Brisk Market At Beaver

Beaver Farmers' Market Customers Bundled Up!

Saturday was probably the first of the really cool days to come.  It got up to 45 degrees, but coming off of 70 degrees a week ago, it seems bone chilling!  That and a little rain still didn't keep the customers at home yesterday. 

Picking Out A Cabbage From Oak Spring Farm

It does change what people are buying though.  Big bags of leafy greens and leeks, cabbage, potatoes, and apples were the order of the day.  We got a bag of one of our hard to find favorites - Melrose apples.
In our previous post, LFLF mentioned Thanksgiving decorations ... that proved to be a prophetic comment.  Look at the great display of winter sqaushes that can be used for decoration and then cooked up later ...

Douds-Floyd Farm Centerpiece Squashes!
 

Breads, baked goods, & apple cider were also being snapped up off of the tables ..

Colorful Halloween Cookies At Pat's Pastries

Shopping For Apples



Beaver Farmers' Market Is Open!

Beaver Farmers' Market Opening Day

LFLF went to the opening day of the Beaver Farmers' Market looking for green onions and did not come away disappointed.  I had to move on to "Farmer #2" because as I waited in line at "Farmer #1", eyeing the onions, the woman in front of me said "I'll take those too." pointing at the onion bunches.  Aaacckkk!   So ... it was time to move on to the next booth.

Oak Spring Farm - Potato Buying Customers In Line 

Schweikert Greenhouse Veggie Plant Flats & Herbs

Schweikert Greenhouse was at the market with lots of flowing baskets - perfect for Mother's Day - and the green flats of veggies and potted herb plants.  The hanging baskets were walking past us out of the market with several customers as we shopped.

More Folks In Line At Pat's Pastries

Of course, LFLF picked up a bag of cookies from Pat's Pastries ...

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

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!

Young & Old At Market!

Beaver Farmers' Market - Young & Old!

LFLF made a beeline for the holiday cookies and some potatoes at the Beaver Farmers' Market last Saturday.  The weather was surprisingly warm for this time of year & kids to grandparents were out enjoying the day.

Beaver Farmers' Market - Festive Holiday Cookies!

There are 2 more markets left for the season - December 8th and December 15th.  There are also fresh wreaths & swags for sale from May-Malone Farm and plenty of winter squash available to create a stash of long keepers for the winter. 


Beaver Farmers' Market - Veggies At Oak Spring Farm

Now For Beaver On Saturday!

Beaver Farmers' Market - Jackets & Sweatshirts!

We're finally getting caught up on the blog .....  LFLF zipped through the Beaver Farmers' Market on Saturday early while we were out running errands.   It was rather cool in the morning so everyone was wearing layers on top, but some hardy souls still had on shorts!  Since it was a bit crowded, we took a different approach and tried to sneak in pictures of the purchases being made ....

Buying Baked Goods At Pat's Pastries

Buying Beets At Oak Spring Farm

Buying Peaches At McConnells' Farm

Buying Peppers At Douds-Floyd Farm

Buying Sweetcorn At Swicks' Orchard

Now that's a lot of buying!  :)  As for LFLF, we got onions, cookies, sweet corn, tomatoes, & green peppers.   The onions were sauteed with a ham steak today & the tomatoes will be part of BLT sandwiches this week.  Some of the sweet corn will go into a Mexican meatloaf recipe!  Use your imagination, but the recipe includes taco seasoning, corn, black beans, salsa, with cheese & picante sauce on top.  Instead of rice or oatmeal, use a little crushed tortilla chips .........

Freezer Discovery!

It's a little harder to find things to talk about in the winter with local foods.  Most of what we have is stored ....... like winter squash, apples, onions, potatoes, etc.  But sometimes you get really lucky.  LFLF spied a plastic bag in the freezer today & pondered "what is this ......? "  It turned out to be a container of cookies from Pat's Pastries!  We picked them up on the last day of the Beaver Farmers' Market here   and they were intended for Christmas.  They were supposed to be taken to a family gathering, but, oh well!  They were a delicious surprise ---- we had them tightly wrapped and they were perfect!  :)

We still try to patronize local businesses & today we ate lunch at the Ponderosa Golf Course .  It was a farm before being converted to a golf course some time ago.  And yes, there were 2 duffers out today taking advantage of the "winter rates"!   Have you heard of the 350 Project ?

Last Day For Beaver Farmers' Market!

Pat's Pastries - Christmas Cookies!

Saturday was the last day of the season for the Beaver Farmers' Market in 2011.  LFLF took the opportunity to buy 2 batches of Christmas cookies from Pat's Pastries.  Don't they look great? We also picked up some white chocolate Peppermint Bark from Pat too.

And now farewell for the 2011 season from some of the farmers & vendors. See you in May!

Pat's Pastries - Wood Street Bread - Dave's Vegetables - Until Next Year!

Douds-Floyd Farm - Last Market!

Beaver Farmer's Market Opens



Enon Country Garden - Lots of Potted Plants

The Beaver Farmer's Market opened today for another season in the parking lot behind the Beaver County Courthouse.  There were lots of shoppers for plants and hanging baskets ..... Mother's Day tomorrow probably had something to do with that!  Vendors today included Wood Street Bakery with their excellent breads, McCormack Apiaries with honey & beeswax products, Littell Fudge, and Pat's Pastries.  Greenhouse potted plants, herbs, veggie flats & Amish baked goods rounded out the selection.
AND ........ we had sunshine for a change! 

Rhubarb Plants & Herbs

Flurries At Market!

What a morning at the Beaver Farmers' Market.  If you weren't in the mood for the holidays, the snow flurries should have fixed that!  We got our wreaths for the cemetaries, and by the looks of things, everyone else wanted wreaths and swags too.  The Volkars have lots of wreaths ready to go, or they will even do some customizing for you.  We have our wreaths wired firmly to the stands before we take them. 
Pat was braving the weather with her baked goods ..... here she is behind her sunglasses! 

Pat's Pastries - look at the Holiday packaging!

The last thing that LFLF picked up was a gallon of apple cider from Oak Spring Farm .... last pressing of the season ??????  We couldn't take the chance and wait until next weekend.

Pat's Pastries

There was a light rain/drizzle on & off at the Ambridge Farmers' Market on Thursday evening. Just enough to make picture taking risky ..... but we got one shot in under the tent at Pat's Pastries!

Like last week, there are tons of pumpkins, squashes, gourds, potatoes, cabbage, onions, peppers, leeks, apples, pears, 2nd crop green beans, & sugar pod peas.