Hounds + Heirlooms

Things have been a little crazy around Camp Topisaw.

We've been interested in "heirloom" plants and animals for a long time now and finally decided to take the plunge and purchase a few cows, a few sheep... After locating a wonderful, close-by source, we arranged to purchase 5 head of Piney Woods Cattle and 3 Gulf Coast Native Sheep. Both of these breeds are listed as "critical", meaning there are fewer than 200 annual N. American registrations and fewer than 2,000 global population, by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

So the big day arrived, the animals were unloaded into the fenced enclosure, and we visited and enjoyed watching them until nightfall. AND THEN...the next morning the cows were gone. David found them behind the swingset and tried to lure them with food. No good. They ended up running through the spring, across the creek and into the very wild woods beyond. A visit to our neighbors brought results--they corralled the wayward creatures...for a few hours. The bull broke out, and his ladies followed. A few days later, they were "captured" again, only to break out after eating their host's generous outpouring of sweet feed. We were truly in despair--we had waited so long to get these animals, they were a rare breed, and they were loose somewhere on the banks of the Topisaw Creek. Then, as is always the case, God heard our cries. One morning, 4 days after their escape, they simply came wandering into our yard. They had recrossed the creek and found their way home. I can't tell you how much I admire these animals.

And then there was the hunt! Our oldest daughter rode in her first hunt earlier this month. The whole event was stunning. The rest of us rode in the "Talley-Ho Wagon" and admired the beautiful horses, stately riders. It was a gorgeous day.

I'll tell you about the sheep next time...

Edie

Big Plans

We've had two exciting days--yesterday we received 100 chickens which are being brooded in a refrigerator box on our porch... If you've never ordered day-old chicks, you may be interested to know that they come, in cardboard boxes, to the local post office! You get an early morning call from a postal employee, telling you that your (very noisy) birds have arrived and "how soon can you get here to take them away?!" This batch is Cornish Cross which we raise for eating. They're small, fluffy, yellow eating machines right now but will soon grow into big, rather unattractive, white eating machines before being "processed" at 8 weeks. We raise them on pasture, using only natural, non medicated feed, no hormones, etc. Let us know if you're interested in purchasing a few--they average 4# each and sell for $10 each.

TODAY we've had a cement truck at our place--pouring the floor for our new addition to La Petite Maison (the "Little House" studio where our soaps, skincare and candles are made). I'll be using the new space for my "concocting" area, leaving the rest of the house for classes, birthday parties and a shop where you can purchase our products!

Mississippi Market

We're back from our 2nd ever wholesale show where we wrote some orders, met some really nice shop owners and chatted (and chatted) with our fellow vendors. It's alot of fun to see what's being offered AND what's being bought. Here's a photo of our booth taken by our good friend Olivia McCullough of Olivia Pottery.

Porch Sitters

We spend alot of time on our screened porch--from morning coffee to schoolwork at the picnic table to drinks in the evening... The tin roof amplifies afternoon rain or Scotty the cat's ramblings as he chases something across the tin (he spends most of his time up there, away from the other cats, the dogs and the guineas that meander through our yard).

Joining us on the porch this week is our youngest daughter's newest pet, Tidbit. She "rescued" him from a 5 gallon water bucket in the barn where Chestnut (see post below) lives. Judging by how tough this bantam chick has turned out to be, I think that he was swimming in the bucket--not drowning as we thought... Tidbit loves to perch on the table while the girls do their math. He's also been known to sit on shoulders, in baskets and even to go to church...(just the birdhouse variety!)

We're working on a few new products: a soothing salve to match Amaretto Buzz Bar Soap (scented with vanilla & almond--YUM); a soft, dreamy floral as-yet-unnamed candle AND, because so many folks have requested it, a sandalwood patchouli candle. Check in at camptopisaw.com for more details!

Edie

New Fruit

The girls have been out all morning picking gummi fruit--incredibly sour and incredibly beautiful. We're planning to make jelly tomorrow, and hopefully, the finished product will be the same lovely color as the berries. The gummi bushes are growing by the chicken yard, so they've been well-fertilized and "landscaped" by the birds...







We had a swell time at Fest for All last weekend! The weather was perfect, the bands were fun, the crowd was plentiful and friendly. The artists were selling everything from soap and candles (guess who...) to handmade shoes to $3000 paintings. Here are links to some of our favorite artists/art:
Denise Greenwood
The Spoon Mill
Kathleen Bearden
Trish Ransom


This fine baby was born only 2 days ago! His mom, a beautiful Haflinger mare, belongs to good friends of ours, and they've allowed our daughters to name him. They tossed around name after name, but finally settled on Chestnut--a suitable name for a nut-colored colt. It's just amazing how quickly newly-born animals are up and about--Chestnut is already out in the pasture with his mom, investigating all the newness of life.


And speaking of new...we'll be adding some new (customer requested) products to our Camp Topisaw Website this month. If you have a request or suggestion, just email us! Here's a photo of our soaps to whet your appetite...













All the best,
Edie

Festival International

This past weekend we set up at Festival International in Lafayette, Louisiana. How is it that we've lived in this area for 12 years and have never made the 2.5 hour trek over before? This is an amazing event with bands from all over the world performing from noon until late in the evening. One of my favorite bands was "Monsieur No" from France--I liked the combination of accordian, fiddle, upright bass and silly costumes. Their website--monsieurno.com--is also loads of fun. So, we sold alot of soap (alot of soap...) and a good many candles and had a great time visiting with the other craftspeople and with our customers. Thanks to all of you who stopped by!

This next weekend (May 5 & 6) we'll be at Fest for All in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is the 30th anniversary of Fest for All--there are 3 stages of music, an entire boulevard of fine artists and craftsmen from 15 states (come see us in booth #56) and a great kid's area with performances by our daughters' favorite, Papillion. Baton Rouge is one of our favorite towns, with art savvy residents and an especially wonderful Thai restaurant--Thai Pepper on Florida Boulevard. The Saturday buffet is our favorite.

The bread for dinner is coming out of the oven, so I'm off...

Edie

To Market

Since we attend quite a few markets during the year, we spend alot of time loading and unloading our car (we've gotten really good at fitting candle and soap boxes into deceptively tiny spots under the seats, etc!) Here's a photo of David getting ready for a show in north Mississippi. His sidekick is Gunther--a "gentle giant" who looks tough as nails and is afraid of everything!













This is Charm, the 2nd of our 3 dogs. (Grace, the Bassett Hound, was undoubtedly either asleep or eating when these photos were taken...) Charm has a piercing bark and the most delicate eating manners I've ever seen. Her nickname is "Donut Dog" because she turns around and around with nose to tail when you try to pet her.






Well, David has made it to market! We're usually under a bright red tent but some shows specify white tents only. We both really enjoy the markets--meeting folks, talking with other vendors, listening to live music. Sometimes our daughters go with us, and I love that they're learning that you can make a living making stuff and that it's especially great doing it with your whole family.

Edie