*~*Botanica’s Christmas Bazaar*~*

Saturday, November 28, 2009 10:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday, November 29, 2009 12:00 noon – 5:00pm

A great time to get your Christmas shopping out of the way…

while supporting local artisans, growers and producers!

Botanica will have our wonderful Christmas gifts and decor including

fresh wreaths, garland, and centerpieces!

Craft Vendors will be offering unique gifts

Reflections of Africa’s bead work

Handmade Swarovski & Silpada designed jewelry

Wooden nativity scenes

Personalized stationary by The Envelope Please and Itouch

Handcrafted baskets

Painted ceramic tiles

Christmas ornaments

Mary Kay® products.

Kentucky Proud Members will be bringing

Fresh produce

Jams and jellies

Homemade soaps

Beer cheese

State-winning local honey from Keith Green

Hand blended herb seasoning from Herb’n Renewal®

Goodies from Karamel Kreations

Handmade quilts

Gourd birdhouses

Animal fiber art/felting/spinning

And, so much more!

~*~ Refreshments will be provided ~*~

Bring 1 canned food item for a chance to win a custom designed wreath!

Food donations are going to The Lighthouse Ministries

Directions:

From Lexington, go out Richmond Road to Jacobson Park and bear right on Old Richmond Road. Go exactly 4 miles

From I-75 go to the Athens-Richmond Road exit, go to Jacobson Park (about 2-3 miles), turn left on Old Richmond Road and go exactly 4 miles 

Well, heck…it’s been quite a past few weeks for us! Robin and Drew decided to close Caros after struggling to make ends meet for the past year. It was a hard decision because they both believed in Caros. I’m going to quote Robin because she said it much better than I ever could have.

“Sometimes the odds really do make success a longshot. Caros- The Best Little Joint Downtown, will be closing its doors on Friday November 13th after 3 years of “downtown revitalization.” I don’t know how the handicappers called it, but small business downtown looks sorely like the old gray nag! Starting with the unutilized block that was razed in the center of town, to a parking authority harassing employers, employees and clientele, to a dwindling daytime population due to layoffs and closings, and on to the city leaders bright ideas and so called plan…The Limestone Streetscape Project…Caros has had enough! With credit markets locked tighter than the Mayor’s office door, and the prospect of a viable business plan in downtown obliterated, the loss of another small business downtown will likely be seen as “collateral damage” suffered for the good of the city. Perhaps it’s fitting that a company with enormous experience, willpower, and spirit be put out to pasture downtown.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to those who have supported us and laughed with us…we do ‘preciate ya!!!
Robin, Drew and “Stella”

So, where does that leave the “herbfolks” at Herb’n Renewal? At home and back on the farm together again! That’s right, Karin and Drew are semi back to normal! Drew is taking a few days off to catch his breath but after that he will be in full swing out in the kitchen blending up a storm. Karin gets to go back to being the label printer, soap maker and herb stuffer! Lol

Life changes and you have to go with it…that’s what we are doing. It almost seems like we are going backwards but we’re not. We have great plans for Herb’n Renewal! Stayed tuned to see what we are doing.

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated our blog but that has a bunch to do with the fact that we are soooooo busy in real life! Drew is still the “GrillMan” at Caros restaurant during the week and I am now the Herb’n Renewal human on the farm! EEK! Yes, I have learned, after a few mishaps, how to blend our seasonings! Have to admit that some customers purchased our Good’n Garlicky in a “not so grinded” state but they seemed to love it all them same. Lol Drew just rolled his eyes and I’m sure screamed under his breath because of my mistake, but it all worked out just fine in the end.

Okay, now about what’s going on at Herb’n Renewal. As most of you know, we were members of the Lexington Farmers’ Market for many years and we loved it for most them. But there comes a time when you have to decide if something that you love doing is a “job” or fun. We decided it was a job and that’s not a good thing. When something that you love doing becomes a chore it is time for a change. We were not happy for the past few years with the “goings on” at the market and we made the decision to leave. It was hard…we miss our friends. But we had our reasons for leaving and it has turned out to be a great decision on our part.

