New beginnings

The last month or so has been incredibly busy for me. On a whim, I opened my farm stand earlier than usual, to bake for locals who might want something different and don’t want to go to the grocery store. Word got around, and each weekend I’ve been incredibly busy – what a blessing!

About a year ago I left my high paying automotive job to try to make a go of it full time up here (I tried in 2013, but ended up going back to the Detroit area each fall to be able to farm in the summer). The apartment above the garage that I built for my Mom got converted to an Airbnb, the farmstand did well enough, and I sold my goods at the holiday market in Glen Arbor over Thanksgiving weekend.

I was also fortunate enough to get a job selling ads for the Leelanau Pages, our community directory/white and yellow pages. That was very humbling for me because it was a hard sell in today’s digital world, but I was so glad to have the opportunity as I met a lot of great people doing that job. Unfortunately I didn’t make my sales goal, and felt terrible about that. It was a real learning curve for me, but I was glad to make that experience and meet some different people along the way.

Today I’m struggling with being able to get out in the greenhouse and get some seeds started. My Mom and I talk all the time about my inability to do both the baking and garden, but I don’t have the money this year to pay for help in the garden, so I’m trying to figure out how to plant some things, but maybe not the entire garden. The wonderful Mr. Bufka helped me set up zone irrigation last summer, so I’m wondering if we do that will that be enough to help me manage the garden on my own? I guess time will tell. At a minimum, I’ll plant heirloom tomatoes, basil, zinnias, bachelor buttons, and more lavender. I’m hoping for much more than that, but need to figure out how to manage it all.

On this windy, gloomy, chilly day, I’m optimistic about summer, my garden, the farm stand sales and being able to continue to stay here year round. It’s been a great year up here, and I’m so grateful for the chance to do it. Wishing anyone who has gotten through this rambling of mine peace, good health, and happiness – now and always!

Peace, Andria