We’re looking up!

The vision of “to get there from here” has been a journey in trust because these first 6 weeks of remodeling to make a new store hasn’t looked like much.

But we’re looking up!

This being the second blog post to our brand new website, most of the activity in remodeling the store has been posted to Facebook, first on our personal pages then on the store page.  We posted pictures of indiscernible holes in walls, of dark previously unused places and a myriad of paid and volunteer workers.  The Canterbury Community Market LLC that owns the building that the store is in has been amazing, paying reverent attention to this old building, correcting past errors and making sustainable building decisions for the future.  They took our vision and ran with it, cleaning up and shoring up as they went along.

Have you looked up lately?

If you’ve stopped by the store or the post office in the last few days and looked up you will notice that a new smooth-non-sagging-attractively-painted ceiling is in place with holes popped out to receive the updated lighting this week-end.  This was a huge feat to secure and uplift the old one then install sheet rock to match the curve and downward slope of the tail end of this old building.  We found a funny bit of history up there; the previous ceiling had been patched with a piece of cardboard from a case of beer then painted over!

If you’ve looked up outside you will also notice a brand new roof facing the church.  Remember that big gusher we had a few weeks ago?  While the old ceiling was torn out it hit; surprise!  Perfect timing to notice a new roof could not be put off any longer. You can click on any of these pictures to open them up larger.

Progress in other areas of the store have been happening in tandem.  The former back storage area now houses an accessible public restroom waiting to receive the final plumbing this week and our artful touches (a surprise)!  This cozy and decorative new space will have an accessible table visibly connected to the new Feed Loft seating area above.  With its wainscoting and historically correct windows, it is almost ready for paint.  Next up is the kitchen and room extending from the Feed Loft. The floor is poured and the framing starts next week!

Catching up

Life doesn’t stop even though we are scrubbing and painting 24/7 at the store.  Like many of you, we have a vegetable garden to attend. We always make and freeze what I call Garden Sauce, a chunky tomato based sauce laced with what ever is growing at the moment.  Because I couldn’t be home to stir the pot, this year I tried it in a crock pot.  WOW, did it turn out great.  Cooking things s l o w l y really intensifies the flavors. I thought you might like the recipe.  It follows…

ONE: collect some peppers of any kind, onions and garlic plus what ever herbs look best in your garden.  Chop them ( used my food process to make quick work of it) then sauté them in some extra virgin olive oil.  For a full crock pot I used 4T approximately.  The oil helps release the essential flavor compounds in the herbs.  This “paste” is the flavor base for the sauce.  NOTE: if you don’t have time or don’t want any oil in your sauce, skip the sautéing process.  It will still be good but not as good.

TWO: Rough-cut tomatoes and any other vegetables you want to add.  I added squash this time but have also added diced green beans or chunked up eggplant. Throw them in the crock pot along with the flavor base and add 1 tsp kosher salt per pot (this helps release the juices).  Cook on high during the day 8-10 hours, stirring a couple times if you can, then turn the pot to low and cook overnight. Add salt and pepper to taste. Freeze in 4 cup portions.

We use this sauce over pasta or rice as-is or it is great as a base for soups and stews.

Happy cooking, Jane and Dave