Happy Thanksgivukkah!

Dear People of the Universe,

What is Thanksgivukkah?
the convergence of Thanksgiving 
& the first day of Hannukkah 

Hasn't happened since 1888 
& it won't be happening again for 80,000 years.
In celebrating both traditions, "we are working together to improve society, to understand our differences & to make a stronger world."
For Everyone. 

It sounds like The Wild Fern to me. 

It's been over a year since I opened the Wild Fern, an idea that began in late May 2012.

An Idea that triggered fear, uncertainy & edgy hesitation all overlooked by excitement, happiness, genuine risk & an Unseen Force that brought to Life, The Wild Fern.

I had no money to open a business, had no business plan, knew I couldn't go into debt & knew the possibility of it being the worst thing I've ever chosen to do with my life could end up kicking me in my shins & send me into a depressed confused oblivion of, "was this on my bucket list too" ????" or, 
what the hell am I DOING NOW???

& I also did not know what exactly I would do to make it successful!

One year later we celebrated with an outdoor & indoor musical event 

& 
we Fed Our People!

& heard a

bunch of Great Music!
& sold some really cool handsewn Locally Made One of a Kind
Tie Dyes! 

 

 

 

So I'm a "Homeschooled Way Past Highschool" kind of kid & opening The Wild Fern has brought a level of enrichment my brain, heart & soul glory in.

Everyday that I am Open & everyday that I survive, I am Learning, Learning, Learning! All The Time!!!
I also adapt, adapt some more, & just when I think there's rhyme & reason to the business, I adapt a bit more just to adapt!

And, I don't like it when my kid tells me I "think I know it all" (I never want to feel as though I know it all!) Frankly, I don't know it all ZOE! just a little more than you though ;)

I learn to change every day that I am open. I learned to believe & trust in faith that what I am doing is with good intention, lots of love, & a heartfelt belief that I can offer my Community a few simple commodities for their daily life. 

Like, Local Fresh Homemade Bread! & Pretty Good Music!!

I am very Thankful for my opportunity to own & operate The Wild Fern. 

The adventure has brought me incredible fulfillment, happiness, true joy, & occasionally a few pounds ;) 

I'm just trying to connect Folks. That's all. There's no secret password, no code, no membership due. 
I'm just being me & perhaps being me isn't what Stockbridge is looking for, but its what every single one of us want to be, Ourself. 

From one Heart to another Heart, 
I don't really care if you're 2,12, 84, 43, 18 or 26 years old, if you have lived in Vermont your whole entire life or if you are just passing through. 

I'm offering something that is really positive ,

made entirely with Love, 

& 

Everyone is Welcome.  

From young to old, I welcome each person that walks into The Fern & I am always Thankful for their Business, their Support, their Faith, & even their perseverance.

I say perseverance because the Hours are not easy to remember, but also, not that hard to figure out~ if you really want to come, want to support it, or even see what it's all about.

I still operate The Wild Fern completely on my own, also am the Mother of a Teenager, a Musician, & I can only do SO MUCH & being Open 7 Days a Week & having a staff in these difficult times would only shut the doors faster than the Town's opinion of me travels the Town! =)

So with each Day that The Door remains Open, I will continue to: TO BE ME!!! AND:

Give Thanks to Each of You & the moment a new face, a new friend, a new passerby decides to walk through the door, I will greet you warmly, affectionately & happily.
Hugs are entirely free.

I've made Friends with new faces over this Year & without The Fern, I would never have become aquainted with these really wonderful & beautiful People that are now a part of my Life.

From my Heart to your Heart, Thank You. 

Happy Thanksgivukkah!!

Peace & Luv,

Heather Lynne & The Wild Fern

Time, Wisdom & Yoga Jogs~

The other night, I was asked how in the world do I still practice yoga & run?

I had to think about this. For like, 6 months, because I didn't really know.

Well,
In my 20's I didn't know much. I thought I did, like all the kids do, I thought I knew what was important, but looking back, nope, I didn't. I was constantly in a hurry. To do what? Nothing more important than having fun!

Then the 30's came along, adulthood kicked in with marriage, baby, house, the "american dream thing". The "grown up" thing, & the eventual "crash" (divorce) of the "american dream " & I thought I knew a little more.
I did. But there was plenty I didn't.

