FYI

FYI…It’s Tuesday evening!! Yes, again, it just sort of appeared, out of no where, on the heels of another holiday weekend!!

But, the holiday whirlwind is all behind us, it’s a rainy, cold night with nothing left to do but order, order, order…

You have until 10pm…let’s see some market love!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Oh, and FYI…Happy New Year!!!

Carry On

A new day, a new way, and new eyes
To see the dawn.
(Crosby Stills Nash & Young – Carry On)

Well, well…what have we here? Our own new dawn, on a whole new year, for a whole lot of new hope, new peace, new love…

From your market managers, to you, we wish you a very happy new year in this 2017.

I picked this song because I find that sinking into Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young is what I have always done when I need to lose myself, lose my thoughts, let my mind meander all over the place. This song is a perfect jump off into the new unknown. It’s from one of my favorite albums, Deja Vu…which, I still have a beat up album in my collection, along with another one I must have picked up in my musical travels.

The title, alone, Deja Vu, has more meaning than you can know, for your market manager as she crosses into this new time, new year, new adventures.

“A feeling of having already experienced the present situation”

Groovy, man…Deja Vu…

Each year, as I meander through December, I begin to think ahead. What do I want in the year to come? What do I want to make of it? What is my theme? No resolutions. A theme. A mantra. Each year, I have known, just perfectly, where my life or business was taking me, or better yet, where I wanted to take it.

2106 threw me quite a lot. An additional new business, another year’s lease at my downtown shop, the new business exploding into a popularity, not imagined. The same crazy pace in the summer with farmers markets, Art Affair that I still co-chair, stepping away from venues, embracing new venues, running my shop, running this market, baking, and wondering if I had one ounce of sanity left in my over crowded life, brain, businesses. The nagging question began…how do I Carry On? (Get it? Clever, with this theme and all…lol)

I began to peel away the things that no longer brought me joy or excitement. I had some serious talks with your co-manager of this market. I had heart to hearts with my tribe, my best pals, old friends, new friends, anyone who would listen, basically. At that point, I felt that I would step away as your market manager, giving me even more free time.

And, then I got sick. In mid November I got sick, and to be honest, I have never been that sick. And, it lingered. And I didn’t get out of bed, and on some of those days, I actually began to think of who would get my vintage wardrobe, who would get my vinyl collection, who would remember me, fondly? You think I am being dramatic, but I was just that sick.

But, the only good thing about that time span was that it made me have to stay in bed, have to rest, have to have these colorful, tapestry like dreams, that vividly showed me where I should be going.

The result…I got better, I got stronger, and I was thinking more clearly than I have been able to think in so long. My conclusions are what will bring this whole rambling Weblog home, I promise.

My heart, my soul, my joy are with my Cosmic baking business, my Hippie and the Farmer business, my vintage/hippie clothing business, and, THIS MARKET.

The joy that was being sucked out of me was my actual shop. My cute little downtown shop of the past two years, was the one thing that was making me crazy. I am so busy, on a daily basis, with my other businesses, baking, delivering, taking on new clients, that it was getting too much to try to also race to my shop. I discovered, more than ever that I am a free spirit, not a girl chained to a shop, every day, kind of spirit. So, at the beginning of December, I opted not to renew my lease for another year. I packed up, and I have moved, and, it’s been the most mind freeing, free floating decision for me.

The result? I took back what I love. That includes this market. Both Mark and I will remain your market managers, after discussions with both Paul, and the YMCA staff. We are going into year 6, we have surpassed what anyone ever thought we would do, and I would like to be instrumental in where this market continues to go. But, we do have a cool, happening, loyal market customer, Polly, who will begin to learn the Thursday afternoon/evening gig, on the days that get to be too much for me to be at pick up!!

Other results…I stepped away from the Mechanicsburg Farmers and Artisans market as manager, after a long run. I am stepping away from vending at all farmers markets, unless I feel the wind is taking me in that direction, but at my desire. I have given up my shop. I exited the downtown board, last year, but will remain on Art Affair. I am moving my vintage/hippie/dress up clothing to a private studio/loft, but also heading back to a little pop up spot, in a large boutique, that will take care of my sales, but I do not have to be there, on a daily basis. And, I get to jump back into my writing, my blogging, and my chronicles of outfit pictures, food blogging, and the continued efforts at that never forgotten novel that I carve away at, via many, many journals.

