Fabulous Farmer Market Finds
By tlpoague
Welcome to Mardy's Market!
Taking time to enjoy the little things.
I love to travel. Whether it is to visit family or just taking a scenic route to the doctor's, I enjoy those peaceful moments on the road staring out the window. It allows me a bit of quiet time to contemplate little things in my life, or to dream up my next hub.
I treasure those moments when the long summer days lead into fall and harvest is just beginning. Little food stands pop up along the road advertizing their treasures, as an array of colors draws my eyes to the ripened, fabulous, fruits and vegetables.
Visit Beloit Kansas
1515 North Walnut Street Beloit Ks. - Once a week, Beloit holds a farmer's market for visitors and the locals to purchase fresh produce.
Step one...break down...
On this particular day, my hubby and I were on our way back home, with no intentions of stopping anywhere. The car had another idea. It began to overheat a few miles out of the town of Beloit Kansas. This was a bit on the ironic side since the hubby and I were just talking about ideas for a hub. His ingenious idea for a hub just presented itself. We pulled over and gave our car a once over. My hubby told me it wasn't a big deal. We could fix it when we got home. In the mean time, he would add some extra water to it and we would be on our way.
I asked to stop for something to eat, as we passed through Beloit. It was at that moment, that my hubby spotted a farmer's market across from Dairy Queen. Normally, he doesn't browse through these much, but knew that I do. So we pulled in to check out the produce. I am a sucker for fresh food. (Ok, just food in general.)
Step two...Food, Food, and more food!
The first thing to catch my eye was an elderly lady selling used books to support the library. This was a interesting way to bring attention to supporting a reading program. I glanced at a few of the titles to see if there was anything I could add to my collection at home.
Next we seen a stand full of homemade baked goods and jellies. My hubby couldn't believe how big the cinnamon rolls were. Two of them together was the size of a loaf of bread. Yum! I stopped for a brief moment at a table full of doilies, before a trailer full of produce caught my attention. I loved the unique way it was set up. It resembled a mini store, complete with its own weight. There were so many displays of fruit and veggies that I was pulled in different directions.
I seen an unusal sign and had to check it out. It was a giant popsicle. A lady was selling popsicle cakes. These were interesting bits of cake on Popsicle sticks decorated to resemble suckers. I had never seen or heard of them before. I was facinated! It looked like it took a bit of patience to make one of these.
Next to her was a Snickerdoodle lady. She was displaying a table with cookies, which looked as if most of them had sold out. She wore the cutest hat. I continued my stroll...hubby in tow...
Check out these sales!
Step three...What to buy? Hmmm...
My eyes were then drawn to a table full of roses. Mason jars displayed an array of dried flower potpourri. I couldn't help but pause to smell the roses. It reminded me of a lotion I had bought recently through Mobu Herbals. It was like standing in a field of roses, the odor was so strong and enchanting. I didn't want to put it down, but another table had caught my hubby's eye. It was full of homemade soaps, lotions, and laundry detergent.
Homegrown Homemade Potpourri
Organic, All Natural, Homemade Elixirs, Soaps, Lotions, and Medicinal Balms
Here is a variety of useful products for those that want to go green.
Like two drugged up robots, we were drawn to the little brown bottle displays. They were filled with homegrown, homemade elixirs to help with any ailments one may develop. There was something for everything from allergies to tummy troubles. I was hooked. I am a sucker for herbal products. This was right up my alley, and the thing that had caught my hubby's eyes enough to stop in a place he normally doesn't. The man behind the table told us stories about how he came to make these wonderful, organic, all-natural, helpful products. The recipe was an original from over one hundred years old. It had been passed from one generation of Native American to another over the years, until it landed in his hands and before us. I was drawn to the colorful soaps, lotions, and medicinal balms. My hubby, while listening to the gentleman’s story, was enchanted by the array of elixirs.
The gentleman went on to explain how each of these elixirs worked to help the bodies immune system to fight off colds, coughs, and other ailments. Each were made with a medicinal arrangement of herbs, to create a cocktail that was like liquid vitamins. Each bottle was highly concentrated so a little bit went a long way. One to three drops, one to three times a day, was all it took to boost your immune system.
