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local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind. It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday. Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.

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Instagram post 2193030822323724219_32355035 It’s Christmas cookie season! If you didn’t make these Adaptogenic Raw Vegan Gingerbread Cookies last year head to the blog (link in profile!) and make them this year! Just search for gingerbread in the search box. 
They are a guilt free treat that I don’t have to feel bad doling out to my little during the holidays because they’re packed with nutrients and calming adaptogens. And no icky ingredients.

What new cookie recipe do you want to see this year? I’m brainstorming!

Gathering from Scratch | A Workshop Retreat in the Shenandoah Valley

Local Milk Retreats

09.17.2014

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

Telling the story of your table from field to fork. The table as love language. The table as relationship. The table as nourishment of every sort. The table as ephemeral art. This is the heart of so much of my work. Finding & creating sustenance where you are, when you’re there & embracing the perfect imperfection of things as they are. Of the season, of the region. Of the table. Of people. Of yourself. That’s all I stand for. All I do. And that’s what we lived, explored, and created together at the workshop retreat I hosted with Rebecca Gallop of A Daily Something a few weeks ago, Gathering From Scratch. Here’s the first installment of the photos (there are just too many gorgeous moments to limit myself to one post) and more about our workshop.

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

Rebecca and I wanted to explore each aspect of putting together a small gathering from sourcing your tableware, flowers, and food to cooking & laying the table to the moment it all comes together and you share in it and in each other. She found the perfect location, Oldstone Farm, a pre-colonial farmhouse in the Shenandoah Valley built in 1734. A working farm. A gorgeous, eccentric space where a family of trash-hungry labrador puppies roved, baby chicks peeped, and all manner of livestock milled in the pasture. Towering sunflowers nodded in the garden like lazy sentinels and one wily cat slinked around, lounging impudent as cats are wont to lounge. It was some sort of heaven. And the light, my God, the light was unreal. And so were the tables we laid together.

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

Styling isn’t about unnecessary fussing with things. It’s about telling a story, laying a table with attention to detail as an act of service, and creating beauty in every nook & cranny of life you can manage. It lifts up the mundane. Styling with Rebecca was pure synergy. And I can barely write her name without tearing up I miss her so much. Rebecca, working with you was an honor, a pleasure, and everything I hoped it would be and so much more. You are one funny, glowing soul, and anyone who can take my eccentric self is high on my list! I cannot wait until we tackle that madness again next year.

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

We started off with one big farm to table welcome dinner that went well into the bonfire hours during which The Great American Canyon Band played while people lingered over wine and clafoutis. Over the course of that languid weekend in late August we, along with our guests, spent the days baking, styling, photographing, and just spending time with one another around the table. We wanted each and every meal to be memorable, each moment to be beautiful, each bite delicious and local.

And so many people made that possible. We had two of the best interns I’ve ever known, Anna & Bekah, who worked like bees, and in the kitchen we had the indispensable help & salvation of Melinda of Knead and Know, a genius artisan bread baker, instructor, and cook. Not to mention cheerful in the face of boatloads of work, which is truly invaluable in any kitchen. Friends & family (the moms! Rebecca’s mother and mother-in-law helped so, so much!) pitched in and we couldn’t have done it without a single one of them.

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

We also had extremely talented partners like the photographers of Sweet Root Village and the videographers of Our Terrain who made the above video for us. Give it a play & check their work out. Besides that we had so many makers who were willing to share their talent & wares with our students. Because of them we were able to give each guest a handmade gift with each and every meal. You can visit each maker at the links below

Pear Tree Leather Co. – custom leather notebook cases and more | Ontario

Consider the Wildflowers – delicate, minimalist handmade jewelry | Tennessee

Sweetgum Co. – handcrafted reclaimed wood spoons & boards | Tennessee

Field Notes – the best everyday, spur of the moment idea notebooks out there | Illinois

Ortolan Organics – sustainable homegoods | California

Straw & Gold + Calyer Ceramics – online homegoods store featuring handmade & artisan wares | New York

Ambatalia – hand sewn linen bento & furoshiki bags and more| California

Daphnis & Chloes Herbs –  handpicked & dried rare herbs | Greece

J Q Dickinson Salt – hand harvested salts from an under ground ocean in the Appalachians | Virginia

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

The menus were as much a joy to put together as the tables & gifts. They were an intuitive homage to late summer in the southern United States—heirloom tomatoes and peaches featured heavily. Heaps, really. Here’s the menu that kicked it all off:

Daily Gathering | Farm to Table Summer Supper Menu

To Start

Aged Gouda Pimento Cheese Crostini

Pickled Dilly Beans & Okra

Local Charcuterie

Amuse

Truffled Deviled Eggs

Field

Roast Free-Range Chicken, Fig + Olive + Shallot

Mint Chimichurri

Garden

Charred Potato Fennel Leek Salad + Lemon Aioli

Heirloom Summer Garden Salad + Chevre + Summer Herbs

Baked

Polly Foster Yeast Rolls

Knead & Know Breads

Whipped Raw Honey & Sea Salt Cultured Butter

Sweet

Rose + Cardamom + Peach Buttermilk Cornmeal Clafoutis

gathering from scratch: a workshop retreat

Stay tuned for part two. I’ll tell you all about how we spent our time—what we ate, did, and where we went! In the mean time…I’m just coming off of a two workshop trip to Australia & my heart is full and breaking at the same time. To ease my pain I’m focusing on next year’s itinerary which includes workshop-retreats in Venice, Japan, Australia, and Portugal. Email me if you want to get on the early bird list for next year’s retreats! (contact form in the side bar)

 

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tags: daily gathering, daily something, farm to table, farmhouse, gathering, gathering from scratch, local, local milk, oldstone farm, photography, place setting, Rebecca Gallop, retreat, shenandoah valley, slow food, slow living, styling, table setting, tablescape, virginia, workshop

37 thoughts on “Gathering from Scratch | A Workshop Retreat in the Shenandoah Valley”

  1. Tessa / Bramble & Thorn says:
    September 17, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Your photography is just incredible, it’s so evocative! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned for Australia next year, you should definitely come to Melbourne!

    Reply
  2. Luisa Brimble says:
    September 17, 2014 at 8:27 am

    Ohhhhh Beth! This! We need this same program for Australia in 2015! This is just incredibly amazing. You and Rebecca make magic together! Too freakin’ beautiful! xoxoxoxoxoxxoo

    Reply
  3. Sarah says:
    September 17, 2014 at 9:09 am

    I think this is my favorite post of yours….the photos are exquisite! You captured the light, the textures and the mood beautifully. That’s how I hope my gatherings and get-togethers feel, or at least that’s the feel I strive for.

    You must feel so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful and creative people and beautiful places. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Ramona says:
    September 17, 2014 at 9:27 am

    Dear Beth, I am again in awe of you photographs and words! Always an inspiration! Thank you

    Reply
  5. arielle says:
    September 17, 2014 at 9:31 am

    your pictures, writing, and prose are all so wonderful and insightful! thank you for a daily dose of whimsy happiness.

    love, arielle
    a simple elegance

    Reply
  6. ashley ozuna says:
    September 17, 2014 at 11:56 am

    your words, your photography, your styling, the food……it is all so comforting, truly truly. i enjoy my visits very much to this blog….the way you write pulls me in and inspires me so incredibly much. thank you xoxo ~ashley

    Reply
  7. jaime says:
    September 17, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    I’m having some kind of pivotal moment, having experienced this post. I’ve dismissed styling as being frivolous and even scoffed at the idea for being unreal/hyper-real, overly manicured for vanity’s sake. but I’m all about sensual enjoyment and appreciating the beauty in the mundane, and I think you just bridged a mighty gap for me:

    “Styling isn’t about unnecessary fussing with things. It’s about telling a story, laying a table with attention to detail as an act of service, and creating beauty in every nook & cranny of life you can manage. It lifts up the mundane.”

    I’m inspired. thank you.

    Reply
  8. lucinda says:
    September 17, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    what an incredible assembly of talent! everything – from the setting, to the food, to the partnering creatives – was so thoughfully and deliberatley selected. i would love to be able attend one of these workshops one day!

    Reply
  9. Katie says:
    September 17, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    gorgeous and moving as usual. your blog has so much more depth and wisdom than most things you find on the internet.

    and i love the video! more videos! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Loulou says:
    September 17, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    My goodness … the beauty within this post is breathtaking. So otherworldly and dreamlike. Your guests must have been absolutely delighted by the experience you guys created for them.

    Reply
  11. myriam says:
    September 17, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    “Towering sunflowers nodded in the garden like lazy sentinels and one wily cat slinked around, lounging impudent as cats are wont to lounge.”

    looks like an idyllic place and event, and your words take me right there.

    Reply
  12. Gi-Gi Allen says:
    September 17, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    Exquisite! The table is breathtaking, and I Loved the pictures, and the article. I Loved everything about it. I would love this for my home.

    Reply
  13. Leonardo Slatter says:
    September 17, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    OMG! I love every pic and moments that you take, and the colourtone was beautiful.

