmeg, before the mixture cooled completely.

My mixture consisted of pecans, walnuts, cashews and peanuts.  Looking through my photos, I thought I had a photo of one of the batches, but I guess not.  Anyway, enjoy.  Let me know what you added to the original recipe.  Did you add alittle heat to it?  Used your favorite sea salt?  Added alittle dark chocolate?

Have a great day!

How about a cup of tea?

Now that things have slowed down some, looks like I need to catch up on my knowledge of some of the teas we will be carrying this year.  Its been over a month since I drank coffee on a daily bases and drinking tea instead.  So here is one I would like to share with you.

This is a new one for me - Russian Caravan.  Its considered to be a specialty tea, combining orange pekoe teas from three different countries, India, China and Sri Lanka (from the regions of Assam, Fujian and Colombo).  The altitudes are 1700 ft., 1500 ft., and 5200 feet above sea level, which makes the harvested tea taste different due to their surroundings and amount of rainfall.  This tea has has some light toasty notes, with a hint of the smokey Lapsang.

The history of this tea originates from the 18th Century.   In the city of Xian in central China, there is a historical marker that is thought to be the beginning of the Silk Road trail (that lead to central Asia covering the Caucuses and the Black Sea areas).  One of the trade supplies that was taken along the Silk Road is tea, which was transported on camel trains. It would take atleast 6 months to make the six thousand mile journey from the borders of China to Russia.  The Lapsang Souchong gives it the hint of mystery, since the mysterious character of the tea was absorbed on the trail from the campfires during the evening or from the camels themselves.  Just imagine the starry nights on the plains of Asia on route with such a precious cargo of tea, enroute to the courts of St Petersburg.  You are hunkering down under your blanket, sipping tea that is fit for a king, while trying to keep warm from the cold night air.  As you drink this luxury black tea, just imagine, Now this is the Life! 

No worries here, having it transported by camels!!!!!!!  If you like the smokey taste of Lapsang, chances are you may like this tea as well.

Cheers!!!!!