As I have previously explained, I lack a green thumb. However, this year, the Pumpkin seeds that I purchased last Fall, are burning a hole in my gardening gloves since my husband challenged me to find a space for them.

Forget the fact we live on a multi acre Farm and our yard takes 3 hrs to mow on a riding mower, he believes there is no suitable location! (ie he doesn't want to till, plant, water, weed, or harvest...been married to him well over 30 years so I know his way of thinking!)

Little did he know his Pumpkin Location Challenge was accepted! This is what I came up with:

The Garden Tower is a vertical hydroponic gardening system. No soil needed, no watering, no back breaking planting! No fuss, no muss. Yea me!! But boy did his jaw drop! I don't think he saw this one coming (keep em guessing folks!).

  I started the pumpkin seeds this morning, along with some tomatoes, lettuce, and basil. Once it sprouts, the plants will be transferred to their pots on the tower and the water (mixed with a special food tonic) will begin to feed the root system the nourishment needed to grow the plants. According to the information, vegetables should be ready several weeks before traditional planting methods.

  This is so exciting! An adventure in a different type of farming: my Granddad and Dad would be SO on board with this! I plan to document the growing process (or the death and destruction of my Gardening Dream...but I am hopeful the plants will be lush and beautiful as the pictures promote).

  Stay tuned for further developments...

This first step to Becky's Dream Garden: planting the seeds, covering with the vermulite, keeping it moist, and placing outside in semi shade to germinate. Once the seedlings sprout and grow to about 3 inches, they will be transferred to the tower.

OH LITTLE SEEDS, COME OUT, COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE!!!...

http://tnsos.org/Press/story.php?item=702

Farm House Barkery was both thrilled and honored to be notified in March of our selection as one of The Tennessee Secretary of State's Spotlight Businesses for April 2014...and then we found out we were the teaser for the Newsletter! We were very happy and so gratified that our Secretary chose to feature businesses that cater to the Furred and Feather Creatures of our great State. He gets us!

Things are changing as we continue to grow. It's both exciting and scary at the same time. And to be recognized for all the hard work we put into making our product is so appreciated. But it's really our customers that we want to recognize. They don't realize how much they mean to us. When they tell us how much their pup loves our products, it melts our hearts because that's why we do what we do. We believe Pups have a right to SAFE, great tasting products. No Pup parent should ever have to wonder if the food they give their pup family will harm them.

Having lost a pup to unsafe food products, we personally know the pain. Each treat made at Farm House Barkery is made as though we are feeding it to our own...and we are! We do not make a special batch for our pups...we feed our Terrific Trio from the stock treats we make to sell. If ours wants a treat, we pull from what we've baked...or while we are prepping for Market, the little Beggers get their way and we toss treats to them to get them to stop giving us those "puppy dog eyes". You all know the look!

And even though we can't recommend it because we bake Dog Treats, not People Food, our daughter noticed her supply of dog treats dwindling mysteriously. She discovered her teething toddler (our grandson), was giving their dog his treat and sneaking a treat for himself...he was cutting molars and the Blueberry Harvest Large treat seem to be just the trick he needed to get those molars in. She didn't freak out because she knows what is in the treat, can pronounce every single ingredient, and can find them in her own kitchen!

So yes, this honor is fantastic...but honestly, the real honor is hearing back from our customers on a day in and day out basis about how much their Pups love our product. And when I walk into a place where there are Pups, I am always the most "SMELLED" person in the pack. I must retain the smells of the Farm House, because Pups rush me. It makes me happy because I love giving belly rubs, ear pets, and getting Puppy kisses. We are truly blessed to be doing what we love to do...and the fact folks are starting to notice, is just the wag in the tail.

So Thank You to our Secretary of State, but most of all, Thank You to our customers!!

http://tnsos.net/publications/spotlight/detail.php?ID=300

What a great day it was!

Sun, Fun, Music, Bouncey House, Face Painting, Snow Cones, a Puppet Show, Balloon Animals, Fresh Vegetables, Grass Fed Meat, Fresh Baked Bread, Dog Adoptions, Fresh Flowers, All Natural Dog Treats, Home Made Soap, Locally Made Beer...and the list could go on and on! Did you miss it? We are so sorry! Because it was a B-L-A-S-T!!!

