Sunday morning green fun!

Woke up early this morning and sat on the balcony to enjoy the green of my little garden. Don’t know for sure if I’ll have any squash or tomatoes or a gourd or two, but I’m enjoying the plants very much anyway!



Squash plant climbing out of the railings to get all the sun possible!



Gourd plant climbing around the balcony



Looking up from the ground at the tomato plant. See the basil to the right?



Picture taken standing on the balcony. The plant to the left is a Cherokee tomato, and the other sharing the “trellis” is a Yellow Morning Glory (tiny little ‘maters!)



Sweet Basil




Something just for fun!

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Farmers market time!!

Yesterday I shopped one of our many wonderful farmers markets in Annapolis. My first visit of the season – and oh my goodness!! I always want to buy almost everything I see! From the peaches to the corn to the green beans to the bees wax candles and handmade earrings. Yes, the whole atmosphere of community makes me feel all warm and cozy inside, and those feelings weaken all my defenses.

So I have learned to take a limited amount of cash – and on my last purchase I am almost always digging into the last of my change. That plan is the easiest way for me to not buy more than I can eat.

Yesterday I found collards, corn, okra, cucumbers, and more. Not many tomatoes yet, so I’m guessing it must still be a little early for Maryland. Soon, though, with the rain we’ve had, I’m expecting some German Johnsons or Cherokee tomatoes. My favs!!! Unattractive little critters but the best tasting in my book (or kitchen).

There was one farmer that had both okra and collards, and as I was picking out the collards I wanted, the woman next to me going through the okra box asked me about collards. She didn’t know much about greens and didn’t know how to cook them. This woman, the farmer, and I had a lively conversation about greens: He liked his cooked with ham hock or fat back, I prefer mine with veggie oil. She likes bacon and wanted to try bacon in hers, and etc. etc. We laughed and just talked about collards!! Yes, good food people at the market.

She finished with the okra, but we were still talking, and an Indian couple walked up and started going through the okra box. Soon our conversation was ending, and I wished her well and told her I was going to get okra next. The couple heard me and the gentleman said, “Oh I’m sorry. Did we step in front of you?” I assured him it was fine, that I was having fun talking about collards when he walked up and did not mind waiting at all. He replied, “Well, thank you. I surely didn’t want to start trouble at the farmers market. After all, it is such a wonderful feeling of community here.” And then we shared a laugh or two.

He’s right. Here we were, two people who had grown up across the globe from each other, spending time around fresh food from our earth and with men and women who spend their time with their hands in this dirt (Yes. I believe “real” farmers still get their hands right down in there!). Such places bring us together with one of the major necessities for our survival. Nutrition. It’s a good place. A happy place. And I hope I never lose appreciation for such delicious morsels as wonderful fresh veggies from the earth and those that grow them for me.

And here are two pictures from my trip!

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