Planet Garden Encourages Georgia Grown Farmers Markets

Bring Georgia Home is the name of the State of Georgia Department of Agriculture initiative to encourage Georgia residents to buy local. According to our commissioner, Tommy Irvin,  “Pride and integrity run deep in Georgia. Our fruit, vegetable and nut growers strive to bring you the very best – the best in quality, variety, dependability and value. Agriculture is strong in our state, and thanks to you our future looks bright. We appreciate your business and look forward to producing more for you in the seasons ahead.”
　
Last summer Bluebird Market applied with the State of Georgia and we just received notice this week that we have been approved as a Georgia Grown Farmers Market. This is well deserved because we strive to encourage local Georgia growers to bring their Georgia Grown produce to market. There are loyal patrons who show they value having farmers in Upson County by shopping at our Georgia Grown farmers market.  We also encourage farm fresh fans locally to enjoy this goodness of locally grown produce by becoming a CSA member.
Some of the Middle Georgia Farmers who have offered their products at Bluebird Market and CSA include James Family Farm, Holland Apple Farm, Newman Farms, Russell Farms, Elliott Farms, Dickey Farms, D & A Farms, Little Red Hen Farm, Busy Bee Honey Farm and many more.
Look for the rising sunshine logo and Georgia Grown products at Bluebird Market. We are so appreciative of the efforts of our Georgia growers. It is a benefit to us in Thomaston to have farmers that are right around the corner from our hometown.
Arty’s Garden from the Georgia Department of Ag, encourages us to enjoy the beauty of winter flower gardens and I am especially enjoying the beautiful Camellias blooming right now in our hometown. We are looking forward to a beautiful spring as an official Georgia Grown farmers market for Thomaston and surrounding neighbors.  Open year round on Saturdays at the Historic Downtown Train Depot from 8 am until noon, we invite you to support your local Georgia Grown farmers.  Participate in the Bluebird CSA program with weekly share boxes of all the best farm fresh veggies from Middle Georgia farms.
Your neighborhood farmers market and CSA program will continue to serve the interest of our Georgia farmers and are honored to be notified by the State of Georgia that we are now registered. Look for the Georgia Grown logo when you shop.
Enrich your life on Saturdays from 8 am until noon at Bluebird Market at the historic downtown train depot located at 218 N. Center Street, Thomaston. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.bluebirdmarket.com
and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email rural CSA questions to: bluebirdcsa@gmail.com.

Planet Garden Shares a Cup of Tea with Local Artisans

Truly sharing a cup of tea led to a small group of lovely local artisans making plans to go out and tell their friends at other Middle Georgia arts events how delightful it is to live, work, play and create arts in Thomaston Georgia. Ladies love unwrapping presents – and Bluebird Arties were delighted to find at their plate Valentine Gifts – including a red drawstring mini-purse filled with Mary Kay lipsticks, lip liners, a Giftcard for a Free Pampering Session, a Complimentary Facial, Satin Hands and Lips Treatment, Color Makeover and a $10.00 Gift Certificate!
While sharing a cup of hot tea at the home of Diane Dunn, Bluebird Artisan Guild members discussed how spring will bring fun opportunities in Thomaston for Middle Georgia artists.  Plans were made to invite local artists into the Guild and embrace our local arts culture as a united group of self taught artisans working together.   Online networking ideas and reading news stories about upcoming trade shows made the tea party an informative as well as a fun social arts gathering. 
One local artisan shared the idea for Bluebird Arties to each have a Bluebird display logo for their booth when traveling to neighboring events in Middle Georgia.  The aim of these ambassadors for the arts is to encourage tourism and network with friends of the arts about fun upcoming festivals in Thomaston. 
Tasty Salmon Pate’ was served at the Guild Valentine Tea and luncheon.  Heart shaped teacups and saucers in bright lime, pink and purple were filled from pink teapots of Lemon, Royal Raspberry and Green herbal teas.  Local bakers prepared Cottage Industry baked goods that were served on a lovely 3 tier serving piece along with valentine candies and mints.

We also took notes in a daytimer book and pen gift set and enjoyed a fun assortment of Valentine Party favors including a lovely heart fan, a Guide to the Art of Victorian Fan Language, fun temporary Princess tattoos, red and pink tiaras and lip whistles.  The Bluebird Artisan Guild Valentine Tea Party illustrated that sharing tea can lead to serving together to support our local arts community.
Middle Georgia Artisans interested in becoming involved with Forward Bluebird Arts are invited to email:  bluebirdarts@gmail.com and visit http://www.bluebirdmarket.com

Planet Garden Perpetual Growing Season Courtesy of USDA

Courtesy of the USDA Every Georgia Farmer Will Receive 1 High Tunnel for a Perpetual Growing Season.   Here is the news release from USDA announced this month.
“THE USDA-NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) HAS LAUNCHED A HIGH TUNNEL PILOT STUDY TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF LOCALLY GROWN FOODS IN GEORGIA.
In Athens, Georgia, James E. Tillman, Sr., State Conservationist for the USDA-Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia announced on January 7, 2010 that Georgia is one of 38 states selected to participate in a project to evaluate effectiveness of high tunnels in natural resource conservation.”
Bluebird CSA share holders experienced first hand that high tunnels work. This week share boxes included artisan lettuces that are certified organic and survived the hard freeze in January 2010 safe in the high tunnel at D & A Farm.
“Part of the “Know Your Farmer; Know Your Food” initiative, the high tunnel project will establish high tunnels to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.
The 3-year study will verify if high tunnels – also known as hoop houses – are effective in
reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season,
increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers. “I am excited that Georgia was
selected to participate in this study,” James Tillman said.
Dave Bentoski of D & A Farm in Zebulon” and one of the participating Multiple Farms in the Bluebird CSA program “is a firm believer in high tunnels. “There’s no doubt
it’s a good production technique. For professional growers, they’re incredible,” he said. He has one high tunnel that is 3 years old and has recently constructed two new ones. “We use them for season extension. “We grew tomatoes in there that we planted at the end of July; in 2,000 ft of growing space, we harvested 1,500 lbs. of tomatoes. We had tomatoes in the market well after our peers,” he said.
Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are
easy to build, maintain and move. High tunnels are used year-round in warmer parts of the country, providing steady incomes to farmers – a significant advantage to owners of small farms, limited-resource farmers and organic producers.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial assistance for the project through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the EQIP Organic Initiative, and the Agricultural Management Assistance program.
NRCS will fund one high tunnel per farm. High tunnels in the study can cover as much as 5 percent of 1 acre.
Participating states and territories are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Pacific Islands, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.”
To sign up or learn more about the project, contact your local NRCS office. Or email: mary.mcquinn@ga.usda.gov or bluebirdmarket@gmail.com for more information. Find out more about the project or sign up for a Bluebird CSA share box at http://bluebirdmarket.com. Every family needs a farmer. Do you know yours?

