Long time, no blog

I can’t seem to get away from the topic of watermelon, as a huge chunk of watermelon is resting on my desk as I type this. Oh well, it’s summer – ‘tis the season, right?

Speaking of seasonal summertime treats, for those of you in Nashville, you’ve got to get over to Miss Martha’s Ice Cream Crankin’ at 4 p.m. this Sunday. Check out the details here – but it’s a Purity Dairy-sponsored event with proceeds going to the Martha O’Bryan Center which works with low-income families. $10 gets you all the homemade and Purity ice cream you could ever ask for. Scott and I have gone for the past two summers we’ve lived in Nashville. Yeah, it’s hotter than hell, and yeah, the ice cream melts so much that I would never, ever suggest you wear white or something you deeply care about to this event. A bib would be a must-have. But, it’s awesome. Lots of church groups and civic organizations compete for the best flavor, there’s live music, and it’s held under the big shade trees in a churchyard on Franklin Road.

Scott and I enjoyed a great weekend trip to Chattanooga to visit family and we stopped by the Chattanooga Farmers Market. Best items purchased: heirloom tomatoes in bright crayon-colored red and yellow, peaches so tasty I don’t even want to waste time peeling the fuzz from them, big red bell peppers, and a fresh-squeezed lemonade to make all the sweaty time spent out in the market worthwhile and bearable.

I’d like to see the Nashville Farmers Market take some tips from what our neighbor city down south is doing – the vendors seem to all be local. It’s a little frustrating sometimes at the Nashville market when you’re dubious of the produce – especially when “from Mexico” stickers and boxes are strewn about. For the most part the vendors are local, hardworking people with their own wares, but some I just don’t think have ever stuck their hands in any soil. Surely there must be more vendors who have their own farms. If I wanted to buy wholesale fruit and veggies, I’d just go to Kroger’s or Costco.

Also of note at the CFM – there are TONS of vendors there with booths for crafts, jewelry, paintings, handcrafted furniture, handbags and more. I don’t know what’s up with the flea market portion of the Nashville market, but I don’t think a $3 cell phone charger or a Scarface t-shirt qualifies as a sustainable purchase. Surely there must be local artists who would enjoy a space to display their work – albeit in the humid climes of a Nashville summer. But still, localizing more of the things at the market would be a big improvement.

And some random things….
If you’re : looking for a healthy pita recipe – from the Splendid Table
Going camping and don’t want to eat freeze dried pasta.

Adios for now…
E