    Reply
  14. Ksenia At the Immigrant's Table says:
    September 17, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous dishes, bread, scenery, and, of course, photography. I appreciate the emphasize and thought you put into sourcing products in each and every one of your workshops. And as a constantly-evolving photographer, your statement about telling a story with styling really resonates with me. Thank you for the continuous inspiration!

    Reply
  15. More Info says:
    September 18, 2014 at 1:06 am

    Normally I would not understand article for weblogs, however I want to say that this specific write-up pretty forced me personally to perform it! Your own crafting flavour has been amazed everyone. Thank you so much, great post.. Back Link Builder Tool

    Reply
  16. Anna says:
    September 18, 2014 at 1:35 am

    Wow, this looks terrific! Congrats on hosting such an amazing event! Inspiring really, in so many ways.

    Reply
  17. Meghan says:
    September 18, 2014 at 1:53 am

    Everything in this post makes me want to cry big fat ever-rolling happy tears. I could read this post 1,000 times over and find something new to love on each time. These workshops of yours are truly something special, the kind of weekend that, I reckon, would change your life if you let it. And you obviously let it. And you do such a resplendent job. I cannot wait for installment two of this workshop! Beautiful!

    Reply
  18. Miranda says:
    September 18, 2014 at 5:27 am

    Portugal??? My heart just fluttered, I have to start saving up for that one for sure!!!! SO curious about the location, so desirous of attending it!!
    http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      September 18, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      It will most likely be held in Lisbon this year and promises to be amazing…I love that city so much! It will be around May!

      Reply
      1. Miranda says:
        September 24, 2014 at 5:47 am

        That would make it soooo near possible for me to attend, as I live in the Lisbon area – although I quite don’t like the city myself. I must fill in a form, then, as I am really really curious with this, even though I am quite a shy and secluded person, nearing antisocial ahah!!

        Reply
  19. Darlene says:
    September 18, 2014 at 7:59 am

    I want to be there!!

    Reply
  20. Alison Dulaney says:
    September 18, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    Incredibly beautiful, fantastic work!

    Reply
  21. Anna Costanzo says:
    September 18, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    I love your recipes and your style. This post is really inspiring. I loved the rustic table, its simplicity and elegance. I checked your links and I found them very interesting

    Reply
  22. Rachel says:
    September 19, 2014 at 5:04 am

    I found this whole thing so inspiring. I loved everything about it, the video was wonderful, the photos sublime and the whole idea was perfect.

    Really wish you were coming to the UK!

    Reply
  23. Rebecca says:
    September 19, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    *catwithhearteyes* GAH! I miss you. & I love your writing. My favorite part: “A gorgeous, eccentric space where a family of trash-hungry labrador puppies roved, baby chicks peeped, and all manner of livestock milled in the pasture.” #pupsout *catwithhearteyes*

    Reply
  24. Katie says:
    September 19, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    This is just simply stunning! I love your work (and person) in all of it’s manifestations.

    Reply
  25. Sherry Ann says:
    September 20, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Beautiful! I am inspired for thanksgiving. Love your photos and I love it when you add a video! Thank you for sharing your gifts.

    Reply
  26. ariyele says:
    September 21, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    yes please! i want to be on the early bird list for next year’s retreats.

    Reply
  27. Jenn Radford says:
    September 22, 2014 at 1:21 am

    I would definitely be interested if you headed over to the West Coast next Australia visit. I’ve loved all the Instagram shots of the Melbourne and Sydney Slow Livings!

    Reply
  28. Irene at Cooking Contests says:
    October 2, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    I came here from saveur.com to see your photos, and am not disappointed. So beautiful. I just wanted to tell you that. Will be bookmarking your site for future visits.

    Reply
  29. 2014 filmas Online says:
    October 13, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Veery well written!

    Reply
  30. cartier bracelet says:
    October 18, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    Great post.

    Reply
  31. Leona says:
    October 28, 2014 at 8:31 am

    OOooh I wish I could have been there. Beautiful. I am especially interested in those magnificent iron wall sconces. Where did you find them? THX

    Reply
  32. Pam says:
    November 11, 2014 at 7:56 am

    I agree that your photography is so evocative, I could step into this and not change a thing. Exquisite in its seeming simplicity and warmth.

    Reply
  33. Avianti Jewelry says:
    November 28, 2014 at 7:24 pm

    The photography looks amazing!! Such a lovely post. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  34. dámské brýle says:
    January 2, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    you have amazing pictures on your posts!

    Reply
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