Having a baby was monumental though. The experience of bringing another life to the planet meant something greater than what I was able to understand at the time, & one that filled my heart with a ton of joy.

And there was a mystical force, one I couldn't see, definitely couldn't explain, but wove the hardships of a changing life & an evolving me.

I began studying Yoga in my 6th month of pregnancy. I was 30 years old. 
The philosophies are many, the postures are way too many ;), but all appealed to me. A sound resonated in my heart & shoved me smack dab into a quest for answers to deeper questions.
Would I ever be able to master it? 
No way, I just knew that I had found a path that was suitable for me.



Explain spirtual.
You can't. Really.
For every person has their own spiritual nature that's totally & completely who they are & is individually defined in the manner by which they live their own lives.
Sure, you can look up the word in the dictionary, & find a general meaning. But I think the true definition lies solely in the individual.


So life is busy, right?

Well, the difference from 20 years old to 43.5 years old, is that, Time has a new meaning, or rather a more clear meaning to me now.
I make time in my 40's.
I make time work with & for me. There are days when I don't have enough hours, but I try to make the best of what I do have & save the rest for the next day.

So where does yoga & running fit in? 

I make time for it.

I believe in it.

Why? Because eventually I noticed a difference in my personal life of growth, health, understanding, wisdom & attitude & that difference creates & makes the opportunities that I am living right now & allows me to get much done in a short amount of time.

Yoga brings calmness to my hyped up personality. I'm a redhead people. For real.
Yoga brings awareness & deeper understanding of the complexities that constantly surround me in daily life. It brings physical strength in order for me to be on my feet sometimes 16 hours at a time in the kitchen & then go out & play some rock & roll bass for our band, Rick Redington & The Luv, as well as get up in the morning & get a kid off to school!

Running, brings me closer to nature & meditation. Each day that I run, whether its raining, sunny, cold, humid or hot, icy, windy or even sleet! I find great joy in just being outside for those moments, & had I not been running, I may have missed.  Who really wants to miss out on joy? Not really anyone. And, Breathing in fresh air opens my mind & makes me think clearer. I see the changes that nature goes through on a daily basis & it reminds me of the changes I make on a daily basis.
Oftentimes, the combination of yoga & running, puts those life complexities into a more understandable perspective for me as I have time to not think as I practice both.

I don't really have a choice anymore when it comes to yoga joggin. Its like breathing, Either I am breathing or I am not & if I am not? Need I explain more?

But that's the how & why I do it.   



  

PLUS: I got these shoes in March after a tax return & ditched the 14 year old once blue sueded merrills & sometimes I float down my Stony Brook Road in these sweet rides =) 

Ps. its a great day to check out an espresso maker! 

July at The Fern!

Here in Vermont, Summer Months come & go so quickly & July popped up today!

Happy July 1st Everyone! 

I stopped yesturday to snap a shot of just how close to The Tweed River Tubing The Wild Fern is! 
Just beyond this junction sits the tiny cafe & a perfect fit for Saturday's & Sunday's & grabbing a Bite to Go On The River! 

This weekend brought a number of new people to the Fern & all of them were headed out Tubing while they sipped some Cold Brewed Iced Coffee~ Vermont Coffee Co. Cafe Alta Gracia! 

Did you know I also offer Sun Brewed & Mint &/or Lemon Balm Steeped Iced Tea? Well, I do!

I will be Open Saturday's in July 11am-2pm with Fresh Baked Bagels & 

Sandwiches which, if I may say AGAIN!!  
are GREAT FOR TAKE OUT ON A TUBE! ok, well maybe not this scrumptious pulled pork with jalapeno slaw =) 

The Summer Hours Also INCLUDE: 

Wednesday Evenings 4-8pm Pizza & Song Writer's Circle!

                                   Friday Evenings 5-9pm Pizza & Live Music at 7pm!

                                  Sunday Brunch Lunch! 11-2pm & Cigar Box Guitar Music 12:30pm!

Heres Comes Community Supported Agriculture!

Simple Livin Farm located right here in Stockbridge on Stony Brook Road began their first Summer's Harvest this week as well! Beautiful, brightly colored Greens, Chard, & Radish are the first to come in this family run CSA! I am very happy to help Support My Local Friends & Growers! 

