Farmers' Market...

Today, I finally remembered. Well, I remembered in time, that is. It is usually Sunday night, at the end of the weekend, that I think about the Saturday morning Farmers' Market. And by then, it's too late, of course.

Not so today. We were there by 10 this morning, walking along the rows of tables laden with fresh produce.

The Market is bigger than I remembered it. Or more popular. Or better-attended. There were lots and lots of people enjoying the Saturday morning sunshine in Podunk. People walking along with baskets full of delicious, organic vegetables and fruits.

As we walked past one table, someone said “here...” And, as I looked around, a woman was handing me a clementine tangerine to eat. “A little walking food for you.....” It was delicious. I should have bought some from her, but I didn't.

The sound of little girls “doing a yell” attracted me. It was a Girl Scout troop, selling their famous cookies. One of the troop leaders is a friend from work. She walked up and said hello to us. She has a new baby, which she was carrying, and with that look that mother's have, she gave me permission to hold him.

Henry is delightful, with a big smile, two front teeth, and endless energy. After a couple minutes of holding him, I gave him back in exchange for a box of Thin Mints. I will freeze the cookies, then break them into pieces and serve them on top of ice cream. Not organic, not particularly healthy but, definitely yummy.

Another couple from a town in the nearby foothills was selling spices and herbs. They had red potatoes simmering over a Sterno flame, bits of french bread for trying sauces, and little cups for samples of their spicy mustards. I tried everything and it was all delicious, especially the “mojo” spices on the potatoes.

Of course, I bought some, and supper is planned: spice-rubbed chicken and mojo potatoes!

I also stopped to see my friend who makes olive oil. It is marketed under her family name and it is quite delicious. She remembered me and was glad to sell us a large bottle. I will use it with one of the spices I bought for a dipping sauce for bread sticks.

Just about the last stop was to buy tomato plants. We picked out the two very best plants, painstakingly selected from a couple dozen pots' worth, and brought them home to set in terra cotta pots on the patio. Perhaps they will be the best tomatoes we ever ate. Or perhaps they will just taste that way because we bought the plants and grew them ourselves.

In any case, I'm hungry now.....