Happy Solstice everyone!
I have grown to love the long nights and short days of midwinter in western Washington. Joel lit a bonfire tonight in honor of Solstice, and as we stood in the bright light of the flames, We heard the crack and break of a tree falling. (It was a large branch of an old alder on my place next door). As we returned from our walk and exploration in the deep dark. I heard the owls call to one another, saw the star our wonderful friend Milly gave us, lit on the barn, and saw the fire leaping in the background. It all felt so perfect for this, the longest night.
Time has flown and so much has happened since I last caught you up. In late June we opened The Boardwalk Collective at the Ferry Landing with some wonderful friends. It has been quite the wild ride. We jumped right into an incredibly busy successful Summer and then leaned into the experience of a fall and winter on Orcas with a brick-and-mortar shop. Our Winter Faire in the shop right after Thanksgiving was wonderful, as was our time at the Odd Fellows craft fair! Our locals are starting to find us, and we are incredibly grateful to serve up a beautiful shop full of wonderful items from all the collaborators involved. Our website is launching SOON! We can’t wait to share more with you. I am taking in consignment in February for storied goods, vintage finds, antiques, and exceptional clothing and accessories. I am also planning on teaching some design classes this Spring and Summer. If you are interested, let me know. They will also be on our calendar of events on our websites. We are open until the end of December, and will close for the month of January for a winter break. We will resume in February with all kinds of deliciousness to come!
Our season with the farm was beautiful. Our farm-friend family has grown, and we gardened together with laughter and a commitment to growing; friendships, community, and fantastic food. We have spaces open for the upcoming season. If you are interested in joining us, please reach out and we can give you more details. We are also considering the possibility of becoming a farm co-operative with membership participation. More to come on that…
Today Joel and I spent some time in the drizzle, measuring for a few new projects. We then walked part of the new Eastfield fence line from the cost share Grant we received from the San Juan Islands Conservation District last summer. The grant is to protect shellfish with livestock exclusion fencing. Joel has put in the majority of the work, it’s been a mighty job, that he has done beautifully.
Lately, between my time at the new shop, I’ve been creating an art space, and dreaming of all the projects I want to complete on the farm, especially the event area gardens, summerhouse shade roof, and farmstand upgrades. We are thinking of hosting some farm-to-table dinners with local chefs this upcoming season, as well as a few farm classes.
The livestock have been quietly living their best lives, the ducks on free-range slug patrol and pond bathing, and the sheep getting access to weeding out the Westfield gardens of all the clover they can wrap their mouths around. I’ve been working on strawberry beds, and ordering seed/tubers/rhizomes for flowers and veggies.
We decided not to breed the ewes this year. It’s the first time in 6 years we won't have spring lambs. We decided we needed a less complicated Spring next year. I am not sure we will have a farm crew this next season, although if the right people reached out, with lots of farming experience, a bunch of motivation, and self-determination, we just might not be able to say no…
With all that said, may all your holidays be full of light, and the warmth and love of family, and friends. Thank you for being part of our farm and shop community. We are ever grateful to steward Warm Valley Farm and be part of the incredible Orcas Island community.
Sending you each all the best,
Annie & Joel