Part of me wants to tell 2025 to kick rocks... BUUUUUUUT......

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve found myself doing a lot of reflecting on this year — the time I spent at the Farmers Market, and the time I spent away from it. Both mattered. Both shaped this year more than I realized at the time. While I loved being at the market for five months and seeing so many familiar, smiling faces, being away from it was harder than I expected. I missed people. I missed conversations. I missed handing jars directly to customers and hearing what they were cooking that week. There were so many of you I didn’t get to see while I wasn’t participating, and that honestly made me sad.

That said, I’m incredibly proud to share that my sales doubled in 2025 — something I never saw coming. Between the incredible support from the Farmers Market community and several special orders that pushed me hard but rewarded me even more, this year stretched me in the best ways. Even when I wasn’t seeing everyone face-to-face, I was busy in the kitchen developing new recipes and learning what it really takes to grow something sustainably.

Many of those new recipes have been submitted to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), which can be a long process. Some approvals take months, and a few even require additional testing through Virginia Tech. Yes… some of those recipes really ARE that complicated. But you’ve tasted many of them already — and you’ve loved them — which makes every bit of the waiting and reworking worth it. These things take time, and I’m learning to trust that timing.

In addition to increased sales, I applied for a grant through Botetourt County’s Economic Development program, where one small business in each magisterial district is selected for funding. I’m anxiously (and hopefully) awaiting the outcome of that application and can’t wait to share more when I’m able. If received, it could mean some really big things for Eggie Lope’s, and I’m holding onto a whole lot of gratitude and excitement as I wait.

While that particular grant wouldn’t cover a kitchen remodel, we are currently in the process of getting quotes to potentially fund that ourselves. If we decide to move forward, Eggie Lope’s would be temporarily shut down for about 6–8 weeks while the kitchen takes on a whole new look. If you’ve seen the videos of me cooking up jams, jellies, and sauces, you know this would be a massive shift behind the scenes. It’s a little scary, a little exciting, and very much a “trust the process” moment.

And while I believe the Big Man Upstairs is ultimately the reason this business has been successful, I would be remiss if I didn’t pause here to talk about my incredible mother. In addition to being the strongest, most loving, considerate, smart, and loyal best friend I could ever ask for, she is my biggest supporter. She texts me every Saturday throughout market season, shares my products with friends, brags on even the smallest wins, tastes samples (over and over), and ALWAYS applauds every single effort. Every. Single. Victory. She encourages every step I take — no matter how wild or crazy my ideas might be. Mom, I love you, and I can never thank you enough for being the very best mom. There is truly no way anyone could have ever done it better.

As this year wraps up, I want to sincerely thank each and every person who supported Eggie Lope’s in any way — whether you purchased a product, shared a social media post or blog, offered words of encouragement, prayed for me and my family, gave professional advice, suggested future flavors, or shared honest feedback. I truly appreciate all of it — the good, the constructive, and even the occasionally tough stuff. None of it is wasted on me.

I hope to continue seeing your smiling faces in 2026 — whether that’s at a market, in a store, during porch pick-ups, home deliveries, or anywhere in between. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

Wishing you and yours nothing short of an amazing 2026. As always, sending love and light — with a smile. (if I could make fireworks happen, this is where you would see them)

p.s. Happy Birthday Mom, I love you.