Farmer's Market and Junk

I am a sucker for a good Farmer's Market and for Vintage junk. So, since my sis is in town we went to the Cowtown Farmer's Market and then on a whim decided to go Estate sale shopping. The Market has grown a lot over the past year. The vendors grow the best produce too. From goat cheese to tamales, this Market has it. 

We were pretty hungry this morning so we stopped at the Artisan Baking Company and picked up some of the best scones I have ever eaten and biscuits. Both melted in our mouths.

There were tons of blackberries too...we couldn't pass those up!

We tried to hit up a few Estate sales afterward, however, it was a complete bust. Our first stop should have been a sign. It was a bit disorganized. The house itself was really cool...in a 1970's way. I do like old houses, mine was built in the 50's. But, there was one room that was really needing the cast of Studio 54 or Boogie Nights to top things off. We left because frankly...it just got creepy.

A few more bad Estate Sales later, we decided to check out a few new shops. Bingo! We should have done this first! There is a cute new Vintage/Antique store that is only open on the weekends and I have been wanting to go check it out...so we did. Junker Val's, it is the cutest and Junker Val is so super sweet!! Her prices are pretty fair considering how people like to crank up the price on Antiques since it has become really trendy.

After Junker Val's we went to the Junketeria which is just down the street. 

This place is awesome. There are so many things which again are really fairly priced. The man that runs it is really nice too and terribly creative with his layout and how he has decorated. 

Next time, I am going back with more cash because there are some diamonds in the rough in this place.

After a long day of shopping, I needed a pick me up. So, since I had a plethora of blackberries from the Market, I made cobbler! 

The recipe is super easy and so delicious. Courtesy of the Pioneer Woman.

Cheers! 

Market Weekend

Friday, I split work the minute the clock struck 4:30 and headed straight to the Hatch Chile Festival at Central Market. I look forward to this every year. There are tons of Hatch Chile's to choose from among tons of Hatch Chile Foods...breads, cakes, fajitas, quiches, meatloaf, crab cakes, risotto cakes, and the list goes on.

I stuffed my face with several of my food items before I could get a shot of them but there are 2 things I cannot live without when I go to the Fest...

Hatch Chile Scones and....

 Hatch Chile Chocolate Brownie! Yum!

Today, I went with my parents to the Cowtown Farmer's Market. I always head straight for La Latte Dairy.  They have the best goat cheese ever. I picked up some onions and split squash with my mom.

Here is a shot of my veggies and the Hatch Chile's! I am going to roast the Chile's, chop them up, and freeze some for later use. 

Something else I cannot resist from the Market are the tamales from Hot Tamales. They are to die for!

Jeff ate practically all 12 of them by himself! 

After the Market we stopped into Amaryllis. It is a great plant shop right next to the Market. The store owner is so nice and come to find out her daughter-in-law is a Social Worker!  She is very knowledgeable on her plants, has great deals, and some great succulents. 

I picked up a combo pot for my Grandmother that is very cute!

For myself (of course I could not resist) I got a cute Fittonia.  All I need to do is plant it.

The Fittonia is going to take the place of the succulent I had in this pot that actually shriveled up and died because it could not take the heat. Now, I thought that was unheard of! It is almost impossible to kill as succulent! 

To finish the day off, a bit of knitting and a girlie movie! 

Cheers! 

Tuesday In Santa Fe

This morning we got up early and went to the Santa Fe Farmers Market. 

There was a lady that was selling her hand dyed and handspun yarn. It was beautiful and very inspiring. Even this little guy liked her stuff! 

There were tons of fresh greens to choose from.

My favorite is the Intergalactic Bread Company.  She has the most wonderful breads.

I picked up green Chile cheese, apple elderberry, and pumpkin pinon. When we got back to the casita they were eaten up in minutes!

Here is all our loot from the market.

My parents too my cousin to the museum and my sister, niece and I stayed back home. We jammed out to some Gypsy Kings while my sister made brunch. 

She made Quiche with the jalapeno pepper from my garden.

A fantastic salad with a cucumber from my garden, some steamed veggies and whole wheat bread!

Later I spun some yarn that I had been working on at home while the girls watched. I gave them a mini lesson but hope to give them a really good lesson this week! They seem really interested and that excites me!

