Last Beaver Farmers' Market of 2013!

The View From Under Pat's Tent!

The last day of the 2013 Beaver Farmers' Market was a rainy day ..... a small crowd had gathered under the tent at Pat's Pastries.  That's Pat in the green coat waiting on her customers.  At least it was warmer than usual with temperatures in the high 50's.
The holiday cookies were going fast & LFLF picked up one of the large containers.   The hardy holiday shoppers were picking up potatoes, broccoli, winter squash, beef, bread, apples, cookies, and wreaths.
LFLF also got the last of the seasonal cider from Oak Spring Farm.  We picked up 2 gallons to freeze them for later ...... we  just pour off a cup or so from each gallon to allow it room to expand when it freezes.   Nothing like hot cider in January!

Oak Spring Farm - Talking About The Apple Cider

Snow For The Locals!

Snowy Market Greetings From Phil of Douds-Floyd Farm, Dick of
McElhaney Family Farm, & Wayne of Oak Spring Farm!

What a way to get in the Christmas spirit!  Only one more market day left on Saturday 12/21 at the Beaver Farmers' Market, but the farmers & vendors were out today in the snow for their loyal customers.  LFLF got there around 11:45 to select our Christmas wreaths from May-Malone Farm & pick up some Christmas cookies from Pats' Pastries.  

Wreath Customers At May-Malone Farm

The vendors and customers had to deal with the falling snow and slush in the parking lot, but they were still out there. 

Snow Covered Kale At Enon Country Gardens

Wood Street Bread Company Serves Up The Fresh Bread!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Finally, we picked up a head of cabbage for cabbage & noodles and a gallon of cider pressed on Wednesday from Oak Spring Farm .......
Something I just noticed ...... it's near market end, but all of the customers are different people in the pictures.  We muffed a picture of shoppers buying beef from McElhaney Family Farm --- too blurry in a bit of a snow squall when we snapped the pic! 

Winter Squash, Cabbage, & Golden Delicious Apples

Standing Chimney & Small Business Saturday!

LFLF Following The Signs To Standing Chimney!

As promised, LFLF is reporting on our "Small Business Saturday" visit to Standing Chimney.  We love the fact that these directional signs lead you along the way through the countryside.  Their tag line is true ..... "In the middle of nowhere, on the way to everywhere"!
And we weren't the only ones in the middle of nowhere .......

Customers Checking Out Items On The Porch

There were some folks also in the back room enjoying tea & sampling baked goods.  Standing Chimney is full of locally produced & sourced items - click picture to enlarge & read:


Standing Chimney Thanks You!

We browsed the store and came away with a silverware keychain made from a repurposed butter knife handle, a small throw pillow, a change purse (for all that loose change that escapes in the truck consol), some homemade fudge, and anise pizzelles.  Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm! 

Pillows, Vests, Baby Afgans & Beautiful Smocked Dresses!

LFLF loved the smocked heirloom looking dresses, christening gowns, & doll clothes.
And speaking of heirlooms ........  Just look at this unfinished rug hooking, a "work in progress".
Owner Beth got this from an elderly relative & it had been bundled up for years.  You can see the creases on the burlap.  It's found a new life & is celebrated now as a a unique work of art hanging in the shop.  Gorgeous!

Standing Chimney Hooking

Along with seasonal items like hand knitted Christmas stockings, there was alpaca yarn, alpaca socks, knitted hats, gloves, and felted items as well as bakery mixes, coffees, frozen pierogies, and fresh baked goods available. How about wine bottle cork wreaths from a local crafter? 

Standing Chimney - Locally Handcrafted Goodies!

So LFLF and lots of others supported local Small Business Saturday and shopped at Standing Chimney.  They are open for 2 more Saturdays this year - December 7th & December 14th!
What does LFLF vote in as the most unique gift item?  How about handpainted wooden baby duck fishing lures & bobbers?

And finally, the view out back ..... it's also a working farm!

Standing Chimney Cattle



Beaver Farmers' Market Still Open!

