So I run into my egg supplier over the weekend. Hey Mr. Noah! I call. He turns, then hurries over.Hey, my bakery's going to reopen within the week, I say. Sure would like to be able to get a few dozen from you each morning. Everyone knows Mr. Noah has the best eggs around - he collects twice a day from the free-range chickens he keeps on the land behind his house.
Well, Ms. Brin, he replies, shifting his weight between his cowboy-booted feet, I've lost a lot of my flock. We set traps, but so far nothing. Think it may be a wild cat that's gettin' em.
Noah treats his chickens like family. This must be hard for him, and I tell him so.
Yeah, only have four good laying hens right now, he says, but you can buy what we don't use. Until I can get that incubator I've been wanting, anyway. Then you can have all you want.
I thank him, and tell him I hope he can get that incubator soon. I'll help you as soon as I can, I promise him. He grins.
Oh. Did I mention? Mr. Noah is 10 years old. He lives with his father (his mom long since out of the picture) and sells eggs to buy BB guns and have money go to children's church camp in the summer.
Forget buying eggs from Sam's Club. Around here, we know the name of the people who supply many of our staples... I even know the names of some of the cows, chickens and goats who provide me with milk, eggs and cheese. Mr. Noah's one of several folks henrybella's supports by buying local and patronizing hometown people and products. So, to my customers, thanks. Thanks for helping support honest, hard-working people in our small community. -Brin
What a fun post. I had envisioned a nice old man. Way to go Noah. Keep up the great work Brin. We are all behind ya.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post Brin! It's great to support local merchants. You get to know them and they always treat you real well. Our Farmer's Market, under the Jones Falls Expressway, is excellent in that respect. I've come to know a good many of them and have always been impressed with their wares. xxoo
ReplyDeleteI, too, envisioned a nice old man.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet surprise to discover Noah instead.
Tammy and Parker
www.prayingforparker.com
Brin-Just went through all your yummy recipes, to write the ones down that I wanted to keep. That apple pie filling looks amazing. Bacon Powder, I am still laughing. Keep me on your list, I will miss checking in with you.
ReplyDeleteNicki
Ojaimomma@hotmail.com
I love to buy locally - It really does taste better! Hope you're reconsidering closing down the blog!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove this! We are the proud owners of four layer hens. I just did a post about them yesterday.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for purchasing your eggs locally!!!!
What a sweet story,and a hard working little man....Barb
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice twist to this tale! I bet those eggs are the very best.
ReplyDeleteWho in the heck is "rick" and who does he think he is????
ReplyDeleteI know Noah. He is a precious young man in our church. He's saving money for college. I love him as well as Brin. Take your hateful attitude somewhere else and leave our precious Brin alone! I feel sorry for you.
PS And you might be happier if you worked on loving people instead of hating them.
I love that you do that...but I wouldn't expect anything less from you! ;)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Rick..you should read the entire post and try to understand it before you comment. He told her can't help because he only has 4 chickens left, but he'd sale what he didn't use.
ReplyDeleteRick..I'll pray for you my friend. I'll pray you find something better to do with your time than post hateful comments. :)
Oh, Rick, Rick, Rick, don't get your bowels in an uproar... go sit back down in your Lazy Boy and finish drinking your beer.
ReplyDeleteOh man I am so mad at that Rick guy... but don't waste your energy over someone like him... We enjoy your posts and if he doesn't well he doesn't need to read it. Simple..
ReplyDeleteI sure am gonna miss your blog.. look forward to reading the goings on in your life...
And Mr. Noah, I used to raise chickens to sell eggs and I KNOW how much hard work is put into that job. Good for you, young man.
As a mom of an 8 year old I am really impressed and proud (even though I don't know him)of Noah, what a great kid. I bet he has a better idea how to run a business than most college business students. Real life experience is something that teaches so much. I love that you support the small businesses in your town, especially the individuals.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the taunting from Satan, I mean Rick, well no I actually mean Satan. Let it run off like water off a ducks back. You have Gods protection, annointing and blessing. I think it makes him jealous.
