There's a mess..

On my floor, "desk", couch and countertop..

Spring was supposed to have sprung.. and now instead we have a full-blown winter storm on our hands again. So, today, on this marvelous day off.. I paint!

But, what to paint.. with one custom order (really, a wedding gift for a friend), two Etsy randoms and a massive five-vinyl series dedicated to "how do you like your coffee?".. I'm surrounded by symmetrical art and my hands are covered in paint splotches. If only I was born this way, I would've saved more than my fair share of tattoo money..

So.. how do YOU like your coffee??

-Benny

Saturday Blogging..

Well, it seems like a tradition now that I sit with coffee and market-treat in hand on Saturday mornings and check up on the internet world. Etsy shop usually comes first (I'm addicted.. this usually branches off to the Craftcult Heartomatic too..).. then twitter, where I catch up on other's blog lives (trying to enter some giveaways and such there too.. you never know!).. and after all is said and done, sit back and type up a little something about the market for y'all.

It was -16 degrees this morning with the windchill factor.. it's supposed to be spring! Temperature aside, the sun is starting to stick around a bit more.. and shine just that much brighter in the sky.. I can feel the little sprouts and shoots pushing around in the soil.. the time for renewal and rebirth is here. I'm working on a new painting with this as the theme... & hope to have it up here by next weekend.

On a completely different note, I was accepted into a one-week intensive course on Prince Edward Island called Certified Organic Crop Inspection.. the basic certification needed to inspect land and crops to ensure Certified Organic status. I need to buy rubber boots (I left my old, really nice ones, on the dairy farm). It's an amazing opportunity and step forward in life for me.. I've been feeling so stifled in my seemingly endless chain of cheffing jobs. This will be a way to get back into the farming life again somewhat and assist those who want to get into organics. As an inspector, I'll be in a consulting and support role as well... helping out new farms trying to get established and also working with those transitioning to certified status. My Mother is already calling me the crop cop. Priceless.

As an aside.. it seems like more and more people in their late 20's and early 30's are feeling the pull of the land. Young couples and even young single mothers are starting up small, organic farms all over the country. I can't say how happy this makes me feel... makes it seem like our dream of doing the same thing (while maintaining necessary off-farm income as well) might actually be attainable. My hands are itching to plant right now with the ground thawing out... I wonder if we could break out onto the roof of this apartment building and set up some soil platforms.. ? *grin*

Cheers & have a great day!
-Benny

Beeswax candles, more turnovers and cucumbers!

Cucumbers! We found cucumbers at the market!

Ohhhh boyyy... you know what this means.. in a few short weeks (ok, maybe several), there'll be green crunchy things of all sorts. Then colourful things of all sorts! My mouth is watering thinking of fruits and spicy arugula and tomatoes and melon..

I was lucky enough to spend all of last summer in paradise (Salt Spring Island, BC) apprenticing on an organic farm, cheesemaking. My best friend was the daughter (and chief worker) of the greatest organic produce farm and orchard on the island.. this meant many trades of cheese for veggies and cider and cantaloupe. Honestly, I've never had cantaloupe taste like honey until then.. dripping down my arms as I snuck samples (traded samples) from their stand all season.

The sun is just starting to shine above the business towers of downtown Halifax and the spring bug has it's fangs deep into my ankle.. too bad that it's minus 15 here today.

The market today was a bit slow, even for 7:30 am.. I heard rumours that it's because it's March break... BAH.. if I had kids running around, I'd be dragging them up to the market before sunrise to fill their mouths with turnovers and their eyes with delight.

Cheers,
-Benny

Etsy Mini - Benny and the Jet

Sunshine, apple turnovers and banjos..

I love the farmers market.

I mean really, I think that if I could be stuck in one place for ever.. I would choose for it to be inside the market.  We go every Saturday at 7am.. (yes... AM) and do our rounds..  Busting through the metal doors, you're always met with some fantastic blast of cinnamon-bun smells and lively banjo folk, the best way to rub that sleep out of your eyes. 

First, the fish guy where we usually nab a sea trout, then on to our favourite funky young farmers where we grab veggies (down to onions, cabbage, carrots & potatoes right now.. but oh, spring is coming!!). Downstairs to the bread people.. there's always a long line for this one.. but there are tons of fun booths to look at while you wait.. (I bought a print of a little orange fishing house today that i've been ooogling for months).  With two apple turnovers in hand, it's time for the goat cheese (and goat yogurt!).. with a sometimes stop at the always-smiling free-range/organic pork and beef farmers.  They are such a treat to see.. a gorgeous couple of couples run this sustainable farm, can answer (or find the answer) to any questions we might have & throw warm vibes out to everyone that passes.

Now, my true weakness.. the 75 cent maple sugar leaf.  This guy sees me coming from across the room... I grin because I'm excited for the delicious sugar rush, and because he's still wearing a huge fur winter hat.. plus he always makes a crack about me not being sweet enough.. heh.

Back upstairs to grab some apples and cider, the occasional german pretzel, and to drop whatever coins are left into the banjo case on the way out.

Emerging from the market, we're met with a sun so bright that it burns the winter fuzz off of our eyes.. blinking to regain sight, holding the door for the family coming in on our way out.. we meet the day with renewed energy, replenished food stores and a healthy respect for people once again.

Inspiration!

Mother's Day is creeping up on me!

Etsy is always abuzz with promotions relating to items geared for the next "holiday".. after seeing more than my fill of shamrocks and awful, creepy leprechauns, I've realized that Mother's Day is also just around the corner.  (I don't do Easter..).  Now, Moms are something that I adore & can gear some product towards!  New moms, hip moms, moms that are nostalgic about their vinyl collections of the 70's, funky and stylish older children that want to show off their love for their moms by NOT getting that Mom-Heart tattoo but by getting my Mom heart recycled vinyl pendant...

Father's Day is just another can of worms all together... I suggest just going ahead and getting a Dad heart tattoo for that one.  Dad's appreciate pain for gain.. and the occasional showing of public affection... like every time that I roll up my sleeves.

Oh holidays are grand.  I'm seriously considering getting the Homeschoolers Fun-Day calendar so that I can have ridiculous celebrations on a daily basis! (There's an official sticky-bun day to teach about how yeast works & such... oh Yes!!).

Cheers & happy sunshine day!

-Benny

Blog, revisited!

Oh ma gosh.. i forgot that i did, INDEED have a blog!

Well, here's the update.

I've been on local student-powered radio chatting about crafting, Etsy and recycling vinyl records.  My new catch-phrase is definitely "turning something unloved into something lovable once again".. aww. Isn't that adorable.

Even with this nutty ice storm happening, I'm sure that spring is just around the corner.. all of my newest work is full of leafy renewal and brightness!

Cheers,

-Benny