Lawrence Farmers Market / What to do, What not to do / Reid Ranch Products

Lawrence Farmers Market

Hello to all, Mom and I have decided to include me, Julie Justus and Heather Reid, my brother Brian Jrs. beautiful wife as this blogs writers. Mom, aka Carolyn, has not had the time to keep everyone informed by blogging continuously, so we thought we could help some by writing our farm adventures. Mom will still write and share and I look forward to when she does.

My first story will be about the Lawrence Farmers Market. Heather and I will be working at the market, hopefully every saturday this season to help promote the Reid Ranch and Carolyn's Natural Soap.

Sat May 5th 2012 was our very first and we learned so much. The day began with no sleep, we both were to nervous to get any sleep and we planned on getting there at 5:30 in the morning. We spent most of the night getting everything ready to go. We made sure we had a table, canopy for shade, table cloths, chairs, tape, scissors, sign cards with extra paper and markers, chalk board sign, and all the products we were selling. Heather sent most of the week making very tasty jelly from plums using her grandmother recipe. This was the hit of our stand. With many other fruit trees at the farm, I am sure we will have many other verities in the future. She also spent the week making yummy organic muffins, granola bars, granola in bags, and dog treats. I spent the evening picking organic Purple Plum Radishes and gathering Carolyn's Natural Soap products.

Saturday morning we met at the farm and headed to Lawrence. Still dark we arrive and find our spot. To our surprise our spot is smaller than we thought. It is set up at an angle and there is hardly enough room for our truck. We set up our canopy and realized it was way to big for the spot. Luckily the spot next to us was vacant so they let us get by this time. With everything set up, we were ready for the day.

Lawrence Farmers Market is more than I expected. Many wonderful vendors with awesome products. If I had my way, I would spend all I made. Many people came to enjoy farm products and the great morning weather. Can't wait to return and sell Reid Ranch Products.

Chickens On The Run

Our chickens run freely on our farm.  They are not in cages and graze in the fields with the cows and goats.  It’s a beautiful thing to see them eating bugs and getting other things from the cow dung, haha.  While they eat and move along in the fields they have many predators.  We have lost many to foxes and coyotes and Brian and I are always on the watch for those chicken hunters.  Now that we have Walter, our English Shepherd, the Coyotes have been kept at bay but at times still sneak in at nab a chicken.

Last week late in the afternoon I saw a coyote start to move in close to the fence and I knew he or she was going to kill a chicken.  Brian grabbed his rifle and quietly crept out to hide behind the pile brush and what happen next was a story to tell.  Brian had an army of chickens lined up behind him.  As he crawled across the mowed grass to hid  next to the cow trailer this army of chickens followed behind.  I laughed so hard, it was so cute to see these girls(Hens) and couple boys(Roosters) waiting for the MAN to kill their enemy.  There must have been 30 or 40 chickens following him and as soon as he lifted his rifle they ran to hid somewhere.  BOOM !  Down went the coyote and Brian stood up to see for sure if he got him.  As Brian came back to the house all the chickens ran to meet him and he was surrounded with their joyful relief .

Carolyn

 

Visit     www.carolynsnaturalsoap.com

Helping Hands in the Soap Pot / Carolyn’s Natural Soap

Carolyn’s Natural Soaps is where I began and the soaps and creams are still in demand.  Thankfully I have a daughter Julie, who Is my right hand helper in all soap making.  I have 10 grand children and one on the way and they also put their helping hands in the soap pot, but most of all they want to have a soap named after themselves.

Adelaide has a herbal garden soap she encouraged me to make.  It’s heavily scented with herbs from the garden.  Thyme, Basil, Oregano, Lavender, Rosemary, the herbs that are anti bacterial and germicidal.  I love it and it has become very popular in the Akins Stores.  

Eva wanted a soap called EVA DEVA. I just developed an Acne Bar for young skin fighting blemishes.  I call it EVA DEVA’s Herbal Acne Soap. There is a toner that will go with it.  My mothers picture taken in the 1920’s will be on the wrapper. Almost done with the label.

My grandson Nathan wanted a Nat’s Naterade but we changed the name to Nat’s Natur-aide bar.  This bar is for bug bites and poison Ivy relief.  If you use it soon after a bite or a rash it will help to dry up the problem.  I also made an itch salve that helps stops the itch and  bring down the bumps and lumps.

These are just a few of the new products Carolyn’s Natural’s are developing. 

HIS NAME IS WALTER / Reid Ranch Farm/English Shepherd Dog/Small Farm Life

 

 

His name is WALTER.  The English Shepherd pup we got in the winter is a WONDER DOG.  To watch Brian and Walter together is so cool.  With a hand signal and a call Walter races  through the grass to find the cows in the back pasture or resting under the trees.  He barks as he begins to make his wonders happen.  He moves so freely, in and out as he finds them and brings them to the barn.  He looks at Brian to get another command and waits as he watches the cows move by.   For years Brian has had to walk through the pastures to bring them all in, but now he waits on the porch and Walter does all the work. He’s our Wonder Dog for sure.

www.carolynsnaturalsoap.com

It’s About Time to Blog again / Reid Ranch / Farm Life

Where has all the time gone?  The winter is over and summer is almost here.  The grass is green again and the crickets are singing their song.  The cows and goats are happy and giving more milk then we can handle.  It’s so nice to once again walk outside with no shoes and feel the grass between my toes.  Planting seeds in fresh turned soil and waiting for the first rain to wet the seeds and watch them grow.  Nothing is more beautiful then the simple things our Creator has given for us to behold. 

Once the grass turned green the cows, who all winter gave all they could, have now doubled their milk production.  I have been making so much cheese and butter I’m beginning to wonder if I can keep going.  We have been able to add a few new families to the farm store but could use more.  These new families are so happy to have found us and we are so thankful too.  They tell me that the products from our farm store are the best ever.

www.carolynsnaturalsoap.com

THE FARM IN WINTER / Midwest Farm Life / Kansas Small Ranch / Natural Organic Farming

We lived through the bad storm!   How do the cows and calves endure such cold nights?  Brian wares layers of clothing and then a jump suit overall.  Yesterday and today nothing will run so it’s Brian walking with totes and wash bucket up to the barn.  I get to sit by the fire and type this short blog until he comes in.

Milking Helpers/ Midwest Ranch / Kansas Small Farm

Last Saturday night all the children came to celebrate their dad’s birthday.  Brian Jr., Tom, Julie, Cheryl, Sam and Greg all came to eat and relax awhile. 

BRIAN & GREGG ON GUITAR

When it came time to milk the cows Brian and Tom, Brian Jr. and Julie went with Dad to help.  The only one who has milked before was Tom.  Everyone took turns milking and they did really well.  Maybe someday they can take over so Dad and I can get away for awhile.

BIRTHDAY BOY (BRIAN)

TOM

BRIAN JR

JULIE

BRIAN JR & BIRTHDAY BOY