Planet Garden Assures All the Best

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are growing all over the country with some programs serving over 400 members with 100 on a waiting list.
When you can pick up an affordable box each week here in Thomaston for your family that is filled with an assortment of farm fresh local foods, it is a practical and prudent manner of directing your food dollar.  CSA shares are a local solution to rising costs of transportation that increase food miles while decreasing nutrients of fresh foods.  You connect directly to the source of those growing and providing your family with farm fresh veggies. 
Last week the winter $15.00 sampler box of CSA harvest shares picked up at Bluebird Market included bountiful amounts of turnips, collards, apples, pecans (shelled and unshelled), rosemary, spices, garlic, onions and more.  Recipes are included for fun fresh food ideas to insure you enjoy cooking delicious and nutritious meals for your family.
Variety is going to continue to build each week as we move into early spring and then the harvest of summer. Farm fresh veggies will be shared for everyone who signs up with this affordable program at Bluebird Market.
This week the shares will also include an assortment of lettuces like butter crunch, Romaine, Red Leaf and Green Leaf. It’s amazing to know that our local Middle Georgia growers are producing such a wonderful array of farm fresh organic produce.
James Family Farm is certified organic and will offer us shelled pecans again this week along with other veggies. They are also now offering a Farmhouse baked goods bonus box for only $12.50/week. In this box you will receive 2 family size loaves of healthy wheat bread made with local honey or honey oatmeal bread or honey nut oatmeal raisin bread along with the jelly of the week such as local honey, pepper jelly, Blue-Ribbon Winning Apple Butter and many more.
This program is a community service and the prices are so affordable for your family. The single share boxes can be added to if your family has a need for more fresh veggies. My advice is sign up this Saturday at the market so you will be assured of all the best.  Spring is on the way and we will build into a spring and summer of bountiful peaches, plums, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, squash, watermelons, tomatoes (numerous varieties) peppers, peas, beans, onions, okra, zucchini, eggplant, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, spinach, Swiss Chard and so much more. You may also sign up for Georgia roasted bulk coffee that comes in a refillable tin. Little Red Hen offers bulk local farm fresh eggs as a part of the Bluebird CSA and farm fresh chicken.
You will be assured of all the best when you subscribe to the Middle Georgia multiple farm Bluebird CSA program that aims to serve our local community above all.
Enrich your life on Saturdays from 8 am until noon at Bluebird Market at the historic downtown train depot located at 218 N. Center Street, Thomaston. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.bluebirdmarket.com
and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email rural CSA questions to: bluebirdcsa@gmail.com.

Planet Garden Grows When Markets Are Up

Farmers markets are good for everyone. The 2007 Census of Agriculture reported a remarkable $1.2 billion in food sold directly from farmers to consumers. This is a 17% increase over the previous five years. The conclusion? More farmers are making more products directly available to more Americans in more ways. One of those ways is farmers markets.
Each year, more Americans in more communities get more of their food from farmers markets. In August, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 4,685 farmers markets operating in the United States. This was a 170% increase over the last ten years.
Like Thomaston’s Bluebird Market, fifteen percent of these markets operate in winter months, extending their seasons to generate more reliable income for small-scale family farmers and build sustainable local economies.
More farmers markets mean more opportunities to:
• support healthy lifestyles
• make fresh, nutritious food available to more people
• support small family farms and preserve America’s rural landscapes
• strengthen communities and stimulate local economies
What is a farmers market?
Farmers markets vary from hundreds of food producers across a regional food system to just a few farmers collecting on a town square. Each market is a unique representation of its community, with a wide variety of products available for sale. Most farmers markets showcase local food, local producers, and local esteem.
Farmers markets…
Support healthy lifestyles
• Offer unique varieties of fresh, nutritious food at the peak of flavor, directly from the grower
• Encourage walking & bicycling
• Develop vibrant community networks and gathering places
• Provide opportunities for fresh air, social interaction, and learning about healthy cooking and regional products
Farmers markets…
Make fresh nutritious food available to more people
They also support small family farms and preserve America’s rural landscapes. Farmers Markets help keep farmers farming. Thirty five percent of farms near Ithaca, NY believe they would simply not exist if it was not for farmers market and direct sales in and around the city.
Farmers markets…
Strengthen communities and stimulate local economies as they
• Grow jobs and strengthen local economies. • Reduce the distance food travels• Revitalize downtowns. • Make local food affordable. • Attract new small businesses. Support your farmers market and support our community.
Farmers markets are good for everyone.
Join us to make them even better.
Enrich your life on Saturdays from 8 am until noon at Bluebird Market at the historic downtown train depot located at 218 N. Center Street, Thomaston. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.bluebirdmarket.com
and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email rural CSA questions to: bluebirdcsa@gmail.com.

　
Farmers markets have attracted new small businesses to downtown Oswego and Rochester, New York.
Produce at Seattle farmers markets was up to 20 cents per pound less than at nearby food retailers.
In 2003, 24% of shoppers at Portland, Oregon’s midweek market came downtown specifically to attend the market, then continued to shop downtown.
. In 2008, more than 85% of farmers at Portland Farmers Market traveled 50 miles or fewer to get there, a fraction of the distance traveled by most food in the U.S.
In 2004, Iowa farmers markets generated 20.8 million in economic activity, directly creating 324 jobs. Oklahoma farmers markets generated 7.8 million in statewide economic activity.

Planet Garden Proposes Keep a Green Tree in Your Heart and Perhaps the Singing Bird Will Come

One fun way I know to establish a backyard wildlife habitat for our precious feathered friends is to put up a bluebird house. This morning I was in the country off Jeff Davis Road and saw a beautiful bluebird flying in the sunshine. On Christmas morning we woke up and watched a flock of Cardinal Redbirds eating the red berries on a dogwood tree. I like the way birds bring beauty, song and peace into our lives every day if we pause a moment to enjoy this good earth we all share. Bird watching is a gentle reminder that during winter it’s a caring act to give them a boost so in spring our bird population will grow. This spring we are mapping a Bluebird Trail through Middle Georgia. If you would like to add a Bluebird House in your yard in time for spring nesting, you may find them this Saturday at Bluebird Market. These houses are affordably handcrafted by local woodworkers and easy to place in your yard to encourage spring nesting of bluebirds.  Bluebirds are our friends and especially a friend to farmers because they feed on the insects that would otherwise damage our gardens.
I invite you to also officially dedicate your backyard, schoolyard or farmland as a certified National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat. It’s a simple dedication to protect wildlife and I was fortunate to have facilitated a schoolyard habitat and received the NWF certificate. It’s so easy and begins by following the simple steps found online at http://wp.me/pvF76-14.
When we care about wildlife–like bluebirds and redbirds– and take action to attract them into our lives, often they will come and enrich us with their beauty and songs.

