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Jericho Farmers’ Market Today!

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

My friend, Jackie, and I went to the Jericho Farmers’ Market last Thursday and we both walked away with some wonderful goodies.  Freshly roasted coffee, locally grown vegetables from several different growers, soft tacos, cookies, soaps, gorgeous yarn, Samosaman, freshly baked bread & scones, Curleez aka quite possibly the most delicious thing I’ve tasted lately (see what it is here!), live music & different events weekly…what more could you want in a Farmers’ Market?  If you are anywhere in the area you should check it out.  It’s on Rte. 15 in Mills River Park from 3-6:30pm.  You can take a nice walk in the park while you’re at it!  Hey, you can even bring your dog to the park–there are some designated trails.

Here are a few shots I took after a small rain shower passed.  The first few are from my friends’ farm just up the road in Underhill.  Her father’s farm was called Big Oak Farm…theirs is Little Oak.  Pretty sweet, huh?

Beautiful organically grown flowers from Little Oak Farm.

I bought some broccoli.  It was delicious.

This is a glimpse at what their farm looks like.  It’s a beautiful location.

This gorgeous yarn at one of the farm stands looked so perfect next to these beets!  If I had any idea what to do with yarn I would have bought a whole bunch!

Vermont made handbags in some beautiful colors.  She also had brownies for sale.  I think chocolate & handbags are a perfect combo!

It is highly likely that you’ll see some adorable kids when you go so bring the whole family.

Check out the Jericho Farmers’ Market on Thursday afternoons.  Rain or Shine it’s a good time!  Find a local Vermont Farmers’ Market here or check out vermontgrowersguide.com to find a grower near you.

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Beautiful Day at Burlington Farmer’s Market

Monday, June 21st, 2010

After we took a flower delivery to a beautiful private home at Shelburne Farms on Saturday, where Kate Hays of Dish Catering was no doubt about to cook up a storm!, Dave & I headed over to the Burlington Farmers’ Market to find ourselves a bite to eat.  It was a perfect day for the market and City Hall Park was booming. 

It was fun to run into several people we haven’t seen in years and check out what goodies were ripe for the picking.  We almost never get to enjoy the Burlington market because we are always off setting up a wedding–but don’t feel too badly for us, we are lucky enough to have a Jericho Farmers’ Market just up the street from us on Thursday afternoons!  I snapped a few shots of the bustling market while we grabbed up some basil plants, fresh asparagus from Pomykala Farms and waaaayyummy Jamaican patties from Island D’Lites.

  Katharine Monstream’s work on display.

Another flower lover snaps a shot at Stray Cat Flower Farm’s stand.

Every farmers’ market needs a good maple syrup stand!  This guy says he has “the best”.

The Nutty Vermonter has a way of making nuts oh so delicious!  If you haven’t tried their nut butters you simply must!  I often buy a few jars for wedding gifts…1 for me, 2 for them!

Campanula (balloon flowers) grown by The Painted Tulip.

There is always a line for samosas from SamosaMan!  He’s at the Jericho Market, too.

Dave appreciates the finer things in life. 

I love the stained glass from Burlington Community Glass Studio.  We are remodelling our kitchen this summer and I dream of a beautiful stained glass window above the sink!

Super sweet sidewalk-chalk-art by a young girl who was hard at work on her masterpiece.  She told me the last step was to draw the fire the woman will be holding her hands over! 

Old friends, good eats, beautiful artwork…What do you love about a good farmers’ market?

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 15)

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
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My brandy new favorite thing is Ben & Jerry’s Fudgy Brownies!  Thanks to the handy popsicle stick it’s a portable novelty which is perfect when you have to eat your ice cream on the go!  It is seriously delicious.  Seriously.  You have to try it.  And love it!  It’s the perfect summer treat.  If you love chocolate you will not be disappointed! 

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VT Cows on Church Street

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

After a delicious breakfast at Penny Cluse Cafe on Sunday morning we took a stroll down Church Street in Burlington to check out these artistic cows for the Cows Come Home-Burlington!  Leunig’s, Gardener’s Supply Co, Burlington City Arts, Cabot Cheese & Shelburne Farms were a few names amoung the sponsors on the cows I photographed.  There are several more cows than I have included here so be sure to check them out in person and try to pick your favorite!

I didn’t need to look at the artist’s name to know that Katharine Monstream had her hands on this cow!  The artists created some beautiful cow-work and it’s hard to pick a favorite…I think I have 3 or 4 that are tied for 1st!  Which cow do you like the best?

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Do you know about Inlu.com?

