It has been great enjoying the summer weather these past couple of weeks. My favorite time of year is when you go outside in shorts and a t-shirt and feel like you're in a nice warm oven - that time is now. Although around here it's a very moist oven, but hey, I'm not complaining. One thing that comes with summer months is the farmers market. The inaugural trip to the Shreveport Market took place yesterday. I got the best tasting blueberries I've ever had, no joke. They were completely sweet and did not have any tart bite to them. Also purchased were some white potatoes, strawberries, honey BBQ sauce and banana nut muffins. Nothing disappointed and a return trip will be warranted next weekend. I'm just going to have to drag my butt out of bed earlier because by the time I rolled into the market, you could tell that everything had been picked over...and there was no corn left. Lesson learned, the early bird gets the corn.
Growing up in Illinois, we always went to the apple orchard in the fall to pick fresh apples and it was such a blast. Well, I learned earlier this week about a blueberry farm where you get to pick your own blueberries! Who knew such a place existed?!? I can't wait to see what picking blueberries entails. I don't know if they grow on the ground and I'll have to crouch down to pick them or if they grow on a vine and at shoulder level...if you know, please enlighten me...
The 59th annual Ruston Peach Festival took place this weekend in Ruston, LA, which is about 45 minutes from home. Peaches are right up there with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries as favorites of mine in the fruit food group. The Ross' (Steve & Angela) made the trip to Ruston yesterday as well to experience the festival - a first for all four of us. Steve and I are pictured above enjoying snow cones...they really hit the spot in the 100 degree pounding afternoon heat. At one point I was almost positive I was melting into the cement. Overall the afternoon was a lot of fun, but would not be honest if I didn't say that I left a bit disappointed. The motivating factor for my enthusiasm to attend was because I was under the impression there would be everything peach imaginable. You know, peach pie, peach cobbler, peach smoothies, peach daiquiris and/or margaritas; however none of these existed anywhere that I looked. The nerve! It was mostly arts & crafts and festival type food - which was fun to check out. The best highlights you ask? Obviously spending quality time with the Ross'; but also discovering the peach ice cream (divine) that you'll see Ray enjoying below, and picking up a bushel of Ruston peaches that are arguably the best peaches I've tasted.