My good Friends Emma & Lucy stood in as Guests Chef while I had a gig last Wednesday! Their Mother~ a friend, an inspiration, a rock of endurance, an amazing grower & a great Mom, has raised some pretty awesome Kids! Emma is keeping a blog on Simple Livin & the musings of this young writer are worth checking out! 
Nervous about leaving my place in the hands & hearts of others proved to be an excellent choice!
Two more of my Friends, Susie & Lori also came in on Friday & The Fabulous Foursome Rocked The Wild Fern for me! My Thanks You's are ON GOING & Full of Love!!!

Emma

 How about this fine table? Donated to the Fern from my Great Friend Susie! 

Have you seen the View from the Chairs?

What about The Wild Fern Community Supported Bakery?

Everyone is still invited to Join! 

& I even Deliver if possible! 

All I'm looking for is the Community's Support on Fresh Locally Baked Bread &/or Bagels.

You don't have to come to the Wild Fern everyday that I"m open & spend your hard earned money! 

But supporting my Local Efforts to Supply You with Fresh Bread every week would be really GREAT & it helps to create sustainibility & longevity in this business that are hard to come by, not to mention the other Benefits or buying homemade Bread =) 

Please Contact Me if You are Interested!

Wednesdays & Fridays are Bread Baking Days!

stop in for more information or to just say hi! 

So,

Happy Summer To All of You! Please check back for a Special Event at The Wild Fern we Hope you can be a Part of in late July!!!

I hope to see you at The Wild Fern or at one of our Rick Redington & The Luv Gig's This Summer wherever you are! 

Peace Luv & Dough,

Heather 

Spring Break at The Wild Fern~

Dear Friends~

Talk about a sweet Winter, right?!?! 

Having opened just before stick season & snow falling, probably wasn't the best time of the year to begin a business many have said!
But, well, I don't always listen ;) & ain't that a good thing?

& so I feel,
What an excellent beginning! I'm glad I did it.
Your patience, kindness, generosity, understanding & support helped to create a truly wonderful Wild Fern opening!

I wish to Thank Everyone for believing in me & coming to spend your hard earned money at the Wild Fern whether it was on a cup of coffee, a cookie, a loaf of bread, a Pizza or Italian Night!

The folks who have participated in The CSB have also helped to build a more sustainable cafe in our town & my gratiude is immense. These funds go directly to the many costs it takes to be open & my focus remains simple & delicious,  using as much Local Sourcing of Vegetables, Eggs, Flours, Meat, all when possible!

I just used the first 2 months of  The CSB funds to pay the propane bill! whoo!!! hoO!!!

So Thank YOU thank YOU Thank YOU for BUYING MY BREADS!!!   

& so now, as Winter fades away & Spring peeps, there are many things for me to think about as I approach a new season of business. 


With this is mind,
I would like to annouce

The Wild Fern Spring Break~

During this break, The Wild Fern WILL remain Open one Day a Week( TBD) for Bread/Bagel Orders, PickUp & Questions in general.
I will be working on in store projects, new hours & new ideas in preparation of the coming Summer Months.

We will be Promoting our Re-Opening for the first week of May, so please stay with me & check our facebook =)

Our last regular day of business before the Break will be Sunday April 14th!

We will be celebrating our 6th Month Anniversary that weekend with a Special Vt MoJo Cigar Box Guitar Raffle Handmade by Sir Redington himself on Friday Night April 12 & will Release Rick Redington's First Cigar Box Guitar Album! 

Raffle tickets will be for sale beginning this Friday, March 29!  

Please feel free to send me an email or stop by on designated Day of Business for The Spring Break with any questions or concerns.

We hope for your continued Understanding & Support & Look Forward to Sharing an Excellent Summer with you!

Peace & Luv,
All of Us At The Wild Fern =)

Feeding The Starter

The quest began in January & I've followed it down probably, any normal path.

You know, One of obsession, torment, & love. 


One where you take the treasured sour dough starter everywhere you go?



After 2 failed attempts with Baguette a l'ancienne, Sunday's Cigar Brunch rolled around & in walked a nice looking grayish haired man, who sat amoungst 3 lovely ladies & were coming to The Wild Fern as a result of just hearing Rick Redington play a few lovingly poetic songs for a passing & dear friend of this man, Jerry. 

