Farmers Market

Last weekend's stormy weather is just a memory in light of this week's sunny weather. It is the sign that Mother Nature has finally gifted us with Spring in our corner of the universe. Another rite of Spring kicked off this morning.

Today was the first day of the local Farmers' Market. I didn't realize how much I missed it until we were walking down the street toward the sound of this week's entertainment. You see, each week a different musical group, band, ensemble or lone musician provides the soundtrack to the market. This week it was a blues group that added the perfect backdrop. 

One of my favorite things at the market is the fresh flowers. They are always beautiful and the flower booth makes me smile. Today we bought some lovely yellow tulips that reminded me of a friend. I was hoping they would have some daffodils but the tulips were perfect.

We MUST buy blueberries each time we go so we usually make a beeline to that booth. The problem with the blueberries is that we usually eat them up before we get home. But I think we have enough left for some pancakes tomorrow morning. As a child I never touched blueberries but as an adult I love them in salads, batters and just to munch.

Strawberries are our other must have each time we go. They are at the market year-round. My discerning shopper likes to look for the basket with the biggest, juiciest ones in it.

My friends all know that I'm not a big vegetable eater but the produce at the market makes even me stop and awe at the array of carrots, bok choy and (ewwwww) brussels sprouts. This morning we bought some great looking white potatoes. Filling out our shopping bag was a loaf of awesome sourdough bread and some dried apricots that I'm going to keep at my desk to snack on during the week (instead of the Hersheys' Kisses that I have to rely on through the long winter).

My little shopping buddy has a favorite booth at the Farmers' Market and he searched  and searched for it. We finally found it. The Pie Lady! It is not a successful outing to the Farmers' Market without purchasing a Sweet Potato Pie. This is love in a crust as far as he is concerned. First he has to have a long conversation with the sweet woman who sells the pies. She is the kindest person and hands him the yummy treat with a promise that she will be sure to have one for him next week. If you have not had this flavor before, I can tell you that it is reminiscent of pumpkin pie... at least that's the impression I got from the one little bite he shared with me before he wolfed it down!

Our final stop was the clown who, for $2.00, created a cute little balloon animal. Usually we pass this booth up because the line is too long but we got an earlier start this morning so we stopped for a souvenir.

The Farmers Market isn't a favorite weekend outing just for the great produce. It's also a fun place to run into friends, support local farmers, and get out in the sunshine after the dreary winter. It's a feast for the senses with all of its colors, scents, sounds and textures. And nothing taste better than fresh blueberries!