When I Paint My Masterpiece

Someday, everything is gonna be smooth like a rhapsody
When I paint my masterpiece…
(Bob Dylan, The Band)

Just a Sunday morning dose of love, talking about the other beauty of the market, aside from all of the beautiful food to nurture your body.

I believe that nurturing your soul, with the beauty around you, is just as important as feeding your body.

Right now, I am enjoying the candles that are offered on the market, which have amazing scent to them, are long lasting, and such an array of fragrances to choose from.

I use, and enjoy the oils from the market. I am sure that you have caught a bit of the lovely patchouli that I wear, when I am greeting you at your cars, but Laura has such amazing oils for you and your home.

And, we have three different vendors with cut flowers, and live plants. All different in their offerings, all bringing beauty to your home and gardens.

We offer beautiful artisan market bags, and there are also cute little bandanas, sewn lovingly for your pets!

I love the artistic side of this market, allowing us all to paint our own masterpieces, to fuel our souls…

Happy Sunday, and thank you for using our market…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Q & A

Hello, lovely market customers…

This evening, I am chatting about some of the questions that I get asked, especially by a lot of the new customers! This market has grown so fast and furiously, that it’s time to take a breathe, and answer you…

But, first, some information from your managers. Each week we grow. And, each week we regroup, and develop new strategy for your weekly pick up.

Last week, we added freezers, and refrigeration to the cute little greenhouse.

This weekend, we have decided to add tiered shelving to make stuffing the boxes and bags, easier to find, and grab, as each customer picks up.

We are also extending the pick up time slots, plus giving you a bonus option for pick up!

Thursdays will now be split into four time slots. Pick up times will now be between 4pm-7pm. I will give you the alphabet line up, each week. AND, we are giving you a Friday morning option, between 10am-12pm, at the greenhouse!

Yes, my market loves, we have grown that big to make it necessary, to better serve you! I just need you to let me know, in the comment section, of your orders, if you will be a Thursday car line, or a Friday morning pick up! If you have already placed your order, you can shoot me an email!

Another topic…payments. Everyone is great!! But, I do need to address the non-payment issue. We totally get that life happens, things happen, you don’t feel well, or your child is sick, and you cannot get your order. BUT, if an order has been placed, you do still need to make arrangements to pick up the order, AND pay for said order. When the market closes, each week, checks are cut for each vendor, and reflect your order. If you can’t get there, and don’t give us a payment, the market is then short, because it’s not the vendor’s fault, and they do get to get paid. Let’s just remember…if you cannot be there, let’s then plan to do a prepayment, to take care of things. Also, there is a matter of storing your items if they don’t get picked up…again, it happens, but we need to be diligent in taking care of things.

And, now for the questions…

1. Yes, we are a year round farmers’ market. Every season, every week except holidays, and our market reflects the local, seasonal growing.

2. No, we are not closing down. Somehow, that little tidbit has been going around. We are strong, big, and getting bigger, each week.

3. Yes, the farm is now our permanent home.

4. Yes, your market managers are volunteering their time. And, thank you, so much, for all of your kind words and emails about how the market operates!

5. No, we are not part of any other of the Champaign County farmers’ markets. We are separate, have our own rules, our own kind of market, are very exclusive on the products that we allow in the market, and are very fierce in our local endeavors, bringing you the best of the best. We run a tight ship, and that reflects in the strength of this market.

6. When you place your order, you see a Total Due number. You also see a $0.00 account balance. That means that you have no account balance carried over from the previous week or weeks. So, the total due amount is what you will bring via check, exact cash, or prepay with a card.

7. Yes, we can store your card info. for all purchases. If you had a card on file at the YMCA, we do need you to redo your card info with us, if you have not already done so. None of the files from the YMCA transferred with us.

8. Yes…I love this market, the customers, the vendors, and the products, very, very much, and dedicate myself to you. Next month is our market anniversary, heading into year 9. I think this is such a nice, groovy dance, into the next year…

I hope this helps. The car line gets so crazy, and I know you all want to chat, and I love to chat with you, but don’t always have the time to talk as much as I would love…

See you, this Thursday, OR Friday morning!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Saturday Strings, Coffee, and Musings

Muddy river runs muddy ‘n’ wild…
(Fare Thee Well-Marcus Mumford, Oscar Isaac)

So…for all of you new to us, the market family, you know that I am your market manager, well one of your market managers. Your other manager has become manager status after years and years of insisting that he was a market assistant.

But, I am who you get, here, in this market weblog, and who you know as the local bread baker, owner of Cosmic Charlie Baking and Bread. I am also the Hippie part of, Hippie and the Farmer, and you have known me around different towns, Urbana, Springfield, Yellow Springs, not just for my breads, but also for my little clothing pop ups, featuring my vibrant taste in all things eclectic, hippie, vintage, mod…I’ve had shop fronts, and I’ve had spaces at farmers’ markets, I’ve been featured in area bistros and cafes and coffeehouses with my breads, and you used to know me by my beloved yellow VW bug, Sugaree, and now my red Audi, Begonia…and, you also can tell by my car names, and my bread business name that I am an old school Dead head, Grateful Dead, and I name all of my bread customers, Bread Heads.

I’ve been baking for 10 years, it started as a hobby, my business started as a fluke, and it took off to wild craziness, and I was on the road, constantly, packing up my faithful little bug, with colorful crates, and loaves of breads, with colorful tapestries, and Grateful Dead music, and traveled, most every day or evening, to farmers’ markets.

I was the manager of the Mechanicsburg market for years, and have been your market manager, here, for almost as long as it’s been in existence.

My breads are vegan, unless you get one of my rustic gourmet varieties that will offer cheeses, and such, but my doughs, well they rise, in vegan goodness.

I have a love of music, my heart melts at string bands, and I have lived a very fun and colorful life. One that has taken me from the West End of my growing up, off to college in the south, and then I lived coast to coast as a flight attendant of the 80s.

I’m happiest in all things of nonconformity, and my business models are simply what I feel in my heart, and what I feel to be right.

I’ve been helped, my whole life, by some very lovely people…and, I’m not going to lie, I do get by with a little help from my friends. In business, I jump in, think later, and it’s always served me well.

This market is a labor of love that has grown, grown, grown, and it makes me so excited to watch it’s growth of late, to have been lucky enough to have our local paper write stories of us, to be noticed by the news station, and last year, to have been the subject of a two part NPR interview via WYSO.

So, another introduction of one of your vendors, your manager…and her quirky ways, and always sparkling spirit.

The song, today? It’s a beautiful string set that is perfect with my morning coffee (another fact about me…I run on coffee, wine and water) and if you pull this song up, turn it up, you will also be carried away by it’s beauty. Much like I am carried away by the beauty of all of you…

It’s Saturday, the market is open, and I see the love pouring in…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

It Stoned Me

And the rain came pourin’ down
Me and Billy standin’ there
With a silver half a crown…
(Van Morrison)

Well, little local market of love customers…it was a rain soaked night, it was a cold night, and the rains continued to come down, and the car lines, at times, wrapped into St. Rt. 54….but we did it!! You did it!! We did it, together!! At times I felt like a festival director, motioning traffic, but it was such an amazing sight to see. Such an outpour of local loyalty. So many smiles, lovely comments, conversations.

There was a moment of total congested line, but then it all began to head out, again.

To say that heart is full, my soul is grateful, and that this market, it’s vendors, it’s managers, and it’s core are beyond humbled, would be putting it mildly.

You all have become market friends, we continue to add new, each week, our sales climb, and our dedication to you, has never waivered…

Your market manager would like to thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for the love that you have for my breads, my soups, and for my hippie self…I only wish that the rain had subsided, and that I had the time, to take a video of the crowds, tonight.

As we go into better weather, I want to stand out in the drive, and film it all…

Tonight…it stoned me to my soul…

The market is now open!! Go, order, and join in this little local revolution…

Goodnight, and many love vibes…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Pick Up Time Slots!

Just shaking things up, a bit, for tomorrow!

We are going to let the last part of the alphabet start us off!

P-Z…4:00-4:45

G-O…4:45-5:30

A-F…5:30-6:15

Ok!!! See you at tomorrow!!

Pam

The Right Time Of The Night

Sun goes down on a silky day
Quarter moon walking through the Milky Way…
(Jennifer Warnes)

Cue the sappy 70s tune, but it was what I was humming, last night, as I watched the market continue to grow, and grow, and grow, and grow…

As the sun went down, our numbers continued to climb so high that we beat all records even of all the record breaking that we have witnessed over the past 5 weeks!!

Record sales…my gosh, the sales…you skyrocketed this market!!!

Total number of customers!! It’s going to be a busy stream of cars on Thursday evening!!!

Amount of new customers!!! Welcome aboard!!!

Retention of all new customers for all past weeks!!!! Amazing!!

You make this market so very, very happy, proud, and ready to continue to be your source for all things local!!

We have always been the strongest market in the county, and with your continued support, we are going strong!!

I will send out an email, this evening, breaking down the pick up times!!

This week, we are mixing things up, and the names that come LAST in the alphabet will be picking up in the first time slot!! But, I will let you know the breakdown!!

Also…same payment forms…call ahead with card information, today!!

If we already have your card on file, no need to call!!

Checks, made out to Oakview Farm Meats, OR cash, exact amount, in a ziplock bag, with your name!!!

Curbside service, as always!!

Again…my the sun shine warm upon your faces, today, and thank you for loving us!!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

What's Going On?

You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today…
(Marvin Gaye)

And, right now, all the love that we can bring to you, your day, and your week, is this little local love that we offer at our lovely little market…

Short and sweet, this morning, as I am headed out to the commercial kitchen, where I bake, and make all of the Cosmic magic happen, but wanted to remind you that the market will close, this evening, at 10pm!

