Chalk up another picture-perfect day at the Farmer’s Market! 8)

It was a quintessential, clear-blue summer sky morning and Ben and I got up early to head on down to do what we do best at the FM – shop…and eat!

 

We parked and as I was getting out of the car, Ben ever so slyly popped open the glove box. "Oops," he said "you forgot something!" I turned back to look, and out came an envelope full of cash to be used for a Farmer’s Market shopping spree. A SHOPPING SPREE?! Wheeee!

There are actually several, really cool art vendors at the market that sell old, antique window frames with painted window panes. Every week I exclaim "oooo I REALLY want one of these!" so he decided that I could use the money to pick one out as part of my birthday gift. I didn’t find one that I LOVED this week, so I’m holding onto some of the money for the next time I go back!

 

 

The rest of the money was put to goooood use though.

Starting with corn. Lots and LOTS of sweet, Iowa corn!

Us Iowans believe our home-grown sweet corn is a summer delicacy, to be cherished and revered. 

This was the first weekend I’ve seen it at the Farmer’s Market and palatte after palette of sweet corn was bought and sold before we knew it. Everyone was cleaned out by the time we left!

After making sure to snag some corn of our own, we started making the usual rounds. Starting with, you guessed it, Great Harvest.

 

Where I had a slice of seedy, chewy Dakota Bread and Ben dove into some Cheddar Garlic Bread, which he proclaimed to be the best bread he’s ever eaten.

Next up, say it with me, the nut butter tent!

Where I oh-so casually helped myself to two or three pretzel fulls of honey roasted peanut butter. GOSH I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!!!!! I desperately want to buy a container, but I know I’d eat the whole thing in three days. Bleh!

The vegetables were looking particularly gorgeous this week, so I stocked up on some yellow and green zucchini and a perfectly, perfect tiny red onion.

Oh, this was exciting! The first week the market opened, I saw this gourmet pasta tent.

I didn’t buy any pasta then, and I’ve been kicking myself ever since because I hadn’t seen the tent on any subsequent weekends.

Until now! They were back today, and I wasn’t going to miss out on my chance to purchase some homemade, flavored pasta! Ben and I debated between Lemon Garlic Orzo,

and Italian Pesto Blend.

Lemon Garlic?

Or Italian Pesto Blend?? Italian Pesto Blend won out. And off we went.

To get PUPUSA’S!!!

It’s been weeks, people!

Thick, hand-shaped corn tortillas, filled with a heaping portion of fresh spinach and queso,

then cooked until a nice, chewy crust has formed on the outside.

This makes me so happy!

See?!

Ughhhhhhhh….

The cruuuuust…

The cheeeeese…

I die!

Here’s my final booty. Northern Prairie Garlic Chive Chevre, the Italian Pesto Blend Pasta, sweet corn, zucchini, a red onion and some Country Italian bread from a local bakery here in town. Yummers!

After the market, we ran several exciting errands, including one to Walmart where I bought these boating shoes. Aren’t they adorbs?! $5!! Now I just need a boat. Or a friend with a boat. And not so veiny feet. Sheesh!

I also got a new mouse!

My mini mouse peaced out a couple weeks ago, and I’ve been using the sensor pad on my laptop – which I HATE – ever since. I decided that an upgrade to a nice, wireless mouse was in order, and it makes ALL the difference. Loves!

I’m going to head out for a run, go see a friend who’s in town, then Ben and I are going to go celebrate my birthday a couple days early with a night out on the town. Summer lovin’ weekends – had me a blast! 8)