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)
What a great way to spend the day! I’m jealous of your shopping spree!
Oohhso much beautiful veggies and nut butters!! I desperatly want to go to a Famer’s Market :’(
The farmers market you go to looks amazing, so much fresh produce and the weather looks gorgeous!
If that peanut butter is anything like that honey roasted stuff I get here (it looks exactly like it!) I can understand your addiction!!!
Wow, such great finds at the market today! That pasta sounds great! Love the shoes, and I have the same mouse!
Ah! What a sweet hubby! Sounds like a great start to a wonderful long weekend. Happy Birthday!
When I see huge farmers markets like yours I really wish we lived near one. Ours is cute but not a great variety.
cute post! you have gorgeous skin..pretty complexion
have fun with ben+friends!
i also NEED to use a mouse. i hate the sensor. i have a mouse that plugs into my laptop and i get teased all the time at work but i don’t care lol
I had a pupusa today too! I’m officially hooked. I also picked up some corn and some peaches too. It was a perfect day today to spend outside browsing! : )
Love your tank!! Where did you get it?
I completely adore your purple ruffle neck tank top that you wore in the photo with tortillas! So cute.
I read your blog nearly every day, and we were at the downtown FM this morning and I passed by you and it felt like a little mini celebrity sighting!
a lot of you have dell…why not mac?
and i want to taste that pupusas
Pretzels + PB is one of my all time favorite combos! Glad you had such an awesome shopping spree.
Your Farmer’s Market puts my Farmer’s Market to shame! I’m comin’ to Iowa!
WOWZA your famers market is INCREDIBLE!! We have a pretty dinky one here in Missouri, but I’m moving to San Antonio next week and I hear they have an awesome one! I hope so!
Hope you have a great night!
Yes, we do have the BEST farmer’s market here in Des Moines, Iowa. It is an amazing place to live. I am soooo excited about the sweet corn being ready!!!!!!!
What an awesome shopping spree
I can usually control food envy when I read blogs but those pupusas get me every time!
What an amazing market! I wish we had something like this over here, but here, markets are usually pretty blah, dirty and too noisy for my taste :/
[...] Comments « A Shopping Spree Just for Me! [...]
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OHG! Just found your site and being a fellow Central Iowa girl that LOVES to eat and to go to the downtown Des Moines Farmer’s Market for papusas, I was amazed to see this posting!!!! These are about the only thing that my husband will get out of the house early for! Freaky to see that online, but keep up the good work. I am hooked on your site now!
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[...] Girl Eats is a major Pupusa Fan. I’d never given them much of a second thought after admiring her mini-Farmers’ [...]