Happy Thursday everyone! Well, for those living in the northern hemisphere it is spring. That means it is time for farm markets to start! May is usually the beginning of these events. I don't go all the time - but I do find them fun to attend now and then.
I am lucky to have one just up the road at the park every Saturday - starting in May. Not only is it fun to get/see all the goodies, but it is fun to watch people, get fresh air, and enjoy the park!
I can find baked goods and artisanal breads, eggs, meats, homemade soaps, sauces and jellies - just all kinds of things. There is usually live music and maybe even a vendor truck serving some sort of breakfast food. One market even sells antiques and craft items - that one is once a month.
Leashed doggies are always welcome and roam the grounds with their 'hoomuns' and friends. There are even water stations for them.
There are several markets in and around my city and in the small towns. I hope you all get to enjoy a farm market this year. It is a great way to socialize a little.
I am a people watcher and boy do you see all kinds!!!!! It is nice to get the fresh air and a different setting (other than yard) to enjoy nature.
I know markets are not the cheapest or most frugal places around - but odds are they are full of FRESH goodies!
Other than picking your own or going to a farm - this is about as fresh as you can get! Most is very local as well!!!!!!!
So, this summer, get out and enjoy the beauty of the day and get a little fresh food.
Happy market day!!!!!!!!!
Make it an event and just have a fun day!
I enjoy going to the farmer's market. I try to go at least once each season but it is a little distance away. The variety of produce they offer is wonderful and it is good to help support their farms.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I don't go often - but love the variety and helping local economy!
DeleteMarkets are local. Support local farmers and markets. Otherwise, we'll have nothing but big box............ and I'll stop right there or this will be a rant.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday ya'll! :-)
Love your thinking! I get a local delivery every Thursday from a farm share. I get to pick 5 items from their list of veggies and they also have local honey, eggs and chicken, pork and beef from a local farm. It’s more expensive but I can be frugal in other ways. The eggs are $7 a dozen now but so much better tasting than any supermarket. I also buy Amish butter and homemade jams. Nan
DeleteGood morning Anon. I too have a CSA. First pickup is today and last pickup will be 2nd week of October! So so excited to not purchase veggies again until December or January. I freeze what we cannot eat w/2 of us. (we are growing zone 6a). I'm getting eggs for $3/d. Super good buy from a woman who aims to make just enough to pay her prop tax on 3 acres! Lucky me.
DeleteTo Nan and Elle... how did you find out about CSA in your area? I'm wondering if that's available here.
DeleteThanks in advance, Elise
You go gals!!!!! I love this. It makes my heart happy that folks support famers and the local folks. Worth the money every time! Go small - not big box.
DeleteElise, hit up Google and enter: CSA near me. I don't know where you live so I can't do it for you. https://www.localharvest.org/csa/
DeleteWe have a wonderful one near the lake house. We can get peaches and tomatoes just picked that morning and they are so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe best ever - isn't it? Nothing tastes like fresh.
DeleteWe didn't go to the Farmer's Market here last summer, but used to go all the time in years past. It's on our "to do" list again this year and would be great if we could bring the pups (on leashes) for a family outing. With regular prices of produce what they are in the grocery stores, why not buy fresh from the farmers? That's my theory. And as you've pointed out, Cheryl, a little can go a LONG way. Thank you for the reminder. --Elise
ReplyDeleteP.S. I agree, Elle. It's why we've started buying eggs and goat milk from our neighbors, who are really trying to make a go of their homesteading. By the way, I'd never had goat milk before. Fresh from the animal and chilled, it takes just like whole cow's milk to me.
Oops... tastes. Autocorrect. LOL!
DeleteOurs has so many doggies on leashes. It is pretty cool. I hope you get to visit this year. It does make for a good outing.
DeleteI agree - if paying store prices - just pay for fresh from small famers.
We have a wonderful Farmers Market that is open twice a week and sells a wide variety of local farm produce, dairy and meat along with many other items. I have found that ours in right on target with grocery store prices, sometimes even lower and it is local and fresh. I typically buy from two vendors that do not use pesticides but old school farming techniques. They can't afford to go through the hoops to be called organic but I know they are honest people. All of our local farmers are one of the best reasons to live here.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. I just so enjoy hearing people say they go to farm markets. Fresh is best.
DeleteIt is ridiculous how much it costs to 'certified' organic. I am with you - if you trust them - buy theirs.
We have a Growers market here that is every Saturday. I haven't been to it yet this year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to visit this year. I haven't been yet (started last week) - but I will go soon.
DeleteFarmer's Markets are always fascinating. We used to go to the one downtown but no longer drive in that area. There is one in Avon.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things to chose from. They are fun. Haven't gone downtown in years. I used to go to that one - now there are many closer.
