Where oh where to start?? It was a busy weekend for all those involved in RP&F.  Starting with the Thursday evening prep party, Monica and Emil Boch led the prep crew once again with some amazing breakfast choices.  Thanks to Susie Baity-Stearns, Olivia May, Janet Shane, Ines Storhok, Kate Matthews, Amanda Schott and Nevon Clark for bringing it all together!

There was a lot of excitement about the two specials Monica and Emil created–the first was a brandied apricot french toast made with Zingerman’s challah and served with amaretto flavored whipped cream. This dish was  melt-in-your-mouth comfort food that pleased everyone who was lucky enough (or awake enough) to get to SELMA early to eat it before it was gone.  I’m already composing a request to Monica and Emil for a repeat performance of this knock-out creation before summer’s end.

Their second special was just as delicious, and a brand new breakfast dish for SELMA as well.  The favors were Northern African–a Tunisian and Moroccan combo of spices that made mouth’s water and stomachs growl.  Turkey sausage wrapped in a filo-like pastry was rich and satisfying, served with a perfect poached egg and an orange flavored dressing atop bitter greens made everyone who ate it leave the table happy.  There were many sighs of deep contentment throughout the morning. Monica and Emil–we bow down to you!!

Thanks to the Friday morning volunteer crew who had their hands full with more than 110 guests:   Susie Baity-Stearns for her organizational magic, and Laura Smith, Jennifer Haines, Sarah Gerk, Ines Storhok, Laura Meisler, Carolyn Christopher, Laura Kowal and Nevon Clark for serving, dish washing, waffle making and big clean up afterwards.

Please consider volunteering for Thursday prep or Friday morning service.  With the huge numbers of guests we really need the support of lots of folks to keep FM @SELMA operating smoothly.  It’s fun, delicious and community building at it’s best.  Give it a try soon!!

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The Saturday Hoop House build for Sun Seed Farm was an amazing success thanks to every single person who showed up through out the day to help. Please take the time to read through this long list of names–and send some love and appreciation their way!!

Massive and huge thanks to Tomm Becker and Trilby MacDonald, Sean Kehoe, Steve Thiry, Kerby Smithson, Amber Webster, Riva Jewell Vitale, Adam Montri, Marianne Rush, Gabe Tilve, Misa Cady, Jeremy Moghtador,  Rachel Beyer, Pedro Ghirotti, Daniel Blair, Brendan Sinclair, Emil Boch, Chip and Kathleen Letts, Amy Heath, Laura Smith, Deanna Liimatta, Lessie Brown, Rachel Chadderdon, Adam Miller, Trevor Johnson, Kathy Koch, Anton Smith, Sue Shink, Emily Hatch, Steve Bunn, Emily Hannewald, Mohmad Sulemon, Magdy Mohamed, Ahmad Abou Assi, Pattie, Tim and Elizabeth Redmond, Dan Ezekiel, David Collins, Myra Klarman for shooting photos and Wonder Woman, Bad Fairy and their crew for showing up at dinner time with a load of amazing food to revive us. I hope I got everyone–if you don’t see a name on the list, let me know so I can add it!

Looking over the above list of names, I am remembering all the big and little things that were done throughout the day to make the hoop house build a beautiful success.  Each person, and each act of support on Saturday was absolutely vital to the over all completion.

I also want to especially thank Olivia May, Trilby MacDonald, Amber Webster and Kerby Smithson for coming over Friday night and preparing lunches for all our Saturday volunteers.  Nothing like wonderful food to nourish the body, heart and soul on a hot August day.

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Finally, more thanks and appreciation to the lovely and efficient Cynthia Hodges for organizing and facilitating the first FM @SELMA food preserving event! Cynthia and her canning crew of Marnie Reid, Erin Schumacher, Kelly Kieft, Mike Stearns, Olivia May and Nevon Clark put up nearly 20 quarts of local peaches that we will all enjoy this winter on waffles, in bread pudding, with yogurt granola parfaits and who-knows-surprise-breakfast treats.  We look forward to more canning and preserving as the harvest continues, and if you want to learn how to can, or bring your expertise to the kitchen, we can sure use your help!!

Enjoy this week–here’s hoping it unfolds for you with ease, grace, love, and lots of delicious local…everything.  ~Lisa