Summertime and the living is easy...

Here we are in August already looking ahead (forward!!!) to school starting and planning out the rest of 2016. Looking back over the last few months has me floored over what all has happened. In March we had the Made in Montana show and were able to get into a few more stores which has been so great. We did a few shows in the spring and took the summer off this year as far as shows and farmer’s markets go. That being said, we are going to be at Manhattan’s Potato Festival on August 20 and can’t wait to see all your smiling faces! That kicks off the show season and we will be doing at least one show a month until December when we will have an open house at our house like last year!
Brandon and I have decided to start giving 10% of our sales to The Station Foundation which is a local nonprofit that helps special operation soldiers and their families reintegrate into society (check out their website at thestationfoundation.org for a more eloquent and complete description of what they do). This has been so much fun for us to contribute to!

We continue to be overwhelmed with the support we are shown not only from our family and friends but those who we happen upon from day to day. This summer, our lip balm was used as wedding favors—what an honor—when they were found in MT Gift Corral! I am also grateful for all the insightful words and design help we get from Linda and Glenna who own the wonderful shop Sassy Sisters in Bozeman. We are learning how to brand ourselves better when we aren’t there to explain all the amazing benefits of our products thanks to Todd at The Eagle’s Store in West Yellowstone. It has all been an adventure of ups and downs as I am learning to navigate all my different roles not only in the business but as it also affects us at home. I’ve been surprised at what I have enjoyed doing and what I haven’t (anyone who wants to market for us is more than welcome)! I’ve been humbled time and time again and imagine I will continue to be in the future as well as I continue learning.

Looking ahead we have some pretty exciting things in the works! One of which is a collaboration with my friend Jenn who is an amazing esthetician and has a shop in Manhattan called The Powder Room.
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Our personal lives have been busy as well with a trip to visit family in New York in March. We took the kids into New York City for the first time and they had a blast but decided they were ok living in rural MT! This summer we squeezed in a couple of trips to Yellowstone National Park, a trip to Sheridan, family reunion fun, and a myriad of playdates with friends. Now the kids and I are in Washington visiting my parents and our days have been filled with loads of fun including tennis with grandpa and crafts with grandma. Our other big news is we stumbled across a little slice of Montana paradise and were blessed to be able to purchase it the end of July! I now have visions of my own bees and gigantic herb gardens….
We hope you are all well and enjoying time together. If you are in the Manhattan area on the 20th please come and say “hi” we’d love to see you; our booth number is 42!
With love,
Brandon, Sarah, Jade, and Kyler
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