Herb’n Renewal is now a proud member of the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market and I couldn’t be happier! I say “I” because Drew stays home on Saturday to take care of the mowing, weeding, general chores that he thinks I can’t handle, etc. In other words, you will only see Karin at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market unless Drew gets talked into being a guest chef and hands out his wonderful samples! Which, by the way, he did at our Customer Appreciation Day a few weeks ago.

The Bluegrass Farmers’ Market is a dream come true for me. I’m having fun while trying to earn a living. My fellow farmers are the very best around. We have one fellow who makes sure that he finds something to do even after he packs his truck up after a long day of sales. Know why? He wants to make sure that all of the gals that sell at the market get their vans and trucks started before they leave! He’s a sneaky guy and he thinks we don’t know what he is doing…we do and we appreciate it. It’s the camaraderie that is always present at this market, something that had left the other market.

So, Herb’n Renewal is alive and doing very well at Lexington’s only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market. One that is really full of farmers and producers. Genuine, honest, “I grew, baked, produced, canned it” folks! We started to miss that and it’s so nice to find a home where we really feel like farmers rule!!!!

Now that you know what has happened to Herb’n Renewal, come visit us at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market. We’re set up each Saturday from 9 until 2 (unless it is pouring down rain) at 3450 Richmond Rd. It’s right next to the Glenn Auto Mall, just outside Man ‘O War Blvd. I promise, parking is so very convenient, it’s easy to maneuver wheelchairs and strollers and we still bring dog biscuits to the market so dogs are always welcome!

Check out the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market blog at http://www.localharvest.org/blog/29529/

We’d love to have you visit us at our new home!

Herb’n Renewal is happy once again at a farmers market!!!

Drew is still blending his wonderful herb seasoning and Karin is still packing them…she’s also still making her wonderful soaps!  Plus, she’s getting ready to start doing her fabulous holiday gift baskets!

Life at Caros has been soooooo busy!  We’ve remodeled, added new equipment and brightened “The Joint” up!   It’s funny how your life changes when you least expect it.  Drew swore he would never go back into the restaurant business and here is, partner in Caros!  Karin never thought she would be “running” the farm by herself and other than using the tractor she is managing!  All those years of selling at the Lexington Farmers’ Market have been put aside for the newest challange in their lives.  Well, sort of…we’re still setting up our booth each Saturday inside Caros.

Yup, we have the same great herb blends, the wonderful homemade soaps and even our gift holiday gift baskets will soon make an appearance!  You can find us each Saturday from 7am until 1pm inside Caros on So. Upper St.  It’s just around the corner from the Lexington Farmers’ Market!  And, don’t forget that you can always give us a call at (859) 548-3516 or email us at rubnseason@aol.com to place an order.  And, our website at www.herbnrenewal.com is open for business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

It appears as though my letter to the editor of the Herald-Leader newspaper has brought up some questions.

http://www.kentucky.com/595/story/466161.html

Many of the emails that I have received are asking me where I thought the problems the market had, came from. Here’s my reply, and yes…I am sending them out just as written to everyone who wants a reply.

“Well, in my opinion it started about 5 years ago when Janet Eaton with the Kentucky Ag. Dept. suggested that the board (I was on it at the time) use the services of Larry Snell, Kentucky Center for Cooperative Development, to show us how to better the market.  He made many suggestions one being that the market change the way the ByLaws were written.  The board worked almost an entire year trying to come up with new bylaws with his guidance.  There were only two of us, myself and Jane O’Tiernan, who thought they were going in a wrong direction.  The new bylaws gave the board the right to do anything without having to ask the farmer membership…including changing the rules at will.  The board was told that we had to put up a united front on the day of the general meeting in which the membership got to vote on the new bylaws.  I stood up and advised everyone to read them carefully.  Unfortunately, I think everyone was confused and befuddled at the time and when one, soon to be on the new board, person called for a point of order the vote went through and the farmers lost any rights they ever had.   In my opinion, it’s gone downhill ever since.

Karin “

I can’t say any more or any less about my opinion and my reason for writing the letter. It’s simple…you do not bite the “knickers” of someone who has some control over who gets FREE space on a public road in downtown Lexington!!!

Here’s the link to the article that Beverly Fortune wrote in case you did not get to read it.

