Thompson Hollow Apothecary

Next weekend! Hope to see you there!! 🍎

A heartfelt thank you to Valley Regional Hospital for welcoming us back for another pop-up yesterday! I love our visits and I was happy to see familiar faces, and meet those who missed us last time.

We’ll be back December 8th, and I can’t wait!

Thank you for supporting and welcoming local businesses! It truly means so much to us. 🙏

Wormwood has a long history of traditional use as a vermifuge, meaning an herb used to help expel intestinal worms. If you have ever done or looked into a parasite cleanse, you will likely see Wormwood in the ingredients.

🌧️ A little rainy day reminder...

Rain can really impact small vendors and shops, especially those of us who setup at outdoor markets or fall events. Fewer people out means fewer sales, and every sale matters to a small business.

If you have a local shop, business, or know of one that could use a shoutout, drop the info below! Let people know where they can find you and your products!

Let’s support local and support each other! 🫶

Here's my online shop info for reference 👇
http://thompsonhollowapothecary.myshopify.com

ONE YEAR OF THOMPSON HOLLOW APOTHECARY!! 🤎

One whole year. That went by quick!

When I started Thompson Hollow Apothecary, it was honestly a “let’s see what happens” kind of thing.

I had finished my Holistic Health Practitioner training and had helped some folks, but I wasn't quite ready to jump into taking on clients. If I'm being completely honest, I planned to continue my education and eventually go in the holistic nutrition direction.

I initially intended on starting a food truck that provided a whole food diet/healthy fast food option. But after running the numbers… well, that was out of the books. 😂

Chris suggested maybe I should actually sell the products I was already making, see if more people liked them, and be my own boss.

So I started this page one day.

Well… you guys had other plans. 😂

It took off WAY more than I ever expected, and this past year has been absolutely wonderful.

It's also taught me that running a business isn't just about making products.

It's about finding balance.

For those who don't know me personally, I'm just an average person who has become, and continues to become educated in holistic health and herbalism.

Exciting, huh?! 😆

I'm not in flowy dresses all the time, with oddly perfect messy hair and a calm voice, picking herbs in some beautiful, perfect giant farmhouse or field like you see on Instagram.

Nope. Not me.

And when those moments actually do happen, taking a picture of myself is usually the LAST thing on my mind. 😂

I'm a 40-year-old who throws on practical clothes, puts my hair in a ponytail, laces up my Merrells, and heads into the woods, usually with no phone in sight. Just a basket, snips, and a few reference books. In the warmer months, early in the morning, you just may see me in pj's and a robe with a cup of coffee in my garden, staring at plants. That's the kind of person I am.

I'm a mom to an active teenager with her own busy life.

I'm a mom to my autistic son, who is quite possibly my biggest fan and would happily spend every waking minute hanging out with me and telling me every single thought that pops into his head.

I'm a wife and best friend to my incredibly supportive husband, who has gladly sat sh***un on this wild ride.

I'm a friend, a homemaker, a daughter, a pet owner, a business owner, a damn hard worker… and a person who is still learning that not every free minute needs to be spent being productive.

I may eventually jump on the roadside shed bandwagon and get myself a little Thompson Hollow shop at the end of the driveway… although our yard and driveway might have other plans.

This year hasn't been without challenges.

Prices are higher. Supplies cost more. The economy is tough. Running a small business takes a LOT of work, a lot of unpaid time, and the numbers can be tight.

But we're making it work.

We're still here.

So we must be doing something right. 😉

And what has meant the most to me is seeing people choose to spend their money locally.

I know I preach this a lot, but seriously…

When you shop small, you're not just buying a product.

You're supporting a family.

You're supporting a dream.

You're helping us continue to grow.

You're supporting the person who actually made the thing you're taking home.

And we've met SO many incredible people this year, from right here in Vermont and from much farther away.

That has been one of the greatest gifts of this whole adventure.

Do you know we've shipped to over 14 different states now?!

People all over the country… people I've never even met.

That's still completely mind-blowing to me and honestly brings a tear to my eye just typing it.

I'm still learning.

Still growing.

Still trying to figure out how to make videos of myself without feeling like a complete weirdo. 😂

If you haven't met me yet, I'm working on letting you get to know the person behind the business. It's my 2027 challenge lol.

But honestly, I'm pretty easy to find and very approachable.

Don't let my resting face or the fact that I'm squinting because I forgot my glasses scare you away. 😂

If you ever see me at an event, store, or market, just say hi! I love to talk and learn about people.

I'm much better at talking to actual humans than talking to my phone. I can still be pretty awkward at times, though. 😉

To everyone who has bought something, stopped at our booth, shared a post, recommended us, encouraged us, or simply followed along…

THANK YOU. 🤎

What started as “let's see what happens” has become something I am incredibly proud of.

Here's to year two.

To continuing to grow, learn, educate, find balance, and build something our family and our community can be proud of.

Thank you for being here.

And thank you for reading my ridiculously long anniversary post. 😂🤎

To our dear community, the LFM team has made the difficult decision to cancel this Sunday’s market 💔 This decision is a result of the impending nor’easter storm that is forecasted to bring high winds and rain to the Ludlow region.

The safety of our vendors and customers is our first priority when making tough calls. We appreciate your understand and support, and encourage you to mark your calendars for our LAST two markets of the season on Oct. 4th and 11th!

Sign up for our newsletter to receive all essential market info straight to our inbox. Scroll to the bottom of our webpage (link in bio) to sign up!

See you soon, and think sun!
-The LFM Team 🍓

If I’ve been a little quiet on here lately… just know this is why.

I’m pretty much a one-woman show over here, and market season has officially entered the “my bedroom is now a warehouse” phase. I’m making, labeling, packing, organizing, restocking, and trying to remember where I put everything… while somehow convincing myself I have plenty of time and space. 😂

We’re also waiting to find out what’s happening with the Southern Vermont Flannel Festival, so stay tuned for confirmation on that one!

And a little reminder: not everything I make is listed online. Some things are too big, too fragile, or just too small-batch to make sense for selling online or shipping. So if you’re able, come see me at one of the fairs or farmers markets this upcoming season! You never know what little treasures i’ll have tucked into the booth.

Dont forget... YOU CAN SHOP ONLINE ANYTIME. FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $50

http://thompsonhollowapothecary.myshopify.com

Did you know this plant we see everywhere helps with Lyme Disease?

Japanese Knotweed may be a nuisance in the landscape, but this highly invasive plant has a long history of traditional herbal use. Its root contains compounds such as resveratrol that have been studied for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, including in research related to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria associated with Lyme disease.

Herbalists have traditionally included Japanese Knotweed in Lyme-focused protocols, although it should not be considered a proven treatment or replacement for medical care. Interestingly, the same plant that can be so difficult to control in our yards may have valuable medicinal potential. Just another reminder that nature is full of surprises!

If you'd like to read more, here's a link👇
https://www.verywellhealth.com/japanese-knotweed-compounds-uses-safety-and-more-7555018