Our neighbors at Picket Fence Creamery are holding an old-fashioned bean-walking party. Here's what they say:

"..It became too late for us to plant corn here, so we are instead raising non-GMO soybeans. We managed to get the fields cultivated once, but due to the wet conditions were not ever able to get back in for the second cultivation. So...we are extending an invitation to anyone out there in Picket Fence newsletter land...to join us this Saturday morning to relive that wonderful summer rite of our youth - bean walking! We've had several "volunteers" sign up, and some are bringing their older kids to give them "the experience" of how they spent their summers! Bring your water jugs and your gloves, and stay for an hour and all morning. When you've had enough, we'll treat you to all the chocolate milk and ice cream you can eat! We'll start at 8 a.m., and will be walking till noon. Hope to see you Saturday! "

If you're interested in helping, give them a call at (515)438-COWS!

In other news: We recently bottled up about 45 free samples of our Facial Serum for Oily/problem skin, and about the same amount of Hempchouli shampoo bars. If you're ordering in the next few days or so, and want to try a free sample of either or both of those products, simply make a note of that in the "customer comments" part of our shopping cart, and we'll add those in for you.! (offer good until the samples run out).

Our friend Tina, of the Essential Herbal Magazine (great magazine, go subscribe if you haven't already! ) has a wonderful blog post up about her Winter Tea. It's the time of year to be gathering and drying herbs for winter, and this is a really easy, delightful, and whimsical way to enjoy your herbs as tea all winter long!

Roe at Sun Rose Aromatics has a great blog post about my favorite, easy way to dry herbs. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly encourage you to do so. It is easy, nearly foolproof, and makes your car smell great. :) enjoy!

Last week, our fantastic farrier, Kim, came to trim the horses' hooves. This is a regular occurrence, for their health and safety. She's so great! A real animal lover, and an expert at her job. How many times do you suppose that such an operation is overseen by a Canada Goose?


The little ones frisked around, as their mommas got their feet cared for first. The baby horses are alot like human babies - really curious, affectionate, and they really like to TASTE their world. Delilah, the oldest one, is especially bad about that - she LOVES to nibble! Anything. clothes, arms, hair, tools - anything she can get her baby teeth on.


A closeup of Kim working on the hooves.


These are Baron's tiny little hooves. I LOVE the coloration. Aren't they fancy??


The dogs love to hang around and get bits of horse hoof to chew on. EEEWW!!!

It's here, it's here, it's here! The August Luxury Soap of the Month - Moroccan rose. *swoon*
If you love florals - REAL florals, not synthetic scents, this is ABSOLUTELY for you! We only have about 50 bars of this soap so I do expect it to sell out pretty quickly. Visit our website to purchase!

In other news - we did the farmer's market yesterday, and had a great time. John likes to bring his spinning wheel and spin while we're there vending; seeing and hearing people's reactions is absolutely priceless. I will have to write up a whole blog post just that, sometime. Anyway. After the market we delivered orders to some local stores that carry our goods: East Village Books, the Living History Farm gift store, and Heart of Iowa Marketplace. So if you're in the Des Moines area looking for Prairieland Herbs goods, check out any of those stores!

Last but not least; it's 97 degrees here, and a heat index of over 105 is expected today. HOT, hot hot. Stay cool and safe everyone!