Drew is now helping Robin out at Caros restaurant each weekday and he’s finding out he can still be a pretty darn good fry cook! lol  On Saturday, I’ve been setting up our “wares” inside where it has been dry and warm vs. the outdoor market where Mother Nature has not been so good.  Robin fixes a mean omelet and Drew mans the grill for lunch, so stop by and say “howdy” and enjoy some really good “joint” food!

The clothes lines have been busy all week with this gorgeous sun and light winds.  I’m trying to get a jump on the spring laundry before the rain and cold temps hit us next week.  I wish you all could have heard us last night when we crawled into bed.  The ooooh’s and aaaah’s were quite loud…you’d think we were doing something other than snuggling into our fresh smelling clean sheets!!!  I’m telling you that I will never go back to drying them in a clothes dryer again.  That outdoor fresh scent cannot be duplicated.

I’m still baking a bunch only now it seems to be more cookies than bread.  Drew is the bread eater in our family and he’s so darn tired when he gets home he really doesn’t want much food but he sure can find space for a cookie or two!  It’s fun to play with recipes.  I found myself without any eggs and I really wanted to bake…that’s not an easy task but I did a search, asked a few friends and came up with a recipe that Drew said tasted like store bought “Pecan Sandies.”  Not a pecan one in the recipe, but what the heck, he enjoyed them.

Here’s the recipe…

I made the “egg” thingie before I started mixing the rest of the stuff.

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon flour

1 ½ tablespoons water

Then I semi stole the recipe posted on Frugal Friends, with a bit of modification, for cookies

1 1/3 c flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspon baking powder

½ cup butter, softened

¾ c sugar

egg stuff

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons peanut butter

½ c corn flakes, hand crushed

Preheat oven to 375. Mix the flour, baking soda and baking powder; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream the sugar and butter until smooth. Beat in egg stuff, peanut butter and vanilla. Gradually blend in dry ingredients. Stir in corn flakes. It’s stiff dough!!! Take about a tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball them semi press flat; place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

They are not very peanut buttery…just a hint. They are more on the dry vs. moist side…crunchy!  If I had ice cream I would love to try them in a homemade ice cream sandwich. I liked them, but what do I know about cookies!

Once the cookies were baked I headed outdoors and studied the weeds for ahwile before I decided that they just would not go away on their own.    How come weeds can tolerate frost while my plants need to be covered?  I guess it must be those yard long roots that the buggers have.  I pulled, dug, cut, tugged and finally got two areas cleaned out and they look beautiful.  I had a “friend” helping me to get through the dreaded task!

See, weeding can be beautiful when friends help!

Remember, we are set up inside Caros each Saturday from 7 until 2 so stop by and say Hi! 

Boy oh boy, what a past few weeks it has been! My mom always told me not to say anything unless I could say something nice so I haven’t been updating the blog simply cause I really was having a hard time trying to find something really nice to say! We’ve had floods, the furnace broke, the clothes dryer died, the price of gas went up…again! It just hasn’t been a pleasant last few weeks, but that’s all behind us now.

I am enjoying the wonderful fresh smell of our sheets and clothes as they come off of the line. The aroma of the home baked bread that I have finely learned how to make is unbelievable! We’ve learned how to snuggle again when the temperatures drop…that’s a good thing after 14 years! Lol Unfortunately we can’t do much about the gas prices but we’re not alone with that.

Our little shop is not doing as well as we had hoped but the good thing is we have made some new friends and we have new customers! Drew had been looking for a job all winter and it’s difficult when your vehicle only gets 8 MPG. A friend of ours owns Caros, a local “joint” in Lexington and she offered to let us set up shop each Saturday during the Lexington Farmers’ Market. We were thrilled because that meant we would still have access to our regular Lexington customers. Then Drew got a call from her very early this morning asking if he could come in and help her man the grill. It appears that her partners did not want to work on Saturday so they walked out on her! It’s tough to cook and run the register at the same time, so Drew will be helping her out. Who knows where this will lead but Robin is a darling and as Drew always tells her “I’ve got your back!”

Of course that leaves me to do the packing for the “market.” YIKES!!!! I promise I’ll do a good job and I’ll remember to include all of the recipes. You can count your blessings…Drew had already blended all of the seasoning this week. Lol

So, this is me heading to the kitchen so we can be ready for opening day at the market. Remember that we will be inside at Caros on Upper St. It’s just across from where we used to set up on the corner of Vine and Upper. Robin and probably Drew, will be cooking a full breakfast and a light lunch menu from 7 until 2 so stop by and enjoy a “cuppa” with us.

