Jun 13 2006
Preparations and Presentations
We woke up early on Sunday morning to head to the Takoma Park Farmers’ Market. I have heard many times that this is one of the biggest and best quality markets in the state, and once we got there, we were not disappointed. We got beautiful vegetables, fruits, and potted plants, as well as some fresh free-range eggs, and baked breads. Kris and I planned quite the feast on Sunday - all from the farmers’ market purchases, and from our own backyard herb garden!
1. Farmers’ Market vegetables, 2. Preparing summer squash, 3. Kris using Foodmill, 4. Fresh bread and bruschetta, 5. Stuffed Summer Squash, 6. Local Dinner
We ate an entirely “local” dinner - from the breads to the veggies! Although no blue is represented (isn’t there some quote about how there is “no blue food”?) there was a spectrum of colors on our plates! We used EIGHT herbs from our own garden - thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, marjoram, chives, basil, oregano - and all of the fruits and veggies were from the market. However, we will have our own spread of fresh veggies one day soon - our garden is growing very well! Although not edible, we have been admiring the lovely blooms of our lilies and lubelia.
Our morning in Takoma was wonderful. Not only is the farmers’ market a beautiful environment with sweet smells and friendly faces, but the section of town where the market is hosted also has a range of great shops and cafes - two in particular for us crafty-minded peeps! Now and Then is a gift shop with many unique pieces of jewelry, decorations for the home, and a nearly complete line of yarn from Brown Sheep and South West Trading Company! I was excited to see these brands, because my LYS does not carry Lamb’s Pride, or the newer SWTC yarns. (I am participating in the Summer of Stash, however, so I looked and touched, but made no purchases! I filed the information away for another shopping trip after the Labor Day cutoff!) Right next door to this shop is S & A Beads, a small boutique with many beads and jewelry-making supplies. Another day-long trip to Takoma is in order - just so many shops to peruse! - we couldn’t stay too long with all of our fresh veggies and eggs in tow.
I had a lot of crafty plans for the weekend, but when it came down to it, I worked solely on my Carla pullover. I guess I am just excited about wearing it! I completed both sleeves (a very short excursion to “sleeve island”), and started the front.
1. Carla’s sleeve, 2. Knitting on Carla, 3. Carla’s Front in progress
As you can see, I had some fun with the drop stitch detailing on the sleeves. I love the way it looks. The pattern calls for a weaving/embroidery technique on the sleeve’s dropped stitches. I will attempt to follow the instructions in the book (they are vague), but I may just play with it and find something I like. There are many different interpretations of the sleeves (as seen on the Carla knitalong blog) and I am a go with the flow kind of girl.
Yesterday, I met up with dear Coleen before our scheduled Knit Nite for some crafty supply shopping. I needed some supplies for my Postcard Swap cards (matches went out - let me know if you did not receive yours!) and for a few other planned craftivities. However, I had a hard time shopping because I had such fun taking pictures of all of the blue craft supplies!
(Can you tell that I am addicted to this Flickr Mosaic Maker?)
We headed over to the cafe and grabbed some dinner and tea before knit nite started. It was a nice time to catch up, and see everyone’s new projects (like Sarah’s recently finished Illusion Shawl - gorgeous! and blue!) Sadly, MamaE couldn’t make it, but I did get to talk to her on the phone beforehand. I also got to hear about their daytrip to The Mannings (a huge fiber farm/school in PA) - read more about it (and see the pics) on Coleen’s blog.
Jennifer, Laura, Sarah, Eunny, Amie, Coleen, Jolene
After knit nite, I came home to watch Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals - what a series! We have been watching a lot of soccer and hockey at our house these past few days. It makes for very exciting knitting! 
yes…where is the blue food? It’s an oldie from my idol and fave comic George Carlin…FYI…Blueberries are purple. I personally am against all blue food. Pixie loves it and always picks the blue food.
IT’S SALSA SEASON ISN’T IT? I AM SUPPOSED TO FIEF MYSELF OUT SO I CAN LEARN HOW TO CAN…I’M A GOOD HELPER…
Thanks for a fun evening Lollygirl! I wanna go to Takoma Park!
You know, in Japan, we call green vegetables and plants ‘blue’ (also, traffic lights!)… so, technically, your foods fit well into project spectrum!
Takoma Park is great fun, and I love S&A Beads!
Your stuffed squash looks yummy - care to share the recipe? Neal hates summer squash, but I still keep trying ways to make him like it!
What delicious *local* food! Farmer’s markets are so much fun.
Tacoma is so fun, there are some great vintage stores there and Mark’s kitchen is yummy. Hooray for Tacoma hippies! Hooray for farmer’s markets! I have a bunch of greens and dill to use up. Looks like you had a great Sunday and a good chance to catch up on your Carla knitting. Keep it up!
hmmm… your post makes me hungry! the summer squash looks sooo good!
Yum!! All those veggies look so wonderful. I almost went to college in Tacoma…and now you are making me wish that I had
i used to live in takoma park, and was just reminded by a college friend that i said i would never leave! a wonderful farmers’ market, a wonderful diverse community, close to downtown - it’s a fab place to live. anyway, can’t wait to see your carla sweater! it is taking shape wonderfully.