To be close to this house of fun, was an experience in pure delight! Laughter and giggles were the sounds that came forth from the walls! And not just snickers from young ones...some pictures were being snapped as folks with some years on them were bouncing and having the thrill of their child hood returned to them as their friends yelled encouraging words. It brought smiles to folks as they passed by...maybe as they wished for the courage to join in?

And did we mention how AWESOME the All Natural, Fresh Oven Baked Dog Treat Vendor is? (blush)...You needed to look quickly at their table, excuse me, our table, because the table didn't look like that at the end of the day...the treats did a magical disappearing act! As we like to say: they were adopted into great homes! ;)

And kids were thoroughly entertained with the Balloon Artist. This is an example of his Lady Bug. What you can't tell that makes this sweetie unique, is the little Bell that he places inside. She jingles when you move your wrist (he made her into a wrist corsage). We saw a butterfly, swords, tigers, giraffes, a fire breathing dragon, a dog on a leash that looked like he was being walked, and a crown. He was a-maz-ing! And he Volunteers for the Street Dog Foundation! A group of folks that rescues pups off the streets of Memphis, Fosters them, then receives applications to adopt the pups into good homes.

The entertainment couldn't be beat! From ensembles, vocals, Louisiana Blues...it kept the mood upbeat and folks tapping their feet! One of the highlights was a Puppet show which brought the little ones out to dance and sing! Smiles were in Full Bloom from everyone!

And this was my little bit of HAPPY...being in the booth next to these beauties. After the Winter we have experienced, the pop of color was just the ticket. You just can't have a bad day standing next to these gorgeous jewels.

If you missed the Cooper Young Community Farmers Market in Memphis, we'll gather together again next week and do it all over again. If you live too far to join in the fun in our little neighborhood, check out your local Market...get involved in your piece of Local!! Fresh!! It's good for your body and your soul.

This time of year...the BUG STRIKES! The Gardening Bug that is. When the Annual Burpee Catalog arrives, I thumb through it and make such a grand plan for the biggest and best garden:  in my head.

The fact is: I am 4th generation Farming Stock and I cannot grow a cotton picking thing! I have a Brown thumb in the worst way. (sigh) But in my heart of hearts, I think I can, I think I can...When that catalog arrives in the mail, the vegetables and flowers just pop and sing to me! THIS WILL BE THE YEAR! But then the images of gardens past start creeping (like weeds) into my mind's eye. And I think: hmmmm, there are so many wonderful Farmers that I know at the Markets...it's probably best to support them, right?

Truth be told, we all have our niche. Mine is Keeper of the Family Recipes. Growing up, I stood by my Grandmother's side and made pie crusts and baked biscuits from scratch. I stirred fresh cut corn off the cob in preparation for freezing under her direction, and washed turnip greens to prep for awesome tasty goodness! Now that she has passed, we gather at our house (all family members), on a yearly basis. I make sure to pull out Grandmother's china and silverware, and pour over her favorite recipes to serve. We have a great time tasting and reliving our times growing up together, as we remember our Parents and Grandparents.

My cousin takes care of the crops (thank GOODNESS!!!) and I handle the yearly Feast and prepare the next generation for taking over the recipes. Because that's what we do: we pass on tradition from one generation to the next so that nothing is lost and members of our family live on.

No garden for me this year...I really am too busy with the Barkery and handling the organization of the Farm records, but I ordered some Pumpkin seed from the catalog last Fall...I have this everlasting urge to plant them and I just can't help myself!! Hubby says NO...we'll see who wins this battle of the Jack-O-Latern. He may just be surprised where these Orange Orbs "pop" up...(conversation in my head in preparation: "oh look honey: where did that unusual "flower" in the flower bed come from?" said in an innocent voice, of course!) Maybe I should start working on that "innocent" voice now?