Of course, this means that our little shop on the farm will be closed on Saturdays….sorry.

BTW, the gals are doing just fine!

It looks like it’s going to be a rainy Sunday but we’re ready for business no matter what the weather brings. Sharon Thompson, food editor, for the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper but a nice little blurb in today’s paper so maybe it will help get the word out that we’re open for business on our farm! We sure do thank her.

I’ve been thinking more about really promoting our custom labels. We did one for a teacher appreciation week this week and they turned out great. Maybe visit a few of the wedding planners in the area or tuxedo rental shops…maybe even bridal shops. Our packets of herb seasoning with a custom label and the words “marriage adds spice to your life” on the back have been big hits as wedding favors. Of course, I can do just about anything that the bride and groom want. We’ve even done them for special occasions like 50^th reunions and family gatherings. This might be the next thing I concentrate on. Just thinking out loud and trying to come up with yet another aspect of Herb’n Renewal! Lol

We enjoyed a bit of summer last night when Drew headed outside to barbeque some chicken breasts on the grill. We tried the Country Bob’s barbeque sauce and it was really good. Add some sweet tater fries and a macaroni salad and we had a summertime picnic in the middle of winter! Don’t forget that you can get a coupon for a free bottle of Country Bob’s wonderful sauce at www.countrybobs.com. I know, you’re thinking why the heck would we be promoting a seasoning when we blend our own. Well, this stuff is good and everyone needs a change now and again. Besides, it’s wonderful on a leftover pork loin that we grill with our Rub’n Season Pork! We’re hooked on the stuff so make sure you get your free bottle and give it a try.

Speaking of pork, how about having your own summer treat in the middle of winter with these great and good for you burgers.

Porkey Burgers

¼ cup minced onion

¼ cup minced green pepper

¼ tsp bacon drippings

1 egg, slightly beaten

¼ cup plain bread crumbs

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. Ketchup

1 ¼ lb. Ground pork

1 ¼ lb. Ground turkey

2 tbsp. Herb’n Cowboy

Saute onions and peppers in bacon drippings for 5 minutes. Meanwhile add bread crumbs to egg; add Worcestershire, Herb’n Cowboy and ketchup. Blend together. Add onion and pepper mix and blend in. Add ground meats and “squish” till well blended. Form patties and let sit in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Grill or pan fry till thoroughly cooked. Enjoy!

Well, time to open the shop for the day. Don’t forget that we are open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 until 6. We’re super easy to find and only a short drive from Lexington. Take RT 27 south past Nicholasville. Go over the Kentucky River and look for RT 1845 on the right just as you go up the hill. Turn and go 2.4 miles and you’ll find us on the left. Hope to see you all at the farm!

I don’t know about anyone else but this darn cold and snowy weather puts me in a rut! All I want to do is cuddle up with a soft quilt, a hot cocoa and peruse my seed catalogs. I guess it helps to look at all of those beautiful flowers and wonderful veggies. I’m trying to think spring but it just isn’t working. I’m beginning to think that I need to move to a warmer climate. I’m getting close to retirement age and those sunny states are starting to call my name. There’s only one problem. Just cause 65 is only a few short years down the road you have to have the $$$ to retire. Having a mom and pop herb business has not really added to my portfolio! lol Oh well, I love Kentucky and can’t imagine living anywhere else…I just wish that spring would hurry up and get here!

I going to try and talk Drew into fixing us a big pot of chili and cornbread for dinner tonight. I guess I could offer to do it but that would mean that I would have to put my catalogs aside and come out from under my quilt. I don’t think that’s gonna happen today. I let the dogs out early this morning and took one look at the snow and ice and quickly crawled back into my rut!

Even Drew decided to stay in bed a bit longer this morning and that’s very unusual for him. I did get a big giggle watching him. He had the covers pulled up over his head and the only thing peeping out was his nose and mouth and he was snoring so loud I thought it might start peeling off the wallpaper! Little LouLou, our newly neutered, cross-eyed darling was right up in his face moving his head from side to side. He looked like he was trying to figure out where that God awful noise was coming from!