3 Simple Ways to Enrich our Lives with Songbirds
1- Place a bluebird house in your yard for spring nesting
2- Feed the birds by hanging edible ornaments like a peanut butter pinecone or apple rolled in birdseed
3- Provide a bird bath for a water source
Celebrate the beauty of nature on this good earth we all share. It might be nice to have a spring fling Bluebird Festival with fresh market foods, artisans and all the best of middle Georgia flowers, herbs and organic products to celebrate the natural beauty and abundance all around us right here in Middle Georgia. Share with us your ideas for keeping a green tree in our hearts, and perhaps the singing bird will come.
Enrich your life on Saturdays from 8 am until noon at Bluebird Market at the historic downtown train depot located at 218 N. Center Street, Thomaston. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.bluebirdmarket.com
and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email rural CSA veggie box questions to: bluebirdcsa@gmail.com.

Planet Garden Agrees Every Family Needs a Farmer

According to the USDA, every family needs a farmer. Do you know yours?  Every family deserves a family farmer who is working hard to provide fresh grown foods for them. It’s so nice to have a personal grower who is outside in the sunshine every day on the farm working hard and growing the best of Middle Georgia veggies, fruits, melons, herbs and berries for our family. Every family deserves a family farmer who wants them to be satisfied. It’s valuable to know our personal farmer because he cares enough about our family to use healthy organic practices. He is growing for the community and for people he sees around town not just a random customer. There is a healthy accountability factor growing for neighbors and friends. Neighbors are the people who smile at their local farmer when they get a box of fresh veggies knowing he is doing his very best to provide fresh foods for his friends and neighbors. Every family deserves a family farmer bringing them foods straight off the farm…so the family’s foods are fresher, taste better and have more nutrients. Rather than choosing foods grown by strangers in far off places, shipped in big trucks across regions and stored in warehouses, my advice is buy fresh and local.
When you get involved with your local farming community you have fresh and local veggies for your family each week. This is such a benefit to our community. If everyone would connect locally with our terrific local growers, it would provide us with an abundance of fresh and locally grown veggies. If the demand is higher for fresh and local, then more people will try to make a living as a farm producer and that will be very beneficial for our town.
Every family deserves to have the best locally grown fresh foods that our local farmers can provide. Buying from local growers is not difficult or costly. Share boxes of fresh multiple farm Middle Georgia veggies begin at only $15.00 for a single person. This is adequate for one person for a full week providing seasonal nutrients that keep our bodies strong and healthy.
Every family needs a farmer and when you connect and get to know who is growing your foods you are assured of all the best that local grower can bring to his friends and neighbors.
Enrich your life on Saturdays at Bluebird Market in the historic downtown train depot located at 218 N. Center Street, Thomaston. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.bluebirdmarket.com
 and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email rural CSA questions to: bluebirdcsa@gmail.com.
　
　

Planet Garden Supports Profound Impact of CSA Programs

Local Harvest has approved our rural Georgia Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and states the CSA nationwide effort is “a simple enough idea, but it’s impact has been profound.” Because of globalization, rarely do local and regional small farmers’ bring their produce to an infrastructure system of super markets. As a result, CSA cooperatives are growing at a tremendous clip across the country. They offer an effective solution for us to again directly reconnect with our local rural growers. Why should I become a member of a rural Georgia CSA co-op? Americans are signing up for CSA programs because farm fresh produce in their weekly share boxes tastes better and is more nourishing. Grocery chains and superstores would like very much to ‘cash in’ on the better tasting and more nourishing local food demands of customers but the very nature of their structure prevents it. Super store operations are set up so they can place a few gigantic orders with a few gigantic distributors or with distribution divisions. They are not set up to deal with individual rural area growers and small farmers growing seasonal crops and it would be prohibitive for them to attempt. Who profits from a CSA cooperative program? Community supported agriculture is structured to profit our rural farmers directly in return for dedicated community service to provide us with all the best of their harvest. They become our personal growers and aim to directly serve us with all the best tasting and healthy produce. Are farmers markets growing during a tough economy? The nationwide demand for better tasting and healthier local produce is one reason farmers markets have nearly doubled in our country over the last decade. Where do the super store veggies actually come from and who is growing that food? It is vital for prosperity that ‘old things become new’ and we once again know our growers and invest with them. This is one prudent reason people are signing up across our country for Community Supported Agriculture programs. Many super store foods are imported and warehoused by ‘industrial’ growers and far off gigantic food corporations. My advice is prepare now to plant a small spring veggie garden and sign up today with Bluebird CSA for all the best tasting and nourishing local produce. Know who is growing your food and if they care enough about your family to use organic practices. Who can participate in a CSA program? The Bluebird CSA program is a cooperative partnership between our local rural farmers market community, local farmers and community members of the CSA. Members may purchase subscription shares of farm produce in return for a weekly box of fresh farm veggies. Also affordable are boxes of seasonal and local fruits, eggs, flowers, and top Cottage Industry certified baked goods. Growers insure CSA shareholders get all the best of their seasonal produce. Who are the local growers? Bluebird CSA is your opportunity to support and share the harvest of James Family Farm, and other dedicated rural farmers actually growing much of Middle Georgia’s finest Award Winning vegetables. We have been enjoying and sharing the turnips, collards and lettuces from James Family Farm which are delicious and nourishing. We also are highly pleased with apples and pecans from Mr. Holland’s Apple Farm. Partnered for the Multiple Farm Bluebird CSA are certified organic farms like James Family Farm and organic practices farms like SunRay Farms in Barnesville with organic blueberries. If you would like to be a CSA grower or want to sign up for a weekly box of fresh veggies, contact bluebirdcsa@gmail.com. Small gardeners might want to order seeds now to plant herbs like fresh basil and Stevia, or heirloom produce which is in high demand. What comes in a CSA share box? The CSA program is available now with winter greens, lettuces, turnips, local pecans, apples and more winter season produce. In 12 short weeks, seeds and plants will begin producing an array of spring and summer strawberries, blueberries, figs, peaches, blackberries, melons, heirloom and ‘Ark of Taste’ tomatoes, squash, fresh herbs, cucumbers, eggplant, onions, peppers and much more from all the best area growers. You may also want to choose affordable bonus boxes filled with farm-fresh certified eggs, local honey, oatmeal and stone ground wheat breads from Certified Farm Kitchens, homemade healthy salad dressings, fruit and sweet potato pies, Blue-Ribbon winning jellies, pepper sauces, sweet onion relish and all the best local flavors. What size share boxes are available? Shares come in boxes to meet individual needs like a full box share subscription for a family of 4 people, a half share suitable for 2 people or a quarter share box for 1 person. For convenience and Seniors, prepared foods are available like flavorful soups and casseroles using local organic farm fresh products. Affordable prepared dishes and baked goods are offered by professional culinary experts such as ‘Bread of Life’. What are the benefits of a CSA? Participating with your rural CSA cooperative program provides delicious farm fresh produce that is actually grown in our area rather than purchased from other regions and warehoused. Our rural Georgia CSA preserves our local family farms and rural Georgia economy with a sustainable local food system. It helps keep our local money in our community where it belongs. Your food travels less food miles and is therefore more fresh and more nutrient-rich. And our rural CSA reconnects you and your family with your source of food rather than with corporate warehouses and cross country trucking systems. Thank you to everyone who asked for this CSA program last summer and waited patiently for it to be successfully developed and available now. When can I sign up for a box of veggies? You are invited to sign up now for a box of winter veggies with Bluebird CSA to get on the ‘right track’ with 12 weeks of farm fresh vegetable shares. You will get all of the fun ideas on how to prepare this nutritious and bountiful local harvest. You will reap a bounty of heart-healthy nourishing veggies and, as Local Harvest states, it is “a simple enough idea, but it’s impact has been profound.” Enrich your life on Saturdays at Bluebird Market in the historic downtown train depot located at 218 N. Center Street, Thomaston. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at http://www.bluebirdmarket.com and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email rural CSA questions to: bluebirdcsa@gmail.com.