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Inlu.com is the brainchild of two Burlington-based moms who are tired of “too much stuff”.  The earth-friendly site promotes streamlined giving with the motto “less stuff, more love” and collects gift monies from your guests in lieu of excessive gifts (get it?… Inlu!) for your wedding, birthday or special event to put toward your favorite charitable cause or to purchase a group gift you really need…like a house or a honeymoon!…or you can invite them to do both!  Forget the bar-code gun at the big box stores and get something good.  Check out their site here for more info and view sample Inlu invitations!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 12)

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

This is a new-found favorite for me since I tried them for the first time last week, but Whitney’s Castleton Crackers are now on my list!  Not only would these Vermont Artisan Crackers be a great addition to a Vermont Welcome Basket, but they could make a truly tasty wedding favor as well.  I tried the Middlebury Maple crackers and while there are suggestions for pairings on the website, I personally enjoyed them on their own for a snack and then dipped them in some chocolate for dessert!  Give them a try and I am sure they’ll make your favorites list, too! 

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Ben & Jerry’s Fond Farewell to Walt

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

I have delivered a lot of flowers in my day, but it is always extra sweet when I know that flowers genuinely brightened someone’s mood.  I have had the pleasure of working with the crew at the Ben & Jerry’s offices and delivered flowers to Walt Freese–essential to the feng shui of his office–for a few years.  As Walt departed as CEO this week I was especially pleased to create a few “Ben & Jerry’s inspired” designs for his farewell party last night.

These blue hydrangea remind me of the cloud motiff that Ben & Jerry’s has made so famous!

 ’Circus’ roses along with the red striped yellow double tulips give the blue a little punch.

I hope that the new CEO, Jostein Solheim, who the public gladly met dishing out scoops on Free Cone Day last week, finds that his office could use some floral feng shui, too!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 10)

Friday, March 19th, 2010

It’s Arthur’s Fault!  I found out that Arthur actually lives up the street from me when I met his wife on a walk with my husband one lovely summer day so this “local love” is about as local as it gets!  When I bought his black bean & garlic sauce at the Jericho Farmer’s Market and tried the peanut sate sauce I knew I hit the jackpot!  All summer the veggies from my garden are covered in these delicious sauces and voila, dinner is served.  He makes marinades, BBQ and dessert sauces that are really yummy.  Enjoy!  And remember, It’s Arthur’s Fault so you can blame him for your future addictions–not me!

Taste some of Arthur’s yummy sauces and marinades TODAY at Sweet Clover Market in Essex from 4-6pm!  You can find his products at these stores in Vermont (according to their facebook page):

Cabot Creamery – Cabot, Quechee and Waterbury
Gourmet Provence – Brandon
Cheese House – Arlington
Clover Gift Shop – Woodstock
Earth and Sea Market – Manchester
Healthy Living Natural Foods Market – So. Burlington
Henry’s Market – Bennington
Irish Family Farm – Jericho
Jeffersonville Country Store – Jeffersonville
Mountain Cheese and Wine – Stowe
Mountain Greens – Bristol
Sam Mazza’s Farm Stand – Colchester
Shelburne Country Store – Shelburne
Sweet Clover Market – Essex
Winhall Market – Bondville/Winhall

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Vermont Maple Syrup Season is On!

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Maple is the official flavor of Vermont and with the warm temperatures we’ve been having the past few weeks the sap is flowing like crazy and sugarmakers are hard at work.  Since my husband works for Butternut Mountain Farm when the sap is and isn’t flowing is a big part of our lives.  Dave wakes up around 4:00am to get an early start on these busy days and when he hits the alarm I often say, “Time to make the syrup” which admittedly is probably funnier to me than it is to him.  He really is like that guy in the old Dunkin’ Donuts commercials though–he pulls himself out of bed even though he is tired because he really loves that sweet, sweet syrup!

There’s a good chance we’ll have a short sugaring season this year if the nighttime temps don’t get cold enough to slow down the flow of sap, but from what I’ve heard (from my husband of course!) this year’s crop has been delicious!  The 2010 annual Vermont Maple Open House Weekend will be held at sugarhouses throughout Vermont from March 26-28th so mark your calendar and make a date to experience pure maple at its finest.  To learn more about how maple syrup is made click here.

After the sap stopped flowing from our maple tree last year I put a bouquet in the bucket!

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Alison’s favorite things (vol. 8)

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Okay, so maybe it isn’t right to put a human being on my list of favorite “things”, but Linda at Rapunzel Salon has got to be one of my absolute favorites.  When I moved to Vermont from New Jersey to go to UVM in 1996 I was sure that I was doomed when it came to maintaining my short, styley do.  I did have a few great hairdressers in Burlington before I found Rapunzel, but I have had such a long relationship with Linda they seem like ages ago.  After my first  appointment I was hooked.  Not only does she do a great cut, but she does amazing color.  (I mean, I am naturally blonde and everything, but I’ve heard she does great highlights!)  It’s a special relationship a gal shares with her hairdresser and Linda is pretty fantastic.  If you are looking for someone to help freshen up your look you should give Michelle & Linda a shout at 802-658-7883 to get pretty.  They’re located in Burlingtonon Center Street right next to the Daily Planet…well, actually they are left next to the Daily Planet and up the stairs as a true Rapunzel should be.

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