I post this because:
1) it fits with the "it's the small stuff" Pillowbook mantra.
2) I think behaviorial economics can be pretty fascinating.
3) the small, hand-painted "35 mph!" yard sign in Beaumont makes me, for whatever reason, slow down more so than any formal speed limit sign or digital tracker.
4) I love the thought of picking "funk" when riding in an elevator.
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Updated picture of my raised bed and compost area:
Plan to spend a couple of hours this morning staking my tomato plants... and continuing to revel in the excitement of finding my first cucumbers. I don't even like this prickly, pale green vegetable that much, but I do love homemade pickles. If any of you have a sure fire recipe (or really any knowledge that extends beyond "pickles are made from cucumbers"), please let me know. ________________________________________________________
TIME Magazine recently published its lists of "Top Quirky Local Festivals" and "Top Authentic American Experiences":
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1989200,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1909343,00.html
The World's Largest Catsup-Bottle Festival (Collingsville, IL)ASSIGNMENT:
*What is your own quientessential "American/Kentucky/Cumberland County experience"?
*Patroning a farmers market and a local quirky festival is basically an ideal summer day for me. If you have any suggestions, please pass along!
As Liza and others close to me know- I love my local SKY Farmers Market. I have included information below- hope to see you there!!
ReplyDeleteSKY Farmers Market
100% Local 100% of the Time
Tuesdays 7-1 Saturdays 7-12
Located at The Medical Center off of 31W By-pass
Below is part of the weekly email I receive from the SKY Market manager-
Summer has officially arrived and there is a lot of evidence at SKY Farmers Market this week. Now is the best time to savor juicy fruits ripened by the sun, and to bring tomatoes, squash and sweet corn from the market to your table (farm to fork). It is also when most cooking takes place outside on a grill and canning and preserving are starting to make way into our schedules.
We will have hot breakfast again this week at SKY Market. Scroll down for tomorrow's menu. Whitney O'Daniel will be making her delicious and healthy smoothies (with kale!). You can find peaches and blackberries. Fresh flowers are in bloom. There are many vendors to choose from as we are at the pique of the season. However, Greener Groundz, Lazy B Farm, Wesley Page Fine Wood Crafts, and Au Naturel Farm will still be gone this week.
New this week is Carter Howell at "Need More Acres" booth. Carter is recycling old crayons into new, car-shaped crayons to sell at SKY Market. Son of Nathan Howell, Carter is our youngest member of the market and is donating 10% of his profit to Haiti Relief.
SKY Market is a lot like family and we hope you feel part of our family community too!
See you at SKY Market!
Currently In Season:
Blackberries
Peaches
Green Beans
Eggplant
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Patty Pan Squash
Eggplant
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Leeks
Carrots
White Kennebec New Potatoes
Red New Potatoes
Yukon Gold New Potatoes
Florence Fennel Bulb
Kohlrabi
Kale
Cabbage
Beets
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Dill
Garlic Scapes
Chives
Mustard Greens
Turnip Greens
Arugula
Swiss Chard
Head Lettuce
Mesclun Mix
Cubanelle
Green Onions
Chicken
Pork
Beef
Milk
Farm Fresh Eggs
Kenny's Cheese
Mennonite Baked Goods
Items Always at Market:
Zutrav Dog Biscuits
Hand-crafted Wood
Soaps and Lotions
Bath Salts
Facial Scrubs
Lotion Bars
Pottery
Fresh Roasted Organic Coffee
Hand-dyed Cloth
Painted Woodwork and Canvases
Your bed looks awesome. My mom is growing zucchini in her garden and she told me I have to send you some zucchini bread when it's ready.
ReplyDeleteI went to the farmers market today and got some fresh blackberries and kettle corn! Then I went to Lexington's Pride Festival. I have never seen such fabulous drag queens. Lots of cool booths there.
My favorite part of summer is definitely the outside festivities :)
Lindsey - Thanks so much for including this! Do you plan to go on Tuesday by any chance? I'd love to go with you if it's on your agenda.
ReplyDeleteAlexus - Thanks, friend:) I got my tomatoes staked and suckered this weekend so hopefully they'll be a little healthier and have more room to grow. Oh, and I agree with your mother:)
Blackberries and drag queens??...What a fun day! My mom makes the best blackberry cobbler in the world...If you're interested, I can try to sneak the recipe. Good for you - supporting local producers and festivals...you are awesome:)
Good news! I'm picking up your zucchini bread tomorrow and I will try and overnight it to you Monday.
ReplyDeleteOh, you know, blackberries and drag queens make for a typical day for me :)
And I would LOVE that recipe. I had the best blackberry cobbler about three summers ago and nothing has compared to it...yet. I have much faith in your mother, but little in my baking skills.
I have Granma Etta Turners sweet pickle recipe. They are delicious but several steps to them. (I have made them in the past) I would love to give it to you. I will post it on your blog if you want me to. Mama can give you good pickle advice also.
ReplyDeleteAlexus - oh, don't go to any trouble...if you'd like to just freeze it, I can pick up the next time I'm in Lexington. If you insist on overnighting though, I won't complain:)
ReplyDeleteRecipe:
It is just a basic Southern Living recipe, but Mom said the trick is doing your own crust...
4 c. fresh blackberries
1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
4 tbsp. sugar
Pastry for 9" double-crust pie
Wash and cap berries. Cover with 1 c. sugar and allow to sit for about 30 minutes. Combine flour w/ 4 tbsp. sugar and gently stir into berry-sugar mixture. Spoon into prepared pastry lined pie plate. Cover w/lattice strips of pastry (think Mom does an egg wash too) and bake at 400 until crust is golden brown.
Double-crust pastry:
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
2/3 c. plus 2 tbsp. shortening
4-5 tbsp. ice water
Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening until crumbly. Sprinkle ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, evenly over surface. Stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball. Chill until ready to use. roll and fit pastry into pie plate.
Carolyn: I would love to see the recipe. I'll give Mama a call tomorrow, too. Thank you!
When will you be in Lexington? If it's not in the near future I have no problem mailing it to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe! I may have my mom try it first. Just so I'm not disappointed with my results :)
Here is the simple squash salsa recipe I made last week. 4 T olive oil, 1 medium zucchini, diced; 1 med yellow squash, diced; 1 yellow bell pepper, diced; 1/2 small red onion, chopped; kosher salt and black pepper. 3 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil.
ReplyDelete4 - 3to4 ounce skinless catfish filets.
Heat 1 TB oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat. add the zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper and cook, tossing occasionally until just tender, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate until cool. Wipe out the skillet.
In a med bowl toss the cooled veges with the vinegar, parsley, basil, and 2 TB of the oil.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the skillet over medium high heat. Season the fish with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until opaque throughout, 2-3 minutes per side. Serve with salsa over it.. I did not have catfish but had chicken. I think fish would be best. I liked the salsa and Gary did all right.
Sounds so good mom!!! Liza, sometimes I go on Tuesday, but there are only a fraction of the vendors that come on that day, so I usually wait until Saturdays. I am about to pick my first two tomatoes from my garden- I'm so excited!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aunt Carolyn. The recipe sounds fantastic. I put the zucchini salsa on a chicken, rice, vegetable thing I did last night and it was pretty good. Yours sounds better, though:)
ReplyDeleteLindsey - Okay, let's plan a Saturday outing sometime, then! Yay for garden tomatoes:)!