Planet Garden Fun Place for Fresh Food Ideas at Bluebird Market

We are so fortunate to be in the growing Farmers Market Industry. In the last decade, Farmers Markets have almost doubled in number in our country according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The impact local farmers markets are making is stunning with numbers that show the potential of authentic fresh food local markets. Downtown districts and historic places are seeking farmers markets to bring vibrancy and fresh foods to people each week at local venues.
One best practices market has over 70 vendors that bring an array of fresh flowers, herbs, fruits, and veggies each week to local people. These markets are thriving and enrich communities and are in top demand across our country. It is an exciting time if you are an authentic grower or farmer with fresh produce. When supermarkets are not structured to deal with local farmers by their very nature, farmers markets offer shoppers all of the finest foods that are grown locally and fresh picked.
If you have a plot of land, I encourage you to put it to its highest and best use. 
Here are 3 fun ideas to become a fresh foods vendor at Bluebird Market. 1-Grow Flowers…Plant flower seeds and sell zinnias, sunflowers and more this summer at the market. 2-Grow Herbs…. Plant fresh mint, Stevia, or fresh basil and develop a client base for fresh herbs that bring us such delicious flavors.  3- Grow Heirloom Vegetable Varieties…Investigate Ark of Taste products like Cherokee PurpleTomatoes and Heirloom products to determine if you might like to grow these varieties and offer them to others in our local market.
Bluebird Market is a fresh foods market! Last summer through the fall and ongoing now we have organic and fresh herbs, flowers, veggies and fruits. We are heading into a new decade aftr having a bountiful first year with many terrific demonstrations on healthy ways to prepare fresh foods. It is so much fun to come out each week and see the Kitchen Show! I am totally amazed at our local culinary experts who are bringing all of the unique, delicious and simple ways to prepare fresh and local foods for our families.
For those who want a fun place with fresh food ideas, Bluebird Market has a new centrally located marketplace in the historic downtown train depot. The Ponderosa is open and now operates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Thanks to the vision of Andy York, owner of the Ponderosa establishment, Bluebird Market is bringing it’s thriving community of fresh and local food items to this centrally located downtown venue at 218 E. Center Street. If you know of people that are local growers…like a friend who has pecan trees or apple trees and would like to market their produce, please encourage them to come by the train depot on Saturday mornings from 8 am until noon.
Bluebird Market is such a fun place for fresh food ideas. We are thrilled as this new decade begins to now be in this historic downtown venue that is centrally located. Visit Bluebird Market in the historic train depot for a fun place to find fresh food ideas and all the best in local flavors.
　
Enrich your life Saturdays, 8 am until noon, at Bluebird Market, a fun place to find fresh food ideas, 218 N. Center Street. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living.

Planet Garden…Historic Downtown Train Depot Location for Bluebird Market

Because of the hard work of Andy York to renovate Thomaston’s historic train depot into the Ponderosa Steakhouse, our town is fortunate to have a lovely part of local culture in good hands.  The Ponderosa continues to be open on Thurs, Fri., and Saturday nights.
 
Train fans and farmers market fans are invited to get on board with Bluebird Market at the historic downtown train depot this Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 from 8 am until noon for an arts and harvest New Year’s celebration. We will have fun with local artisans, bakers, growers and those who enjoy fresh and local produce at Bluebird Market.
It is such an honor and delight to offer this great downtown business location for the community of farmers market shoppers that come out weekly to buy local and home grown produce. This neighborhood is part of the downtown business district and many people shopped with local growers in the parking lot of United Bank in previous years.
For those of you who have not yet visited Bluebird Market, we invite you to stop by the historic train depot at 218 N. Center Street and meet and greet the vendors as they continue to bring Georgia Made Georgia Grown arts and harvest to us weekly. We opened on June 6, 2009 and have been serving Thomaston continuously every Saturday rain or shine with organic and fresh and local produce.
We have much to celebrate this coming year with a fun spring coming just around the corner. If you are a historic train lover like me and are happy that our train depot has been cared for over the years, I invite you to stop in Cook’s Market location..buy some of their delicious famous sausage, second to none, and tell Mr. York thank you for dedicating his time and talent into a historic part of our local culture.
It’s going to be so much fun and we hope you will start 2010 with Bluebird Market at the very beginning…a very good place to start!
Enrich your life on Saturdays at Bluebird Market. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living.