We have our Spring/Summer Market Schedules in place!! Spring Markets begin the First Saturday in April, and this will be our Schedule:

The WEST TENNESSEE FARMERS MARKET,  Jackson, TN: EVERY SATURDAY!! No more confusing every other week ends! Our Stall assignment is Shed 1 Stall 7 (we are splitting a stall with the Honey Folks, so look for us on one side of the stall and then hop over and buy your Raw Honey and Fresh baked bread on the other side of the stall!).

The COOPER YOUNG COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET,  Memphis, TN: EVERY SATURDAY!! Stall assignment to be announced!

The MEMPHIS FARMERS MARKET, Memphis, TN: Every OTHER Saturday, Beginning 4/12 Stall 38, and when space is available on the alternating weeks (sorry, there will still be confusion in this market, but hop over to Cooper Young when in doubt, or check our Facebook page on Thursdays for our MFM participation). We requested weekly placement, but their market is full. Just a testament to how folks feel about FRESH!! But mention us to the Market Manager. Allison if you feel led. Support may help to ensure a spot for us when an opening occurs!

And while you're sniffing out our All Natural, Fresh Oven Baked Dog Treats, what about an update on our new Shop on Main Street Newbern?

The Ovens were delayed due to the sleet/freezing rain that crippled our community last week. They finally arrived on Friday, and did you all miss a show! We got a crew of muscular guys together to unload the 500 lb ovens, but discovered muscles are no match when unloading over 6 inches of ice. Brain was the WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER! and thank goodness the truck driver had some! Due do his great plan and skill in maneuvering his truck, 4 hr 45 minutes later, we had all 3 ovens in the shop with no injuries!!! (it was dicey a time or two as the guys feet went sailing this way and that.)

The ovens are due to be hooked up tomorrow (Tuesday). We continue to clean and have painting plans. Why is this not moving as fast in real life as it did in my head? I honestly thought a week tops and we'd be moved in...hmmmm. Now my goal is April 1.

Because of all the activity, the Carrot Garden and Banana Flip Dog Treats are also delayed in their release. Look for them, starting with the April Markets (or if you live near the Dyersburg, TN area, Animal Care Hospital @ 1991 St John's Ave has a few bags in the Small sized treats). We will extend their release date by a month or so because we did not get them out on time...but there are only so many hours in a day. Unless we have volunteers for clean up, paint, mop, wall washing...(crickets...hmmm thought so! lol).

As you can see, it is a busy time in the Farm House, but we wouldn't have it any other way! We love doing what we do! And just a reminder! We are in the homestretch of the Yogurt Iced Moon/Stars Peanut Butter Lovers Dog Treats that we donate $1.00 from the sale of each bag to Relay for Life. These are available at every market and in our Online Store. We want to make this a record breaking year in the fight against Cancer!

Now...back to baking and cleaning, baking and cleaning....Have a great week!!

Living in the South, we've learned a few things; one of them is the worst snow is a March Snow. We weren't disappointed.

It started out as a torrential rain, changed to freezing rain, then to sleet...LOTS OF SLEET!!! Pounding Sleet! For HOURS!! Even the Pups wouldn't go out!!

Then this morning: a gentle snow and temps in the teens! Southerners do not like teen temps! First call resulted in only one brave pup stepping outside while the other two watched to see if he would return. When he made it back, he was thoroughly investigated for any defects or flaws. Then onto breakfast!

By now, it was decided that since pup one lived through his outside adventure, it should be ok for the others. So LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN!

Yes, Southerners are not prepared for Snow with heavy road equipment for snow removal, or well organized so that all city and county services remain up and running...but we have to admit...when we get snow: WE KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN!!!

Another chapter in the story of FARM HOUSE BARKERY has begun! As of today, we are cleaning and prepping our newly leased store front building located in downtown Newbern!

We have outgrown our current location on the Farm, thanks to all the support of our wonderful customers, both 2 and 4 legged. We can't thank you all enough! But it had gotten to the point we feared company at our house, because every horizontal surface is filled with dog treats...so action was needed.

We were blessed to be led to a facility that housed a doughnut shop. The owner was looking for a change and in walked us! Now starts the cleaning, planning, ordering and excitement phase of starting a new adventure (and a bit of a freak out phase as well...but I think that's normal, too).

