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farmers market morning
Oct. 15th, 2011 11:16 amI am ashamed to admit, this was the first time I've dragged myself down to Republic Square park for the farmers market in eleven billion years. But it was so worth it today, because the weather is nice and I found a spot in the parking garage quickly. Also because I found some fresh beets (which got mud on my shirt first thing) and a big healthy looking onion from Springfield farm. The beets still have their leaves and I think I need to learn what to do with beet tops to fully enjoy my $6 worth of deliciousness. I got some iced coffee from Texas Coffee Traders, who have great beans. Caffeine, sweet cold caffeine. The problem with that is that it feels impossible to drink any other coffee afterwards because it won't be as good.
I scoped out fresh flowers and citrus trees and pepper plants. I bought a giant brioche the size of my head, partially because it was cute and partially because I love brioche. Thank you Texas French Bread. I also found the Confituras table and picked up some ginger pear preserves. You can see the chunky ginger bits. I am excited to combine this with the brioche. Right next to them was a booth for Kocurek Farms that had a huge board of sausages. I freaking love sausage. Real sausage, with natural casing and fresh meat and creamy fat and spices. I almost bought one of everything when I realized they took credit cards. It was painfully hard to limit myself and I already know I'm going to go back to try everything. I bought some paprikawurst (pork with paprika, hot paprika, black pepper, orange zest and orange juice and sea salt), because I think I can get Mike to eat that, some duck pate because I love pate and half a pound of Czech bacon. I was won over when the lady at the booth told me they use gin in their brine. It is fatty and will provide me with delicious lard for baking too, so I feel like this bacon was almost an obligatory purchase for its many purposes. (Bacon scones people, bacon scones on the horizon.)
I restrained myself from buying a million other things like tiny colorful bell peppers and hot peppers and persimmons and sauerkraut. But I need to go back. Also the line at Dai Due was long, and I need to go back there. Mike is not a morning person, or even a noon person on Saturdays. I need someone to become my farmers market buddy and meet up to purchase some tasty things and sample the prepared foods. It seems like an experience to be shared. Shopping at the farmers market needs to be one of those things I commit to doing on a regular basis. I don't really end up spending any more than I would on a normal grocery run, but the food is local, fresh and delicious.
Sometimes I have a moment when I wish I lived in one of those downtown condos, so I could walk to the farmers market and restaurants and whatnot. Then I remember how much I hate sharing walls with neighbors and trying to park downtown and how I would have to have a "real" job to afford to live in one of those little condos. I am extra grateful that my life has put me in a spot where I can live in a lovely little house within an easy jaunt of so many things I enjoy.
The Williams Sonoma in the Arboretum is having some kind of market day with tables from local vendors of chocolate, jam, pretzels and coffee. I am thinking about going over there. (Like I need more food! Still.) Maybe taking my notebook so I can buy some coffee and then go sit somewhere. Lately it only seems like I get any fiction writing done away from the computer and the internet.
I scoped out fresh flowers and citrus trees and pepper plants. I bought a giant brioche the size of my head, partially because it was cute and partially because I love brioche. Thank you Texas French Bread. I also found the Confituras table and picked up some ginger pear preserves. You can see the chunky ginger bits. I am excited to combine this with the brioche. Right next to them was a booth for Kocurek Farms that had a huge board of sausages. I freaking love sausage. Real sausage, with natural casing and fresh meat and creamy fat and spices. I almost bought one of everything when I realized they took credit cards. It was painfully hard to limit myself and I already know I'm going to go back to try everything. I bought some paprikawurst (pork with paprika, hot paprika, black pepper, orange zest and orange juice and sea salt), because I think I can get Mike to eat that, some duck pate because I love pate and half a pound of Czech bacon. I was won over when the lady at the booth told me they use gin in their brine. It is fatty and will provide me with delicious lard for baking too, so I feel like this bacon was almost an obligatory purchase for its many purposes. (Bacon scones people, bacon scones on the horizon.)
I restrained myself from buying a million other things like tiny colorful bell peppers and hot peppers and persimmons and sauerkraut. But I need to go back. Also the line at Dai Due was long, and I need to go back there. Mike is not a morning person, or even a noon person on Saturdays. I need someone to become my farmers market buddy and meet up to purchase some tasty things and sample the prepared foods. It seems like an experience to be shared. Shopping at the farmers market needs to be one of those things I commit to doing on a regular basis. I don't really end up spending any more than I would on a normal grocery run, but the food is local, fresh and delicious.
Sometimes I have a moment when I wish I lived in one of those downtown condos, so I could walk to the farmers market and restaurants and whatnot. Then I remember how much I hate sharing walls with neighbors and trying to park downtown and how I would have to have a "real" job to afford to live in one of those little condos. I am extra grateful that my life has put me in a spot where I can live in a lovely little house within an easy jaunt of so many things I enjoy.
The Williams Sonoma in the Arboretum is having some kind of market day with tables from local vendors of chocolate, jam, pretzels and coffee. I am thinking about going over there. (Like I need more food! Still.) Maybe taking my notebook so I can buy some coffee and then go sit somewhere. Lately it only seems like I get any fiction writing done away from the computer and the internet.