Planet Garden ‘Storybook American Town’ Market Sparkles and Grows

Turning the pages in our ‘Storybook American Town’ in 2009, we found the coolest small town people glowing with local talent. It is because of local people that our neighborhood market experienced phenomenal growth in 2009. We are totally intrigued and wondering, “What will happen next?” What is our 2010 destination? http://eepurl.com/gd52 Farmers Markets across our country are growing and Bluebird Market is growing too by taking a step in the right direction. You are invited to be a part as a fascinating story is unfolding for our local efforts. Recapping 2009, we celebrate that over 50 local vendors and hundreds of patrons brought us ‘All the Best’ genuine charm to our neighborhood open air Bluebird Market. Do you know the jewel in the crown of local communities across our country? Farmers Markets have nearly doubled during this decade! Local food systems continue growing as our country rebuilds on local foundations. Market squares in American villages are filled weekly as social gatherings for local fun, friends and foods. Across our country and especially in our hometown, we are re-establishing the value of what makes our nation strong around our market squares. In a hurried world, we are choosing ‘Slow Foods.’ Residents cherish the value of local people, local farmers, and local landscapes. Our hometown is being polished into a picture-perfect Currier and Ives lifestyle. In Thomaston, people continue to come out and show how the pages in a cheerful fairy tale story should read! Our family loved Beatrix Potter garden stories of Peter Rabbit and friends. Thus our effort in 2009, was to plant a vegetable garden. What fun it is to bring charming stories to life. Writing their fascinating pages in our local market story in 2009 were artisans, cottage bakers, growers, patrons, business leaders, chefs and more bringing artisan breads, herbs, veggies, flowers, and Georgia made artworks. The community garden brought a local harvest to over 40 families that signed up at Taste of Thomaston for free organic vegetables. This garden was made possible by generous donations of seeds, soil and plants by C W Enterprises, B & B Feed & Seed, Georgia Greenhouses and more. Among the hundreds of faithful patrons that came out weekly for farm fresh local veggies and artworks were the Clayton Family and the Versemann Family. Alice Versemann made canning cool again and showed us all the tips she has learned from generations of canners. Carla Clayton encouraged us to connect online with social networks like Twitter with a live demonstration on the big screen. BluebirdMarket.com now has nearly 10,000 online readers and over 1,800 Twitter followers. Click bluebirdmarket.com Live Traffic Feed to see where people live around the world who visit us online. There were numerous cooking shows in 2009 from talented local caterers and chefs like how to make a Crisp Apple Strudel by Cathy Kreismanis and the Art of Gingerbread Cottages by Linda Hayward. We were taught how to make a delicious garden soup by Bess Mayo. Bob James’ revealed his secret to a great pot of chili, and how to bake on a pizza stone to make garden focaccia. Bob Baskin not only gave us his recipe for Divinely Sweet Ambrosia, but also was the source of grove fresh oranges through the holiday season. Mr. Holland brought us apples from his Apple Farm along with his recipe for Apple Salad. Each week has been a learning experience with the spotlight on abundant undiscovered talents of our local growers, artisans, cooks and bakers. Seeking a healthy lifestyle of organic and green living has been the focus of our eco-friendliest market with produce brought by family farmers, like James Family Farm. You may tour this working farm like we did on Christmas Eve and sign up for fresh boxes of CSA produce harvested weekly. During the 2009 holidays, the cozy Christmas Market thrived each Saturday morning as friends gathered for sounds of music, and tastes of steaming hot cocoa, mulled cider, teas and soft warm gingerbread at the Sleighbell Arts Market. TUAC embraced the self-taught Bluebird Artisan Guild and featured Bluebird artist works in the TUAC Mistletoe Gallery Gift Shop. Artwork found for sale now at TUAC includes jewelry, beadwork, warm woolen mittens, stained glass, paintings, a local children’s storybook, handmade soaps, handstitched quilts, pure spa salts, and much more from Middle Georgia countryside artisan studios. Step into a real ‘Storybook American Town’ market. The focus at Bluebird Market is local arts, baking, gardening, botany, a Children’s Bookshop with local authors and over 20,000 titles through Usborne Books. We are so appreciative for the Story Time that sweet spirited, Miss Honey, Kara Beth Huddleston gave children for a love of reading experience with a Dino Dig, walks through the community garden, pet day and weekly themes just for little BEE-a-Readers. It’s been a good year in 2009 because of beautiful people bringing arts and harvest to enrich our collective local experience at Bluebird Garden and Market. So, after a year of fabulous fun and growth in 2009, what is our 2010 destination? Let’s start at the very beginning this Saturday, January 2nd….read more on http://www.bluebirdmarket.com. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living.

Planet Garden ‘Ark of Taste’ Christmas Wish List

Ark of Taste Christmas Wish List
Last Christmas, the Versemann family was making a Christmas Wish List of Seeds…and Jolly St. Nick filled stockings with Parat Giant Radish seeds and more.  This gardening family planted the seeds, shared the bountiful harvest at Bluebird Market, and shared plants and seeds for the community garden which we are still harvesting now!  What an investment they made and produced and it all began with a Christmas Wish List of seeds.  We just enjoyed the Versemann Parat Giant Radishes last week roasted on a veggie pizza prepared by Dr. Rick Clayton and they were delicious.
For fabulous taste experiences that are in danger of disappearing from our planet, Slow Foods USA has catalogued over 200 delicious but dormant foods. At Bluebird Market, those who bought the Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes from James Family Farm, were promoting and enjoying an Ark product in addition to helping to ensure it remains in production and available to us. The Cherokee Purple tomato was rediscovered after years of complete dormancy by a tomato grower who reported that this tomato originated with the Cherokee people over 100 years ago. The flavor is extremely sweet with a rich and smoky earthy taste and is thin skinned. This is also a nice variety to plant because it grows well in our region.
In the next several days, I invite you to browse the seed catalogs online and ask Jolly St. Nick for heirloom seeds and Ark of Taste product seeds for your spring garden. We are working now with ‘one man and his tractor’ to assist local churches in planting gardens for their congregations. Don’t wait if your church would like a garden this spring and summer, get a head start and email makersgarden@gmail.com. Our aim and hope is for local people to reap a bountiful harvest and now is the time to order seeds and arrange to layout the garden plot that can be established and ready to plant on Good Friday, April 2, 2010. 
If you love the local flavors, take a look at the Ark of Taste seeds for forgotten flavors that are now on a list of agricultural conservation products. Since 1996, more than 800 products from over 50 countries have been recognized on the International Ark of Taste list. We want to celebrate our unique culture in Georgia and keep our products that are delicious but perhaps not being used by super growers or super markets and abandoned to go dormant and disappear.
This Christmas order from seed catalogs or online and choose, when available, Ark of Taste products from our region that are in danger of disappearing so they will be planted and thriving again. Last summer Mr. Taylor, Taylor Organics CSA, gave us a Brandywine Heirloom tomato plant for the community garden and it was a delicious and nutritious heirloom variety that grew well.
If you know of a veggie, fruit, berry, nut, cereal, cheese, fish, game, livestock, poultry, beverage, honey, spice, syrup, vinegar or other product from our region that might need support from Ark of Taste you may download the form at http://www.slowfoodusa.org and send the nomination in to add this product to the list.
Local Harvest has a directory of growers, seed sources and nurseries who carry Ark of Taste products like the seasonal Ark products at Bluebird Market. http://bit.ly/BluebirdLocalHarvest
To see the complete list of Ark of Taste products online visit: http://bit.ly/arkoftasteproducts

 Or to download the list of US Ark Foods by Region which shows what foods in Georgia are in danger of disappearing visit: http://bit.ly/CherokeePurple
Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.yougottabekidding.org and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email EE questions to: bluebirdmarket@gmail.com.
　