Of course I had to get a picture of my spinning briefcase.

We also went to the Jackalope for bit of shopping. They have Prairie Dogs there. They are really cute!

Then to Gabriel's for dinner we went! The best ever Guacamole. They make it for you right at your table.

I had black bean enchiladas. Yum!

Cheers!

Food Blog Post Again

OK, we are going on 3 days in a row of food blogs which is not my forte but...this one is worthy of it! I used the pasta from the Farmers Market and a recipe from their website (winter tomato). Honestly, this recipe was fantastic. I have not had pasta this great in a while. It was healthy, light, and did not leave me feeling heavy like pasta can do to me often. 

I just boiled whole wheat pappardelle and added tomatoes in oil, red pepper flakes, and parmesan. That is it and only it takes about 10 minutes tops to prepare! To go along with it, I also made a goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette tossed salad, and whole wheat sourdough (which I also got from the Artisan Baking Co.) garlic bread toasted in a cast iron skillet. Paired with a glass of red wine you might even think you are in Italy!

I will be returning to the Market this weekend for more pasta!

Cheers! 

Have I Mentioned I Love Omelets?

Well, I am sure I have. I usually don't cook breakfast during the week because it takes all I can muster just to get out of bed and make it to work on time-ish. But, on the weekends I love to make breakfast and typically this consists of eggs mainly in the form of an omelet. You can stuff an omelet with so much, the possibilities are quite endless. 

My sister has guinea's and chickens and she left with me a bunch of their little hen eggs. I love the pale green guinea eggs. They are so stinkin' cute! I would love to have a few hens and collect their eggs but I am not certain if Jeff will agree to that! 

 This egg in particular I think is very smart. It is pointy at both ends! Now that is an egg! 

So, I decided I would use that little pointy egg and one other to make my morning omelet (and of course one for Jeff too, I don't starve him too much).

I also used some of the goat cheese from the Farmer's market to stuff the omelet with and also sauteed up some sliced turkey meat to stuff in as well. Oh, it was yummy. I love goat cheese, especially in an omelet.  

Sometime this week I am going to try the handmade pasta I picked up at the market too. I really need that kitchen aid pasta maker attachment because I would love to learn how to make pasta myself. My sister has a pasta maker and she loves it! Stay tuned for how the pasta turns out. I am going to toss it with olive oil, red pepper flakes, and sun dried tomatoes. Yum! 

I enjoyed my omelet and coffee while furthering my gardening education with my new favorite book, Grow Great Grub.

Now, I am off to spin some yarn. I am getting geared up to have my Etsy re-opening in soon!

Cheers and Happy Weekend! 

Cowtown Farmers Market

This morning my sister and I ventured out to the best little farmers market in town! She wanted to find a good farmers market in town and honestly I had no idea this one existed. I have seen a few markets here and there but now one like this! This market reminds me of the market we go to in Santa Fe. There were handmade cheeses, breads, homegrown herbs and veggies, home roasted coffee, and soap products! We were in heaven! 

The vendors at this market are so friendly and more than happy to give you pointers and tips on veggies and growing them. They are truly a bunch of happy people!

We stopped at every vendor's booth and everyone had something unique to offer. This market is strictly all home grown Texas farmers. No imports are allowed. So, you know when you are purchasing something from this market you know you are supporting your local farmers. 

We picked up some of the best goat cheese I have ever tasted from Latte Da Dairy.  Of course we could not resist buying some bread too from Artisan Baking Co. He has some of the most wonderful breads and the aromas were amazing. This bread we picked up for my Grandmother. But next week we are getting some for ourselves! 

We also got tomato plants and I got 2 cucumber plants. 

We met the nicest man at the Wildflower Soaps booth. His bath bombs were on sale and I am a sucker for bath bombs! My sister also picked up Too Shea, it is a shea butter salve and smells and feels fantastic. 

Then, we found the Hot Tamalez booth. Folks, if you live locally you better get over to this market next Saturday. These tamales are AWESOME. And, the best part is, she has samples to try! We got the chipotle beef tamales and black bean and corn tamales for my parents who are avid tamale lovers!

So far, today has been a very happy day. It is a beautiful day outside. I think I may go get my plants in the ground now. 

What a great market. I will be back next week!

Cheers!