One of My Favorite Days of The Year

Today is the day!  I woke up with much excitement.  So I'd like to think.  In all reality, I drug myself out of bed, started the coffee pot, kissed my husband and wished him a good day.

But today has been one of my most favorite days for the past 8 years.  It's the day that our local seasonal growers market starts.  Always the middle of March on a cool, and sometimes rainy morning.  Today though, it was beautiful.  The sunshine peaking out from behind big puffy clouds. The bluebird sky peaking out elsewhere,

I've loved growers markets ever since I started going Thursday nights to the big one on Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo.  Now that was a sight!  College done for the day, almost Friday, and such fun to be had.  Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits and food vendors.  Just the right addition to a night on the town.  Can it really have been almost twenty years ago?  Nowadays, I'm headed to our market, not for a Santa Maria Style tri-tip sandwich, but for all those healthy things like kale, carrots, and beets...and don't forget my guilty pleasure of a ham and cheese croissant.

Here, the vendors take 3 months off during the Winter, and boy does our family miss them.  We've been visiting with all these folks since Miss M. was a wee babe.  They've seen all three children grow and change on a weekly basis.  It's truly like having an extended family at this point.  The growers and crafters know our children by name, take the time and interest to find out what they are up to, help them with their money figuring, and talk to them about their wares anf foods.  If  I go without the children, theses folks always demand to know where everyone else is.  We even have a retired couple that always look for us.  I'm pretty sure Pam would make the children, her honorary grandchildren.

My market troupe.  I promise, they really were excited to be there.

It's getting about that time for garden planting

If you've never had a Pennington Farms turnover, you are missing out.

Sultan's Delight - Our Turkish American "Gyro Man"  Handy H's favorite guy

This time of year is so lovely with all the color.  This vendor has such a variety they is brought to market.

Pennington Farms Jam - so tasty!

I'm getting hungry.  Maybe some potato leek soup with fresh bread tonight.

I consider us "going to market" as part of their life learning.  Here, they talk to adults, visit with friends, figure out costs of food, and learn what the different foods are by sight and taste, view what grows seasonally, and figure out their wants versus needs, and what is needed to purchase those wants.  I see growth and confidence changes each year.  I hope that I am helping them to grow a love of fresh, local produce, and the experience in itself.  All of this I look forward to each week.

I hope you have as wonderful a market as we do nearby.

~Cheers
Forestry Mama