Planet Garden ‘That’s a Strudel!’

If you have never seen a little ball of dough stretched to the size of the kitchen table, you can watch Cathy, from Bread of Life Cooking School, make a Christmas Apple Strudel online by visiting: http://bit.ly/thatsastrudel
　
Raisins, apples, butter and cinnamon make this a tried and true recipe that is simple to make for a delightful holiday favorite. Our Kitchen Show audience loved this demonstration given by Bread of Life Cooking School Artisan, Cathy Kreismanis. Traditional Christmas Apple Strudel makes a Cottage Baked Goods alternative to apple pies using farm fresh apples from Bluebird Market.
Cathy showed me pictures of her with a former President’s wife as a catering expert using all of her cooking skills to serve delicious and lovely foods at functions given by our former First Lady. It was an honor and delight for Cathy to share her skills and knowledge with us at Bluebird Market and we were thrilled with the gorgeous Christmas Apple Strudel that tasted flaky and delicious because of the homemade layer of crust that Cathy prepared. Enjoy baking for your family using secrets that helped serve our former First Family.
Cathy’s Christmas Apple Strudel 
Ingredients

	~	Dough:
	2	cups flour
	½	t. salt
	1	egg
	2	Tbsp. oil
	½	cup warm water
	~	Butter
	~	Apple Filling:
	1	cup toasted breadcrumbs
	5 to 6	apples, sliced thin
	¼	cup raisins
	½	cup nuts
	½	cup sugar
	1	t. cinnamon
	~	powdered sugar, apple, cranberries, evergreens for garnish

Steps

Dough:
Mix all together and knead well for several minutes. Let rest covered for 1 hour! Roll out thin on floured cloth. Brush with melted butter.
Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of pastry. Place apple filling at end and roll up using floured cloth to help roll.
Form roll into a horseshoe and bake for 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Garnish with dusted powdered sugar, an apple and evergreens. Serve with Sharp Cheddar Cheese.

Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.yougottabekidding.org and www.bluebirdmarket.com. Email EE questions to: planetgarden@live.com.

 

　

Planet Garden Gingerbread Love

It takes love to make a home and baking a Gingerbread House requires the same devotion. Only with love and care can you prepare the gingery dough and bake the walls to create a small house that brings delight to all ages.
We were so fortunate last Saturday to enjoy the Gingerbread Workshop of local author and illustrator, lovely Linda Hayward. Linda is also a Gingerbread Artisan and she showed us many of her tricks and secrets to the perfect little gingerbread cottage made with love for your family and friends.
To get a good start my advice is use a tried and true recipe for Gingerbread Houses and Royal Icing. Here is the one that Linda uses successfully to bake these little houses of love. Watch and learn Linda’s Gingerbread House Tips and how-to secrets online at http://bit.ly/GingerbreadCottage  and http://bit.ly/Gingerbreadhouse .
　
Ingredients

	~	Gingerbread for Houses
	5	and ½ cups all purpose flour
	1	t. baking soda
	1	t. salt
	2	t. ginger
	2	t. cinnamon
	1	t. nutmeg
	1	t. cloves
	1	cup shortening
	1	cup sugar
	1¼	cups unsulphured molasses
	2	eggs, beaten
	~	Royal Icing
	3	level T. Wilton Meringue Powder Mix
	4	cups sifted confectioners sugar (approx 1 lb)
	6	Tbsp. water (less for stiffer icing)

Steps
This content is online at http://www.culinate.com  in the Bluebird Market Recipe Box Collection.
Gingerbread….Thoroughly mix flour, soda, salt and spices.
Melt shortening in large saucepan over low heat until just melted, not hot. Add in order…sugar, molasses and eggs. Mix well. Cool slightly, then add 4 cups dry ingredients and mix well.
Turn mixture onto lightly floured surface. Knead in remaining dry ingredients by hand. Add a little more flour, if necessary, to make a firm dough.
If you’re not going to make your gingerbread house right away, wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate. Refrigerated dough will keep for 1 week. Be sure to remove it 3 hours prior to rolling so it softens and is workable. You will need 1 recipe of this gingerbread dough to make a Gingerbread House.
After cutting out house, wrap any remaining gingerbread dough in plastic. This extra dough can be used in case of a house crack or to add shutters or other decorative gingerbread to house. Icing can also repair small cracks.
Royal Icing…..Because it dries candy hard and lasts for weeks without softening, this icing is ideal to secure your gingerbread house pieces and decorations.
Before you make icing be certain your utensils and bowl are grease free. Keep icing covered with damp cloth because it dries quickly.
Beat all ingredients at low speed for 7 to 10 minutes until icing forms peaks. This icing can be stored in an airtight container and re-whipped before using. Yield is 3 cups. To give icing decorations a shiny snow effect, add 1 T. corn syrup per 1 cup of royal icing.
For painting a complete wall of your house, thin icing with coloring or water. Pour over gingerbread piece that is placed on a wire rack over a drip pan. Pour evenly to coat and let dry.
Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.yougottabekidding.org and http://www.bluebirdmarket.com. Email EE questions to: planetgarden@live.com.

