AUTUMNAL VIBES

This weekend has been a nice, bright one, and much needed. After the rigors of the start of opening yet another new showroom this week, the biggest in the company, the first four days were very physical. So, the weekend has been spent relaxing, doing a bit of prep for the next vacation, but mostly spent marketing and just enjoying the autumn. I went to both farm markets of Oak Grove, where I placed my order already for my turkey this year for Thanksgiving dinner, and to Strite's Orchid, one of my favorite markets in the area, and still family owned since 1834, and one my grandmother always used when she was around. Such fond and good memories there. They have hands down the best apple cider in the area I think, and this year some of the most delicious apples I think I ever had. I picked up a few items at both markets and then the meat and cheese stand Clyde Weaver at the big famers market. The weather has been downright beautiful all week, and this weekend was lovely. I decided mid-week I was going to need a nice autumn evening, so I had over some of the clan and Capital Street Duo for an Autumnal Evening...a charcutier tray I made up of smoked meats and cheeses, a selection of various spiced nuts, and my famous mulled bourbon cider, along with a warming bonfire. Nothing like a fire in the autumn I swear. I also today, clipped what may be the last flowers in the garden.

Market kitty siting in the carry boxes!

Sophie, the bird watcher, casing a nuthatch jumping up along the tree trunk.

Here is Sophie, guarding the stash I believe for the bonfire supplies last night.

And what a fire it was. Nice warming flames, good drinks and foods and friends. It was a very nice evening.

This morning, I found this poor boyd, floating in the one birdbath. The poor thing must have either have had a boyd stroke or it was just his time to go.

Last of the summer blooms I clipped, and we enjoyed some of the leftover mulled cider today. I'll share the recipe for my famous mulled cider later in the week for those interested. Hope you are all having a good weekend too.

MARKET DAYS

 

You know I love me a good market!

Just about a ten-minute walk from Warbucks flat and not far from the Danube River is Budapest's Great Market Hall...housed in a stunning three-story neo-Gothic building that date back to the late 18th century...and in size rivals Philadelphia's own Reading Terminal Market.  The ground floor features food stalls of all sort...selling everything from the freshest of produce of all kinds, cured meats, most of the butchers, cheeses, candies and pastries, caviar and Fois gras, mushroom and truffles, spices, pastas and oils...even wines. You'll catch whiffs of sauerkraut and vinegars as you descend into the basement where the fishmongers and seafood is sold, as well as pickled vegetables. There is also a selection of game down there and stalls selling kitchen utensils. The big staircases in the center of the market take you to level three, where you'll find huge selections of sausages and langos. At the borozos, marketers down shots of Unicum...and NOT from me... accompanied by shoddy wine. There are also many stalls selling handy craft, folk art, knicks-knacks and handmade linens.

I loved the place. We had a few days with no plans, and I accompanied Warbucks, like they were just a usual day. I tasted my first few spicy Hungarian Goulash's and chicken paprikas here. The nice thing is, the locals Warbucks was telling me, do their entire grocery haul here, several times a week or even daily...as the "grocery store" is not a huge thing there, like in the US. There are certain things at the Great Hall to be tried, and to get the feeling of living there, this shouldn't be missed. I was very thrilled by the experience and delighted by the smells, selection, and the fun of watching everyone shop and look over their selection while wheeling and dealing.

Our goulash for lunch one day with some cold brew

As you can see, Warbucks enjoyed not only Unicum, not pictured btw, 

while I was there, but also a good 8".

MARKET DAY

 

A lovely little stone bridge not far from the Casa du Borghese. A tranquil location for this time of summer. It's often one I go over when I'm off to the market. Friday or Saturday, often find me going to Oak Grove for fresh veggies or fruit. I feel like right now we're at the height of many local goodies. I tend to live on nothing but fruit, veggies and seafood this time of year. Too hot to make hot comfort food dinners. With being down in Fells Point in Balitmore yesterday, I went after work on Friday as many of the things arrived in fresh. The main goal was the corn. This summer, the white and yellow corn at Oak Grove has been about the best I've even had. I love grilled corn on the cob. I wrap the cob up in a wet paper towel, with butter, salt, pepper, and other herbs, wrap it up in the wet paper towel, and then wrap in foil, sealed tightly, and place on the grill. When done, it. is. DELISH! The wet paper towel acts as a steamer for the corn. My goal was to get the corn to grill this week and make my first batch of my grandmothers Chicken Corn Soup today.

I'm a huge blueberry freak. I could and have eaten a pint already in a single sitting. I usually add them to morning granola, top off ice cream, and make blueberry pancakes. I often just pop them in my mouth most times.

What a came home with....

This is about a quarter of the corn I got, some very refreshing watermelon, lemons and limes for cock-a-tails, blueberries, some herbs and some button peaches. I'm not usually a huge fan of peaches, except those of a fine gentleman, but as I was eyeing these up, some woman said to me they were the sweetest and best peach she'd ever tried. Well, my first though was she obviously never had the fine assets of a South American man!!! But I digress.  So I bought a pint of those, and regular peaches for the mother.

Must admit, the button peach was the best peach I'd ever had!!! Very sweet.

Said Chicken Corn Soup I just got done making. It's simmering slowly as I type. It will be enjoyed tonight, and some will be off to my uncle.

So, there was that. 

Now I'm not doing another damn thing today but relax on the patio with a cold refreshing beverage.

Some Time at the Flea Market

Today after work the Mistress decided to stop at Rice's Market, which is a huge flea market and produce farmers market and is very well known on the East coast. My mission was to find some bud vases to place just a few stems in. So after work I made the trip and was not let down. The place was packed with shoppers wheeling and dealing over items, antique spotting, woman getting all giggly over the handbag rip offs and HOT items and enjoying the vast array of food offerings. The cupcakes are to DIE FOR! And how great is the clock in the above picture! So wanted that. But Rice's Market is big business here in Buck's. Thousands of people flock to Bucks County's largest and oldest market, where you can find almost any item from antiques,jewelry,clothing,flowers,furniture to zucchini! You name it! Over the years, the market has evolved from primarily a produce market to an outdoor bargain-hunter's paradise( did you hear that Kailyn?) offering some of the most famous brand names in clothing, household and gift items, antiques, hand made collectibles, real and dried flowers, baked goods, and other food items, all at prices that can't be beat. On a typical market day, Rice's Market will host as many as 700 vendors and 15,000 shoppers. Looking for drawer pulls? No problem. Feast your eyes on some of the snaps I took...........








A drag queens dream come true with the nail polish. Each one is $1! Pick a color!





My main reason for going was to look for three bud vases, for clippings. Goal achieved and each was $2! They fit in nice with my apothecary jars, and I even got flowers in them already. And they keep the quail company who is sitting in a nest built above the lemons!



Had to get more peacock feathers! It's a sign of Hera after all, and I just love myself a whole bunch of them to keep a "eye" on things.


I have a thing for pitchers, big time! Couldn't resist this black and white french pattern. Only $8!


I have no idea what I'll do with these, but I thought they were adorable and they pull the red out of a painting that is above the table.


If you ever get to the area let me know and the Mistress will give you the tour and plan on a whole day since their is soooooooooo much to see. Tootles!