Follow Up on Our Fair Trade Expo Excursion- Lawrenceburg, Indiana

After about 45 minutes, I was able to thaw out our vehicle enough for us to drive over to southeastern Indiana today for a great event. I already have the date saved for next year too...it was that good. 

Community Fellowship Church hosts the annual event the first weekend in December. Much of their items come from a Festival Sales organization called Ten Thousand Villages. My new Bengal Nativity from Peru, the two bars of soap from India and my favorite purchase, the self-watering snail from Bangladesh (pictured in the pot in the photo above) are all from this organization that began in 1946.

But there were other ministries represented as well and one, Recyclo Craftz took time to tell us how she got started ministering to at-risk women in Zambia and how she barters with local tailors there for scraps of cloth for use in the projects. 

My favorite table was run by Pezulu Arts. Although I didn't buy anything from them at this time, I hope to in the future. If I'd been shopping just for myself, I would have picked up either one of their hand painted spoon rests or salt and pepper shakers. The artistry was amazing.

Divine Chocolate was also available. I've purchased this brand from It's Only Fair before and it is delicious. Finding out they have a mail order website is probably a dangerous thing!

I found this hand sewn bookmark for a gift from Amani Ya Juu, which means "higher peace" in Swahili. It was made by women in Nairobi, Kenya. I also found another gift, that I can't picture here from Trade as One.

Now that I've been to the Expo, I wish I would have organized a shopping trip with some of my friends. I think that's a good goal for next year. If you want to know why buying Fair Trade is becoming so important to me, watch the video at the Expo's website http://fightinghopelessness.org/

If what I buy for myself or as gifts for others can make a difference in someone's life, why wouldn't I choose to do that? If buying less so that I can spend more, and in turn support an individual, helping them to live self-sufficiently, instead of lining the pockets of corporate greed and devastation...isn't it not only ethically right...but also morally imperative to do so when I have the option? Knowing that my $18 for an adorable Nativity helps an artisan in Peru eat and have a warm place to sleep, is a good thing. I can't say that about every purchase I make, especially one's made at large discount stores like Wal-Mart, Target and other chains...so I'm thankful for Community Fellowship Church making an opportunity like this one available and introducing me to organizations from whom I can now purchase throughout the year.

International Fair Trade Expo- Lawrenceburg, Indiana

If you'd like to have an opportunity to shop Fair Trade and support local people who are trying to further such shopping experiences, consider going to the International Fair Trade Expo in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Friday and Saturday December 6th and 7th.

More details can be found on their Facebook Page. My friend Marcia has been posting photos of lots of beautiful jewelry, chocolate, items for men and even contests from the event organizers for a few weeks now. 

Like me, are you tired of buying cheap junk that you and your family don't even need to begin with? Do the stories of the trampling and fighting on Black Friday just make you nauseated with disgust? Do you want your spending dollars to make a difference in the lives of those who make the items, instead of paying someone slave wages to keep your home knee deep in crap? Then join me in a little revolt and have a Fair Trade, buy local, support small businesses and give to charities Christmas. 

The true meaning of Christmas was the Messiah came to give us life, right? How about this Christmas we all start a tradition of doing the same for a change!

More Berry Pickin' at Phillips' Berry Patch

I forgot to take a camera this time, but Rebekah, Leah and I went back to Phillips' Berry Patch in Guilford, Indiana. The crop of the day is the sweet, yummy blueberries pictured above...well, these and nine pounds more! The bushes are loaded. The three of us picked those nine pounds in under 30 minutes. 

You pick price is currently $2.90 per pound and $5.90 per quart if they pick for you. It might sound a little pricey, but for fresh off the bush, no pesticide berries, I'll pay to pick my own. 

If you're thinking about heading out to the Berry Patch, learn from my mistake and take the back roads through Greendale. Part of State Road 1 is closed and you can't get to the farm from Interstate 74. 

Berry Pickin' At Phillips' Berry Patch

Today I had the idea to research blueberry u-pick farms in our area. There really aren't very many if the online information is correct. But when I found Phillips' Berry Patch in Guilford, Indiana, (Dearborn County) and called, I discovered that she still had "a few" strawberries and the blueberries would be ready soon.

I didn't give the kids a choice about going and there were a few grumbles, but once we arrived, the girls pitched in on the picking and Noah elected to keep an eye on Jewell.

We didn't have her walking around barefoot...but we did set her in the patch for a few pictures. I don't think she knew quite what to make of it.

Abbey loves kids...and it doesn't take long for most kids to pick up on that. She made some new friends today, Addy and Ryan. They were the only other family there and it was their first time to pick. Their mom was really friendly and we chatted some. As I walked to my van a little later, I just had that "feeling" that I was probably talking to a Sister in Jesus. Not sure...but it definitely felt that way.

Then came the tasty part. I was curious to see what Jewell would do and before I could snap the second photo...

...a berry was already getting stuffed in her mouth, green top and all. 

She quickly spit it out, but it must either have been because of the size or the prickly top because she didn't hesitate to eat 10 of them for lunch when we got home. They're so juicy, I've already prepared her mama that she might have a berry-stained baby tonight.

Strawberries are normally $2 per pound, but because it was end of season (although she still had a lot) Mrs. Phillips gave them to us for $1 per pound. She also told me the blueberries will be ready in the next week or two...we'll be back, I know!

It's a success when the kids are eating fresh, locally grown strawberries all day and my 17 year summed up the experience with , "That was fun."