There is just so very much, that I love about this time of the year. One of those things for sure, is going to the farmer’s markets! We have them at a few different locations here in our hometown of Plymouth (MA), and they run from June through October, on Thursdays and Saturdays of every week. One of the original ones has made a new home starting this year, at the Plimoth Plantation.
To begin with, it matters to our family, to support our local farmers and the small business people in our community. We are small business people ourselves, and knowing these vendors have families they are trying to support just like we are, makes us truly appreciate all they are trying to do. Though our specific businesses may be different, we understand the hard work involved in marketing one’s self, producing high quality work, feeling love for what you create, and having little dreams for the success of it all.
And what’s not to love, about fresh and locally grown organic food, and handmade goods anyway?
It’s just enjoyable to walk around with my kids and see what freshness is available week to week, to purchase and bring home for some good old fashioned home cooked, healthy meals. There is always great music to listen to as we stroll around, some handmade goods here and there to check out, and tasty samples offered from various vendors, hoping you’ll buy from them. We love every bit of all of it.
Then for me, is also the opportunity to just have fun, photographing all of the beauty and interest that farmers’ markets display. I often have with me my classic Canon 5D, with my 24-70 mm 1:2.8 L lens. Just loving taking photos of everything and anything, is one of the things that has encouraged me to keep on blogging! It’s an outlet to share some of my favorite photos I’ve taken, for no reason or need for them, other than the joy it brings me just taking them. And so here in this post, is some I took from our last couple of farmers’ market trips. I like to think (and sure hope!), that our readers enjoy the photos of posts as much a I do, when visiting other blogs. Whether it be for the sake of being interested in photography, or for a sense of visualization to the stories being shared.
A dozen organic eggs. Have I told you I want chickens, this week?
I want chickens. This week.
This farmers’ big white truck was parked right behind his stand on the street there. It was the perfect backdrop for my shot.
But I did buy some produce from him, such as corn on the cob, the dozen eggs . . . . . .
. . . . . . and a quart of these blueberries.
How pretty are these mixed arrangements?
A pink cosmo.
Honestly, I think this shot was taken in my own garden, in between farmers’ market trips. But I knew you woudn’t know the difference.
Especially if I’m not even sure.
I can’t tell you how much fresh, locally grown corn on the cob we eat in the summer. We lo-oooove it. And, we’ve been cooking it a whole new and easy way, lately!
I’m going to share that with you all just how, very soon, in an upcoming post.
Sunflowers. Gorgeousness.
I really wanted to buy some. But it wasn’t a need, it was a want. And I need to not buy things we don’t need, right now. Even though I want to.
Olivia is growing a great big tall one in her garden right now anyway. We can’t wait until it blooms.
This young girl, is a talented violinist. Her mom and dad are back-up musicians for her. Her dad was playing guitar, and her mom was playing some kind of drum thing, I believe. The kids and I talked to her for awhile. She goes to college right near where I grew up, and comes home on weekends. Watching her made my son, who plays piano, want to play violin now too.
This guy was firing pizza, and selling it to buyers right there on the green. I bet you anything, he and his family made this clay oven. I thought it was pretty cool to be making pizza right there. Also a little crazy, for the hottest of days.
Homemade beeswax candles. *Matches included!
; ) I don’t know why I thought that was kind of funny marketing.
Edamame.
No, it’s not the same as sugar snap peas, or snow peas.
Carrots.
I’ve never eaten a carrot, that wasn’t orange. Have you? Do they taste the same?
This guy . . . . . this guy’s name is Ray Papile. He has such a great sound, such a great style about him, he sings a great choice of songs, and I just love his voice. Easy listening, for sure. Made me wish I brought a blanket, and a big bottle of wine. I was driving one of my boys crazy, because I was so lost in his music as we strolled around, and I guess I kept saying out loud, “Oh my gosh, I love this guy!” I was having a hard time leaving the market when we were done, because of Ray, here. Can’t wait to here him again. Think I’ll be sure to have that blanket, and bottle of wine next time. Do you think the other market visitors would mind walking around me much?
Yup, farmers’ markets just ring my bell, but good. OH! That’s another thing I love about these markets! They open with the ring of a cowbell! Anyway, it must be the real country girl in me. The one who loves country fairs, and such. I grew up around a lot of this kind of thing. I have so many flash memories of being a kid and running around barefoot at fiddle and banjo, bluegrass kind of festivals. Farmers’ Markets have that kind of feel to me, when there there is some good music playing too. There’s just something about them, that makes me feel right at home.
Thanks for swinging by, listening to me chat, and looking at my photos. It’s nice to have someone to show them to, at least.
Are there any farmers’ markets in your neck of the woods? Do you go to them much, and what are your favorite things to pick up? I’d love to hear all about what yours are like, and what you love most about them.