He went on to explain how each of the soaps and lotions help to soften skin. The homemade laundry detergent was so concentrated, a person could do 150 loads of laundry with one gallon. These products are perfect for those people that enjoy living green, had allergies, or were sensitive to name brand products.
Did you know...?
Did you know that some name brand laundry products are 80% petroleum?
See results without votingHere is something for everything to enhance green living.
Step four...Life's little surprises.
My hubby and I are one of those people that are always on the look-out for unique, interesting, homemade products. I am one that is on the look-out for alternative forms of medications, since I am sensitive to most medication. These products were right up my alley. I seen our overheated car as a blessing. If it wasn't for that minor problem, we wouldn't be standing here talking to this gentleman, with a chance to purchase products and produce to enhance our living lifestyle. I walked away happy and content. My hubby walked away in awe over the idea of a small bottle of herbs and its healing powers. (He had to purchase one to try it out.)
So the next time you are out and about, check out the local farmer's market. You may be surprise at what you find. It you just happen to be passing by Beloit Kansas on market day, stop by. It will be worth your time to hear a bit of history.
The man behind the product.
Eating green
 | Fabulous recipes to use for cooking and eating your produce that has been homegrown or bought from a farmer's market. Amazon Price: $9.18 List Price: $16.95 |
Conclusion
The picture above is the man behind these wonderful products. He travels in his spare time, selling his wares to enhance green living to others. When he isn't traveling, he is writing and just recently published a book. For more information about him or his products, email me through my HubPages account.
What was your most impressive Farmer's Market find?
Thanks Cardisa,
It was fun to check out. I love places like this. My favorite is eating seedless watermellon on a hot day with other fresh mellons.
This is delicious, second only to being there, love the photos!
Tipoague, this was such a Fun and Informative Hub read...I too Love Farmer's Markets...When we went to Florida there is a Famous one called, "Festival" in Pompano Beach and a Bigger outdoor one at a Drive-In, Ft. Lauderdale ...Where else could one find an Elephant ring...and the BEST fruits and Vegetable and Pastry. I look forward to Following your Hubs...Hope you will Follow mine as well.
This all sounded so exciting. I love those kind of 'finds'.
Thanks Snakeslane, I was lucky enough to have my camera that day to take these fabulous photos.
Thanks B., That sounds like a fun one to visit. I have never been to either one. Have you wrote any hubs about them? If so, I need to get over there to read them. Thanks again!
Thanks Jloeding, It isn't too often that one will stumble across these finds, where we live. It was just fortunate that we found this one that day.
I love Farmer's Markets and your photos of this one were so appetizing and colorful they made my mouth water. Hubby and I usually stop at Farmer's Markets with the intention to eat healthy but invariably there are vendors selling those luscious looking home baked goods and home made jams just like you have here and the healthy intentions fall by the wayside.
Enjoyed this hub. Thanks for posting it.
Great article! I definitely need to start visiting more farmer's markets!
Thanks Happy, It is amazing what one can find at some Farmer's Markets. I do the same, when I start out to eat healthy. It's those darn baked goods...they draw me in every time. Thanks again for stopping by.
Thanks cre8ivOne, Farmer's Markets are a fun place to visit because you never know what someone may be selling. I once went to a market and found a person selling antiques and hand crafted items. I like to look for out of the way shops too, to see what unique items can be found. Thanks again!
Tip, great hub, I like to cruise these places and participate in one now and again, good stuff. thanks.
Peace,
dust
Watch out for the cantaloupe!
There is nothing that tastes better than farm fresh picked or self picked produce. Also many of these farmers produce perserves that are out of this world with flavor and freshness not to mention the honey available. I love them.
I could spend the entire day there.I love a Farmer's Markets. The craft display was beautiful. A yard sale would have topped it off for me. Thank you....
Hi tipoague, I love a farmers market, the produce is always fresh and inviting and I love all the craft stalls.
Great hub and loved the photos too!
