THE FARMER'S MARKET IN MANASSAS

This is about what we did yesterday.  It makes me smile now, with maybe a little eye-roll.  At the time, let's just say I bought some extras that I had not intended to buy.  

We decided to go to the Farmer's Market in Manassas, one where we knew we would get the same delicious vegetables that we had last time.  There were also more stalls, not that we saw a lot of them.  

We had a pleasant ride over, but started out early.  Thankfully all the heavy rush hour traffic was going in the opposite direction, heading into the city (and we came back a different route to avoid all that).  

Last time we parked on the multi-story parking lot just around the corner, but today Gregg saw an opening right next to the market.  It was convenient.  However, backing into the parking space proved to be challenging, and we ended up too far off the curb.  I suggested I get outside to help.  Oh boy!

Therein lies the rub...there was a bandstand nearby with a group of six to seven older gentleman, (okay - not much older than us), and I guess we were the early morning entertainment.  It took a bit of going forward and a bit of going backward and forward, back and forth, back and forth.  I was doing my best telling Gregg how much room he had to maneuver, and then suddenly one of the chaps from the bandstand came over and, with hands on hips, stated that the car was still too far away from the curb.  

And I looked and smiled, then four more helpers started yelling over directions to Gregg, and I got totally flummoxed!  I felt my face getting flushed with embarrassment and I was ready to move on.  What can I say?  I have been away from people way too long, in my own little cocoon of peace and contentment.

Gregg couldn't hear me by this time and when he finally got out of the car after parking, one of the chaps yelled over, "You are still too far from the curb!"  They were all trying to be so helpful, God bless their cotton socks.  Gregg said with a smile and a chuckle, "Close enough!" and added that he was way closer than the truck in front of us and the car behind us.  From the way they had parked, they probably had had the same help as us

Me?  I couldn't wait to get out of there fast enough and headed for the market way in front of Gregg.

We bought two corn on the cobs, a couple of large tomatoes, a sweet red pepper, three sweet potatoes, a bigger zucchini and yellow squash than I have ever bought, great looking radishes, a container of Brussels Sprouts, and then....

 my feet started heading for the Good Harvest stall next door, where I bought two delicious looking, and chosen for their small size, loaves of bread and a bag of onion, garlic and cheese hamburger rolls.  

Gregg said "I thought we weren't buying any bread?"  (Just before we left I said "No bread, let's try low carb for a couple of days or so.")  I said, "I know what I said but I am feeling a tad discombobulated!" - this as I looked over towards the bandstand. He laughed and we drove home, with our bread, noticing that we were not offered any help this time.  They had moved on to other things.  But, as we drove out of our spot, there was another car sliding in behind us, as both truck in front, and previous car behind, had already left.  Easy-peasy getting out this time, and not as much entertainment as when we had arrived for some I'm sure.  And I said as we left, "Let's park on the multi-story parking lot next time." At which he replied, "Nah, wouldn't be as much fun!"  I do believe that's when the eye-roll appeared.  

Thankful I don't have to get on those stilts and pick my own hops, talking about challenging, and impressive! Photo courtesy of Sweet Other Half who found this on line and knows I enjoy these old historical photos.

We will be having French Toast for breakfast tomorrow.  We had a totally vegetarian meal last night and will have another tonight, and I shoved all but one of the small loaves of bread in the freezer for whenever, with me saying "Okay, can't possibly get any more in that freezer.  Let's not buy any more okay?" (this directed to me and the mouse in my pocket).  It's not that big of a freezer but it would groan at anything larger than a grape.  

Gregg thinks I am so good at finding spaces in it because I am good at jigsaw puzzles, and I treat our freezer like one.  Maybe!

So, how are you at parallel parking or stuffing your freezer?

Once again I thank you for stopping by, and have a happy and healthy weekend.

OFF TO BUCKLAND FARMER MARKET...

but first we noticed, as we drove by, that all the scaffolding on the Old Stone House in Manassas has been taken away.  It is looking very nice but then I have always thought so, even before these recent renovations.  I'm glad they are taking care of it for future generations.  We must never forget these places, or the people most importantly.  

The Old Stone House was used as a hospital during the Civil War, and the red flag signifies that it is a place of refuge for those who were injured. I thought that was the case but I wanted to make sure, and on my search for more information I came across this blog.  Jay, its host, is an amateur history buff.  I am always trying to glean more information about these places, some of which I am familiar with, but I found a few snippets that were new. Going through each page of history, and I will be going back as there are many, he tells us about Civil War characters.  Not just people but places too.  I sent the address to my dear other half, as he is also a history buff and I know he will enjoy it.

It took us an hour to reach Buckley Farm Market. We didn't walk around the back and would like to explore next time.  All the produce and other items for sale were in a big building. You can look at their home page at this link for more information, and the history of how it all came to be can be found here.

These were out front.  There were also lots of interesting items for sale inside, but I didn't buy any of those today, just grocery items.

We had fun walking around.  

And there's hubs in the center heading to the...

biscuits.  We bought a package and he

 said they were very good.  I also popped a loaf of bread in the basket.

There were dozens of jars of honey on display.  We have one at home but maybe another time.  We both enjoy local honey.

There was a little nook off to the side and it was a lot fun browsing.  

The painted pig was under the crape myrtle tree out front.  

The farm buildings in the distance got my attention right away.  It was the first thing I saw as we turned into the parking lot.

Closer view...

and one of this lovely house almost obscured by the trees.

There were a few Chicory blooms around (botanical name Cichorium intybus).

The next photo shows an American pokeweed (botanical name Phytolacca americana). It is a toxic plant to both humans and animals, and you can see more information if you click on the link. 

One last view of the farm before we point the car in the direction of home.

These were our purchases; the biscuits, white bread, a mixture of beans (looking forward to making soup when it starts getting cooler)...

 and a pork gravy mix that I was curious about.  My Mother-in-Law made the best pork gravy.  I don't remember tasting anything better, she had a gift. I will use this mix the next time we buy a pork roast.  It won't be as great as my Mum-in-law's but I have a feeling it will still be good.

Our produce: portabella mushrooms, sweet red peppers, tomatoes, peaches, oranges and pears.  They were all very good!  These were about to get a good rinse before storing them.

It was a very enjoyable visit and I would definitely like to go back in the Fall, not only in pumpkin season but nearer the holidays.