08/16/2025
I am finally sitting down for the evening, this time on the couch, with a cup of Lapsang Suchong (smoked black tea, my go-to comfort tea) and cats on either side of me. I wanted to write a final message as we close out our time at the Hub.
We have experimented with many different methods to "make ends meet" since moving to Nova Scotia in 2021--some related to baking and others not--but what has remained consistent through it all is being a part of the Pugwash Farmers' Market. Pamela Craig (of Dry Humour, a former Market vendor) was the person who really encouraged us to follow our interest in soap making in the fall of 2021. When we arrived for our first market the next spring, with approximately 10 bars of handmade soap to our name, we were nervous and a bit self conscious about being newly minted "Business People." Yet we immediately felt enveloped in the love of others at the market. The Market features some of the most grounded, encouraging, kind, and supportive folk we've ever met, and we have enjoyed each market season more than the last.
Fast forwarding to the spring of 2024, when we first heard about an opportunity to serve food at the Hub (managed by the Farmers' Market), we had a gut feeling that it could lead to something really wonderful. We took a chance doing food service beyond baking, but all along the way, the Market had our back and made sure things went smoothly. I've said it in previous posts, but the Hub's co-op model, which allows people with limited financial means to make a go of operating a small cafe, gave us the support and freedom to experiment and develop something truly reflective of our interests and passions. THANK YOU to the Market for this opportunity!
While the Market provided the space, the community of Pugwash showed up to support us new, now more confident "Business People" by buying lattes, trying new foods, and getting their gluten free fixes. THANK YOU so, so much for your support. THANK YOU for the early morning discussions of goings-on, early afternoons talks about deeply-held passions and beliefs, and late afternoon musings about what you want to see in the world. We never felt alone at the cafe, as in we knew that we would always be able to get through tough times...because of the people of Pugwash! Wow. That makes me tear up to write. It's so true!
So while we'll be moving down to the city and will no longer be slingin' lattes or vindaloo, we will be back and forth to visit and see the new businesses opening up around town. My (Emma's) PhD research will be on the possibility of expanding midwifery care to the rural areas in Nova Scotia with a specific focus on the North Shore. I deeply believe Pugwash is a beautiful place to raise a family, and the community deserves the compassionate, thoughtful and well-funded pre and postnatal care that midwives provide. So, stay tuned for my impassioned speeches to the province on this matter. (lol) Also, let me know if you know of any midwives who lived in the area, as far back as possible! I'll be on the look out for this kind of information for my research.
Alright, that's enough! I'm tired, I hope this makes sense. I'll post tomorrow about ordering a copy of the cookbook (second printing coming soon), but reach out if you'd like one, message us here or email us at [email protected]. If you want to keep in touch, email us and I'll give you my personal email so we can stay connected.
Stay cool, Pugwash! THANK YOU