I would like to take a moment and thank everyone for their supportive comments, and to apologize for taking so long to respond. I wish I had the time to personally thank everyone, but am checking my comments between customers. I didn't realize that starting your own business was so time comsuming, but couldn't resist tapping into my HP addiction. Thanks again everyone!
I would have given the books the once over and gotten a box of fresh food, instead of the herbal remedies. I'm always ferreting around in the second hand tools stands, looking for well made ones. Yes it is nice strolling around these stalls and i think up stuff whilst i'm driving too. Cheers
Great hub and hope your new business is doing well
Thanks attemptedhumor,
I was quite suprised to see my hubby purchase the herbal remedies. I didn't expect him to be so interested in the stuff. That is great that you can find second hand tools at these kind of places. I will have to keep a look-out for some. Thanks again!
Thanks Mom,
Business is going a little crazy. We had a full weekend with a lot of learning experiences. Many mistakes were made, but we didn't do too bad for a first time. I could have done without the cold and rain. It dampered having a big crowd.
We are taking a break for a few days waiting on some paperwork before we can hit it again. In the meantime, I thought I would catch up on some reading and see if I could do some writing. Big Nam is cooking up some pot pickled eggs. I can't wait to get some photos of that, before he leaves. Danny boy drew all his tags this year. Nam is going up to help him.
How is the writing going??
I love to wander around Farmers markets. The popsicle cakes looked really cute.
It was fate your car over eating like that, funny how things happen.
Thanks Rosemay,
I have to agree, I think it was fate that our car overheated like that. I haven't tried the popsicle cake, but they do look good. Thanks again for stopping by!
I learned a lot from this wonderful Hub! It is fantastic and the photographs are exquisite. You had an eye-opening experience. Thank you for sharing it with us. I could not have enjoyed this more. :)
Thanks James,
I love checking out these kind of markets to see what interesting stuff people have to sell. I was surprised to find a guy that made his own soap and vitamins. I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
OK...that does it! A farmer's market is on my list of places to visit soon. It has just been way too hot this past summer even in the mornings to make me want to get out in the heat. But now temperatures are moderating. Your pictures were great and you can thank the slight malfunction of your car forcing you to stop. Ha! Talk about making lemonaide out of lemons! You did it! Voted up!
Thanks Peggy,
I was grateful that the car broke down. It was a blessing to see so many wonderful things and to meet the man behind the 100 year old recipe products. There are different times during the summer to hit a farmer's market if you are looking for certain products. Berries come out first, then tomatoes, beans, peas and some fruit, toward the end of the summer months, you can pick up all sorts of mellons and fruit, by fall there will be pumkins, squash, apples and many other items. A lot of the harvest depends on the area you live in, what the farmer planted, and how soon things produced.
It is amazing what one can find in a farmer's market from a small town. I have seen all sorts of crafts show up. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find some interesting markets to visit soon.
I love to go to the Farmer's Market. The produce is grate and you never know what you will find! Great hub!
Thanks 2besure! Sorry it took me so long to respond back. Life is a little crazy right now. Thank goodness for some snow so we could slow down a bit. I love checking out markets to see what I can find. This one was a blessing we didn't expect. Thanks again!
Just love following you along, I think I filled the back of my truck a few times over. It is so special to stop at what we call Farmers Markets and craft fairs here in Canada. The local talent is second to none in comparison to what we see in box store and the quality is exceptional. Your photo journey and writing bring me wishing summer was starting all over again. Well I guess we will need to go to the community centres to see what is new.
Hugs and Blessings
Thanks Quill,
It is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. I am still grateful for the car breaking down in order for us to find this hidden gem. I am looking forward to seeing what next year brings. Thanks again for stopping by! Blessings
I love this hub! There is so much good stuff here. I love going to farmers markets, everything is so fresh and 'green' :) that man with the homemade soaps and detergent looks like he's been working hard. Looks like a lot of fun!
Thanks Nicole,
I love them too. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can travel around to the different markets in the area. It is amazing what one can find. Thanks again for stopping by.
Cardisa 8 months ago
This looks like a lot of fun. I would really enjoy it there. All the yummy stuff and fresh veges.