This post covered almost all my favorites - yummy looking food, knitting, hockey and a gorgeous array of blues! (and now I’m craving some homemade salsa)
Carla is looking awesome! Can’t wait to see her come together!
Wow those veggies look yummy!! I have to look for a farmer’s market near us!!
Your local dinner looked amazing! Don’t you just LOVE farmer’s markets? yay for being able to enjoy herbs you grew yourself!
mmmmmm, that food looks DEE-licious!!!! i just love eating local. it’s nice to know that your purchases end up helping farmers in your area.
i love drop stitches! which is why i still want to make another clapotis
Such a colorful post! And, you have made me hungry.
Go Hurricanes!
Great Scott! You are looking so SKINNY!! You’re making me look bad. I’d better get on that treadmill.
What luscious looking food. MMMMMM!
oh no, the carla sweater has dropped stitches? i loooove dropping stitches. i really think i need to make this.
and that food looks wonderful. i need to make more time to cook.
Love how delicious that food looks! And I’ve never seen summer squash that looks like that before. What did you stuff it with?
how fun! Carla is gorgeous :).
I love all your blues. And your food prep looks amazing-fresh and tasty! Your newest knit is sure moving along quickly. Mosaic maker sounds like a lot of fun and it does look like fun.
So much yummy stuff! I’m really looking forward to checking out the farmer’s markets near my new place in NJ.
Everything about this post is so delightful, from the food to the pullover to the friends!
Congratulations on staying strong in front of the yummy yarns, they will still be there past labor day… The food you made looks so good! And the top is really nice, cant wait to see it finished!
Don’t you just adore farmer’s markets? I count the days until my local market is open again. The best fruit and flowers come from them!
hey sister!
missed you too!
How close to Baltimore is Takoma Park? My sister is in Bawlmer, and we are also looking for fun places to go when I visit.
Love your blues!!!!
Old food is blue, sometimes, depending on the mold type that chooses to grow on it….
You are the amazing shrinking Lolly! Congrats!
Your weekend cooking looks so fun! I love summertime farmers markets & backyard gardens - am definitely missing that with this work travel. Looks like a lovely couple of days!
I just love Farmer’s Markets…. we get a fair few around Manhattan and Brooklyn. Local grown produce just seems to taste better, no?
Carla really seems to be coming along - I love that stitch pattern!
I just love how Carla is looking - that yarn looks fun to work with.
I love all the blue!
geez you work fast! Your Carla is coming along so nicely. I can’t wait to see it all knit up.
Funny - I was at Farmer’s in TP this weekend (I used to go every week when I lived near there). Next time you go, be sure to try the Spring Cheese at the cheese place (halfway up on the left if you start at the end of the market with the clock) and especially have the scones further up on the left side. They look like little loaves and they are incredibly wonderful. Seriously. I ate one almost every Sunday that I lived in Maryland.
Your photos are so beautiful! Will you be repeating project spectrum again? I’d love to join in with you all the next time around. It looks like a wonderful way to spark creativity and enjoy the “everyday” beauty!
Your Mosaic Maker pictures are stunning, so I don’t think it’s an addiction you need to worry about!
your photos are a serious feast! i made it to two yarn shops this past weekend, but apparently looked in the wrong rowan books for the carla pattern. i’ll have to look out for “it’s a tape thing” another time. i am diggin’ that sweater! ps. i did NOT purchase yarn, but i did do some serious fondling.
Yum yum yum. Are you taking reservations?
Thanks for the pretty pictures.
Carla is coming along so nicely…you’ll be wearing it in no time.
Oh - all those fresh veggies….and bread!!! It’s amazing what a taste difference there is getting it so fresh vs a grocery store. I finally got my garden planted - now the hard part - waiting!
I’m so proud of the Hurricanes. I’m usually a Bruins girl myself, but I have to cheer on my ‘home’ team now. Go ‘canes!
Love the blue photos. I’ve gotta say, blue is one of my favorite colors. Though I now have so much green, I’m sad I missed posting a lot for last month.
Those lilies! Oh! So pretty. I should get a shot of mine, and some new ones of the hydrangea .. it’s doing so well.
Love the pictures of all the blues in the craft department! Carla’s looking good.
My brother and his family live down the street from “downtown” Takoma Park. I love the bakery and just a bit further is Savory, a great little spot. There used to be an awesome book and toy store that sold the best holiday cards and gift wrap, but it’s gone now. Finewares was also a great place to pick up a gift (not sure if it’s still there… didn’t see it the last time I drove up Laurel Ave. to my brother’s house). Check out the Takoma Park Festival in the fall. It’s great fun!
Yum!! I’m coming over for dinner!
You really do get the freshest foods from a farmers Market! Bet you two enjoyed eating that yummy meal for sure. Love the blue mosiac photo
LOVE your local food mosaic! We have been enjoying our CSA goodies for the past two weeks. Summer food is such fun!
The next time you’re down at TK PK, let me know and I’ll walk over and meet you! We love our farmer’s market :).