I went through this post quite a few times Laura! The photography is just gorgeous! I felt like I was right there with you. I pinned this to my “Garden Inspiration” board, because those photos are inspiring not only for growing one’s own produce, but also for appreciating local growers and farmers too. Wow – definite eye candy on this one! (I used to live in Boston, and miss being down your neck of the woods in the Summertime… or anytime actually!)
Hey Laura! Well I’m really glad you enjoyed my photos. : ) I love taking photos of what grows in our garden as well, but the Farmers’ Markets offer a whole new fun perspective and experience. I might enjoy it more than the average person. lol
I didn’t know you used to live in Boston and knew this area! It is a great place to be in the summer. It kind of feels like we are always on vacation, even though we live here. Maybe because I DID come here for vacation, as a kid, with my family.
Thanks so much for coming by, chatting, and pinning!
Such lovely photos. I pinned my little heart out 🙂
Thanks Shannon!
And you know a blogger always loves to here that!! I’m curious what kind of board you put them on? I need to catch up on there. LOVE that place > TOO MUCH.
So happy you swung by. : )
That’s too cool that we both has a Farmers’ Market post! Your photography is beautiful. We moved outside of the city (Portland, OR) and I thought (how naive of me) that we would have more access to fresh fruit and veggies and such, but no. They all travel into the cities (Portland, Beaverton) for the big Farmers’ Markets there. We have a tiny little Saturday Market in our town that doesn’t really have the fruit and produce I crave. We do have a blueberry farm that has a yearly festival and sells their fresh blueberries at amazing, unheard of prices so we stock up and freeze. And of course there are U-pick strawberries that I make freezer jam and freeze whole berries for smoothies through the year. I’m learning to garden in raised beds for our own produce and enjoying the learning experience. 🙂 Beavertons’ Farmers Market was phenomenal…so much goodness all in one place. Just like you wrote about. I miss it. Maybe I should go for a visit! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Sherry – I know; it was a pretty funny coincidence, to me! The timing too. You beat me! You won. lol.
Your comment here was just so fun to read. I love to get in-depth sharing like this! I have a good friend in Oregon, right near you I think; Michelle up there. Love her, her family, and her blog – and in the past few months she has been posting very interesting stuff about organic – grass and grain fed animals and produce. Way above me, but she is wicked smart (= Brainiac), and an a-ma-zing research/resource girl. I always learn so much from her. Visit her blog if you can!
We started our raised garden beds 4 years ago, and we have definitely learned along the way! AND….I just made jam for the very first time, a few weeks ago. There is a post on it. Still need to perfect my skills, but making jam has been a little dream of mine, and it made my heart so happy that I DID IT!
Please come by to chat again sometime, as I will to your place! It’s been enjoyable. : )
I love farmers’ markets! Great photos – no surprise there 😉 And those eggs look like MORE than JUST “organic”… I’m betting they are eggs from real pasture-raised chickens. In fact, you just reminded/inspired me to publish a post on this topic that’s been sitting in my drafts folder for ages now 🙂 Your photos are much more gorgeous than my cell phone snapshots though. I really must get out my real camera and be serious…you’re inspiring me!
Michelle – You think, about the eggs? How can you tell? I want to learn. They sure are pretty, in the different soft shades. And I can confirm that they were delicious! I look forward to your post on this. Yes, you really must get out that camera. Always happy to inspire! That’s what it’s all about. And you do the same for me, in many ways. : )
Well, take a visit over to my blog and you will 😉 I can’t say for certain of course, but the fact that they came from a local farmer, not a mass production makes me think it more likely. One good sign is the color of the yolk…if it’s bright orange then it’s likely it was from a real free-range hen. Glad they were tasty. I know I was shocked at the taste difference when I had my first truly pasture-raised egg (well, I guess it was the chicken raised on pasture, not the egg, but which came first? LOL)
Well then I’d say yes; the yolk was definitely bright orange. They were very good. I will be visiting your blog, as always!
Still not decided, if the chicken or the egg came first. ; )
laura–looks like a great time! wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing!
gail
It always IS a good time, Gail! Every time.
Glad you enjoyed my photos, and I’m always tickled when you come by and say hi!
That farmer’s market is waaay cooler than any market I have in my neck of the woods! Wow! Your photos made me feel like I was there…they had me sold on those awesome candles…even without the matches! 🙂
Amy*
Ohhh, well maybe you should come on down to ours, Amy*! lol. I loved those candles too, and wondered which I’d choose, if I bought one. I think the bee hive, or the owl. Again, it wasn’t a need, and it would collect dust anyway, because I wouldn’t want to burn it. But you know, if I could have bought the matches, and the *Candle was included!, they might have had a deal! LOL
Glad you stopped in. I’ll be checking out your place very soon! 🙂
I love the farmers market! You captured all of my favorite things about the farmers market: fresh food and fantastic people.
I knew I wasn’t alone. Too bad we couldn’t stroll around together. And then head back to the kitchen, and take some time making that jam!