This has been a week! In South Africa, as I mentioned, Wednesday was a public holiday, as is Monday. That's fabulous news for market vendors and tourism in the village. After my successful Easter market, I resolved to do some additional bits.
The annual Marmalade Madness has begun
As usual, though, I'm getting ahead of myself because part of that sellout included selling the last pot of lemon marmalade. I also mentioned, earlier this week, that our lemon tree was actually bearing. Not in tons but potentially enough to contribute to something. As they say: watch this space...
I do, however, have a friend with whom I barter a jar of marmalade for fruit. Happily, he delivered a consignment last Saturday and I spent Sunday...
...yes, making marmalade...
Because my resolution to produce extra goods for the market demanded a second kitchen day, I had a self-imposed short week during which I was determined to finish what I'd normally do in my standard four-day office work week. And, somehow, I did. While the marmalade sat quietly minding its own business waiting to be labelled.
That eventually happened on Friday between the soup, curry, bread and roll-making.
Fast forward to Saturday
Because I already had pre-orders for these from a local, I made a couple extra. All sold. And, it seems that a couple of new residents are becoming "regulars". From one:
I'm sold on your soups. When are you doing the roasted butternut again? It's divine.
I'm not sure. Next week might be French onion.
Oh, that'll be nice.
Then another who's often a grass widow and whose husband we'd not met until today, and who's been a "salad" regular, appeared after a hiatus. Husband in tow. She introduced him and when she heard what was in-the-jar this week, said:
I'll take two of each. Your stuff is always good.
I like those kind of customers, I like. Repeat, happy customers. Long may it last. She says, knowing how fickle they can be. And that's being realistic rather than cynical.
That said, I'm thinking something's shifted: usually things would be beginning to quieten down ahead of winter. This year, it doesn't seem so. Even though they are warning that we're heading into a 5th wave of the dreaded C. I'm hoping the shift is, as I think. For the market and for the other work.
Even though the shift is as slow as I'd imagine the turning of the Titannic...
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
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