Happy, happy Tuesday, friends! It hardly feels like December and that makes Wednesday a perfect day to sit out at the market, enjoy a lovely day of music and food and relax. After all, it’s just one week until Christmas and you look like you could use a break. It’s hard to believe but this will actually be the LAST WEDNESDAY MARKET OF 2013! I know it will be difficult to make it through three whole weeks without a Wednesday market but we will at least have Saturdays to help us get by.
This is also the last Saturday before Christmas and we will have violinist, Madeline Hill, in the gazebo treating us to the lovely melodies of the season. So grab a steamy, delicious cup of java and enjoy the morning with us. Keith and Nealy Frentz will be there in the Lola Deux food truck with all kinds of deliciousness. My tent is close to the food truck and it’s always interesting to see how many orders of Parmesan Fries travel past on their way to putting a smile on someone’s face. (Too bad you can’t wrap them up; you’d have no trouble in checking off all the names on your gift list.)
Lolis Eric Elie, screenwriter and author, will be there as well, signing his new cookbook, Treme. Sounds like that would make a terrific gift. Some of you may remember Norma Jean who was one of the first vendors when the Covington Farmers’ Market opened its “doors”. If not, no worries. Norma Jean is back at the market with her nut patés – walnut, pecan, or almond. These guilt-free snack spreads have an absolutely amazing taste. Spread on celery, bok choy stems, or some of Lena’s crunchy toasted bread rounds, they’re a fantastic addition to your holiday table.
Like I said, it’s just one more week until Christmas and I hope you have all (or most) of your shopping done by now. If not, what better place to finish checking off your list than at the Market? This whole place is one giant gift for me…delightful friends; freshly baked breads; rich, gourmet coffee; nutrient-packed produce; grass-finished beef and pork; luscious fruit pies; sweet honey; spa-quality soaps, hand creams, and bath salts; ready-for-the-garden herbs, plants and trees; free range chicken; slammin’ salad dressings; plump, juicy ducks for roasting; decadent cheesecake; international delights from Turkey, Honduras and Korea; fruity jellies and jams; creamy goat cheeses, goat meat and lamb; fresh mushrooms, citrus, and juices; sinfully delicious nut brittles and gourmet chocolates; something special for your precious pet; incredible prepared foods; whoppin’ huge shrimp; and, if we’re lucky, Nick will have wild-caught catfish. (Whew! I’ll need a minute to catch my breath.)
Oh, my! Did I really forget to mention THE COOKIES???? Can’t forget those! It’s a little known fact but cookies have been proven to reduce stress and assist in task completion. (Trust me; I’ve made a careful study of this.) Market cookies work the best and any flavor will do – oatmeal raisin, orange almond biscotti, anise cookies, market cookies, chocolate chip, chocolate crinkles, wedding cookies, make-your-own cookie mixes….(I think I’ll need another minute.) Perhaps there is someone on your list who is terribly stressed out or just needs a smile (another benefit of my extensive study.)
We’re just jam-packed with great gift ideas…great food…great music…great people – yourself included! Join us; it wouldn’t be the same without you. If I don’t get a chance to see you…have a very Merry Christmas!
Lots of love,
Charlene LeJeune
Abundant Life Kitchen
The Covington Farmers’ Market is open each Wednesday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire and every Saturday from 8a.m. to 12p.m. on the side lawn of the Covington Police Station, 609 N. Columbia St. Call (985) 892-1873 for information or visit www.covingtonfarmersmarket.org