I hope that you leave the blog up even if you wait a year for another post. I feel like if you shut it down now it'd be like ending a book just before the climax. I so want to know how God uses Henrybella's and how things take shape from here. I know it's going to be big!!!! You have no idea the encouragement you have been to me. Even if you close the blog I'll keep you in my prayers and keep an eye on your etsy shop ;-)
What a wonderful post. I'm glad you support your local farmers for what you don't provide. Congrats on the re-opening!
ReplyDeleteThere's no other way you'd do it, you always give back! Free range eggs are the best! I'd suggest you raise some at Freeman House if you had the time. And to Rick, get a life!
ReplyDeleteHi Brin, what a sweet post...and you really had me at first believing Mr Noah was a sweet old man... I guess he will be one day. What a mature little boy, though! man, I wish I had had that kind of drive as an 8 year old! I kind of envision that is the way you must have been. I mean, to accomplish all you have at your age, already...you probably came into the world an over achiever :) and I think that is pretty darn cool! I mean I know God gets the glory in all that has been accomplished that that makes it even cooler! The comment left by that one guy (why mention his name to give him too much attention?) is a little more spiritual warfare for ya, huh? I guess Satan is the only one around here that wants you to shut down your blog. It must be making leaps and bounds for God and the he doesn't like it. Well, I'm praying for you and you can just smile and praise God for knowing that this blog makes a difference and that HE is making a difference through you. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteI feel like the world ends tomorrow when I click to read your post and it won't be there. Please say goodbye!
ReplyDeleteBrin - Will you please consider keeping your blog up and update on Henrybella's? Not only because I get my daily fix reading this every morning with my breakfast tea...but also becuase I just haven't had near enough time to print everything off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!
Henrybella's sounds like a little piece of heaven on earth. And your community sounds just as great.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you, Brin.
I'm going to miss this place!
What a fantastic post!
ReplyDeleteGood job Noah, what a wonderful young man you are. My boys used to sell our eggs when they were 10 and 11. They would deliver them to our neighbours. I have a picture of them headed out with a big wicker basket filled with eggs, precious! Brin, I am so happy for you and so proud. Henrybella's is dream come true for you and I pray that you find comfort, success, love and laughter in your new beginnings. Blessings, Heather
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to read that not only is it supporting local businesses but also a young man trying to earn money for church camp! How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow I would love to have a Mr. Noah!
Aw, how sweet! Sounds like things are starting to come together to open henrybella's again. I hope you get around to that cookbook and newsletter!
ReplyDeleteBrin,
ReplyDeleteYou are going to be greatly missed! Please add me to your list of updates:
tlb81003 (at) normalonline.com
I too feel like we are at the climax of your book. Thank you for all your inspiration of the years. For all of the lovely pictures, recipes, devotions, thoughts, things to ponder and for letting us have a glimpse.
Tami
Again, my anonymous commenter (ex-husband?), is striking again. Since he's too chicken hen to leave them up and promptly deletes them, here it is (in case anyone's wondering about the "Rick" comment):
ReplyDeleteRick has left a new comment on your post "Business Meeting":
This is the biggest dose of horse shit I've heard in a long time. Four hens, and you get what's left? A few dozen from four hens? Give me a break! For the eggs needed in a bakery? An incubator is to hatch eggs, you might end up with roosters or hens, and the hens will take long while to become layers -- totally unhelpful to your short-term goal of reopening the bakery. And, what do you use the cheese for? Hens don't provide cheese. What a bunch of crap. What's he doing with the BB-gun? Who does he shoot with the BB-gun at childrens camp? Those be dangerous toys, not appropriate for a 10-year old child whose labor is obviously being exploited -- if not in physical labor then in gratuitous sappy dialog. Brin -- get real and shut down the blog.
Posted by Rick to My Messy, Thrilling Life at Sun Apr 05, 08:41:00 PM CDT
I am so glad you are still posting...I would really like it if you would keep me on your list...have been trying for a while to leave a comment...hope this goes through
ReplyDeleteebebert1@yahoo.com
leisbet
Happy Birthday Brin! May your 30s be beautiful and fulfilling. Many blessing and happiness to you as you embark on this next great adventure!!
ReplyDeleteIn case you are still checking this, I would love to be added to your mailing list: fridaybride@yahoo.com