Inspiration by Farmer's Market

We are in the depths of Farmer's Market season here in Colorado and it is always amazing to me to see the markets packed with shoppers week after week!  And, I do have to say that it is very encouraging to see our communities supporting the local farmers, crafters, and artisans at these markets.  For me personally, one of the main reasons that I enjoy a local farmer's market is because I just love to pick up all the fabulous fresh produce that is available and occasionally find a sauce, jam, or bread that is irresistible too!  And for whatever reason, the produce that I get at these markets just tastes better than what you can grab at the grocery store.  Maybe that's because the markets are bringing the produce to us at the peak of their season when they are intended to be enjoyed the most.

But one of the other reasons I enjoy the local farmer's markets is that I get SO inspired!  I don't know what it is exactly that bubbles up this inspiration, but I always walk away with energy to do something - whether it is to cook yummy meals with all the fresh goodies I find, to decorate or refresh my surroundings with fresh flowers or herbs, to work on my garden (which right now consists only of a tomato plant, a couple of herbs, and a few geraniums), to throw an outside dinner party, or just simply be outside enjoying my surroundings - I just LOVE it!  However, with the typical hours of our local farmers markets falling during our own shop hours I am greatly limited in my attendance of the markets.  So instead I have decided to bring the farmer's market "feeling" and inspiration to Bella Vita this summer...

{These Farmer Market Bags are perfect for carrying all those goodies you find}

{And these porcelain Berry Baskets are fabulous for holding your fresh berries, soaps, or whatever!}

{I LOVE these handmade seasonal jams that we have - absolutely DEELISH!!}



{Handmade Marshmallows - perfect for S'mores whether camping or just needing a dessert for dinner}

We actually have several Farmer's Markets going on through the summer right here in Evergreen - the Bergen Village Farmer's Market (every Tuesday from 10-2 at Bergen Village), the Downtown Farmer's Market (every Thursday from 2-6 right on Main Street), and the Evergreen Farmer's Market (every Wednesday from 11-5 in the Mountain Home parking lot). 

And, this year, I have discovered the BEST kept secret in town...the produce stand at Aspen Specialty Catering's Store Front in Conifer.  This local catering business opens it's doors every Thursday from 11-2 and sells delicious produce (with amazing prices too!).  The selection is different each week, and you have to get there early because they run out fast.  Oh, and while you are there, you can grab lunch too.  They usually have a couple of sandwich selections, salads, and soups - all handmade with fresh ingredients by Mary & Craig.  It's the best little inspirational treat in town!

Life is a...Chocolate Cherry Tomato Plant

Summer is finally on our doorstep here in Colorado and since it is such a short season in Evergreen for gardeners, I get particularly anxious when we have agreeable weather so early in the season.  At the first nod of sun and warmth, I get overwhelmed with a desire to plant red geraniums, herbs, and even a few veggies.  This year I found myself in one of those gardening dilemmas - I was ready to plant but knew it was much too early. 

It was the end of April and we were having an unusually warm and dry spring week.  Mother's Day was coming and we desperately needed some flowers (and some color!) in the front of our shop.  Knowing that our selection of flowers was going to be limited because of the earliness of the foothill season, I set out to look for something that could handle cold evenings and perhaps deter the hungry wildlife while still producing a nice 'pop' of color.  And, of course there is really no place to land with all of that criteria other than Pansies.  {Always fascinating to me that such a hardy flower has a name that doesn't even come close to describing it's true character!}  As I was perusing the lovely selection of pansies at our local garden center, I came across a small little tray of plants that looked like cherry tomatoes.  I have no idea why this tray of plants caught my eye since cherry tomato plants are a dime a dozen, but today they captured my attention in an unexpected way.  I went over to look at them, pulled the tag, and was surprised when I read the description....Chocolate Cherry Tomato.  Now, all of you gardeners out there may think this was not a unique find.  But to me this was hugely fascinating!  I had never seen or even heard of one of these plants and was therefore instantly intrigued.  I began to ask the very helpful garden center ladies if they knew much about them.  They told me that they were cherry tomatoes but with a "chocolate" colored skin.  I was still considering whether or not to buy this little plant, when one of the ladies told me that what she had in that tray was all that she was going to be able to get this year.  I snapped one up as quickly as I would consume a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup if it had been in my hand! 

I took my little Chocolate Cherry Tomato plant home and have been nursing it in my kitchen since then.  It actually did very well over the last few weeks and has grown quite a bit with little 'blooms' beginning to sprout.  This week was the first week though that I finally felt confident enough to leave it outside, but it was still in the little plastic pot that I had purchased it in which had become much too small for it's size and it's sprawling roots.  My schedule wasn't allowing me the time to transplant it into a bigger pot, and I was becoming frantic with worry by the second (just ask my husband!) that I was slowly killing it.  So, finally this morning I had the opportunity and the time to finally put this intriguing little plant into a proper home.  As I was planting it, I was so quickly reminded of the joy that gardening brings to me.  I walked away from my one planting this morning and was overwhelmed with not just the feeling of joy but also with the most strong feeling of LIFE.  There is truly so much life to live and planting a Chocolate Cherry Tomato plant is just one little tiny aspect of that for me.  I think Summer is an interesting season of living in so many ways.  People are outdoors more, there are baby elk & deer springing up everywhere, and we see what we planted in the Spring come fully to life, to grow, and then to produce ingredients for a delicious meal or just to grace us with it's sheer beauty.  Ahhh....perhaps life after all is not just a bowl of cherries, but a Chocolate Cherry Tomato Plant too!  Happy Gardening & Happy Living this Summer!

P.S.  I will definitely keep you posted on the progress of my plant, but in the meantime, according to the Park Seed Co., this is what the Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes will look like....