In Season - Blueberries and Gladiolus

I brought the largest armful of Gladioli home from market this morning. 

There were buckets of them, all locally grown, making the entrance to market square bright and cheerful. Because they were sold by stem, I could chooe from a variety of colours. I assembled a bouquet with stems from all of the pink varieties they grew.

I also picked up a pint of local blueberries. Eventually the boys and I will head out and pick our own, but for now, I couldn't pass by them. They'll be enjoyed with breakfast tomorrow in our pancakes or on top of our yogurt with granola.

A Lovely Mother's Day

This past Saturday the boys and I spent the whole day doing things I love to do. It was my Mother's Day treat.

The day started off in bed, snuggling with two beautiful boys who happily watched cartoons so I could sleep in a little longer than usual. We then headed to the shop for breakfast. They enjoyed waffles and I enjoyed a chocolate croissant and cappuccino. We then made our way to the Farmer's Market, where I picked out flowers for Ryan's mom, as well as a bouquet for myself. I couldn't resist the pail of Ranunculas, especially these few bunches with their pastel shades. We also picked up some of the season's first local Asparagus.

Before leaving, Willen challenged me to a game of checkers (chess), which I lost, due to some creative maneuvers on his part. I just enjoyed watching him grinning ear to ear, laughing each time one of his men went hopping all about the board.

I love going to market. I love coming home with something that's just started growing locally, and something freshly baked and delicious, and an armful of flowers, and maybe even some artisan cheese. It always feels very European and old.

When we got home, I arranged my flowers in water, and then we spent the afternoon outside in the yard. I walked around the gardens, looking at everything filling in and beginning to bloom, and realized that the first of our Rhubarb was ready to be harvested. I picked what was ready, and froze it to use later.

I think Ranunculas are such romantic looking flowers. Each one is shaped differently, or colored in a different shade, or a slightly different size. But that's why they make such beautiful arrangements.

And they change as they continue to open.

Mother's Day was busy with visiting with our moms, but it was still relaxing.

One of my favourite parts of Mother's Day is getting my special present from Willen. He has always made something at school that's a surprise, and he's always so proud when he gets to give it to me. This year, he made a candle holder out of clay, which he's carved and decorated. I love these so much, and cherish them.

And I love being a mom. My boys are one of my greatest blessings and fill my life with so much joy. Oh, it's hard some days, but they teach me grace and what's truly important in life, and they make me happier than I ever imagined I could be. I'm so thankful God has entrusted me with them.

To Market

On Saturday morning the boys and I went to the market. Our town has a market, however at this time of year it's still quite small. In the city, the St. Catharine's Farmer's Market is quite decent. 

They have a few produce vendors (some of whom are actually right down the road from our home), a flower man, a few different types of cuisine, gourmet coffee, cupcakes, cheese and cured meats, homemade ice cream and of course fresh breads and pastry.

One of my favorite bakeries is De La Terre in Vineland. Originally they were right down town here. I managed to resist the sticky buns and beautiful pain aux chocolat, but I did take home a fresh baguette.

I also picked up a quart of the first local strawberries! I'm so looking forward to strawberry season, however it's still a bit early. Pick-your-own will start in two weeks and that means I need to organize my jars for making jam.

As expected, the cut peonies were finally available. I brought home enough to fill each room of the house.

There are few other flowers that I love as much as these.

I also love a fresh baguette, especially when it's accompanied by delicious cheese. The French are clearly onto something!

And who doesn't love fresh picked strawberries?

A simple snack of a few berries, cheese and some fresh bread with oil and balsamic vinegar. Delicious.

The peonies didn't stay tight for long. By the end of the weekend most of them were unfurled and in full bloom.

Each room is filled with their beautiful scent!

To Market, To Market

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter]

Last night, just as the heat seemed to be lifting, and the night began to cool off, my parents popped in to take us down to the market in town. Because it's a smaller market, it's held on Thursday nights in town square. I don't mind, because it means I can attend a larger one in the city on Saturday mornings.

I was excited that our flower stand had a small pail of peonies for sale for the first time this season, so I took a couple bunches home with me, along with a pint of the season's first strawberries. Fresh picked local strawberries, all sun-ripened and sweet are one of my favourite things!

Here are a few other lovely stands that I like to frequent.

Cheesy Guys - They carry an assortment of the best local cheeses, including local cheese curds that are so fresh they still squeak! They've quickly become one of my favorite treats.

Howell's Family Farm Fudge. Yum. So far I've just sampled their delicious fudge because I don't dare bring any home for fear of it not even making it to the door.

The Herb Lady. She always carries an assortment of local, organic herbs.

And, this ladies man - The Chocolate Expressions booth. His accent is as thick as his caramel and I think he truly believes that chocolate is the way to any woman's heart. Though who could blame him, I mean even I get a little giddy when he's handing me a pretzel dipped in caramel, coated in nuts and drizzled with chocolate. Seriously.

A lovely assortment of peonies in various shades of pink from the Flower Man. Gorgeous.

I'm off to clean my house, and get things ready for a trip to an Auction a few hours away tomorrow. It'll be a super early morning, but I'm expecting to come home with a truck full of treasures!

Happy Friday girls and have a lovely weekend!

To Market

After meeting the entire family for breakfast this morning, my son and I took my mom and sister to the market.

Today, on this almost rainy winters day, it's was all about two things.

A bunch of fresh flowers, and chocolate croissants for with coffee.

I was happy that my flower man had finally returned from his winter escape, and that he brought with him pails of lovely cream and pink roses.

The croissants are from a local patisserie - De La Terre. They are everything a perfect chocolate croissant should be; not too flaky, but still airy, moist, but not chewy and stuffed with lots of dark chocolate... none of these tiny little bits of chocolate.

If I'm going to enjoy a chocolate croissant, I would like to taste the chocolate.

I found these gorgeous sap buckets last weekend, and couldn't wait to fill them. When I have my tag sales, I have a flower stand out of old orchard crates. Rusty old sap buckets hold all of my hand-tied bouquets and loose flowers. It's perfectly rustic.


Some of the roses have the slightest hint of pink in them.