April 18, 2008

Welcome to VT Balsam's newsletter, my first newsletter. First of all I want to thank you for the support of our site. I value the contacts and on going relationships formed and am looking forward to establishing even more relationships. We love to make people happy and to make them smile with our simple balsam herb.

My plan is to write a letter two or three times a year just to let you know what's going on here in Vermont. Speaking as a Vermonter, I figure if I have something interesting or exciting to pass on, then I will, but otherwise I won't write a monthly newsletter just to rattle on about nothing. I know I've signed up for one too many that just put me to sleep. As time goes on, I encourage you to let me know what you like to read about, whether it's balsam production or information about our beautiful state of Vermont.

Rich and I are very excited about two upcoming publicity events. Lynette Jensen, of Thimbleberries will be featuring our balsam in her new project book called Christmas Punch. For those of you who don't quilt or sew, Thimbleberries is recognized worldwide for fabric design, patterns and books. Lynette heard of our balsam and ordered once and then again and asked if she could give us credit in the book. Of course this was fine with us! The book will be debuted at the International Quilt Market Trade Show in Portland, Oregon May 16-18. It will become available to the general public the end of May and can be purchased on Lynette's site or in quilt shops carrying her line. You can visit her site at www.thimbleberries.com.

Fons and Porter, also known far and wide in the quilting world and publishers of the magazine Love of Quilting will feature our balsam in their upcoming July/August magazine issue. Our balsam was chosen as one of only four products to be reviewed in the Shop Hop section. The magazine will be on the news stands June 24th. You may have enjoyed their TV series, Love of Quilting, which is seen on many public broadcasting stations. Their website is www.fonsandporter.com.

Now a little about balsam production. We are very busy this time of the year, gathering, processing, drying and storing for summer orders. Vermont has had a record amount of snow this year, so we couldn't get into our balsam stand of trees until recently. As of mid April, there is still more than two feet of snow in between the trees, making it hard to work. I've had to strap on my snowshoes and tramp paths to and around the trees. We continue harvesting until the new growth starts, resuming in late summer or early fall when the new growth hardens off. The first frost does this and in Vermont this can happen as early as late August. Mother Nature gives us this break for summer to enjoy some other activities such as kayaking, bicycle riding and camping.

We continue to renovate my childhood home in Hyde Park, circa 1860. After four years we're almost finished. I had no idea what we were in for, when my husband said he'd like to tackle the project. Needless to say, I've learned a lot about carpentry, wiring, plumbing, etc.

Our two grandsons get us one day a week to kid sit also, (our six year old corrects me if I say baby-sit). They'll be helping us with the balsam work as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading. If you wish to opt out of the letters at any time you can do so easily.

Until next time, remember to

SLOW DOWN AND SMELL THE BALSAM!

Sue (Balsamsue) and Rich