Sunday afternoon was spectacular here is the PNW. The sun was brilliant. The weather manageably in the 50s. And the Ballard Market was the place to be. Every time I commit to a visit on market Sunday afternoons, I can't imagine why I haven't incorporated this into a weekly ritual. The day was so beautiful that the camera came along to play. But at last minute I decided I wanted to fully participate in the moment and it remained in my bag. I tend to be in observer mode behind the lens and the energy of the market begged to be savored. My active participation with all senses was required.
For the soul's ears, there was music every where. Guitars strumming, voices serenading, vendors excitedly peddling their wears, chimes ringing and lots of laughter. As with all early spring sun-drenched days in Seattle, happiness bubbles to over following in everyone you meet. Eyes sparkle. Smiles are readily given & received. You can see visually see the lift in everyone's spirits. And then comes the smells...fresh popped kettle korn, bundles of cut herbs, grilled sausages, seasoned salts, new cheese, candles, massage oils etc. My favorite scents come from the soy candles made with essential oils. I still have a lavender one I burn nightly before bed.
The whole environment is a tactile paradise...smooth fusion glass ornaments, delicate greens & herbs, rough corse potatoes, cool creamy cheeses, silky flowers, tickling felt monster balls, gritty gourmet salts, slick soaps and earthy vegetables. With absolute loving care the artisans and farmers handle their goods. And they bring you into the symbiotic connection, hand-to-hand, between the land/grower and the consumer/cook. Interactions take on heightened reverence.
The market is also a visual playground. The imagination behind the crafts and jewelry. First blooms of spring tulips and daffodils in lush paper wrapped bouquets. The hues of freshly picked greens and vegetables. The reds, yellow and blues of new potatoes. Amber tones of honey. Cleverly colorful knitted wears on the market-goers. Yellow and red flexed apples. And bright jewel tones flags trumpeting the market beginning & end. In the sunshine, every color seemed awaken to its true nature after a deep winter sleep.
There is a book I am currently reading by the author of "
The Artist Way" Julia Cameron called
"The Writing Diet - Write Yourself Right-Sized". An observation in her years of teaching was by writing out feelings and unleashing creativity, her students would naturally loss weight and experience a physical transformation. One of her exercises is to schedule a weekly culinary artist date with yourself to experience your love of food and to foster appreciation for your passion. Learning to eat well & healthy and not caught up in cycles of deprivation & hardship. This outing to the Ballard Farmer's Market was the perfect culinary date with myself. Not only did I get to experience pleasure through all my senses, I literally got to taste my way through the market. Stopped at a number of creameries to try local artisan cheeses. At the
River Valley Cheese, I purchased a small amount of Bo Vino (raw cow's milk cheese aged in Cabernet) and fresh chevre w/ blueberries & almonds - both absolutely divine. At Mt Townsend Creamery I was exposed to their other varieties of cheese. Their best seller
Seastack cheese is one of my all time favs. I was tempted and treated to samples of King Smoked Salmon, fresh apples, artisan breads, cookies and many more cheeses.
Wandering around I lunched on a buckwheat, ham, feta, egg & spinach crepe that transporting me back to the markets in Paris. And on my way out I was delighted to discover that the kettle korn folks also produced caramelized, cinnamon spiced nuts outfitted in the cellophane cone bags just like the German Christmas Markets. While they weren't quite as good as the ones in germany, I was tickled with my little travel mementoes. I scored some organic beef ribs, smoked salmon, organic leeks, variety of potatoes and cheese to work into this week's menu. And I helped support my local farmers in the process which is an important goal of mine.
An all around joyous trip to the market. Is Sunday again yet?