So, my mantra for this year is…“I don’t know exactly where I am going, but that’s the beauty of it”

I have taken me back. And, in turn, I now Carry On, as your market manager…

Deja Vu never felt so amazing…while I am returning to things of my past that brought me great joy and love, I feel a renewed energy…

So, go dust off some of your Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, let your mind go on your own soul journey, and while doing so, place some groovy orders, man…

Orders, and your love make this market go round and round…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Hello, all that is new!

We are on the cusp of a brand new year, a brand new outlook, and a brand new chance to make the changes that will bring you health, nutrition, and all on a local level.

That’s right, this is the week that our market will usher you right into the change of guard, the new year, a brand new 2017.

With this new year, let us be the market you turn to for your local needs, your local food, your local love.

We open this market, tonight, and we welcome you back!! We hope the holidays have been jazzy, and we hope you are ready to let us serve you!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Last Market of the year

Again,I don’t have a song for you. This is Mark,your assistant market manager filling in.Its the last night to get orders in to stalk up for the Bowl Games and your New Years celebration. It’s been an amazing year for the growth of local food sales. The vendors we bring you in this market are the ones making it happen.Get your orders in to start out the year ,with real local goodness.

Christmas Wrapping

Christmas Wrapping
The Waitresses
“Bah, humbug!” no, that’s too strong
‘Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year’s been a busy blur
Don’t think I have the energy
To add to my already mad rush
Just ‘cause it’s ‘tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from
Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of eighty one passed along those lines.
So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.
Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!
Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would’ve been good to go for lunch,
Couldn’t agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we’d keep in touch.
Didn’t, of course, ‘til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.
Now the calendar’s just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight’s the night, I’ve set my mind
Not to do too much about it.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
A and P has provided me
With the world’s smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! guess what I forgot?
So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I’ve been chasing all year!
“I’m spending this one alone,” he said.
“Need a break, this year’s been crazy.”
I said, “me too, but why are you?
You mean you forgot cranberries too?”
Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
Caught on to what was happening
That Christmas magic’s brought this tale
To a very happy ending!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn’t miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn’t miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn’t miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn’t miss this one this year!

Tonight, I open the market with an entire song, all happy, all merry, all bright!

If you were a kid of the early 80s, well, not so much a kid but an early 20 something in the 80s, you knew this catchy tune. If you worked in retail, back then, it blasted in every mall, in every shop.

The tale of missed chances, missed opportunities, busy lives, deadlines, and the wrong place and the wrong time. But, finally, it all fell into place for our girl in the song, and all was well.

My wish to you, market customers, market vendors, and staff of the YMCA, is that your holiday will be spent in happiness, in love, and in kindness.

I thank you for making this another amazing year at our little local market of love.

I am going to take a couple days off to get my own Christmas Wrapping off to a holiday start!

The market is open, next week. I know you will be busy, but if you take a tiny second, go ahead and place an order.

From the bottom of our hearts, from your two hard working market managers, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, a happy holiday, a super weekend!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Reminder!

The market will be closing in just about an hour. Make sure to get your orders in, if you are placing them, so that you can get in on the Christmas shopping ease that we offer.

An hour to decide what you may need for baking, serving, giving…

We do it all!

Show your people some local love…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

They Say It's Your Birthday!

Go ahead…cue the Beatles birthday song!!

In all of our market history, we have been closed these two weeks of the market because of how the holidays fall in our weeks of operation.

So, not only have we missed you at Christmas and New Year’s, we never get to tell an important part of our market, Happy Birthday!!

Today is your other market manager’s birthday! Yes, it’s Mark’s birthday!! And, while he likes to call himself the assistant manager, he really does more than sit and drink coffee at the market…lol. He is the greatest help, he picks up the slack when I need it, or when I cannot be there, he fills your orders, (usually mistake free)…lol, and he keeps the humor going.

He is the other half of this market team, and we want to all make sure to wish him a Happy Birthday when we see him at the market on Thursday!

So, today’s birthday shout out goes to your other manager, Mark! May his day be merry and bright!

