Hello fellow eaters:
I know that we are coming to the end of the year because my swiss chard froze on Friday night. So did the beautiful lettuce and snap peas that belong to my fellow community gardeners. Now, if we had row covers the chard and lettuce might still be going, so, maybe next year (did I say that last year?). When I was picking on Friday evening after work to salvage as much as possible, I was the only person in the garden, something that is very unusual for most of gardening season. Being in the garden at dusk by myself with very cold fingers reminded me that a large percentage of the fun that I have as a community gardener comes from working in the garden with other gardeners so we can chat and speculate and plan and complain about the devil's grass that is trying to invade our fence line and plots, etc. This is also one of the things that I like about the farmers' market, and about which I have not written much this year: it is a public meeting place where you do not have to pay to gain admission, people are interested in food, people care about neighborhood and urban issues, there is good coffee, and, did I mention that there is good food and folks to suggest ways to prepare that food. And it is a public sphere over which anyone who is interested and has some stick-to-it-tiveness can have a say (ahem, so if you are interested in helping out with the market in any way, let anyone at the market know; there is lots to do). The reason that I mention all of this now, gentle eater, is that while many folks are enjoying seasonal get-togethers in December, we are heading into the hibernation months, when it takes more effort to be neighborly, because we are not all outside doing stuff and we have to climb snow mountains to walk anywhere. But we should make the effort, because neighborliness is a good habit to have. So, in addition to coming to the market on Saturday-- with an empty stomach, because there are going to be many ready-to-eat delights--we should make the effort to continue our conviviality through the cold and dark months. We can have potlucks and be community eaters through the winter, too, while thinking, dreaming ahead for our gardens and markets. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.
Thank you for coming to the market and for thinking and acting in favor of local food and food systems, your correspondent, julie lindstrom
EcoVillage Produce will bring mustard greens, arugula, mixed gourmet lettuce, collard greens, bok choy, leeks, snow peas, goat cheese, rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, sage, wreaths and a few surprises.
Old Husher will be at the market with produce that will be a surprise to me. Perhaps he will have some of the fabulous hot mustard.
Origins Beanery will have hot coffee, fresh-roasted beans, probably jams and cookies.
MoBite might have sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, carrot cake, apple pie.
Phyllis Bambeck and ReMemories will have up-cycled purses and quilts, hats, scarves, ceramics, cutting starters, jellies and jams. Alas, cut flowers are done for the year.
Bethany's fabulous Maria is bringing tamales, veggie rice and beans, quesadillas, and pork sandwiches, so consider coming to the market hungry.
Anita Nonneman will be at the market with lovely South African village crafts.
Thyme Keepers will be there with all of their curious and interesting hand made items, as well as an array of interesting dried herb items. Perhaps they will also have some of their tea blends.
Sarah Perkins (our market yogi) will be at the market again this week with her special handmade bows and her eye pillows and possibly some jewelry.
Carol Stanley and her company Sammy's Bags will be back with her wonderful handmade headbands and bags. Next to the market this week will be children's headbands and other special handmade items. A free gift with each purchase! Stop by and say hello to Carol.
Dolores Watson and her friend Barb Krecic will be at the market with lots of honey products, as well as a few other special artistic items. They also plan to have some special $1-ish items that will be available for children to purchase for holiday gifts for the their loved ones. Special Aloe Plants and small honey items will make any family member smile.
Bruce Buchanan will be there with very local honey and beautiful stained glass art.
Trinity Cathedral Urban Service Corps (a group who lives in the neighborhood) will be selling baked goods and other handmade items as a fundraiser for upcoming mission work.
Elizabeth Stafford with be back at the market with her interesting and creatively-styled children's clothes, pottery, and jewelry.
New to the market this week is photographer Helen Harry. She has small photo items as well as more larger decorative and artistic pieces.
The Pie Lady of Hartville Kitchen will be come to the market with homemade pierogis She will be cooking them up for us to eat for lunch on Saturday and selling frozen packs that you can take home and enjoy with your family, friends, or even pets over the Holiday season (Minna, do not get any ideas).
Zen and back again will be at the market (I think) with Cleveland-themed t-shirts.
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