DeleteI have a favorite Farm stand here in Northern Vt - Chandler Pond - that opens April 29. In addition to PYO strawberries, blue berries and flower bouquets, she has fresh Amish donuts on Saturdays and all local dairy and produce. The views from her stand are amazing, reaching all the way to the White Mountains of Nh!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful experience. That would make for a great outing for sure. Enjoy!
DeleteWe feel so blessed that we live in a family farming town and are able to shop at farmers markets practically outside our door. Not only do several farms have their own free standing markets on their farms selling eggs, soups, baked good, jams and jellies, canned fruits and vegetables from their farm, fresh fruits and veggies in season and out of season most belong to a co-op and bring fresh in from the warmer states. Most eggs are pastured as are the chickens. The other sources of meats are grass fed and grass finished. The majority of these markets are and farms are organic or use integrated pest management. So one can shop nearly everyday except Sundays and Mondays. Our local farms and farms from nearby town also come to the park and train station on Wednesdays and Saturdays, We also have a farm share and instead of getting a box we can pick out what we want. Its been a great investment. The grocery store that we like the best, which is in another town, in the summer also carries local produce and has signs up where it's displayed with pictures of the growers and the farm that it came from. It's a little bit of heaven foodwise. My husband's motto has always been PAY THE FARM OR PAY THE PHARMACY. Cookie
ReplyDeleteYour hubby is smart!!!!!! So true.
DeleteI am jealous - that sounds wonderful. What a great community you must live in. How neat the grocery sells local produce. You don't hear that much except in small towns. Very cool.
I want to come visit!!!!!!! LOL
I love a Farmer's market! We went to one 8n a nearby town and found all kinds of goodies. The town's website has a list of vendors and what they sold. We were specifically wanting some local art. We were happy to see a knife sharpening booth so I gathered our knives and good scissors and dropped them off when we first got there. I had ollllld pinking shears belonging to my mom and grandma. My mom received hers as a gift in HS when she learned to sew and my grandpa etched her name in the side. Those guys made both pairs like new again!
ReplyDeleteI found my art, as well. Not at all what I envisioned, but I knew it was*it* on sight. The artist painted on rustic old barn wood and tree bark/wood pcs. It's all Kansas! A buffalo in a meadow, a grouping of sunflowers, and a singing Western Meadowlark. A group of 3 pics.
We also wanted some dog treats from a small business - dog went nuts over these dried sweet potato slices. And the local honey we were looking for was home sick! Anyway, I look forward to blowing another $100+ this year lol. We want an Amish made cutting board and we'll hopefully find the honey guy!
I got a fun surprise from UPS. My best friend sent me a big box of goodies from Bath and Body works. The enclosure said, "Happy Mother-of-a-four-legged-child's Day!". Cracked me up and it all smells divine!!
I get honey too. Forgot about that. How nice on the scissor sharpening! Glad you got your art - that sounds pretty.
DeleteMy nearest market has a site that lists vendors each week as well. I like that. You can actually follow people around. This one is on Saturday and the once a month one is on Sunday - so sometimes some of the same people in a new area.
$100 is an easy spend for sure.
How sweet on the gift. What a kind friend!!! Enjoy it all.
The farmers markets here are all craft stalls. Very little farmer and far too exspensive.
ReplyDeleteBummer. We have a few crafty people - but lots of food and goodies. They are costly = but I would rather spend it there than the grocery.
DeleteI agree with this comment, our farmers markets sell very little produce, only overpriced candles and soaps. One stall I always buy from is the kids with disabilities stall, it’s priceless to see their faces with a sale. Louise
DeleteI bet it just makes those kiddos day!!!!! Thank you!
DeleteOh I wish we had a farmer's market closer, we have a couple of independent people who open their stands up and a large type of garden and stand but it's not that often. We used to have a farmer's market who would deliver and that was so nice. But that person stopped having that. Soooooo now our daughters who want duck eggs etc. have to go pick them up and everyone tries to coop a bit.
ReplyDeleteI would love to support local farmers, just love the idea of doing that!
I am sorry you don't have one close. I see folks while out grocery shopping at times, that have little roadside stands in their yards. That is neat - just family gardens and helping out.
DeleteI wish you had one closer!
I used to love going to Farmer's markets, but lately they are very crowded and full of rather rude individuals. I am glad you enjoy yours.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
The markets seem to be such a fun atmosphere. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI love Farmers Markets! All the fresh food and beautiful colors. Coming home with lots of fresh food to eat. We have a Mennonite farm close to us and they sell all that they grow and have baked goods, canned foods, soaps. It’s a lot of fu. To go to one of them.
