Bring on the Busy Time of Year!

Table set up June 2014 at Farmer's Market

It is upon us...YES Farmer's Market Season!! After the long months of chilly weather and no fresh produce here in SE Ohio, it is finally time to meet and greet again.  I will attend the market held in Dover, http://www.tvffm.org/ It is each Wednesday, starting June 3, from 3 to 7.  A wonderful market filled with only home produced vendors.  Everything from delicious vegetables to homemade pies; grass fed beef to home canned bbq sauce; take and bake pizza crust to Biscotti!  And of course some home produced gourmet jams! ;) Even live music, home made ice cream, gourmet food trucks!  This market has it all! 

At whatever event I am attending, I love meeting the new people. Taking the time to discuss the flavors I have on the table, letting them sample and giving ideas on how to use.  Yes, I am a people person.  All the long hours in the kitchen, I find myself talking in my mind a lot.  I carry on quite lengthy conversations! LOL  It isn't easy being the one woman show but all it takes is one compliment from a "stranger".  The one that takes the second to acknowledge my hard work and to say "Hey, I really love your jam" or "My family loves to use your jam on (fill in the blank)".  Knowing that I provide a quality, delicious product for others to enjoy in their homes is an awesome feeling. 

I have a passion for creating jams and jellies.  I focus on jams because I prefer chunks of fruit smothering my crunchy peanut butter sandwiches.  Oh my goodness, in my minds eye I see now a freshly baked, butter biscuit with a nice piece of strawberry or a whole crushed blueberry intermingling with melting butter. OR ahh even better, blackberries spooned across the scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, reminding me of the joys of summer.  After a few days "off", I find myself looking forward to the feeling of accomplishment while hand crushing the berries, mixing in the sugar and pectin and cooking until just right to jar.  And then anxiously anticipating the "pings" of the lids, as they cool on the counter.

One of my favorites...Carrot Cake Jam
ready for the canner.

 So, if you are looking for an adventure, stop by your local farmer's market and meet great individuals that have a passion for what they are growing/raising/producing/selling.  You will be so glad you did.