Planet Garden ‘Storybook American Town’ Happy Christmas

When we walk around our hometown square during Christmas season, we become part of the illustrations and text in a Storybook American town. There are friendly people who live and work and play in a genteel and gracious way that sometimes seems like a moment floating from another time.
It’s always nice to come home to Thomaston because we see from expressions and friendliness that it is a happy little community filled with many real benefits. Some of those local benefits are coming Saturday to Bluebird Market sharing homemade gingerbread cottages and cups of hot cocoa with local gingerbread artisan and author, Linda Hayward. Everyone is so excited because of the fun we had last Saturday when Cathy Kreismanis taught us the secrets of authentic Holiday Apple Strudel. You will want to drop by 215 Barnesville St. in Thomaston for MOMS Club holiday open house this Saturday with MOMS Club President and Founder Phyllis Bryan at the market. There will be music and stories, friends and fun in another chapter of what makes each fascinating day of American living better than ever.
The best way I connect with our Storybook town lifestyle is through the arts and local artisan culture reflecting our way of life. Thomaston Upson Arts Council is warm and inviting and I always enjoy taking a walk through the gallery wonderland to see our town from the perspectives and impressions of those in touch with the art of life.
Especially now, during the holiday season we hope to encapsulate expressing genuine kindness to friends and family with handmade keepsakes.  That is why the TUAC gift gallery is a very favorite place of mine to choose affordable Christmas artworks. I’m especially delighted that along with the Sleighbell Arts Market, the Bluebird Artisan Guild was invited to place holiday artworks in the gallery at TUAC.
Once I was given for Christmas a handmade coffee mug from a local potter with a Bible verse and I still cherish the lovely handmade cup, it’s maker and the giver. Do you remember any special handmade gifts from local artists? Gifts from the soul are always the most treasured to me so the gift gallery is an ideal place to take a look for creative expressions. Choose beadwork, custom jewelry, pottery, paintings, ceramics, mosaics, photography, hand stitched quilts, handmade soaps and salts, woodworks, and so many more lovely artworks as memorable and meaningful holiday gifts for those you love.
We are blessed to be sharing our life experiences and artistic expressions in a Storybook American Town together. It’s nice to be right here over Christmas…living in our ever-unfolding American story we are writing and illustrating together ‘like a picture print by Currier and Ives.’
Enrich your life on Saturday at Bluebird Market. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.yougottabekidding.org and http://www.bluebirdmarket.com. Email EE questions to: planetgarden@live.com.

Planet Garden How Crafts Can Put a Little Green in Your Pocket

Need a place to Earn Christmas Money from Your Crafts?
With all of the cute crafts, arties, Indie arts and folk artists in Thomaston where can you go to sell your crafts to put a little Green in your holiday pocket?
This Saturday, bring your handiwork to the Sleighbell Arts Market in the former RC Cola Building at 215 Barnesville Street in Thomaston. This is a community fundraiser to support our local artisans as an annual holiday handmade arts and crafts sale where the funds go directly to the artisans.  Along with your crafts, be sure to invite about 5 friends to come out take a look at what you have to sell.  These are the 3 top reasons why we have seen successful vendors selling their products when they bring along their friends–
1-debut your works…it’s a great way for your friends to begin to see what you have been making,
2-build your reputation and customer base for your product line, 
3- if 20 vendors bring along only 5 friends each…how many shoppers will choose from holiday arts and crafts at the market? At least 100!
Most craft fairs charge a fee to set up or a daily fee but at Bluebird Market, there is no fee to set up and you only pay $5.00 a day AFTER you sell $20.00 of your products. So, you can come out and give the market a try and unless you make over twenty dollars it is completely no charge. In addition, when your friends and family members come early, they can enjoy a free community breakfast from 8 -9 am. This week Earlybird shoppers at the Sleighbell Arts Market may enjoy free Cranberry Pancakes with Marmalade Syrup along with hot chocolate and coffee.
The family-friendly market has an inside venue and opens at 8 am until noon. Vendors are welcome and should email bluebirdmarket@gmail.com or just come out ready to set up. This is a local fundraiser for our Bluebird Artists, and Guild members and everyone is welcome to shop the market and support hometown local artisans.
Our country was built and will continue to be strong because we support our local community people in their small business ventures.
If you are seeking a place to sell your handmade crafts to earn extra Christmas money, you are invited to set up at the Sleighbell Arts Market, 215 Barnesville Street, Thomaston on Saturday December 5th. Bring your friends and sell your handmade toys, vintage crafts, holiday ornaments, decorative party ware, table linens, beadwork, woodwork, paintings, knitting, quiltwork,  and other handmade craft items. A fun, easy and impressive opportunity this Saturday to put a little green in your holiday pocket.
Contact: bluebirdmarket@gmail.com

Planet Garden Happy Feeling Nothing in the World Can Buy

You will find a wintry fairy land at the Sleighbell Arts Market this Saturday over at our little neighborhood Bluebird Market on Barnesville St. in Thomaston. It’s lovely weather for an arts sleigh ride together with you…
There will be handmade gifts galore by local artisans that are so unique and precious but more important is the spirit they are created in. These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives…handmade mosaics, stained glass works and ornaments, footies, handmade soaps, art photography, beadwork, paintings, handmade wooden doll furniture, custom designed jewelry, beads for life, recycle art, purses, storybooks, hair bows, baby clothes and so much more! We are so blessed to be hosting this event for local artisans. Join us in shopping the Sleighbell Arts Market and Thomaston Upson Arts Council Gift Gallery. Talented local people bring us the way to say no to the madness of the malls and yes to great holiday gifts for everyone on our list.
Building our hometown by working together gives us that storybook happy feeling nothing in the world can buy! When we focus on our family, friends and blessings in our community, the price tag just can’t be bought. What we have is priceless when we work together for a better day for our family and friends. This is a lovely season to seek peace and joy within that passes all understanding and to sing the songs we love to sing without a single stop!
We also want our artisans to put a little green in their pockets this holiday season.  Why should we be certain they gain the encouragement to continue their ventures? Of all the reasons, one vital reason is because local businesses strengthen our hometown in sustainable living and bring us all a stronger local ecomony. Their little businesses are valuable to one and all. Honestly, it is what our country was founded on and what will keep it strong! Our local community has been my focus and this is the season to speak up for our local artisans. Their works are lovely and amazing, their prices are sound and affordable and the love that goes around when we buy from a local artisan is priceless…rebuilding our community brings that happy feeling nothing in the world can buy!
Come and take a sleigh ride this Saturday at Bluebird Market. Have fun learning to make crispy holiday apple strudel, sip some sugar cookie sleigh ride tea and check out all of the art work that has been lovingly created over the previous year by our local people.
There’s a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy when we strengthen our local economy and turn the pages of our ‘storybook American town’ to a brighter day for our hometown people.
　
Enrich your life on Saturday at the Bluebird Market. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at http://www.bluebirdmarket.com and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email EE questions to: planetgarden@live.com.

