Between the festivities of last week (Shop Local Saturday, our First Year Shop Anniversary — thank you all who came out to listen to the baker sing and celebrate with us!, and the finalization of my degree process — with Two Fat Cats Bakery cupcakes and a little effervescence with folks at Table Bar) and the weather of this week (making our internet spotty at the house), I have been remiss at sharing in this space. So, here’s a ‘day in the life’ adrift from the schedule we normally work in.
After the first of the new year we are going to have 2 days off together (closing the shop for both Wednesday and Thursday) so that we can feel like human-beings again (most of our days off we are still managing things for the shop, this might allow a little time off for other things). It’s hard as a family shop to remind the public that we are people, too. Many folks would prefer if we were open seven days a week and had all the things all the time, but as actual people making community and doing our best to make this kind of space, it’s harder than it looks and does not fit the corporate model. We need to rethink the ‘downtown ethos’ and remember and care for each other as people, not just factories for immediate satisfaction. With that said, we are so grateful for the folks who are building this re-membering of community with us.
Some of my favorite moments this week was the gentleman who told us that our bread helps his diabetes (he’s losing weight and maintaining his blood sugar — not the first time we’ve heard this! wonderful!). Or the meeting of the homeschooled minds in the lounge area (I think I heard them discuss the size of their feet, dance moves, and kids teaching kids cooking classes!). Or the folks that come in and feel represented, cared for, and safe in a space that respects them for the lovely people they are, and told me so while buying clever little revolutionary pamphlets and handbound poetry.
At the homestead, the snow is a little deep and hangs heavy on the trees. A snow gal is watching over us in their ballgown, the silhouettes of deer munch under the apple trees and alongside the rose bushes, holiday decorations are being pulled out and readied — the event calendar opened and shared. With windows telling us to have a pancake breakfast, spa day, pomegranates, chocolate/candy treats, books, records, lottery tickets, family singalong, game night, go on a country drive to see night decorations (with car popcorn and pop music), open gifts and stocking stuffers, with a final opening of the door on the Solstice where we get take-out! D makes a new decorated facade every year over our designated type-tray squares. This year with cut-out figures in the window like a cat and an alien (why not?). We’re thinking about going out to find our ‘Charlie Brown’ white pine sapling for our Solstice tree today (it’s how J keeps the population down in our back field and I like the sparse airy openness of the white pine saplings, beside the free-ness).
The child and I had a lovely snow day on Monday, resplendent with cozying up on the couch to watch some period pieces while mending/sewing and then making a lovely roasted Moroccan Chicken with Preserved Lemons, Green Olives, and Saffron Potatoes (it was divine). While the baker made bagels and prepared for the Tuesday orders. Things are coming together for us, we hope you will join us!
Rock Bottom Homestead 