my soul to keep

a perfect weekend song

2010-07-24T12:34:00.000-06:00

summer markets!

2010-07-13T19:54:00.000-06:00

www.facebook.com/mysoultokeep

Just posted photos of our new stuff (and favorites from seasons past). Remember the eco-happiness? Looking forward to seeing who'll be carrying it...

CSA happiness

2010-07-10T13:37:00.001-06:00

I'm working on the final exam for the Preservation Law course I took a few weeks ago. All I really want to do is figure out what to do with our CSA delivery that came a couple of days ago. Doesn't all that bounty look amazing? Think I'll go get a carrot to munch on while reviewing the readings - hopefully it'll help me concentrate...

Lavender Festival!

2010-06-25T18:06:00.000-06:00

We're really looking forward to participating in the lavender festival after a visit to Los Poblanos to help set things up...they have a great weekend planned for people. All kinds of fun and music, and education - we're doing short classes on making therapeutic bath salts. Bella the dog is coming with us now - she spent the afternoon investigating the grounds and chewing grass like a cow. Off to make some sachets now...

eco-inspiration and happiness

2010-06-20T11:38:00.000-06:00

We've been making samples for days now, to send to the trade shows. One new textile we're using is eco-felt (made from recycled plastic bottles) - I'm in love with this stuff...the colors are so happy! Happy is our new focus - soothing is important and still remains central - but happy and uplifting seem just as important these days too. We'll post photos tomorrow, but today I just wanted to say happy happy to everyone (but mostly to all the fathers out there!)

samba, baby, samba!

2010-06-19T18:14:00.000-06:00

small joys

2010-06-12T19:22:00.000-06:00

Local Food Festival

2010-06-06T16:34:00.004-06:00

We went to the Local Food Festival today at the Hubbell House in the South Valley. I want to go back to spend more time in the house. The festival itself was great, with a decent turnout (despite 100+ temperatures). Hoping lots of people learned what's happening in our local foodshed (like a watershed, only agricultural). Enjoyed the Squash Blossom Boys' picking and playing. Between the heat, the music, and the sitting on haybales, it felt like we were back in Austin. I miss it sometimes, but am so thankful to be in New Mexico again - it's beautiful and I get to spend time with old friends. My best friend from high school, Patty, just started a business of her own - Mojo Mama's, with her friend, Helen. They make the best sassy little muffins in the state. I'll write more about their adventures later this week.

if you love fish + sustainability and have about 15 minutes...

2010-06-04T10:29:00.004-06:00

it's the little discoveries...

2010-05-30T17:00:00.002-06:00

We're huge music fans, and I think these kids from Memphis (that my dear friend Tom turned me on to) might become a new obsession...

butterflies and botanicals

2010-05-30T15:44:00.004-06:00

David has been volunteering at the Rio Grande Botanical Garden for the past week. He tells me the Butterfly Pavilion is now open...I love butterfly pavilions - looking forward to seeing this one, but keep revisitng the one at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Did anyone see that program about the Monarch and its travels?

Some people think hordes of butterflies landing on them is creepy, and after watching Avatar it might feel a little cheesy...but I'm betting it's still an experience somewhere between overwhelming and amazing.

friends

2010-05-28T10:28:00.002-06:00

I was finding the whole prospect of starting a blog a little daunting. What could I possibly write about that others would find interesting?

Inspiration came yesterday while on the phone with one of our suppliers, and I thought of course! I could spend some time sharing my friends' wonders...

Clairmont Farms in Los Olivos, California (it's in the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara) grow the most amazing lavender - the lavender buds are the only ones we use in our sachets and bath salts. Glen and Meryl, and their son Sean, work their entirely organic farm, make great products themselves, and also raise chickens. They're lovely people and it's always a joy to speak with them.

Here's the link to their website: www.clairmontfarms.com - check the news section, their farm diary is featured in this month's Farm + Ranch Magazine...interesting if you're obsessed with finding the perfect lavender, like I am.

They're open to the public - the info. is also available on their website...tell 'em I said hi!