gratitude...sharing mine

it has been a fast & furious last half of the year.  a bit more of a rush than i really wanted.  such is life.  on this evening before our nations holiday of giving thanks, i wanted to finally share some of the late seasons beauties from the farmers market in honor of my gratitude for them. i didn't show food pictures for some reason but i have shared the feasts i have made with them in the past.  i also didn't list below all the farmers whose stands i am loyal to - you know who you are and you are not forgotten & i love you too!  these are just flower photos.

i don't know if i have shared just how much i LOVE the farmers market or how truly grateful i am for these individuals who work so unbelievable hard to provide for me and my loved ones.  without whose food i would could not survive.  that may sound dramatic.  it's true.  (note - some folks have the space & ability to grow their own items though you still rely on farmers for many things)

i live for saturday mornings from MAY 1 through the first weekend of november to ride my bike over to the market well before the crowds get there and just as the farmers are finishing their set up.  myself along with the other 20-30some diehards are floating around each stall choosing the most beautiful fruits of the earth (yes all categories).  i am loyal to only a handful of farmers who i know so well and cherish my quiet early morning chats with them catching up on life.  i am oozing joy and happiness onto them as i am truly so over the top excited to be there!  it's one of my temples that i visit and i cherish each moment.  

i do comb all the stands but my time is short that early in the morning.  i get to the market at 6:30am, then the gym by 7:30 and home by 8:30 to change my clothes and sprint to pottery class by 9am.  it's a whirlwind of a morning that i soak up every week with glee!  there is SO much beauty there in every color, shape and smell.  it's divine.

i do know i have shared this love of mine but it begs repeating.  Thanksgiving is for taking 24hrs out of your life to be grateful and honestly it's more like 10hrs as you are sleeping for the other half.   my point is this.  gratitude is something that i see not honored enough.  we take many things for granted.  it's easy to do but i ask that you try to remember it every day of your life.  i put my gratitude list out to the universe every night to those who watch over me and the farmers are on it always.  they provide what we all need to live on yet they don't get enough thanks from what i have seen (note - i am blind even with contacts in).  everything you eat has stems & seeds in farmers.  take a moment tomorrow to not only give thanks for all those you love in your life and all the great things that have been placed in your life.  take a moment to give thanks to the farmers.   

i am grateful for all of you.  enjoy & be well.  marlo

dahlia's from gast farms

eddy is like no other & his knowledge of plants/flowers/etc is unreal! his dahlias are simply stunning to say the least.  the colors he has and the sheer perfection of mother nature is such a wonderful sight to see for me so early in the morning.  i know i have shared the succulents that i keep on the porch.  eddy is the master of those and should have a photo spread of his artistry in martha stewart living or fine gardening! i could buy every single one and still find more.  he puts them in all of the most unique containers from size of a thimble to the radio flyer wagon.  just creativity beyond words!

hydrangea's from stover's farms

sally's hydrangeas are simply the best & all their pies/jams/dressings/honey to die for/pickles etc are like no other and a complete addiction! she and jim are the best people i know.  farmers with love to the bone for everyone!  their raw honey is heavenly and i have shared it with many folks. i have made addicts of their vidalia onion dressings and their jams.  her pies... well what can i say.  a must have every week!  her apples and berries - LOVE.  

gast farms again mixed with the dutchman's tuberose.

i honestly don't remember the dutchman's real farm name as i think i have only heard it once or twice but he sells the most beautiful tuberose all summer & gladiolas along with crazy amounts of eucalyptus.  the tuberose releases is aroma in the evening and fills your house with this sweet intoxicating heaven!  it's delicious! his glads are in very shade you can imagine and then some.  the best anywhere. eddy grows butterflies and the "hairy balls" below (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) are the best for caterpillars to build their cocoons on. better than traditional milkweed. the others in the bunch are cocks comb and ornamental cabbage heads.