Are people canning and freezing fresh produce like they used to?

As our Homegrown produce season is in full force, we were wondering if people still can and freeze produce. We feel that the canning and freezing produce is a dying art.
The younger generation does not have the experience or the time for canning. On our website nathes101market.com, "Seeds For Thought" our newsletter; is the recipe for freezing corn if you would like to give it a try. Our homegrown super sweet sweet corn is ready and perfect for freezing. Please comment as to if you are canning this year and what you are canning. Happy harvest season! Lesa

Aifd Symposium in Kansas City

The floral show called AIFD'S Symposium "The Sky's the Limit" was a life changing event for me as a floral designer at 101 Market. I tested for my "AIFD" (this is like getting a doctorate in floral design. Although you can not buy it or go to school for it, you have to test for it and be EXCELLENT) which was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but right up there with having kids; the most exciting. As a designer you are put in a room with 100 or more people stressed out of their minds for 4 hours and are told to create 5 designs. The membership committee has picked out 5 categories, you are given a surprise box of flowers and containers to use for these designs. You are only able to bring in 4 tools and you may not talk to any one for that full 4 hours. The stress was so palatable in the room you could cut it with a knife. As one of those stressed designers I was tired after 2 hours of designing because of how tight I held every muscle in my body. I did not even know I was doing it until I realised how tired I was. I had practiced for this but of course they gave me different flowers and colors than I had practiced with, go figure. Hum....so you can't buy your AIFD, you can't take enough classes to obtain it, and now you can not even practice for it in a real sense. You can practice techniques but not the total concept of what you will do for the test. I find out some time this month if I passed. So any of you who are reading this, please cross your fingers and toes for me:) If I do not pass will I do it again? If you would have asked me that the night of the test I would have said "No way in H...!" Now I say, "Yes of course I will". I just hope and pray I passed this time! Only about 10% pass the first time so I am not holding my breath but I am thinking positive thoughts! Keep posted and If I pass I will celebrate and let you all know by posting it here. I love what I do, and I will keep reaching for the stars! Lesa Killian, Designer

Diamond City Breads

You can smell the aroma of the fresh baked speciality breads from Diamond City Breads, in Elk River.
The fritter breads are a favorite - today's rhubarb is already sold out. We will be carrying the breads on the weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The breads are healthy, fresh and taste great. Marilyn

One of my Favorite Wedding Couples!

Check out these beautiful pictures of Amanda and Calvin's special day at "www.studio188photography.com/blog".
I so enjoyed designing their flowers. Thank you for including us in your day. Best Wishes!!! Lesa

Smell Sampling

The other week, I was reminded on how adorable children can be. It was a Sunday evening near closing time at 101 Market, when a mother and her little girl came wandering into the store.

The girl, who I will guess was around the age of 5, bolted through the front sliding glass doors and headed straight to the corner of the store that is filled with rustic gifts and candles. I was sort of intrested why this particular child bypassed the shelves of the ever so popular Webkniz; which is usually a kid hot spot.

She waited patiently for her mother next to the shelves stocked with Milk House candles. It was only second before her mother was next to her and began pulling candles off the shelves, removing the lids and holding them for her daughter to sniff.I have to agree that the aroma theses soy candles give off is so strong and wonderful; it is hard not to indulge in the many scents.

As the two finished up their smell sampling they began to browse the store. The mother must have noticed my spying eye, and began to explain their situation. She told me, she gave her daughter the day, and she could pick whatever she wanted to do. Her daughter’s response was, “I want to go to the flower place and smell the candles.”

How precious, I told the mother. She laughed and agreed and continued to explain, their first time at 101 Market was three weeks ago and now everyday her daughter asks to comeback.I guess were aren’t embellishing when we said “we have something for everyone.”

By Amy Learn

To Plant or Not To Plant?

Can we plant our annuals, tropicals and vegetable plants now?
Well.... You may plant but you will need to keep an eye on the out side temps at night. Many of these plants are used to at least 60 degrees and some of those cool night temps may nip the sensitive plants or slow growth. If you are willing to bring your plants in at night, then by all means enjoy the pots and hanging baskets now. We are suggesting that people wait until after the 15th at least to plant veggies. Most people say Memorial day is veggie planting day. If you plant your tomatoes later they are more resistant to blossom end rot and other disease. They are sensitive and would need to be covered for sure.
Better safe than sorry? I guess that is for you to decide how much work you are willing to do to enjoy those early blooms.
Lesa Killian

A mother's gift

Tomorrow's the day, the day to pay tribute to the a very special woman. The woman who gave us life, nurtured us, and instilled life values to prepare us for our lives; that woman is our mothers.

The mother-child relationship is like no other, and over time it changes into something so special that one day is not enough gratitude.

As an adult, I realize it was the simple things my mother did that were so filled with love. Of course, growing up I never appreciated or acknowledged them; especially in my adolescence, when I was too proud and popular in my own world to recognize how truly wonderful my mother was then. She always put my sisters and me first, she taught us to live life to the fullest, chase our dreams and hold our faith close to our hearts. From her I learned the value of discipline and life lessons, which at the time seemed irrelevant, to me; God bless for her patients during those rebellious teenage years.

Today, my mom is my best friend, and I am proud to say much of her is reflected in me. Her values, her morals, her outlook on life are all traits I now cherish.

My advice for everyone is don't just give your mother a gift, give her your deepest gratitude for the woman she is and all she has done.

By Amy Learn