Berry Patch Newsletter
Mid - October, 2009
  I'm sitting here this morning at my breakfast table looking on this wonderful COOL, rainy day and I’m writing to all of you.
I know that I have said it before (probably many times) this is my favorite time of the year. Clouds and rain don’t bother me and I find this type of weather to calming and wonderful. My last hummingbird is still here but will be gone by next week. I can’t wait to put up the outside bird feeders. I don’t know whether I have ever told you or not, Bailey’s Berry Patch is in the migration pattern of many types of beautiful birds either going south (like they are now) or heading back up North in May. We feed all of them. Our “Bird Book” is one of the most important books that we have in the house.
 It’s mid October……. Our “OPEN HOUSE” is scheduled on Saturday, October 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Not only will we be showing the property to anyone interested, BUT, I will be serving HOT/ HOMEMADE chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies with pecans in them for you to enjoy. We have had a lot of interest from people wanting to purchase Bailey’s Berry Patch. The financing is there – BUT – you must have $$$ to put into the purchase.
  The HOLIDAYS are coming up soon. We will have a full stock of preserves and pickles by early November. You can either call us and make arrangements to come up and pick them up, call us or place an order on our online Country Store. (If the Country Store link does not work for you, go to TxBerry.com and click 'Country Store' at top.)
I have a couple of things to tell you about
 The first one is that we do have some persimmons this year. I took 120 of them down to the Farmers Market in Elmont this past Saturday. They were beautiful and Cris Columbus was happy to get them. I have a lot more but not enough to send out a newsletter saying “our persimmons are ready for you to pick”. If you want some just call me and I will pick them for you. They do need to be picked before they are really completely ripe. They will continue to ripen if you will put them on your counter top and wait for them to feel soft when you press them with your fingers. I don’t know what Cris charged but if you want to get them from me the cost is $.50 each….just call me at (903) 564-6228. I will be taking more to Cris on Saturday, October 17th.
Something about the Baileys
Now let me tell those of you who are interested what Pearce and I have been doing.
Many of you know that Pearce and I own a motorhome. We are also members of FMCA (the Family Motor Coach Association ). A big part of my year is spent in getting ready for our annual Six State Rally. This year our rally was held from September 22 thru September 26. I am what they call “the quilt captain”. We gather “charity quilts” to be given in the area that we have the rally in. This year’s rally was in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
My job to (1) encourage each chapter to make as many lap quilts as possible, (2) work with the local quilt guild to plan a program of demonstrations and finger food for the FMCA members that attend the social – that usually held on the Friday of the rally and to pull and provide quilts for the “Quilts of Valor” program that is held in conjunction with Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. This year, we collected almost 350 quilts. We pulled 17 quilts to be sent for the “Quilts of Valor” program and remainder were given to the Shawnee Spinning Spools Quilt Guild, the local quilting guild, who in turn will distribute them to various charities - including the local abused women’s center, the children’s advocacy group, the local police who give them to people in distress and senior citizen centers. This has been a wonderful project that has given me “a full heart” for the past 7 years.
I have just finished a beautiful quilt. I call it “Quilters Flower Baskets”. Believe it or not that is hand embroidery and it has taken me almost two years to get it finished. I haven’t put it in a show yet…. But here is a picture, below.
And now more…..
Pearce and I will celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary on October 20th. The one thing that I have learned is that life is a journey and not a destination.
We will be going up to Echo Canyon Resort for two wonderful nights at their bed and breakfast. You can’t imagine how beautiful this place is. Not only are they a wonderful bed and breakfast, but they serve a divine triple entrée 4-course dinner with champaign & dessert at their “The Baron Of Beef Restaurant”. If any one of you is interested you can go to www.EchoCanyonResort.com. The place is wonderful.
And still some more!
 A number of years ago I told Pearce that when I got “OLD” I either wanted a motorcycle or a Mustang convertible. I can’t believe it but Pearce gave me a 2003, Cobalt Blue, Mustang convertible with all of the bells and whistles. (picture) Pearce refuses to ride in it but I have had my precious little Pomeranian, Faith, go riding with me.
Because of all the rain lately, our longest drive so far (with the top down) has been to the Sadler post office - a distance of 3 miles. It’s so beautiful and I am so thrilled. It is wonderful to be 68 and to have a Mustang convertible. All I need is a long scarf and I plan to get that soon.
Well enough…. We will have a full supply of preserves, pickles, etc. in before the holidays. You can either call us or place an order over the internet at our online Country Store.
I know that times are tough but keep the faith. Remember to have fun if it means only planning a picnic on the back porch in the rain. As most of you know, Pearce and I lost most of our blueberry for last year due to the freeze on April 7, 2009. Our Higher Power is certainly looking out for us and for all of you.
 Because it looks like we are going to have LOTS of green tomatoes left this year and because we can only eat "Fried Green Tomatoes" so many times, I am looking for other green tomato recipes. If you have one, please send it to me.
Here is a great receipe that I found on Cajun Recipes (www.realcajunrecipes.com). I am also sending you another really good fall recipe for Turkey and Sausage Gumbo which is one of our favorites...
(Click HERE or Lady Chef for Recipes.)
Have a wonderful holiday and keep a smile on your face – it really makes a difference.
Hugs to all!
- Ann
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