HI AGAIN. Me, obviously.
I know, I know, look who’s back in your space with another little weekly life update! You missed me, right? (It’s okay if you didn’t, I’m mostly here to talk to myself and cheese.) It was another busy week, the kind where the orders and inquiries keep coming and my brain shuts down.) It’s a weekly occurrence. In theory, owning a business is cool, but what comes with it is not as cool sometimes.
We’re back into full swing with meal prep and it feels good to get rolling again. Busy, yes. But good! And with Thanksgiving coming up fast, there’s a lot to be grateful for, and, apparently, a lot to get done before I can even think about what I’m making for my own table if I even do anything, given I have a full Thanksgiving week with orders before and after so my calendar is solidly booked. Not only am I taking platterbox orders, I’m also doing other catering jobs that week. Love to take them. Hate how little time I have between everything. Did it to myself.
A big July order… maybe?
This week, I bagged a big summer order! I think! Hopefully! It’s in July, which is far enough away that a person could change their mind, their guest count, their color palette, their entire concept of snacks, really, anything could happen between now and then. So I’m excited, but cautiously excited.
I’m not trying to talk myself out of being happy about it (why does my brain do that?), but summer plans have a way of shifting around. For now, I’m counting it as a lovely little win and hoping it sticks. A big event is always fun to picture: all the food, all the people, all the tiny details that somehow become the thing everyone remembers. And then I remember I still have November to get through before July, so I will put that thought in a nice folder marked “future Abby’s problem.” She’ll figure it out. She usually does.
Bermuda: the dream has actual tickets now
I booked my SailGP tickets for Bermuda with my mama in May, and I’m very excited about it. Like, “this is a real thing that’s happening” excited. I’d already mentioned in my blog that I was planning a 2027 SailGP tour with a stop in Bermuda. I also said the boats go INSANELY fast and I have no self-control when something is that cool. I stand by that statement. There is no growth here, just faster boats and a credit card.
But now it’s booked! Tickets! Mama! Bermuda! My brain is doing that thing where it’s already trying to mentally pack outfits and decide how many snacks I need for a trip that is months away. Probably too many. Always too many. The planning part is fun, though, especially when the thing you’re planning is something you’ve been looking forward to. It’s like putting a little pin of sunshine on the calendar, and honestly, I could use that in November.
Farmers market season is back!
And the farmers market started yesterday! Big hugs to Drew, who is just the best. He’s my preferred (and only) market person, and seeing him back in the mix makes the whole day feel extra lovely. You know when someone is just good at making a busy day easier? That’s Drew. Drew gets it.
The market was fantastic as usual. What a way to kick things off. I’m so grateful for everyone who comes by, says hi, picks up something yummy, and supports the small businesses showing up week after week. It can be a lot to prep, pack, load, unload, set up, sell, pack down, and then somehow locate your water bottle that you swear was right there two minutes ago (it was, probably, under something). But seeing familiar faces and having a good market day makes the whole production feel worth it.
And this is my kind of market weather. Cheese and summer heat are not besties, so the cooler-weather season is when I’m happiest bringing our goodies out.
One busy week at a time
I’m trying to keep all of this in perspective: the orders and inquiries, the summer maybe, the trip with my mama, the market, the Thanksgiving prep creeping closer like it knows I haven’t organized my life yet. I also have a bunch of Christmas orders and parties to cater so yeah, it’s a lot, and sometimes I do get overwhelmed by the number of things that need doing. Spiraled a bit on Friday afternoon but I’m better now that everything is all squared away. I’m only one person, and even though I can move pretty fast when I need to, I have not yet figured out how to clone myself or get an assistant made of pure executive function. Drew is great. Miss Jaycee is great. Don’t get me wrong, they have been lifesavers!
And can I be honest about this weekend? I got absolutely clotheslined by life. Like, full-on tackled in the parking lot of my own calendar. I had zero time to get anything done, and I don’t even think it’s me anymore. I thought I was just procrastinating (which, to be fair, I do typically), but when I actually have events and deadlines and calls stacked up, I just can’t keep them under control. It’s not a me problem, it’s a volume problem, and no amount of cute planners fixes a week that has 50 hours of work in it.
I also briefly considered blaming Mercury retrograde, and really, I’m still not ruling it out. Communication chaos, tech glitches, feeling like time is melting? Textbook. The planets owe me an apology. Sorry if you’ve reached out this week, I’ve been on do not disturb. I see your messages and actually just forgot to reply. I do think I’m all caught up now.
But I’m figuring it out. One order, one market, one little list at a time. I’m grateful for the busy weeks, even when they clothesline me. I’m grateful for you guys, too. For reading these ramblings, cheering on the business, and making all the chopping, arranging, packing, and occasional frantic search for the scissors feel like it’s all going somewhere. See? That’s why I need to pre-book down time so I actually don’t burn out!
If you’re thinking about catering for Thanksgiving or another upcoming gathering, you can always reach out through the contact page. We can sometimes accommodate last-minute catering orders with just a few hours’ notice, depending on the menu and our availability, so it never hurts to ask.
Okay, I’m off to drink some water and wait for Georgie to get home! Love ya! Appreciate ya!
XX,
Abby
Song of the day: Jade LeMac-Prettier With Your Mask Off
Funny enough this song came out same day as my Friday afternoon spiral. Sometimes trying to be that steady smiling face of Graze is hard and I’ve put on a metaphorical mask just to get through that chaos. Mask gets awfully heavy some days.
Kid keeps me grounded during busy weeks 🥰
Delivery helper!
Best cooking buddy! 👨🍳
We love the new dining set from my neighbors! Do we use it as a dining table? Sometimes.
