A lazy Sunday, with nothing major planned; a cold is brewing and my body simply needs a rest. A quick trip to the vet with Rosie for her annual vaccination, and then we decided to try out our local Farmer’s Market for the first time. I expected a few stalls with perhaps some preserves and some baked goods.
How wrong was I, and I have become so obsessed by what I found that I rushed home to book each monthly market into my diary for the foreseeable future.
The recently refurbished square in my home town was buzzing with people, and more dogs than I’ve seen at a dog show, wandering about on leads stopping to ‘chat’ to each other as they walked. There was a real community buzz which was wonderful. Everyone seemed to have time to chat, and were so friendly. Does a farmer’s market automatically attract friendly people? Some were sitting around on benches, drinking steaming cups of coffee and hot chocolate; others munching on hot sausage rolls or a cheeky slice of delicious homemade sponge. There were stalls with such a wide array of foods from marshmallows to local sausages, locally brewed beers and wines, apple juice and cider and massive jars of juicy olives, pickled eggs and sundried tomatoes. There were homemade cards, knitted goods, hand painted canvas bags to replace the horrendous plastic tsunami which is engulfing our world and stunningly beautiful handcrafted pens and wooden gifts.
The photo above shows most of my haul, bar the Italian pastry I bought back for Joe as a lunchtime treat. Who can resist freshly baked onion bread spread thickly with local butter? It was so scrumptious I had two wedges – shared of course with Holly and Rosie (our fur babies). I didn’t even wait to cut the local cheese I also purchased Ashmore Cheddar – I’ll save that for later with some of my cousin Amanda’s multi award winning Captain’s Crackers .I did however sample the cheese in the market, as did Rosie. Although I am currently on a low sugar kick (more about this another time), I couldn’t resist a lovely jar of Apricot Chutney from a lovely lady who had a good chat with me. I should make a promise to Flo here, that I will resist opening it for another three weeks. A fat wedge of goats cheese and asparagus quiche completed my purchases.
Just a simple lunch of fresh bread, real butter, cheese and chutney, with a freshly brewed pot of coffee is simply wonderful. Who really needs ready made meals? I am feeling a little smug today; I also have a large pot bubbling away as I make a batch of bone broth for the week’s meals. So good for you, so cheap, and so yummy.
Apologies if I have made you hungry. I suggest you get down to your local Farmer’s Market as soon as possible. Simple really is best. Enjoy the incredible aromas, colours, tastes and sounds of chatter.
Until we meet again
Don’t forget to check out my website sensingthesimplelife.com, and my book Sensing the City: An Autistic Perspective, where I discuss the sensory issues surrounding markets.
Sensing The Simple Life 