With each annual for the journal, I always tried to share some of my favorite things–my good finds, good deals, or just beautiful things I love. I love supporting small businesses and local farms, and, sometimes, it’s the way to get the best deal on quality things you need or will enjoy for yourself or as gifts. I hope you find something you love too!
From left to right: 1. Be Wyld Child is an Etsy store that specializes in homemade solid lotions and natural perfumes. The shop owner is one of my favorite writers as well, so I am in awe of the many facets of her creativity. I ordered the solid lotions because I struggle with dry hands (farm work), and I just loved them. Plus, the packaging is a dream, and you can re-use the little tins. 2. Nubik Ranch in Sangerville, Maine sells the best honey I have ever tasted in my life–hands down. Their beautiful farm in the beautiful hills of Maine is out in the open and perfect for honey bees. The owners also love their bees to the moon and back and even told me a story about how the bees greet them. Happy bees make delicious honey, I suppose, because I will never be able to eat any other honey. If you are in Maine, you can pick up at their store front or order online. 3. Pleasant Hill Flowers is a flower stand in Waterville, Maine, and the owner grows the most beautiful flowers. All summer long, she sells bouquets from her stand, but in the early fall, she turns dried flowers into wreaths. This year, I landed one, and I am over the moon. If you live in Maine, follow Pleasant Hill Flowers on Facebook to keep up with her flower stand and when she has her gorgeous dried wreaths available. 4. It’s apple season in Maine, and if you are reading this from Maine, I cannot recommend Wight’s Apple Orchard enough. Not only are their apples delicious, but they also sell apples at a great price, making it easy to stock up and store/freeze apples for the winter. They also sell pumpkins and are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. 5. I just discovered Wild Rosie at the Common Ground Fair, and her tea towels are divine. The line at their booth was the longest I saw during our visit to the fair, and there was good reason. I loved every single one of their tea towels. I bought the owls, but I wish for more. I will be purchasing a tea towel for every home cook on my holiday shopping list this. year. If what you are looking for is sold out at their site, you can find their work at stores throughout Maine and beyond by following this link. 6. Finally, my homemade organic beeswax candles will always be some of my favorite things, and this year, I am expanding offerings with a greater variety of jars. All of these candles are handmade and fragrance free, and they are perfect for bringing a little cozy into your life, no matter the season. You can find them in our very own Farmer-ish Etsy shop. They are made with lots of love.