Who turns out, 
is from BabaALouis Bakery in Rutland Vermont which has been operating as one of the finest Bakeries this side of the Green Mountains for over 30 years. 

So, Jerry & I talked about bread. He tasted my baguette just as I pulled it & assured me the salt was perfect. We saw pockets of air & that was good..but hmmmm, not much rise. 
He sampled one of my bagels & a baked donut too. 
He truly liked them. =) 
And he invited me to come talk with his man, Jeff at BabaAlouis.

A few days later when visiting the Bakery, 
The English Muffin Man, Jeff & I were yak'kin it up & he began a story of Jerry knowing exactly the right amount of tastes such as salt in particular & always knows as soon as it goes into his mouth when tastes are off or not! I replayed my "salt experience" with Jerry we both were in wonder of Jerry, but personally, 
I felt like I was with some Bread Gods or something like that, between the two of them..... ;)

I caught a few tricks from Jeff, who lovingly shared his time & expertise with me. The coolest trick, was to mist the muffins so that they don't puff up & stay wonderfully english muffin flat on both sides ;) I really enjoyed learning that one! 

So I was given the Tour of the most beautiful simplest bakery in my experience. It's a wide open million year old brick building that couldn't be more pure & simple in industry design. 

I &, Simply, fell head over heels in love. 

I watched a lovely lady roll out puffed pastry, which I've never done. Both she & Jerry explained a bit to me, & both pointed in the direction of Julia Childs for their recipe!



They got their tecnique from her Cookbook! That was genious to me. 

Jerry gave me a canvas, for the couche ;) 

He gave me The BabaALouis Bread Book. 
He gave Rick & I a chocolate croissant. 
Jeff gave us a brown bag of Fresh English Muffins.    

Then, as if that weren't enough to make me blush, Jeff scooped me out a glorious hunk of starter. 

Not just any starter, but his own, cultivated & fed for over 10 years now after humbly beginning amidst the grape arbor not too far down the road from BabaAlouis. 

I nearly fainted at my fortune & my smiles were so giant, I could feel the dorkiness of my strained cheeks stretching across to my ears =) 

Hard to believe.

I got home, fed it & crossed my fingers. I was still crossing my fingers 4 days later when I thought it had gotten too warm & KILLED it. 

The torture & suspense killed me all the next day. "I feel shamed. I feel sad. I feel dismayed. 

How could I do this?? As I subconsciously whomp my head." 

I googled sour dough starter & I devoured the pages of a great websight for sourdough for 3 days, over & over, determined to stick with it, as what else could I lose? 

It never died! 

I was happily, & faithfully relieved & restored. 

The 3rd batch was so delicious & there were 3!


Of course, it didn't come easy. 


I don't own a peel yet to get the bread from the couche to the next peel to get it into the Oven. I also don't have a lame either to make scoring maybe a little prettier. 


But, I pushed forward & didn't open the Oven for a few minutes & then when the suspense had finally done me in, 




I slightly opened the door & took a peek. 
YEs!!! they had risen a tad more & looked like the Real Deal to me! 

Rick Redington & The Luv

I left The Wild Fern at 2ish on that Thursday in 

a stupor of giddiness! 

We were playing at

Nectar's

 that night with 

A SICK AWESOME BAND, 

Swamp Cabbage, 

& I was leaving with my 

First Baguette & some Olive Oil!

I shared it with everyone I ran into, rushed into the Grove Street home to make Rick sample it, then tried to stop both Ben Redington & myself from eating the 2nd one, unsucessfully. 

The 3rd became an experiment based on the book I am learning from, Local Breads! 

& I wasn't really into it, but what I did learn about it, was that pre-heating even on the 3rd day, the baguette was still delicious in its own right, though obviously some integrity was lost & they are best eaten they they are Baked. 

I'm learning that sour dough breads have a really good & long shelf life. I love that! 

I'd like to Thank All of The CSB participators who are both, willing to try all of my Breads, but also, are sharing a vision of longevity & sustainability at The Wild Fern.

The Month OF March has begun & don't forget to pick up your Bread!

If you're interested in our Community Supported Bakery, please contact me!

Time to feed the starter ;)