Okay, Karin get your butt in gear and quit being such a lazy bones. The least I can do is take the pork out of the freezer so Drew can start creating. Here’s the recipe for one of my favorite ways to prepare a different chili.

Hog Wild Chili

3 lbs. pork loin, cubed

2 tbsp. Bacon drippings

1 medium onion, diced

1 cup diced green pepper

1 12 oz. can of beer

1 28 oz. Can diced tomatoes

1 29 oz. Can tomato sauce

3 tbsp. Chili Season’n

1 30 oz. Can chili beans

1 15.5 oz cans of Northern beans

Brown pork in bacon drippings until moisture is reduced and meat is lightly browned. Add peppers and onions; saute’ 5 minutes. Add beer, tomatoes, sauce and Chili Season’n. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Add beans and return to a simmer and cook until meat is tender…approximately 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. If chili is not the desired thickness, add 1 tbsp. of cornmeal at a time to thicken …make sure you stir after adding each spoonful.

Stay warm all!

P.S. “Bernie” is doing better but he is still not 100%.

“Bernie” is our van and only form of transportation and he is not doing very well.   It’s times like this when you wished you lived in the big city. Drew’s friend was going to come help him install the new part but unfortunately he is sick.  

I have to share today with you.  We had to laugh cause it’s much better than crying which is what we both felt like doing.

Drew coaxed Bernie to the next town and picked up the part that we had to order.

Drew decides to do it himself…not a good thing when you are not really a mechanic! EEK

Drew comes in and asks me for some assistance…excuse me, where the heck do you see “mechanics assistant on my resume!” lol

Karin is trying to get her computer straightened out but what the heck, Bernie is more important.

Karin finds out that the job of assistant is not that hard…hold the light so said mechanic can see what the heck he is doing. Hope she doesn’t expect much pay for this job.

Oh my, Karin soon learns that holding the light is not the only task she will have to perform! She has to get her hands and arms greasy while trying to maneuver around stuff that seems to be important to the operation of Bernie…all that just to hold a wrench!

After disconnecting hoses, unscrewing things finally the BAD part is out!

Drew removes the connecting thingie and then goes to attach it to the new part…OOPS, forgot to see what direction it went on!

Karin is back to holding light and making comments about doing a diagram or labeling each piece as you remove/take it apart. She is not getting a very nice look from Drew.

New part is soon assembled in the correct position.

Karin is holding light in one hand and holding a wheel of some sort so it does not move while Drew tries to tighten bolts. Drew is trying to use a thingie with a handle to get the bolts tight…handle does not fit well and here comes the first knuckle boo boo.

Yes, it works and new piece is now in place and Karin is told that it’s a good thing that it is not too tight…Drew might have to adjust it.

Karin gives Drew a “whatever” look!

Time for a break so that we can feed the tribe and Karin can attempt to wash off the grease.

Back to the garage to finish getting Bernie up and running.

Karin is back to light holding while Drew attempts to figure out where the belt goes…isn’t a belt something you wear around your waist? HaHa! So much for Karin being a mechanics assistant. She needs to learn the lingo!

Well, heck…the belt is much bigger than any round wheels that it might possibly go around. 

 Karin gives Drew that “are you sure” look…again!

Drews tells Karin to pull the belt up straight and hold it…why she asks, it’s not on the wheel thingie!!!

Karin, the assistant, is asked to go get a tape measure??? Okay, big boy, whatever you say.

Yup, the belt is 3″ too long for the wheels that it has to go around to function properly.

So, do you push Bernie outside and hope that you can push him back into half of the garage…remember, the rest is full of stuff!  Nope, you clip tarps everywhere semi protecting the garage. Then you make the sad mistake of listening to the weather report. Severe weather, high direct winds and loads of rain!

Guess who will not be sleeping tonight while we keep watch on the garage…that rain could seep into the shop!

If you have managed to read this far, know that a friend stopped by and brought us a bottle of vodka…do you smell martini tonight!  God bless her, we both could use one!

Tomorrow’s chore…find a friend or enemy that is willing to go get the correct belt so that we can get Bernie up and running.

 Good thing is the shop will be open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday!  Bernie doesn’t have to be running to open the shop.