Saturday, July 24, 2010

Farmers' Market 2010

Here in Bellingham during the summer, we are blessed with two days to attend the Farmers' Market, Saturday in Bellingham proper, and Wednesday afternoons in Fairhaven (south Bellingham). This morning, Saturday, I got to the market before the opening bell at 10:00, because my favorite kale is usually gone within minutes from this stand. More than half a dozen people were lined up to get their organic veggies, I was not the only one.
Once I purchased the veggies I could afford (they are not cheap, these organic goodies), I headed over to the fruits and bought a quart of these blueberries. They come in two varieties, and the vendor let me taste them both. One is sweeter; the other is more tart. I went with the sweet ones, but they are both very good. The sun is shining brightly, and I saw this little guy with his parasol, gracing the sunflowers and sign. (As usual, you can click any picture to enlarge.)
As I wandered around the market, snapping pictures, I was told to look for a booth handing out free hugs, but I couldn't find it. I did see this picture, which shows in the background how busy the market was beginning to get, and it had only been open for half an hour. Most people were there to buy, not just to look, judging from the the packages in hand. I was tempted by these tomatoes.
In the far corner, a group of young girls were playing their string instruments to a receptive audience. I stayed and listened for awhile but soon felt it was time to make my way home with my groceries.
On the way out, I saw my friends Gene and Greg, looking like silverbacks with the sun behind them. Gene's parrot must have missed him while he was in Alaska fishing for six weeks (Gene was fishing, not the parrot). Now all seems right with the world with the sun shining, a light breeze, and very pleasant temperatures in the 70s.
:-)

22 comments:

  1. This looks like a great way to spend a pretty morning. Love the parrot.

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  2. Hi DJan,
    I love the farmer's market. We have one here, near work, Wednesday afternoons. Last year I bought a mess o' red peppers and made jelly! This year I hope to find some crabapples and do the same. Have you ever made Kale chips? Surprisingly yummy!

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  3. I thought about going to our Farmer's Market today since it is only three miles away, however with temps in the 100 range, I'll wait for next week. 70 degrees sounds so nice but we will have to wait weeks for that to happen. Sunflowers and blueberries, my favorites.

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  4. I love farmers' markets. To have an instrumental group complement the main act of the fruits and vegetables is utopia!

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  5. Great photos! I like the "silver backs".
    I love Farmer's Markets! We don't have a good one close to us, but I'll have to get back in the habit of frequenting the Thursday market in Burien, and make an occasional trip to the big market in Puyallup.

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  6. You have a great looking market, probably a lot larger than ours. I was out early this morning at our market getting photos for next week's challenge. I wish it had been in the 70's here, it was in the high eighties and is 95 at the moment.

    Those blueberries look yummy.

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  7. I always enjoy seeing your Farmer's Market photos. It looks like a fabulous place to spend some time, even without any shopping.

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  8. Your farmers market looks luscious! Those blueberries....yum. And hey while I'm at it...Gene and his bird...oh...and Greg..looking pretty good too! Wink...

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  9. Imagine selling out of the good veggies. The parrot looks so tame. I always wonder when I see a bird perched on someone's shoulder why the bird stays there and doesn't fly away.

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  10. Djan, those blueberries look so good, I could reach through my computer screen and have one. Yum. I love farmer's markets. We have one here at Granville Island.

    A good way to eat blueberries is with ricotta cheese and cinnamon, and sprinkle with a wee bit of confectioner's sugar. Double Yum!

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  11. Your farmers market looks great! My husband was just saying we needed to go to ours.

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  12. The blueberries look really good..here they are 2 dollars a pint..same for the Organic Raspberries that I picked last week..I like knowing where they come from..and knowing that no pesticides were used. Great looking market as usual! Even the two silverbacks! :)

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  13. What a lovely way to spend the morning. Everything looks so colourful and mouth-watering. That last image is a beauty!

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  14. I love the frog! The food looks wonderful. We love fresh veggies here, and I'm trying to go organic with the thin skinned food. You're right, though, it's not cheap!

    Thank you for this; your pictures are always so fabulous.

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  15. Silverbacks! LOL!
    All those luscious blueberries and delicious vegetables look amazing!

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  16. I was just told of this new food blog. It has a recipe for kale and I thought of you.
    http://housewifechef.blogspot.com/2010/07/mediterranean-kale.html

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  17. music and veggies, what could be better. liked the bearded guys too. i am married to a bearded guy who is some times called Santa

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  18. Hi DJan,

    Thanks for linking up with the challenge, I love seeing photos of your market.

    Hope you are having a great weekend over your way.

    Judy

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  19. I wonder why organic products are more expensive than those which were treated with chemical fertilizers? Hmm maybe because it is grown with so tender love and care that's very the goods are very precious.

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  20. I love your Farmers Market, it comes with entertainment!

    Those berries look so delicious! I could easily make blue berry muffins!

    I know the produce are a little bit expensive, but I buy what I can afford too.

    Enjoy your weekend and see you in the next challenge.

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  21. The vegetables look so wonderful. They obviously grow very well in your part of the world. Your pictures of the veg and flowers are a feast for the eyes. I love to look. Cute parrot there on your friend's shoulder.
    Blessings, Star

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  22. D-Jan!What a trip to the market that was! And music...umm..we too have hindi music blaring in the background at times.Those blue berries are tempting.I love blue berry cheese cake,can't make it though.

    Here too organic veggies/fruits are expensive but is best.We could get sick from all those chemicals they use to grow veggies these days.If you have sunlight,you could try growing something on your balcony.I'm going to try though we don't have much sunlight coming into our balcony.
    Enjoy your week.

    My market post is on my travel blog.

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