ReplyDeleteOh how neat. I would love to visit an Amish or Mennonite stand. Yes, all the pretty colors and wonderful freshness - make my mouth water.
DeleteOFF TOPIC: I apologize in advance...
ReplyDeleteThere's no headstone or plaque at their graves yet. One hasn't even been ordered. As he prepares for close of escrow, and needed to transfer funds for the cash sale, BIL has been complaining to *everyone* about the cost, including insurance agents, the water company, the propane company, etc. Aunts. Mostly us. Daily. Repeatedly.
Yesterday morning I told him I can't handle that; I work hard to have an attitude of gratitude. I pointed out that none of this would be possible without his parents' hard work, saving and wise investing. I asked where he'd be if not for them? His response may blow you away as much as it did me... "I'd be a millionaire, and would have retired early." He was serious.
Yesterday's devotions included two verses that were perfect for our situation: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 and "Humble yourselves before the LORD and He will lift you up." James 4:10
I'm no saint; I've reached my limits. Told Hubs this morning his brother needs to be out of this house by next weekend. That's my hard line. NO wiggle room. And he'll buy his own cleaning stuff, etc. I'm sending no food with him beyond what he brought and we stored. Hubs will also NOT help him clean, paint or move in. We've done enough for the would be millionaire.
Do I sound like a total b-tch? --Elise (who is fed up on a Friday)
YOU GO GIRL! No B to me - just doing what you need to do to keep your sanity and keep your home calm.
DeleteThat is just unbelievable that he thinks he would have been a millionaire. Yep SMH.
I totally understand where you are coming from and I for one, am proud you set limits. Do NOT cave.
Funny - I read a weekly horoscope in a freebie paper this morning for me (for fun). It said "Aspects show conflicting signs around friendships. Be careful." OMGosh - that describes me this week with the neighbor. DONE - after yesterday - when I totally lost it and not in a nice way. Not my best moment - but my button had been pushed to the limit. Let's just say neighbors heard and asked "who and why" and now everyone is aware!!!!!!! Not proud of myself - but sometimes you have to worry about self-preservation.
That is what you are doing - proud of you.
Thank you, Cheryl You've got to draw a line somewhere, you know? I wouldn't worry about the neighbors. They'll be onto other gossip by next week. ;-)
DeleteHugs! --Elise
Elise, I would have lost it with your B-i-l long before this. You must have the patience of a saint to have put up with his BS for as long as you have.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, you have every right to sever the relationship with your neighbor for whatever reason. It is none of the other neighbors' business, but I'm sure gossip will happen. You just hold your head high and move on. I've put distance between me and my grifter next door neighbor, and I'm sure I'm being called a be-otch and worse. The final straw was when her electricity was turned off for non-payment recently, and she called the Salvation Army (who had been paying in her mother's name) and told them that she was alive but couldn't come to the phone (the mother died Oct 31) and got her electricity turned back on.
Must be something in the air, because I lost it on a door-to-door solicitor yesterday (who tried to climb my porch railing to get to my front door!) and a guy who was trespassing on my property while I was mowing this morning. Not proud of myself, either. I have been under a great deal of stress lately and am not handling it well. Husband's blood pressure has been spiking, and his doctor is between medical practices right now. Our dental practice was bought out, and we fear the dentist who has been treating him will be leaving. The neighbor two doors down has been a major stressor for the past two years with his very noisy power equipment (leaf blowers aren't allowed in here) and building an addition to his house for the past year. Yesterday he sawed, pounded, screwed, blew sawdust, for nearly 12 HOURS! All this noise was coming right in our living room (mobile home walls are thin). I really thought I was going to lose it completely. Complaining to mgmt is useless, besides, he retaliates against whoever he thinks turned him in. Husband and I are at our wits end trying to get even a little peace and quiet to calm our frazzled nerves. Going somewhere is not an option for Husband. He has become very demanding and wants his meals, BP check, etc.. at precisely the same time, which isn't always possible (like when I was mowing & whacking this morning).
I'll pray for you if you'll pray for me!
--Frances in the Trailer Park
Oh gosh. What a mess Frances. Some people sure have nerve - it just amazes me of what people think they can get by with.
DeleteYour main concern is you and your hubby. I hate to hear he is having spikes. Dang it. I hope that it all works out.
We just have no idea what everyone is going through. I am so sorry for you gals going through all these messes.
I have been here long enough that everyone knows me and they will be cool with me losing it - it has never happened much to say the least. Not so happy with him.
My prayers go out to you and I sure hope this is all resolved soon. This must definitely be the week for CRAP to happen!!!
Oh, dear! I'd be a basket case. Thank you, Frances. I'll be praying for you and Cheryl, too! What a week it's been.
Delete--Elise