Yummy Holiday Cookies From Pat's Pastries!
 

Yes, the Beaver Farmers' Market will be open for 3 more weeks - 12/7, 12/14, & 12/21!  Who could resist taking home some cookies from Pat?  These were for "now" and some Pecan Tassies went into the freezer to add to the LFLF holiday cookie plate ..... ssshhhhhh ..... who will know where they came from?  ;)

Shallots & Potatoes From Oak Spring Farm

The market has lots of potatoes, winter squash, apples, apple cider, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, leeks, & root veggies, plus beef and fresh evergreen Christmas wreaths & swags. 


Shopper Buys Last Bag of "Arkansas Black" Apples

So how did you spend "Small Business Saturday"?  
Next post ..... LFLF takes you to a local small business ..... stay tuned!

Of Pumpkins & Peppers!

Douds-Floyd Farm Display!

LFLF has more great pictures from the Beaver County Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association!
The peppers & pumpkins are in full swing right now.  Douds-Floyd Farm has this nice pumpkin nestled in with the sweet peppers & squashes.

Hot & Mild Peppers

 Then there are the hot Jalapenos and milder Poblano peppers ........ time to try a new recipe for the Poblanos?  They look fantastic all piled up in the baskets.

More Pumpkins & Winter Squash From Oak Spring Farm!

Big Selection At BFM!

Organic Veggies From Brenkle's Farm

Saturday was overcast at the Beaver Farmers' Market ..... rain was in the forecast for the afternoon, but it held off until evening around here.
The selection of veggies, apples, grapes, cut flowers, pumpkins, & fall ornamentals was great!

Roma, Wax, & Green Beans + Snow Peas!

The cool weather is bringing on the 2nd crop of beans, peas, & greens .....

Beets, Beans, Radishes, & Squash 

Also ..... another true sign of fall ...... the smell of Concord grapes!



Concord Grapes - Jelly Anyone?

 

2 More Sewickley Vendors!

Wonderful Selection At Kohut Rooster Hill Farm & Greenhouse!

One of the regular vendors at the Sewickley Farmers' Market is Rooster Hill Farm & here is Jeff Kohut with a group of shrubs that he's raised, most that he grows on from cuttings.   You can expect to find items that you won't fnd in the big box stores, including his own line of pottery.  If you'd like to visit their quaint retail greenhouse shop, it can be found along US Route 30 West of Clinton, PA at the corner of Platt Road & US Route 30 .... lots of perennials, shrubs, & trees for sale at great fall prices!

Underhill Farm Artisan Yarns ....

Talk about serendipity ..... on Saturday morning I had recieved an email blast from PASA about farmers' markets in Western Pa and had clicked on the link for the Somerset County Farmers' Market.  LFLF was involved in the start up of that market as a Penn State Extension Educator, & I took a quick look at their current vendor list.   This was the first time that I had heard of Underhill Farm & I was pleased to see that the SCFM had a yarn vendor on board.  Imagine my surprise to see that same farm at the Sewickley market last weekend!   


Underhill Farm Yarn Close-up!

The Underhill Farm Leicester Longwool/Mohair blend artisan yarns have a wonderful luster as you hold them up in the sunlight!   As the weather cools own, the local yarns are back on the front burner for fall & winter projects ......

Sunny Morning In Sewickley

Sewickley Farmers' Market - View As A Vendor!

Saturday morning was wonderful - very sunny & the weather was a bit cool, so long sleeves or jackets were in order!
LFLF hasn't been to this market all summer.  :(  This is mostly due to the Ambridge - Aliquippa Bridge being closed since March for renovations and how we re-route our travels.  The market was bustling when we got there.  We'll do a separate post on a couple of vendors that we spent some time talking to on Saturday, but for now, here are the produce & goodies that we saw ......

Organic Tomatillos, Cherry Tomatoes, & Ground Cherries!
 

One of the organic vendors had quite a selection of unusual items shown above as well as pumpkins, squash, fingering potatoes, tomatoes, & peppers ......


