Yep, this is the last week of the 2nd cycle of 2020...holy moley. What a momentous few months these have been. Numerous challenges and unexpected blessings have emerged as we've all learned to cope with Covid-19.
As you probably have read, our order volume is substantially up, and the number of people we can safely fit into the kitchen to prep and cook is reduced, so that has created many challenges. Those of you who ordered "Local Mixed Greens Salad" this week found it in a cellophane bag instead of a glass container...dang!
Because our volume is high, it's even more critical to get the containers and coolers back every week!! I've planned menu items that have good freezing possibilities, so stock up this order to help get you through the cycle break weeks. With that in mind, I may need to cut off A La Carte orders early this week, or remove some individual menu items early, if the order volume is even higher.
So order early to make sure we can fill your order (no late orders PLEASE!!). But do order! We're joyously looking forward to sending delicious food out to you next week!
These past months have been interesting to me as I've experienced the real-ness of the Covid crisis, lived it; but also as I've made myself step back and observe myself and my reactions to the difficulties. My default response to most anything hard is to throw myself at it even harder. I've tried to make my motto in the past few years, "Brains, not brawn.", but brawn is always my immediate answer. Those of you who have read these weekly newsletters for a while now have heard about the many problems created when my brawn response wins out. It's mighty hard to admit that I am not invincible, I do not have endless energy, and that I do have physical limitations. Dang it. But the truth of it becomes irrefutable when I suffer illness and injury. I don't have to write a long essay about the challenges of learning and respecting our own limitations, prioritizing self-caretaking, and valuing balance in our lives - because most of us live it every day. Tough lessons - never "learned", but forever practiced. Each day brings me a new opportunity to try again. I've quoted musician Libby Roderick several times, with her wise proclamation "Every breath a frontier."
So...where I'm headed is to let you know that we will be taking a 3-week catch-up cycle break this time. I've depleted myself these past months and know that I need some time to catch up on all the things that have fallen through the cracks and to have some rest time. The whole kitchen crew has been pushing it mighty hard and far, so we're all ready for a bit of rejuvenation. It's a tough decision for many reasons, but the rightness of it is clear. We're so grateful for your orders, for the opportunity to send delicious and nourishing foods out to so many of you these past months. So please don't stop ordering! I'll work on some changes during the cycle break to make the next cycle a bit gentler on all of us. "Brains, not brawn!".
I'll be in touch during the cycle break and let you know my thoughts for next cycle. As always, feedback is welcomed and appreciated. In the meantime, may we all be well, smart, and safe. May we white folks continue to commit and re-commit to anti-racism and may our black brothers and sisters feel supported by our efforts. May we make "big picture wise" choices as life begins to return to normal, and remember that it's not only we humans that we need to consider, but all beings on earth. Blessed Be.
Wing & A Prayer Nursery is open for business Sundays and Mondays, 9-3. Amy invites everyone to come visit; the nursery is bursting and blooming; butterflies and bees abound! There is plenty of room to keep respectful social distance at the nursery. Please bring a mask to wear if others are shopping at the same time. I have hand sanitizer available for financial transactions. Let me know what else you might need to feel safe browsing and I'll do my best to make it happen. As always, you are welcome to make an appointment (413-634-5659) on another day or outside my regular hours if you want to shop solo. I can also take orders by phone and have the plants ready for pick-up if that option suits you better. I'll be glad to see you soon and do what I can to make your gardens beautiful and your pollinators happy!
COVID-19 KITCHEN DETAILS: No need to re-read if you already read it!
For those of you who order food, rest assured that we are using ever-vigilant practices to ensure the safety of our customers & crew. We have plenty of soap and hand sanitizer for our kitchen crew; we have disinfectant spray that we use on surfaces; and all of your glass food containers are sterilized every week in an industrial sterilizer. We are all wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing in the kitchen. We have a safety protocol for food deliveries and pick-ups. Please let me know if you have concerns or questions, or would like further details. During the Covid-19 pandemic our menus will be a bit leaner due to the extra time required for our safety protocols and to a smaller crew because of increased physical distancing. We're still proud to offer an abundance of choices. Let me know if there are some old favorites you're longing for!
Community Supported Foods Members AND A La Carte Customers:
click here for this week's menu
For Carly's Cupboard click here for this week's offering
Amy's Nursery, Wing & A Prayer Nursery is
open! Here is the 2020 list of plants. All of Amy's plants have been chosen for their usefulness to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Please visit our website at
www.aliceskitchenathoneyhill.com. It is a joy to provide delicious, nourishing, and beautiful foods, prepared with care and love, for our community.
