2009 Farmer's Market Begins

Yesterday was the first day of the Farmer's Market in Ogden -- a pretty exciting event in my world.

It took me an hour-and-a-half to make it out the door accomplishing the following:

Me: fed, dressed, some make-up
Katie: fed, dressed, clean diaper
Sophie: fed, dressed, hair brushed
Ian: fed, dressed, hair brushed
Isaac: cereal in a baggie, striped P.J.s with a Hawaiian shirt over the top (what he slept in), hair not brushed

Sophie, Ian and Isaac: still donning traces of Hawaiian fruit punch on their faces from a party the night before

An hour-and-a-half just to get out the door I tell ya! You'd think we would have been ready for family portraits instead of only half presentable to the world.

Embrace it.

The Farmer's Market was the most crowded that I have ever seen it. The street with the produce vendors was shoulder to shoulder human traffic. I carried Katie in the Ergo and the other three were surprisingly courteous and mindful about staying near me on their scooters. I felt a little out of sorts in that sea of humanity. It was not so easy to relax and pick through vegetables while trying to keep an eye on all of those kids. Which is, perhaps, why I walked all the way to the end and bought my produce at a lone booth where it wasn't so crowded. I bet that guy was happy. And, Brian made his famous fried potatoes last night and they were amazing. Home grown potatoes are so much tastier.

The good news about the crowds is that Brian is selling his Ogden Book at the Farmer's Market. So, more exposure, right?

I found two booths selling flower hair clips and had to buy one from each vendor for Katie. I think I'll have to buy at least one every week from here on out (did you hear that Photoguy?). Sigh. It's so nice to have one daughter who (for now) will let me dress her and fix her up any way that I please.

I adore the Farmer's Market. It's become sort of a mid-summer through early fall tradition for me. It delights me from head to toe. The brightly colored stacks of produce, intoxicating smells of blooming flowers and fresh picked herbs, the luscious flavors -- honey on a stick, dripping slices of peaches, homemade salsas, Beehive Cheddar, old fashioned rootbeer -- not to mention the fabulous culinary adventures to be had at home after the purchases are made.

I love hearing live music from the stage, seeing the arts and crafts by talented tradesmen and youngsters out to peddle their wares (i.e. Sophie bought a 50-cent shrinky dink keychain from someone about her age). I enjoy seeing our community out and about on a Saturday morning, baskets on arms, gathering treasures (though, I wouldn't mind seeing a teensy bit less of our community on Saturdays yet to come . . . or, leave the kids with a sitter). I always see friends and neighbors.

Yesterday, the kids were fascinated with the man selling honey and his glass encasement of bees in the process of making it. Sometimes, there is a 4-H demonstration for them to participate in making something.

In the spring months, I admit, I had a bit of a love affair with strawberries. Homemade jam on everything, and strawberry banana smoothies. Then, watermelon and corn on the cob hit the scene. I've got a whole lotta blueberries in my refrigerator right now. Could anything be finer than fresh blueberries on a bowl of cereal? Cherries -- mmm-mmm. And, now, the whole Farmer's Market has come to town!

In other, unrelated news.

It seems that Katie Jane, who will be two-months-old at the end of the week, decided over the weekend that I'm her favorite. As in, she only wants me to hold her. And, last night when I was rocking her, she swiveled her face upwards so she could look at me and then broke out in a joyful grin.

Another pretty exciting event in my world.