INSIDE

From adversity to triumph

This summer two friends are celebrating life by making pies and growing vegetables, and sharing them with the public through a farm stand on the corner of Tyee Drive and Benson Road.

“Last year we had a bad year and this year we’re focusing on the garden, the kitchen, the good things,” said Debbie Brett.

Brett and Peg Keenleyside have been friends for 10 years and last year a car accident and cancer landed both of them in the hospital and on a long road to recovery. “It’s been a long year and now Peg is cancer free and my arm is plated back together,” Brett said.

Looking for something they could do together with their young children to share in what they had missed last summer, the pair started The Cottage Pantry, which is open Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings during the summer.

The farm stand sells organic produce grown on-site, fresh baked goods and preserves, and handmade bath products.

“We specialize in fresh greens,” Brett said, walking down rows of lettuce, mesclun mixes and fresh herbs. Throughout the summer they will be selling what’s ripe from the garden: red, white and purple potatoes, squashes, pie pumpkins, broccoli, chard, green beans, peppers and tomatoes. As fall approaches Brett said they will be selling their herb harvest with dried herb mixes and fresh mustards. “I love fresh mustard,” she said.

Brett and Keenleyside make berry picking trips during the week and the result is handmade berry pies for sale on the weekend. They always sell out. “I do what’s in season,” Brett said, and she gives each creation a unique twist: raspberry-port, blueberry-lemon, and always a traditional granny smith apple. Keenleyside specializes in fresh baked organic bread. “It’s an organic whole wheat with maple syrup,” Brett said. “Delicious.”

Brett said they will add products as they think them up and can produce them. They hope to have fresh eggs for sale later this year and welcome any suggestions.