Saturday, October 23, 2010

Fall at the Market

You know you can click any picture to enlarge
Visiting the Bellingham Farmers' Market in the fall is a different experience than in the summer: even though it will remain open until the Saturday before Christmas, the kinds of merchandise and the types of produce have changed a great deal. Here you see some Brussels sprouts trees for sale, gourds, pumpkins, potatoes, squash. All of the luscious fruit and most of the veggies, except for a few wonderful hothouse heritage tomatoes, are gone until next year.
Many of the outside booths have moved inside, where overhead heaters become places for people to congregate. Vendors are beginning to market their wares to holiday shoppers, with all kinds of homemade soaps, creams, jewelry, and the like. I was simply mesmerized by Margot Bianca's wonderful handmade batik display. I spent quite a while looking through her bandannas and table runners.
Each one is unique and beautifully finished. After perusing them all, going through and looking at each one to see the differences between them, I chose one. It was not easy to do! You will be seeing this bandanna around my neck on upcoming hikes.
Visit Margot's Etsy website here
And then, just when I thought I had finished looking at the wonderful batiks, I saw on the way out that she had another entire table of silk batik scarves and runners. Although I didn't buy that beautiful grey and white silk neck scarf, it was only because I had run out of money. I will bring more money next time I visit the Market and maybe this one will still be available.
As the season changes from the bright colors of fall to the more muted colors of winter, this scarf will probably be warming my neck, if there is any justice in the world. It was hard to leave the sunshine and clouds of this glorious Saturday to come inside to write on my blog, but now that the wind is picking up and once the rain that is forecast to move in tonight arrives, I'll be happy to visit all my blogging buddies and hang out inside curled up in front of my iMac.
:-)

21 comments:

  1. Very nice. I love going to the Farmer's Market, especially in the fall. There is always so much more color and photographs seem to pop more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful market. Overhead heaters is a great idea. I wish there was something like that around here. Those batiks are wonderful. I've made beautiful quilts with batiks! I'll have to pay her Etsy site a visit.
    Have a good remainder of the weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love farmer's markets like that. We have some wonderful ones here too. And look at those beautiful scarves. Omigoodness, I would not be able to leave without buying one ... two ... three ...

    And LOOK at those beautiful Brussels sprouts. I would be in Brussels sprouts Heaven there...!

    I have to get my passport, so I can visit Bellingham. So near and yet so far...!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's very, very difficult to admit to anyone that I don't know everything there is to know. But – gulp! – it seems there's one piece missing: what in the world is a Batik?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, Pete, it's almost like tie dying, but not quite. It's an ancient technique, easily googled to understand how it differs from tie-dyed stuff. It uses hot wax and Indonesian batik stamps to get these designs. Need to know more? Let me know!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree with one of your commenters about the beautiful colors in the fall farmers markets. The orange pumpkins are so beautiful.

    At the same time it makes me a little sad. I miss the beautiful cut flowers and the gorgeous hanging baskets.

    Fall has always been my favorite season for decorating. I love the pumpkins, gourds, and colorful leaves.

    ReplyDelete
  7. nice. we really dont have that great a market here...particularly this season...when we live in FL there was an incredible one we went too...even NC...nice scarves/bandanas

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous things! Loved the scarf you chose. Sorry I haven't been reading much lately...I have plans to go backwards in everyone's blogs soon and work my way back up to present posts. I have had one crazy summer and have missed reading you everyday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I see how easy it would be to spend all your money there. You chose a lovely scarf.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the look of batik work too, and I'm happy to see that you buy gifts for yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love our Farmer's Market but haven't been there this year!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I wish ours lasted longer than Columbus Day wknd but it gets too cold and the farms aren't growing produce during cold weather. This is when I miss California and a nice year round farmer's market. Yours looks nice, especially with the girder ceiling and the heaters.

    ReplyDelete
  13. We have spiced mini doughnuts at my farmer's market. Boy, I really ate my fill of those this Summer. All good things must come to an end. Ours does not move indoors.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your farmers market is still very colorful..those batik linens are so colorful..real eye candy!:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm glad you picked the perfect bandanna to go with your aura D-Jan! I just discovered I couldn't spell 'bandanna' so I've learned something today! The grey scarf is gorgeous. Hope you can get that too.
    I LOVE MARKETS; can't get enough of them. I love the colours and the vibrancy of the life outdoors. It appeals to the gypsy in me, I think.
    Your pictures are so colourful, your camera is great, oh and the photographer ain't bad either!
    Blessings, Star

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have never been to a farmers market, although there are quite a few on Oahu. Too lazy to drive there.

    I love the blue scarf you chose as well as the grey one you wanted to buy. When I lived in NYC, I wore neck scarves, but since moving back to Hawaii, I haven't worn any. Too warm here.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The batik scarves are so nice. Wow. I remember I bought a batik top and pants set years ago in Hawaii and I wore it for years. I wish I had it now. I am glad you bought the bandana.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh Yum. Unfortunately the farmers markets here, in New Englad of all places, are not nearly as nice as yours. Rats.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a wonderful market ya have to shop at. We have nothing like that 'round here. I would love it!!!

    I love the bandanna, it's just perfect.

    God bless ya and have the most beautiful day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Choices. Always difficult.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You have a great looking market up your way. I really like the batik scarves. Our market ends tomorrow, I hope it isn't raining I would love to get in one last trip.

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate your comments! If you see a word verification box here, just ignore it. I don't use the darn thing and Blogger is trying to get us to use it, I guess. Ignore it and your comment will still appear.