The biggest thing you can do is understand that every time you're going to the grocery store, you're voting with your dollars. Support your farmers' market. Support local food. Really learn to cook.
~ Alice Waters
Every Saturday, from May through mid-October (our Thanksgiving), the small town of Maynooth holds a farmers' market.
I had planned to be there as much as possible through the summer but you know what they say about the best laid plans. I did manage at least a half dozen trips to the market where I purchased delights such as;
~ Pure, raw honey made from local early summer wildflowers. I can't begin to describe how delicious it is.
~ Dark maple syrup - ditto on the yum factor.
~ Vinegar infused with calendula flower and basil. I am now addicted to this, mixed with equal parts of olive oil, a few fresh herbs and a splash of the above-mentioned maple syrup, combined well to make a fresh salad dressing.
~ An organic soap called Sunflower Dance - if summer had a scent of its own, this would be it. I just bought the last five bars she had in stock, lest I not have it again all winter.
~ Sugar snap peas so sweet, they could be enjoyed like candy.
~ Pickles which we've not opened yet since it's suggested we wait until November. Frank picks up the jar and rubs it against his cheek every so often in sweet anticipation.
~ Heavenly homemade pies, muffins, carrot cake, scones, corn bread, jams and hot coffee on the premises.
The photos below are from my first visit to the market.
The market was bustling on this last day of May.
As I approached the grounds, I could hear organ music which immediately put me in mind of the old SCTV skit with Dave Thomas and Andrea Martin - Tex and Edna Boil's Organ Emporium.
Ain't that right, Tex?
That's right, Edna.
She played non-stop every time I visited. She was actually pretty good.
It was much too early in the season for any produce but there were lots of seedlings, baked goods and crafts - like these lovely quilts.
Just across the road, I could see this stylish young girl and her dog waiting patiently for her parents to bring her to the market.
At one booth, a man was selling these necklaces made from the cross cut of deer and elk antlers. Since we had deer in our back yard just about every day through the winter, I selected one made from their antler.
This one, in fact.
The artist's young daughter quite enthusiastically asked me to take her picture. With dad's permission to snap and to post, I did.
It was a fine day - followed by a few others through the course of the season. Now that I know just how good some of the products are, I'll look forward to it even more next year.
More photos will be ready for picking soon.
