Wednesday, June 4, 2008

To Market, To Market

High: 62° F
Low: 38° F
Conditions: Variable showers with high humidity
We got a rainy start to our first farmers market of the season, but luckily most people were not deterred. Ari certainly wasn’t. Saturday farmers markets are her favorite event of the weekend: not only does she get to try all kinds of tasty cheese and vegetable samples, but she also gets to check in with her favorite vendors. The farmers at the market really like Ari, and she really, really likes them. She has a hundred yodeling dances she performs for each one, and she knows who is most likely to drop everything to give her a belly rub or who won’t mind if she sticks her nose in their basil.

Ari also loves the market because it’s a great place to meet other dogs, and no one really cares how loudly she WOOs at them. Most Saturdays, she meets Spike, the temperamental Pomeranian who has a real soft spot in his heart for the caninaturalist. There’s also the Boston Terrier and the German Shepherd mix, who both love a good, leash-tangling greeting each weekend. And, of course, there’s Sylvie: a Pharoh-hound mix and the love of Ari’s life.

None of the other dogs made it out this Saturday—probably because of the bone chilling rain. Normally, Ari would be disappointed by this absence, but this weekend we were too busy to notice.

Our neighbor and historian, Judy Rock, has launched a new stand at the market. She sells traditional New England foods ranging from steamed brown breads and biscuits to baked beans and chowder. We’ve offered to work with her this summer, and Saturday was training day for both of us. Ari’s big training mostly involves not licking the baked goods (or reluctant customers). Mine comprised memorizing prices and recipes and how to make change while talking about potato beetles.

Neither of us had a perfect run as far as our new skills are concerned, but we did have a lot of fun—and we sold a lot of rhubarb muffins, too. We can’t wait to see what’s on the menu next week.

Yours in food,
K&A

PS-Thanks for all the kind words about our forthcoming book. And rest assured, it will not mean the end of Ari the Blog: we’ve met too many wonderful people, dogs, cats, goats, and teddy bears to stop now!!

21 comments:

umekotyan said...

Good evening Ari.
There is a farmer market also in my town.
There are a lot of onions and strawberries there.
And, agriculture is active land.
There is safety because the person who knows softly is growing a fresh
vegetable.
I am anxious about the book on Ari.
Do it obtain also in Japan?:)

from loved ume tyan

Kyanite said...

Hi there!

Sorry, I've been absent re commenting for ages...
Ari would love my local farmer's markets, every other Thursday, even I get tip-bits to sample!
There's cheeses, sausages, local lamb, trout & fancy breads.

Love,, pats & pats
Blue

Maverick the Pirate said...

Harrrrr Ari
I have heard Lisa the Mean went to the farmers market some time ago and everything looked fresh Harrrr But she did not take me?
Cap'n Maverick the Pirate

The Daily Echo said...

I like markets because markets mean FOOD!
ECHO

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

That looks like 'lots' of fun!

Yummy stuff AND attention for Ari!!

WOW!!!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Kodak the Eskie said...

The farmer's market looks like lots of fun. I think the yummy bread would be too hard for me to not eat it! You are so good Ari.

Hugs, Kodak

The Army of Four said...

Mmm.... basil. How I love to help myself to Mom's basil plants!
I hardly ever get to go to our Farmers' Market. It's in the late afternoon and evening and there's something about "it's over 90 (or 100) and you cannot come!" rule. Hrmph! There are so many cool SMELLS there, though!
Play bows,
Zim

Jans Funny Farm said...

Jan knows what you mean about you and Ari might both benefit from the DogPause bowl, but she's still laughing over it. Guess she should have mentioned, it slows the dogs down because they need to use their tongue to reach the food.

But now that you mention it, Jan could benefit from the bowl too.

Sharon said...

That sounds like a great place! Rusty would love it I'm sure!

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Wow we would love to go to that market with all that wonderful food. I bet it smells really good to especially in that shop where you are helping out. Mmmm bread...


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus and Louie

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

Sounds wonderful! I love Farmer's Markets. There aren't many of them around here anymore though.

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

The farmers market sounds wonderful. And rhubarb muffins? Yummy!
Please don't stop blogging. My mom and I like to visit and see the adventures you and Ari have. Can't wait for the book too!
--JB

Lorenza said...

We don't have those markets here!
Everything looks fresh and yummy!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

John Theberge said...

I love visiting the farmers market too, there's nothing like local grown produce for freshness.

Marigold said...

Way cool! Perhaps you can snatch some recipes for us. :) Does she work with Peanuts at all???

Danni said...

Fun. I'd love to see pics of Ari with all her favorite canine friends at the market. The egyptian-mix one sounds particularly interesting! :-)
I think it's cool that she gets to go along with you.
Thanks for your good wishes about the donks. I notice you didn't include them in your list of "nice peeps" you have met while blogging! :-)

Pippa said...

I went carbooting once with master and mistress. It was great fun.

I think it is very good for dogs to go to markets and meet people and dogs.

I hope Ari gets to go lots more because M&M have been too busy to take me again.

Pippa

Rhea said...

Farmer's markets are awesome. That's so great you go to yours regularly and that Ari has such a social life there as well. :o)

Khady Lynn said...

I sure wish I could try some tasty baked goods. Why do the humans feel the need to torture us with such goodies, then not give us any?

Can't wait for the book!!

Holly

Amici said...

Farmer markets are great places!! You get to sample yummy food, meet nice people, and fun dogs. :) That is a lot in one day!

Southbaygirl said...

Hi Ari-how fun to go to a farmers Market!! Ours is on a friday so mom and I hardly ever get the chance to go!!!

Velcro