Happy New Year, Looking forward to 2012!!

Good morning to you all and Happy New Year's Eve.  It's hard to believe another year is behind us.  When I say 2012, I can remember thinking it was sooooo far away.  Well folks here it is - so what are you going to do in the upcoming year differently, better, or are you thinking "all is good and I'm going to keep everything just as it is"?  Send me a message and let me know if you are planning something life changing.

I wonder what 2012 will bring to me, but more importantly what will I bring to it?  One thing I know for sure is I am planning to go full steam ahead with WholeyOats, continuing to bring my customers the best product of its kind with more places to get it.  Hey there are always those little personal "self improvement" things we all say we are going to do, but working hard at what I love and continuing to create lasting relationships are on the top of my list.

I will be at the Amenia Farmer's Market today from 10:00-2:00 along with many of the regular vendors you are accustomed to visiting.  Come by and say hi.  I would like to thank you for your support during 2011 and look forward to continue to providing you with the freshest, tastiest, and healthiest granola & granola bars on earth.  Here's to a healthy, prosperous, and happy 2012 to you all.

Best,
Pattie

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Thank You

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, why not finish up your Christmas shopping at one of the local Farmer's Markets?  Come on by the Amenia Farmer's Market tomorrow between the hours of 10:00-2:00 and you will find me, Wholeyoats of course, along with many other small food producers and farmers as well as some very talented local artisans offering beautiful items for purchase.    The atmosphere is pleasant....one that is cheery, delightful, warm & friendly.   There will not be any battles over parking spaces, or waiting on lines to pay for a gift made thousands of miles away.   Why not buy a gift that is handmade by your neighbor?  A lovely hand knitted scarf and hat, or a beautifully hand thrown bowl and organic dog treats for your favorite furry pal.  You could also use that bowl for breakfast...pour some WholeyOats granola into that beautiful bowl and top it off with some locally made Ronnybrook yogurt or milk and you've got yourself a delicious breakfast.

I could go on and on, but I think you've got the idea.....support your local business person; farmer, food producers, artisan, wine & cheesemaker, etc.  It feels and tastes sooooo good,  how can you not????

Mainly I want to take this opportunity to say a big Thank You to all of my WholeyOats customers and supporters.  2011 was my first full year in business, I had a great year and will move on into 2012 full speed ahead.  Keep crunching and chewing and I'll keep baking.

All the best to you and yours this holiday season and in 2012.

Best,
Pattie

A Reminder to Eat Healthfully / Holiday Fairs Abound

Well it certainly has been a busy week in the WholeyOats kitchen.  My little hands have been baking up batches of granola and granola bars for the upcoming Christmas / Holiday events happening this month.  With that said, it brings to mind that we often forget that it's a good idea to take extra care of ourselves during this very exciting and busy time of year.  One very important way to do that  is by eating healthy.  I try to start my day by eating a healthy breakfast consisting of protein, whole grains & fruits; it is essential to a productive day.  If I am going to be on my feet for 8-10 hours 3 to 4 days a week baking, I need the energy in order to do that.   I love eggs, to me there is nothing like an egg white omelet loaded with veggies & cheese with a crispy slice of whole grain toast, YUM!  However I do not always have the time to prepare that, so I reach for WholeyOats Maple Nut Granola.  I pour 1/2 cup over 1 cup of greek plain yogurt and add a cup of berries, today I had raspberries.   Drizzle a little (local) honey on top, and voila a delicious breakfast loaded with all the good stuff necessary for a great day ahead.

This is the weekend to enjoy the local Holiday fairs, so many events around the area to choose from, which one will you decide to venture to?   WholeyOats will be at the St. Denis Christmas Silver Tea & Craft Fair located at 604 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction.  This is an annual event attended by hundreds with over 50 small food producers (like myself) and crafters.  I have put together a couple of beautiful baskets and packaged the granola bars & granola in festive wrappings to make lovely gifts.  Come out and see what we have to offer, it is going to be a beautiful day.

Stop by and say hi, you know how much I love to chat :-)   Happy weekend to you all!

Pattie

A Moment To Say "Thank You"

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving.  I want to take a moment to thank all of you for your support and kind words during the past year.   In one way or another, you have inspired me, encouraged me, made me laugh, became a new friend or just took the time to stop by and talk with me at one of the Farmer's Markets.  Getting to know the people who enjoy my granola is what makes this all worthwhile and fun.

