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 relaxation. After all, it’s just a little over a week until Christmas and a delightful lunch will do you good.

Linnzi Zaorski
Keep in mind this is the last Saturday before Christmas so you’ll want to stock up on things you’ll need for your holiday celebration! What a great day we’ll have on Saturday with Linnzi Zaorski and her enchanting voice singing us a gift from the gazebo. 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. I love watching trays of Parmesan Fries travel past on their way to putting a smile on someone’s face. If you’re having trouble finding a gift for the chef in your life, you’re in luck. Jeff Young, The Catholic Foodie, will be at the market this Saturday with his newly released cookbook Around the Table with the Catholic Foodie: Middle Eastern Cuisine. Enjoy fascinating stories of food and faith in the Holy Land as author Jeff Young shows you how to prepare the savory cuisine of that region.

LOLA Deux, LOLA Restaurant’s food truck
As I mentioned before, Christmas will soon be upon us and this is your last Saturday to get your Farmers’ Market gifts and treats. Look no further for the perfect gift for Uncle What’s-His-Name or Aunt I-Have-Everything-I-Could-Ever-Want. We have a selection of goodies that will make a wonderful gift. (Yeah, I knew you were wondering when I’d get around to them.) Teresa’s Italian has a mixed bag of cookies that include such favorites as biscotti, fig cookies, anise cookies, luscious praline cookies, those crunchy lemon cookies and more – all there in one convenient bag! Or you can pick a bag of your favorites.

Windfield Farm Bakery
Just turn around and you are right there by Windfield Farms and such decadent munchies as Pumpkin Ooey Gooeys, Lemon Bars, Raspberry Crumble and Chocolaty Brownies. I enjoyed a pumpkin ooey gooey just this week, slighty warmed in the oven and topped with a light dollop of Mauthe’s yogurt. What a treat! Make a box of Suzie’s muffins – Morning Glory, Chocolate, and/or Blueberry. Let your giftee know that each muffin can be frozen so you can prolong the enjoyment. Two more steps and you are treated to truffles and candied apples and soft caramels from Lolly Marie. If you haven’t already tried her white chocolate ginger truffles, do yourself a favor and don’t wait any longer.
Create a box of gluten-free cookies and muffins from Betty Rue with peanut butter chocolate chip, gingerbread, chocolate crinkle, and oatmeal raisin. She even has several grain-free choices such as her chocolaty Santa cookies with little flecks of peppermint stick dancing throughout or the newest flavor, chocolate chip. The flour that Crystal uses in her cookies is a unique blend of ancient grains not traditionally found in your typical boxed gluten free cookies so a bag of cookie mix is especially nice for those who like to bake their own cookies!

Bear Creek Road Bakery December Pie of the Month – Eggnog creme brûlée with gingerbread crust and candied orange
Over at Bear Creek Road, the goodness is flowing from every corner with delicious gingerbread pie with apple berry filling or chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Jennifer has a table full of sweetness with caramel cookies, cranberry squares (really good), decadent fudge brownies and more. Nanette has some amazing raw cookies like my favorite almond date bars (great by itself or sprinkled over yogurt) or chocolate coconut balls! Norma Jean bakes up some tasty loaf breads – a perfect size for two people.
There’s something great on every table – even those no goodies. 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!
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
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