Espresso Specialty Foods - Look At This Baked Goods Selection ..... Yum!

LFLF picked up some almond biscotti, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, & peppers.  There was plenty to choose from at Gray Family Farms, but it looks like the aruguala was GONE !!!!  The mushrooms looked wonderful & customers were snapping them up.

SOLD OUT - No Arugula For You! 

Finally, some great looking potatoes ........

Organic Potato Selection

LFLF On The Road!

Local Janoski's Farm Display At Hookstown Fair

LFLF has been busy and on the road lately, but not too busy to snap a few shots of Local Farms & Local Food!  How about this beautiful display by Janoski's Farm at the Hookstown Fair?  You know where to go when Pumpkinland opens up!

Stopping In At Rhodes Farm Market

LFLF made sure to swing by Rhodes Farm Market on the way home from the Canfield Fair on Saturday ...... we picked up sweet corn, a perfectly ripe cantaloupe, and a quart of nectarines.  They had to be the sweetest "end of the season" nectarines ever! 

Klotz Farm Market Sweet Corn - Rt 42 Garrett County , MD

Last, but not least, we picked up fresh sweet corn for lunch on a trip to Deep Creek Lake on Sunday.  The Klotz Farm Market stand had a lot more to offer in the way of veggies, fruit, mums, & pumpkins, but LFLF was on a "hit-n-run" mission!   They used to have a roadside wagon stop, but seem to have graduated to a market building a short distance away this year .......

Fresh Melons At Beaver Farmers' Market!

Filling The Melon Bin!

The customers were just waiting for all of the melons to be put out before they jumped in to select the perfect specimen to take home!   They looked delicious and this farmer had a cut sample to show off.

Fragrant Cantaloupes!

Once again, LFLF came home with a half dozen ears of sweet corn, plus some apples, onions, & a head of cabbage ...... looking forward to some cabbage & noodles!


Plump Ears of Sweetcorn!

Enjoying The Local Harvest!

Stuffed Peppers Into The Oven To Bake!

LFLF usually takes the reader through the markets, but this time, here are a couple of pictures of the harvest being enjoyed.  

Nothing goes to waste .......... Glenda participates too.  Yum - Douds-Floyd Farm sweetcorn husks!

Glenda Cleans Up After The Sweetcorn Is Husked!

Last Saturday At Market!

Customers At Douds-Floyd Farm

Last Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day at the Beaver Farmers' Market!  The weather was perfect & at this time of year the selection of veggies, fruit, & flowers is wonderful. 

Beaver Farmers' Market Shoppers

LFLF came home with green peppers, plums, buffalo chip cookies, cucumbers, onions, & sweet corn.

These Plums Are Delicious!

You never know who you'll see at the market ..... another supporter of local agriculture, of course (!), is Pennsylvania State Senator Elder Vogel Jr., talking here with Mr. McElhaney of McElhaney Family Farm.  This is the 1st year for the farm at the Beaver Farmers' Market ... they've been raising Shorthorn beef cattle & selling quality dry-aged beef for decades from their farm in Hookstown, PA.

Richard McElhaney & PA State Senator Elder Vogel Jr At Market

Add Some Herbs ........

A Nice Selection Of Herbs!

LFLF is also in the market for some herb plants just about now!   What a great selection .... the dill should be in your garden now if you plan to make any pickles.  We also like to snip basil for sauteed summer squash and we need a new Rosemary plant to pot up for the windowsill in the winter. 

Raspberries This Week!

Fresh Picked Black & Red Raspberries At Beaver Farmers' Market

Now the raspberries are in season and LFLF had to get three containers for a pie .... we'll add these to some home grown sour cherries for a cherry/berry pie! 

Beets, beets, beets .....

We also got some of the beets for dinner later in the week ....... one of the customers was getting a bunch of each to make a beet salad. 

Summer Squash Variety!

All in all, a happy morning crowd lined up and dodging the rain forecast!

Customers in line At Enon Country Gardens