Farmers Markets!!! July 30, 2009

On of my favorite things about summer is the fresh produce that abounds! This year in my home garden we are growing tomatoes, peppers, beets, Brussels sprouts among other items.  However, when the home garden does not satisfy my fresh veggie craving I love the check out the local farmers markets!! My favorite farmers markets are the Framingham Village Green Farmers Market and the Waltham Farmers Market.

Information about the Framingham Villiage Green Farmers market can be found at http://www.framinghamfarmersmarket.com/.  Recently, I visited the farmers market and got some peppers, corn, and tomatoes.  One of my favorite local farmers market vendors is Hanson’s Farm.  Hanson’s Farm is a local farm (located in Framingham) with great produce in the summer, and fabulous Halloween celebrations in the Fall.  Hanson Farm also brings a picturesque sign with them to the farmers Market.

When you visit the Framingham (Thursday) Farmer’s Market you can also walk around the picturesque Framingham Centre.  I love the rock walls of the historic buildings and I took the following photos at Framingham Centre for the Utata Thursday  Photo Walk:

 

 

I also really like the Waltham Farmers Market.   While the Waltham Farmers market is a little farther from my home I enjoy the fact that it is during the weekend.  The Waltham Farmers Market is is open on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM from late June through early November, on the corner of Main & Moody Street (in Waltham). Some of the Vendors at the Waltham Farmers Market include: 

Bart’s Farm Stand
Burnshirt Valley Farm
Country Desserts
Deborah’s Kitchen
Dick’s Market Garden
Donna Dee’s Designs
Flats Mentor
Hand Blown Glass
Hand Sewn Handbags
Hanson Farm
Josh Hill
Mamadou Artisan Bakery
Nature Photography
Silvermine Farm
Smith’s Country Cheese
Spicee Jewelry
TT Buds Popcorn
Warren Farm & Sugarhouse
Zachary Dean’s Coffee Bean Co

 

Framingham also has a second farmers market, St. Tarcisius farmers market in the St. Tarcisius Church parking lot in Framingham. Held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, July 15 to Oct. 30. I have yet to visit this Farmers Market but plan on attending soon.

Have you visited a Massachusetts area farmers market? If so, email me at Ellynn at gmail dot com and let me know your favorite markets and favorite vendors!!

Soundview Beach, Old Lyme, Connecticut July 13, 2009

As an adult living in Massachusetts the big place to go for the summer is, of course Cape Cod. However, I have actually never spent any really large amount of time at Cape Cod for the summer. This is because for almost 60 years my family has owned a cottage in the Long Island Sound shore town of Old Lyme. My grandparents and great-parents purchased what we affectionately call “the cottage” when my father was a small child. The cottage is truly that – a cottage complete with paper thin walls, a single outdoor shower, and plumbing that is only certified to work for three seasons.

View from the beach…

Specifically, my cottage is in/near a section of Old Lyme called Soundview Beach. While we are not on Hartford Avenue which is the main drag of Soundview Beach we are in the general area.

Soundview Beach is a great example of a place that has changed significantly over the years. Soundview beach has gone from being a heyday town during the time when my father was growing up (around 50-55 years ago), to being a place filled with strip clubs and what my parents define as “seedy” to what it is currently: a place where there is definite improvement and life next to places still waiting to be brought back. There are ice cream shops, hot dog stands, a carousel, and many more family friendly establishments. Additionally, there are several bar/restaurants right on the beach!

Soundview also has an active beach association. The beach association puts together great events like bingo, beach donuts, and the Fourth of July Parade! This year we were lucky to witness the community Fourth of July Parade. The parade was a great celebration of the United States and of the Community. It seemed like all ages turned out, decked out in Fourth of July Garb.

Fourth of July Parade

Soundview beach is one of the few public beaches on the Connecticut Shore. There is parking (both on street and pay lots), restaurants, beach side bars, ice cream stands and more.

Soundview beach is located at: One Hartford Avenue, Old Lyme, CT 06371.

If you are in Connecticut and going to explore the Connecticut shore I highly recommend visiting this gem!

Beach Chairs at Soundview