Farmers Markets

Rue 27 Maison

This time of year the local Farmers Markets here in southern Cali are in full swing....shoppers are everywhere with baskets brimming with local organic fruits, vegetables & baked goods....also many stands have beautiful & fragrant herbs...lavender and fresh cut flowers. Some stands also have roasted nuts...freshly made pies & local honey. The smells are wonderful...today the sun is bright & the skies very blue with not a cloud in sight...what a gorgeous day to be shopping al fresco. I shop at several markets each week and I am never disappointed....I have shopped at farmers markets all over Europe and the common thread that seems to connect these local markets are the delicious, healthy produce...the homemade freshly baked goods & the friendly & helpful spirit of the vendors. I know many vendors by name & I return each time to find that special local vegetable or fruit of the season and to chat with friends & vendors. I always leave with several bouquets of herbs & flowers. Today I found delicious heirloom tomatoes, fresh rosemary, potatoes & several bunches of lavander. We had rosemary pomme frites & roast beef with gravy "open face" sandwiches with the tomatoes. It was delicious & fresh...Sharing with you a few faves of shopping local farmers markets...

Fresh local vegetables...

A basket comes in handy...

The homemade breads are delicious...

Farmers market in Provence...

Local market in SoCal...

Heirloom tomatoes...local & delicious

Rosemary pomme frites at Rue 27 Maison...

Large weekly market in Aix en Provence...

Homemade pies...

What a wonderful stand...take a few as a thank you...as they say in Louisiana French...."lagniappe"

Until next time....Cheers!

Flower Crush...Sunflowers

Sunflowers have always been the happy flower to me...they seem to smile & nod as they grow tall in the fields...sunflowers can grow up to several feet in height & when mature usually face east. For a few short weeks at the beginning of the summer in Provence, two of the most beautiful & photogenic flowers bloom together...sunflowers & lavender...in vast fields often side by side...I have seen these beautiful fields many times...each time I am unprepared for the breathtaking sight...it is gorgeous...the rich yellow of the sunflower & the passionate purples of the lavender...under the soft glowing light in this part of France..it is definitely an experience that stays with you. Sunflowers are actually native to the Americas, brought to Europe by the Spaniards in the 16th century. There are several areas in southern Cali where you can find beautiful & sprawling fields of sunflowers and they are also seen in abundance in Tuscany. Sunflowers have always been popular as a cut flower & have become more so in the last few years being used in many rustic weddings & country style entertaining. I bought several bouquets this week at a local farmers market...I love to use them in large bunches...sharing with you a few faves of this beautiful & happy flower...the Sunflower..:))

In Provence sunflowers generally grow over 5 feet high, bloom from late June until the end of July with harvest occurring at the beginning of August...

Sunflowers look fabulous in tall vases & containers...

Sunflowers at Rue 27 Maison this week...

Love the look of the yellow sunflower tucked into a napkin at Rue 27 Maison...

Sunflowers mixed with wild flowers...

Gorgeous fields of yellow that can be seen from far away...

The perfect flower for this elegant & rustic setting from Colin Cowie...

Love this country arrangement...

Fields of sunflowers in Tuscany...

Until next time...Cheers!