Sunday was my mom’s birthday so I flew to North Carolina to spend the weekend with her. The moment I stepped outside the airport I was welcomed by a cool breeze and the fresh, woodsy scent that always makes me smile and fills my heart with peace. I inhaled deeply while I waited for mom and dad to arrive from the nearby McDonalds and could feel the muscles in my body unwinding.
There weren’t any real plans for the weekend, but I was looking forward to visitng the Farmer’s Market Saturday morning. I was delighted to find out it was customer appreciation day and there were tons of free samples- garlic cloves, organic coffee, pastries, homemade pesto, homemade soaps, there was even a chance to win $200 worth of fresh produce and a fresh pie of our choosing. Sadly we didn’t win.
My own hometown has been trying to get a farmer’s market off the ground, but with only one produce vendor and a handful of other non-food related booths, it hasn’t gained much traction. This North Carolina market, though, it was what I always envisioned. Knots of people gathered between each booth to catch up the week’s events; multiple farmers with their fresh-picked crops; a table piled high with delicious-looking homemade bread that reminded me of a scene from a French movie; a cooler with fresh, free-range chickens; a table of fresh pastries, a lady with homemade soaps and other bath products, and even flower vendors. We bought some ears of corner and a couple of huge tomatoes before wandering into some nearby antique shops. Looking back now, I’m surprised that I can’t remember any sounds or smells and can only guess my eyes were so overwhelmed all of my other senses were dulled.
That evening I had a yummy tomato sandwhich, and was actually able to tell a difference between this tomato and those from my own garden. I had read that basil is an excellent companion plant and added one to my tomato area. There definitely is a difference.
I like the cake graphic, Thanks for making my birthday so special!
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I LOVE Farmers Markets! We have a great one in Olympia and the fresh fruits and veggies from local farms are yummy.
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Birthdays are always fun. Farmers Markets are too. We have a ‘limited’ Farmers Market in town – about 5 or 6 locals w/ some extras to sell. Got to get there early, everything goes fast.
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I have a veggie garden where I grow tomatoes and now spaghetti squash – it’s like my own little Farmer’s Market in my backyard – and Happy Birthday to your mom!
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And your market is free 🙂 I’m looking forward to starting another crop of tomatoes in a couple of weeks. It was just so hot here that the early plants didn’t do very well.
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Farmer’s markets are one of my happy places. We are really blessed (or spoiled) in So-Cal — we have one every day of the week in one neighborhood or another. There is a huge one a block away from me in Santa Monica every Sunday. I am very lucky. Good on you for flying to spend your mom’s birthday with her!!! 🙂
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A farmer’s market everyday? That would be wonderful!
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