So thank you for your past and continued support, I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Best,
Pattie

Rise 'n Shine....It's Holiday Farmer's Market Time

Good Morning everyone......it's going to be a beautiful Saturday.   A great way to spend part of your day is to come to the Amenia Farmer's Market at the Amenia Town Hall right off Rte. 22, there are signs as you are driving on Rte. 22.  Come in, shop, have a cup of tea or coffee, sample all the delicious foods and say hello....we are there from 10:00-2:00.

Some of the things you will find at the market today are homemade pies & soups, delicious homemade bread, cheeses, yogurts, milk, local trout, beef, pork, sausage & lamb and of course my homemade granola and granola bars.  I may have missed a few things....you will have to stop in and see for yourself what is available to plan for your Thanksgiving holiday.

As a special edition to our Winter Market, we have local artisans displaying and selling beautiful handmade items.  Wonderful soaps and salves,  wool for all of your knitting needs, handmade baskets, and locally grown orchids just to name a few.  The get the full details check out the the market website at www.ameniafarmersmarket.com

So come by, say hi and try a piece of pie......yummilicious!!

Pattie

The Holiday Mindset & Spirit

With everything that is happening out there in the world, it may be hard for many of us to even think about Thanksgiving and Christmas, never mind getting into the proverbial "holiday spirit".    A couple of years ago we made some changes as to how we celebrate the holiday season.  One of the changes we made was focusing more on family & friends, spending more time with those we love & cherish in our lives instead of channeling so much energy and anxiety on what to buy and how much to spend, etc.....I believe you all get it.   If we channel our energy toward things in our lives that are close to our hearts, we will live a better life, a simpler life.  Having many "things" creates more stress in our lives, it perpetuates the "rate race".   With that said, I am going to start to spend the next 8 weeks or so spending more time with my family and friends.  It's time to "catch up" and reconnect.  Time is going by so fast, no more wasting it.

One way to do that is to visit local holiday fairs, farmer's markets, and your local businesses with a friend.   It's a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday.  Browse & shop the holiday fairs with a friend and purchase a truly unique, handmade gift for that special someone in your life.  If we stay closer to home and patronize our local businesses, we not only save gas we enrich our community and keep it thriving.

As a reminder, the Millerton & Amenia Farmer's Markets have their Winter Market opening day tomorrow, Saturday, November 5th from 10:00-2:00, check out their websites for location.   I will not be at either market this weekend as I am participating in the 39th Annual St. Columba Holiday Fair from 9:00-3:00.   Location is right off of Rte. 82 in Hopewell Junction.  There will be over 55 local artisans! A grand assortment of beautiful gifts and yummy foods will be available.

Grab your friend, sister, whoever you want to reconnect with, get a cup of coffee and visit one of these wonderful events.

Hope to see you there.

Best,
Pattie

New Places, New Events for WholeyOats

Happy Friday to everyone.....it's looking like we are going to have some wacky weather for Saturday which means there is a good chance I will not be at the Millerton Farmer's Market tomorrow.   To those of you who are accustomed to seeing me in Millerton on Saturday mornings and the rest, I thought it would be a good idea to let you all know what I will be up to in the upcoming weeks and months to follow.  I've listed below dates and venues I will be attending so you can find me.

On a separate note, Adams Fairacre Farms is opening a brand new store right off Rte. 9 in Wappingers.  I am proud to announce they will be carrying everything WholeyOats, woohoo! I am delivery 7 cases of product today for their Grand Opening this coming Monday, October 31st.  They are having a special event on Sunday evening from 7:00-10:00 for everyone to come in, shop, and welcome you to their new location.  Check it out, I am definitely planning to be there.

2011- Holiday Season

Where will we be in November?

Saturday, November 5, 2011 St. Columba Holiday Fair 9:00-3:00

Saturday, November 19, 2011 Amenia Farmer’s Market Amenia Town Hall 10:00-2:00

Saturday, November 26, 2011 Millerton Farmer’s Market Gilmor Glass 10:00-2:00

Where will we be in December?

Saturday, December 3, 2011 St. Denis Holiday Fair 10:00-4:00

Saturday, December 10, 2011 Millerton Farmer’s Market 10:00-2:00

Saturday, December 17, 2011 Amenia Farmer’s Market 10:00-2:00

Saturday, December 24, 2011 Millerton Farmer's Market 10:00-2:00

Saturday, December 31, 2011 Amenia Farmer's Market 10:00-2:00

I think it's time to make use of the gallon of apple cider I just purchased, warming it up with spices and add a little brandy......hmmm delish.  Stay warm and cozy.

Pattie