This week at the Mercantile, we begin the transition to fall. The return of some of our favorites from Shelti Farms like room sprays, tub teas, and lavender hot cocoa, and a sale on some of the summer teas in preparation for what’s to come. Summer teas are marked down from $14 to $10 while supplies last. We love to use these for sun tea and drink them iced. Both remaining blends are naturally decaffeinated herbal blends.

Did you know that I personally hand pour all of the candles we sell? They are made of 100% pure local beeswax and all cotton wick. In fact, it’s the wax from the hives of the honey you can purchase here, Golden Rule. For every 10lbs of honey, only 1 lb of wax is produced by the bees. It’s valuable and has amazingly healing properties. When burned in a draft free environment, they are nearly dripless. The also burn very clean and can help to purify your indoor air instead of pollute it like many commercial candles. I’ll be making lots of candles very soon for the shorter days ahead. You can grab some this weekend and even add a beautifully handmade ceramic candleholder for all your Little Women dreams to be realized. In our home, we light a candle during dinner and remind little bodies that “when the candle is lit, we stay and sit”.

We are fully stocked on all your favorites from Green Dirt Farm sheep’s milk cheeses. For a special treat, be sure to try out the Dirt Lover’s all sheep’s milk bloomy rind that was featured in last week’s update.

We have a limited amount of cherry tomatoes and melons from our garden. We have unlimited amounts of basil. It’s pesto time! Make your favorite version and freeze it. Throw a handful into this quick summer soup. Or toss on top of some fresh burrata and tomato for a caprese salad.

Be sure to try the Fair Share Farms Elderberry Vinegar. It was the perfect base for a vinaigrette on this lentil, beet, basil salad last week. A quick whisk of elderberry vinegar, olive oil, and salt and you’ll have a fast, easy, and antioxidant rich dressing for a wide variety of salads. A wonderful substitute anywhere you’d use red wine vinegar.

We hope to see you in soon!