Christmas Is All Around

I feel it in my fingers,
I feel it in my toes,
Christmas is all around me,
and so the feeling grows
It’s written in the wind,
It’s everywhere I go…
(Christmas Is All Around from my favorite Christmas movie, Love, Actually)

Good morning, lovely customers of our little local market of love!

Last night found me in Columbus in the midst of all the other Christmas shoppers. I have spent my month, shopping small, in small towns, and last night I had to hit the bigger town, with bigger shops, to mark a few desires off the Christmas list that has been mocking me in my bag of tricks.

I was not sure how it would end. Would it be a mania of me not finding anything left? Pushy people with bad attitude? Overly heated stores with people in my personal space? Who knew how things would go…but I was about to find out.

To make sure I started in a good mood, I picked a cute vintage outfit complete with a little vintage white hat that I like to call myself the ice princess when I wear it. I picked a Rolling Stones heavy playlist for the drive. Their early, early, less commercial stuff. The B sides of more popular songs. And, a coffee to go. I was on my way.

It was cold but I chose an outside venue for shopping because I like the thrill of the cold, the lights, the music that was tinkling in and out of each store. I was bundled and ready.

And guess what…it was just what I needed. The people were all happy!! Shoppers and store workers were amazing! I ran into an old friend and we chatted and laughed. Each store was more helpful than the last. The items I needed for my list were all there, and some even on way the heck great sales! People kept stopping me to ask about my outfit! (Okay, not going to lie, this always floats my boat) And, when I went to get more coffee, the employee told me that he was paying for it because I looked like Christmas…what?? (Not going to lie, again, I could get used to that)

Anyway…on the drive home, I reflected on the day, and with each pass through the store doors, with each light, with each Christmas song, with each person passing me with a smile, a hello, and watching the fun groups going into some of the pubs, I was, once again, filled with happiness that Christmas really is all around us.

And, while it happened when I was shopping was not the point. It was the attitude and feeling that was taking place. A kindness, a love, even a gentle ebb and flow of hope…

So, while I am all about keeping it small, keeping it local, keeping it at our market, it was good for me to be out and about in the sea of Christmas shoppers, to know that there is love, everywhere…

Especially at this little market…

So, while you are out and about in your Christmas haze of shopping, merry making, cooking baking, cocktail drinking, present wrapping, carol singing…think about us, think about last minute local gifts, think about shopping us for your holiday weekend needs…

Christmas is all around…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Holiday Soap Tales

Hello all!
Can you believe Christmas is only a couple more days away?! I am not even close to being ready yet! And I have a pretty good feeling I’m not the only one….surely some of you have last minute gifts to pick up. Well, this week on the market you can get our soap gift sets for $13.00 (reg. $15). Sometimes procrastination pays off! These sets are perfect for just about anyone…teachers, co-workers, uncles (yes, men love it too! It’s great to use for shaving with!), aunts, grandparents, friends, mail carriers…the list is endless!
Holiday set includes: Frankincense & Myrrh, Holiday Spice, O Christmas Tree, Peppermint, and Sweet Orange Clove
Fabulous 5 set includes: Tea Tree Lavender, Lemongrass, Pink Grapefruit, Peppermint, and Sweet Orange Clove
 
Order away!!!
Christmas Blessings,
Laura (ELM Tree Essentials Soap)

River

It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on…
(River-Joni Mitchell)

One of my favorite Joni songs, as well as another favorite Christmas song…

Well, the weather took a huge turn for the ice and cold, rain, snow mix…the icy surfaces are keeping your market manager in for the night, enjoying a glass of wine, twinkling lights, and music.

I am rather calm for having exactly one million things to do before I can even begin to say I am ready for Christmas. Each year, I get a little more relaxed with it, choosing to just let it all sort of take place.

I did manage to place a market order for this week. Were you able to get your order in? Are you thinking about how nice it would be to order baked goods, breads, meat, eggs, herbs, spices, honey, maple syrup, lettuces, fish, candles, candy, soaps, oils, dog treats, pet bandanas, pies, cookies, coffee, tea, flour in both whole wheat, and gluten free? What can we do to make your holiday an easy and stress free occasion?

Think about it…this is the first time in market history that we are able to remain open right up to the holiday!! Take advantage…we would love to see you!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam