Updates

Welcome to Wednesday, dear reader. It is the middle of the week, and we are halfway through. What a week it has been so far. What a year it has been so far. Oy, I don't know if I can take any more change and upheaval. So, it is officially official, we will not be at any other markets in the Westmoreland/Ligonier area, except the Greensburg Night Market in June and November. Erica will be taking these markets for us because, to be honest, she is 24 and has way more energy than The Bibbed Wonder and me. 

We are moving ahead with our plan to host a monthly market on our farm on the last Saturday of every month. The following dates are The Smiling Goat Farmer's Market, the unofficial name: May 30, June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, and October 31. Slowly, but surely, as the reality sets in that our usual market is no more, vendors are trickling in. I understand the reluctance to commit with all the uncertainty. We hope to host more of a traditional farmers market, featuring produce, dairy, meats, honey, maple, and flowers, as well as our artisan and packaged-food friends. We want to keep it small, well-curated, and high-quality. Our mission is to provide a home for talented artisans, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with a Make It, Bake It, Grow It standard. There will be no third-party vendors or Temu resales. We have found our home in the handmade community and created a small family with our vendor friends. It makes me sad to think that I will not see these people for the five months a year as I have in the past. I guess it is true, the only certain thing is change. Sigh. 

The Bibbed Wonder and I both have taken the attitude that this is the Universe giving us the push we need to do all the things we talk about doing on our farm. Man, was I ever on point when I declared 2026 to be the year of change. Little did I know that the changes would come so fast, be so constant, and so painful. I guess they call them growing pains for a reason. I am giving myself this week to feel blue and nurse my wounds, and then, dear reader, it is game on. I don't really have the time to grieve what is no more. I just need to put that energy into creating something meaningful, beautiful, and beneficial for all the people I care about, which includes you, my soap family. 

So, give me a week to feel bad about our losses, and then mark your calendar for what I hope will be a lovely, handmade, local monthly market. I am convincing one bib overall-wearing, foot-dragging, wonder buns that it needs to be exceptional, beautiful, and unique. To date, we have several demonstrations scheduled, "InstaFace"-ready outdoor decor plans, AMAZING food lined up, and some quality, talented vendors. As things finalize, I will keep you posted. It's all a bit of a blur and a whirlwind, but we are doing our best to create something you will love and will find travel-worthy. We will give it our all for you, dear reader. 

On this lovely May day, stay safe, be smart. It's okay to grieve your losses; just don't hang out there for too long. Life is short. Get things done. The people you care about are worth the effort, and keep washing your hands.