You know that tantalizing smell. The first crisp, cold morning of the season, when quietly the sweltering heat of summer fades into the background and autumn makes its debut. The air is sharp with the scent of drying leaves as they put on their pretty coats and begin to float to the ground. And the markets start whiffing the scent of autumn fruits and spices...you then know the magic of fall has arrived
I love farmers markets, and it's where I get many of my provisions for dinners and nibbles, produce and some earthly delights when I don't feel like baking. And always a good thing to support local farmers and families. I have three go to in the area. Oak Grove Farms, West Shore Farmers Market and Stites Orchid. I left work early today and headed over to Stites Orchid to get some pumpkins for the porch, and the best apple cider in the area in my opinion. I go crazy on apple cider this time of year. I also picked up two apple dumplings, and some pears and veggies, in addition to a butternut squash, that I plan to make soup with, and a autumn vegetable stir fry I make with butternut squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips. I got in the habit of going to Stites since I was a wee one as my late aunt and grandmother always frequented the place. I love my visits there, so when I moved back it was a major plus. My grandmother was friends with the family back then and its origins began with a rich farming history dating back to 1843. It all started with the planting of a few fruit trees and vegetables were planted. At the time they sold produce door to door and in the city. It was in 1950, they opened the market pavilion they now have and has grown to also feature a bakery of daily fresh baked delights, and a small selection of plants and flowers, and a pick your flower garden. Their property and orchid now encompass a robust 300 acres. They have a very loyal following in the community, many generations of a family still patronize the place, it's amazing to see out of towners there, come to just see and experience a farmer market.
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To me this far better than data centers eating up land.