As we transition from one location to another, we may run short on some flavors...we apologize in advance. We will try our best to stay on top of things, but we are finding out, there are only so many hours in a day.

Again, thank you all for all your support, whatever it has been: a purchase, telling us how much you like something about our product, or just a kind word. Nothing too small goes unnoticed or is ever under appreciated by us!!

Today is Apple Orchard Baking Day!! That means the Farm House will smell like fresh baked apple pie!
I toss some apples into our Pup's breakfast, along with some non fat yogurt because it's good for their digestion. Then off for our walk!

They chase each other and try to divert my attention so one of the others can sneak off to snatch some of the soured soybeans that have been cleaned out of the combines from last year's pickings...a constant battle we fight with them. Soybeans plus a dog's digestion is NOT a winning combination! (Hence the non fat yogurt each morning.) I win this morning, but the battle will resume with our afternoon walk...I would expect no less as they plot their next move.

As they play and I snap pictures of their antics, the day ahead forms in my head. I make a mental note to have my husband check to see if Jones Orchard (Memphis) has any apples left since our supply is running low. Now, since it's a MENTAL note, the challenge will be to remember to ask hubby.

Time to return to the house and begin the day. My new cookie cutters have arrived. I am anxious to give them a try. If you all notice a shape change in the mediums and large over the next couple of weeks, it's because we are switching to a multi cutter!!! Each cut (still by hand) will cut 7 mediums or 5 larges!!! It's the little things in life!

We're back and it's a mad dash to the treat jar...who's going to get their treat first??? All is right with the world. And so our day has begun....while wishing you a wonderful start to yours, and make it a great day in your piece of the earth!

Buddy came to live with us in 2005. He was a Farm stray that wandered up while I was outside with our sick pup. Fearing that this new dog would attack, I picked up a mop to move him along...however, he just rolled over and wanted his belly rubbed. (Yes, he got his belly rub.)

He stayed outside and "protected" us for the bathroom breaks we took during the end of life of our treasured Basset, and when the time came to say good bye, Buddy, as we started calling him, was there for us. He helped to bridge the difficult transition from having to say good by to newly adopted Pup parents.

Ace came to live with us in 2007...a real surprise! My son was in college and wanted a dog. We told him it wasn't a good idea because, at some point, he would move back to an apartment and a dog would probably not be allowed. Like all good sons...he did not listen. I'm glad he didn't because he got him from a family that kept him in a yard. Labs are people pups and need a family. Ace is a very social dog and is always in the thick of things.
So, when the time came for son to move into an apartment...we took Ace into our home. What a lively character he was! The first thing I did was make an appointment with a dog trainer...one of us needed lessons on how to behave! Such a smart Pup, he graduated at the top of his class! A Proud Pup Parent Moment. Fast Forward...son has graduated, wanted him back...Mom says NO! He's ours now.

McKenzie is our Princess and came to us in 2009..this is her baby picture. It has taken us 4 years to be able to think about adopting another Basset. What a bundle of happiness! She rules us and the boys!

She cuddles and loves freely...but some days I firmly believes she belongs in a black and white ref shirt because she barks and howls when she believes the other 2 are out of line.

She favors her Dad over me, but I guess that's why they call them Daddy's Little Girls...when he comes home, she runs to him with helicopter tail, and you can not separate the two. So sweet!! Her favorite toy is a Mallard Duck that she proudly carries to him, and they will play fetch for the longest!

Abby (black nose) and Hannah (white nose) the Dynamic Duo. Both came to us in 2001. Abby, from a No Kill shelter in Nashville and Hannah from a friend.

They keep to themselves during the day, napping, but venture to the den in the evening to socialize with us and the Pups. The "getting to know you" phase was dicey, but they have made friends and all is now well, peaceful and calm, except for the occasional spat for some odd reason known only to them. We have a 4:00 a.m. wake up call by Abby that I wish I could find a snooze button for, but for now, there's comfort in routine, and it's her routine.

We feel blessed to call this Fabulous 5 ours....