Planet Garden Immeasurably Grateful Hearts

It amazes me every day what a little encouragement can do to bring about a grateful heart. Because it is Thanksgiving and we all really do have so much to be thankful for, it is my aim to say how grateful I am for our little farmers market at the former RC Cola Building. We have been so touched by the many people who have come out week after week to support the efforts to build up our community people. It is so encouraging when someone drives up on a Saturday morning bringing a little basket of cookies to sell or some turnip greens that they have grown. And it is even more encouraging when I watch local people come and shop and take home bags of locally grown fresh veggies and baked goods.
Our artisans are increasing and that is because they are finding a little market here for their products. We have had over 50 vendors since June at the market. Many out of town visitors tell me they are delighted with our Bluebird Market and they are coming from Griffin, Columbus, Atlanta, Zebulon and many other towns around us to shop with our local people. Farmers Markets are growing and springing up and it is competitive for us to keep the top vendors like James Family Farm. They are invited to many bigger markets in Atlanta, McDonough and they attend at Peachtree City where the shoppers come out. However, Donna James told me Bluebird Market is their favorite and I was so glad to hear how they really love the friendly local people of Thomaston.
So this Thanksgiving one of my most grateful experiences is launching a venue for our local people to network and shop and bring their arts and harvest out each week. We are so blessed and word has been spreading. We had a nice letter from Quaker Oats that they loved what we were doing and were sending it to their marketing team for sponsorship consideration. Also a former chef from the Food Network has visited and shopped at the market and was very pleased with the experience.
The community garden is growing with lots of fall veggies and you are so welcome to Adopt a Row like the 4-H, and MOMS Club for your family or group. Thank you especially to everyone who worked to establish this for our community. When we share together and work together such amazing things happen that bring hope and delight to our community. I am grateful for Thomaston and for our friends here and our little Bluebird Market. We all truly have so many blessings each day when we wake up. We all have unlimited hope and love that we can share. How can the value of love ever be measured?  Love and gratitude is immeasurable.  Encouragement is a most priceless gift we can give to others. Isn’t it lovely to greet people each day with a grateful heart? It takes so little to give an immeasurable gift of gratefulness.
　
Enrich your life on Saturday at the Bluebird Market. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.
 and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email EE questions to: planetgarden@live.com.
bluebirdmarket.com

Planet Garden Sleighbell Arts Market Tells a Story Indeed

It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you! Giddy yap over to the Bluebird Market on Saturday, December 5th for a collection of our local folk artisans’ most lovely works. When you buy local arts from our local people you buy more that just a piece of work…it is a collective story of our culture. I am so proud of our local people and have seen such gorgeous pieces of work that bring culture to our community that stands the test of who we are as a hometown. In our storybook hometown, it is the people that make up the story and these works of art are the unspoken expression of our local hometown collective storybook.
Sleighbells and mistletoe and warm cider with cookies brings us together for a season of love and hope of how we can continue to grow and turn the pages as the story gets better with every day. Thomaston’s storybook hometown identity should want you to keep turning the pages because you can’t put it down …our fascinating people, love of the arts, homegrown gardeners, friendly shops and fantastic spirit of community is what keeps me turning the pages.
I can’t wait to get up in the morning and read another day in our precious community. As you write your page in our hometown storybook, be sure to get out and tell people about it! Don’t keep your role a secret…come over to Bluebird Market, build a birdhouse, paint a wagon, share your artistic loves with us on Saturdays as we write our little story about folk artists that make time to create.
Find their fasinating little stories and artworks at the TUAC gallery for Christmas shopping. When you give a gift this Christmas, make certain it tells the story of your hometown people.
At the recycle hub grand opening in Griffin, I was especially delighted when a recycling award was given by the Mayor of Griffin. It was a Bluebird House which he created, painted and numbered. Everyone has something to bring as a folk art piece so why not find a way to express yourself. I encourage you to come out and see what local people are doing and saying through their artworks. You will love reading our little hometown storybook every day more and more!
　
Enrich your life on Saturday at the Bluebird Market. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.bluebirdmarket.com and http://www.planetgarden.wordpress.com. Email EE questions to: planetgarden@live.com.

Planet Garden Champagne Toasts for Griffin Recycle Hub Team

Fortunately, for Thomaston Upson, we are included in the Griffin Grant-Winning Recycle Hub’s operational region. On Monday, November 16th the Grand Opening was held and the hub is now running with Pratt Recycling’s equipment in place and functional. This is a private-public partnership for curbside recycling efforts that Griffin Mayor, Dick Morrow, proclaimed as a win for everyone involved including our communities and the planet.
Kevin Barkley, Thomaston resident, and Phill Francis, Director of the project, and the entire Griffin team made the courageous decision to mandate recycling in Griffin, the first such program in the state. From that decision forward, they have won and been applauded time and again for the City of Griffin, now considered a leader in the State of Georgia recycling efforts. The State and National recycling awards are too numerous to count for Kevin and Phill with the new recycling hub facility being paid for by a coveted State Grant to the City of Griffin because of it’s strong commitment to recycling.
The Recycle Hub Grand Opening event was one of the most meaningful days in my lifetime for me and my son. Seeing this vision become reality will be counted among our many blessings this Thanksgiving. We are true believers in doing what is best for the higher good and we have seen first hand how curbside recycling efforts benefit us all.
The steadfast daily work of these dedicated men is also beneficial for our hometown. Now that the hub is open for business, the over 100 people who signed a petition to bring curbside recycling to Thomaston, are just a step away from that prudent and wise choice coming about. Dependable Waste Services is certainly the local company we believe most qualified to bring recycling to Thomaston in the coming year, as they have done for Barnesville and other neighboring communities already participating with the Griffin Recycle Hub Program.
Last March at the groundbreaking of the hub, it was stated by officials that curbside recycling is a must for progressive communities that aim to attract new business. These men have worked devotedly to build an effective and efficient streamlined system to insure Thomaston and surrounding communities have the very best state-of-the-art program in the recycling industry.
Republican Sonny Perdue brought Thomaston the opportunity to participate in the Griffin Recycle Hub program and I am personally very impressed with the State of Georgia’s winning direction forward in the green industry of recycling.
We are so fortunate to have this opportunity in our hometown for curbside recycling in 2010. It is an honor to be working in an industry that moves forward to insure our planet and local communities are a better place to live, work and play–not only for our families now–but for future generations also. A toast to healthy happiness for RecycleMan and the Griffin Recycle Hub team!

Mayor Dick Morrow presented his handmade bluebird house as recycling award.

Enrich your life on Saturday at the Bluebird Market. Explore with us each week to discover simple ways we can affordably contribute to sustainable and renewable eco-friendly living. Find resources online at www.yougottabekidding.org and www.BluebirdMarket.com. Email EE questions to: bluebirdmarket@gmail.com