We are shattering even our biggest records, so far, and I thank you, and love you, and on behalf of your managers, and vendors, we are so very grateful to you…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Mr. Blue Sky

Sun is shinin’ in the sky
There ain’t a cloud in sight
It’s stopped rainin’ everybody’s in the play
And don’t you know
It’s a beautiful new day, hey hey

Runnin’ down the avenue
See how the sun shines brightly in the city
On the streets where once was pity
Mr. Blue Sky is living here today, hey hey

Mr. Blue Sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long (so long)
Where did we go wrong?

Mr. Blue Sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long (so long)
Where did we go wrong?

Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration, Mr. Blue Sky’s up there waitin’
And today is the day we’ve waited for

Oh Mr. Blue Sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long (so long)
Where did we go wrong?

Hey there Mr. Blue
We’re so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Everybody smiles at you

Hey there Mr. Blue
We’re so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Everybody smiles at you

(Mr. Blue Sky, Mr. Blue Sky)
(Mr. Blue Sky)

Mr. Blue, you did it right
But soon comes Mr. Night creepin’ over
Now his hand is on your shoulder
Never mind I’ll remember you this
I’ll remember you this way

Mr. Blue Sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long (so long)
Where did we go wrong?

Hey there Mr. Blue (sky)
We’re so pleased to be with you (sky)
Look around see what you do (blue)
Everybody smiles at you…
(Electric Light Orchestra)

Well, there…look at that beautiful morning that is unfolding with all of that sunshine, blue sky, and warmer temps. A very lovely day for our souls.

This little market of love is also showing us so much sunshine, so many blue skies!!

The sales are amazing, new customers continue to join, the new customer base, each week, stays with us, and the customers who have been with us for the past years, are going strong.

I have to say, my heart is happy, my heart if full, and I continue to watch the numbers grow. You are all amazing, and you continue to rock and roll this market.

It’s Monday, and the market is open until tomorrow evening, at 10pm! Plenty of time to think about all that we can bring you, this week, with all of the amazing products from our amazing vendors!

Let us be your own, personal Mr. Blue Sky…let us bring your weekly sunshine to you…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Sunday Plan?

A thoughtful market follower emailed this reminder about the beauty that is within miles to us…

The Cedar Bog boardwalk is open; a beautiful place to walk on a nice day. Amazing flowers already blooming. Enjoy our lovely world.

This would make for a perfect Sunday soul journey! Thank you, Erik!

Sisters and Brothers

My Sunday Soul Search…the gospel of Jerry Garcia singing, My Sisters and Brothers…and, really, what lovely lyrics for the time we are in…

I wanna say to my sisters and my brothers
Keep the faith
When the storm flies and the wind blows
Go on at a steady pace
When the battle is fought and the victory’s won
We can all shout together we have overcome
We’ll talk to the Father and the Son
When we make it to the promised land
If we walk together little children
We don’t ever have to worry
Through this world of trouble
We gotta love one another
Let us take our fellow man by the hand
Try to help him to understand
We can all be together forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land
Our bible reads
Thou shall not be afraid
Of the terror by night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
Nor for the pestilence
That waiteth in the darkness
Nor for the destruction
That waiteth in the noon-day hour
If we walk together little children
We don’t ever have to worry
Through this world of trouble
We gotta love one another
Let us take our fellow man by the hand
Try to help him to understand
We can all be together forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land
This world is not our home
We’re only passing through
Our trail is all made up
Way beyond the blue
Let us do the very best that we can
While we’re travelin’ through this land
We can all be together shakin’ a hand
When we make it to the promised land
If we walk together little children
We don’t ever have to worry
Through this world of trouble
We gotta love one another
Let us take our fellow man by the hand
Try to help him to understand
We can all be together forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land
When we make it to the promised land
Make it to the promised land
(Sisters)
Make it to the promised land
(Little children)
Make it to the promised land
Make it to the promised land
(Children)
Make it to the promised land
We can all be together forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land
Walk together little children
We won’t ever have to worry
Through this world of trouble
We gotta love one another
Let us take our fellow man by the hand
Try to help him to understand
We can all be together forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land
We can all be together forever and ever
When we make it to the promised land
(Jerry Garcia Band)

Good morning, lovely little market of love customers. Just sending out my love, my gratitude, and my soul, today, to thank you, all, for being part of this ever growing market brotherhood/sisterhood.

It’s Sunday, and it’s looking lovely out there. A perfect time to go, breathe in the fresh air, bask in a bit of sunlight on your faces, and maybe just have your own soulful kind of day. Your market manager is taking off for a midday, social distanced, outdoor picnic with a dear friend…it’s been so long for much needed girl chat time!

Anyway…wherever your day takes you, know that we are always here for you, to take care of your weekly nutritional needs, and we love all of the smiling faces that come out on Thursdays…

I added a few new soups, this time, and am adding a few new bread varieties…thank you for being so Cosmically supportive.

Sending all the love vibes…
XOXO,
Cosmic Pam