A 6 FOOT PANE!

Stopping for coffee and some buns at my favourite bakery- Roberto's Bakery in Richmond Hill, just a smidge south of Aurora, this 6 foot pane was waiting for the customer to pick it up. There was a special event planned and the people were going to slice it and make a large multi-layered sandwich to be cut at their event. Barb could not resist the photo.

Lots of goodies including some pastries are made here. We bought some of those delicious pastries for the grandkids. But they were not fussy. Next time I will buy them some cupcakes from the Supermarket.

GRANPA VISITS THE NEWMARKET FARMERS' MARKET

Newmarket is north of Toronto. Just go up Yonge Street or the faster route that I took up the Don Valley/ 404. The market is easily accessed from Mulock Drive, turn north on Bayview. The market is at Timothy and Doug Duncan streets in the Newmarket Riverwalk Commons.Near the historic part of town so shopping afterwards is doable. Barb and I had a fun visit to this market close to home.
Newmarket Farmers' Market

Pretty flower beds and a fountain.

Music provided a background for an early exercise group that was working out.

Barb bought some Kettle Corn from the Captain Kettle Corn booth. 

On the hunt for food!

So much to consider.

We bought some beef meat pies from Bailey who was helping her father at the booth.

Barb always likes to try to find something different than just food. So she headed over to the wine booth.

Nick from Tawse Winery helped Barb with her purchases of Spark Riesling and Pinot Gris Redfoot bottles of wine. Located in Vineland, the winery has been a family-owned operation. She will save the bottles for a special occasion. 

Tawse Winery

Barb bought some butter tarts from this seller. She always likes to sample the variety of tarts available in the province. Although there are significant butter tart trails in Wellington and Durham counties, Barb has created her own trail.

Oh Ontario peaches. I bought some peaches and golden plums from the Greg's fruit and vegetable booth. They come from Beamsville Ontario to sell their wonderful fresh produce.

I always love the service and enthusiasm of the people in the markets I attend. It does make the outing very enjoyable each time I buy some produce.

Barb bought a cauliflower and large Spanish Onion from the Willowtree farm booth. Barb and I have been to the Willowtree Farm several times over the years on our day jaunts to Port Perry. It is located just west of the town and has a wonderful store as well as activities on their property.

Willowtreefarm

We actually needed broccoli but another cauliflower is okay.

So many wonderful booths with a variety of food.

A good haul for the day. Fun market in a beautiful setting. Love the flowers and places to sit. 

We had the beef meat pies for dinner. I made some brown gravy. Cooked most of the cauliflower but left some pieces for Barb to use on the veggie and dip tray. She prefers it raw, I prefer it cooked. There were some cobs of corn to use so our dinner was quite tasty. The pastry in the pie was enough carbs for me. Barb, however, needed to sample the butter tarts for her ongoing survey of the best butter tart. 

GRANPA VISITS THE LINDSAY FARMERS' MARKET 2016

A long August weekend so a good time to go on one of those 1/2 day trips. Barb and I headed to Lindsay Ontario. About a two hour more or less drive from home, less for me but more for Barb. Now considered part of the City of Kawartha Lakes region. It is a sweet town north-east of Toronto in the Trent-Severn Waterway system.

Like the sign says it has been around since 1859. Like other markets we have visited, likes to say one of the oldest and longest running markets in Ontario. The website said there are 35 vendors. It dis not seem like that many but who was counting.

Having a good look around the market. It is on Victoria Street which is in the historic part of Lindsay. Runs between Kent and Peel. With the little avenue in the middle, made for an easy stroll. Barb was buying some new potatoes from the Kent Farms booth around since 1940.Kent Farms

Barb bought some perogies and cabbage rolls for dinner later. Not sure I would like them. But she said let's have something different. You know me, I don't like to try new foods. Taste of Russia

Barb needed some Maple Syrup so bought a tin of the medium dark from this booth. Lots of cucumbers too for pickling or just fresh eating.

And corn!

Love the fresh local produce.

My Barb, not the Baker Barb bought butter tarts and cheese buns from this booth. Barb likes to sample butter tarts wherever we go. To try to find the ultimate butter tart- a very Canadian treat! Barb's Home Baking

A booth selling wood working products.

Don't you love those big wood bugs!

Steve Cameron gave Barb a business card. The wood items really were beautifully made.
South Mountain Reproductions  A visit later to his website was a delight!

I bought some oyster mushrooms from this booth.

Gardening tips anyone? I have a tip. Put wire around your eggplants. I had some lovely ones growing, ready to eat and the squirrels got them!

So a walk around also gave Barb an opportunity to find some other photo ops! I was hungry so we headed to the strip plaza part of town finding a Smitty's restaurant for a mid-morning breakfast.

Our stash from the day!
We had the perogies and cabbage rolls for dinner. Barb loved them but I prefer my spaghetti and sauce!
#lindsaymarket#mushrooms#freshfruitandvegetables#southmountainreproductions#atasteofrussia#barb'shomebaking#countrymarkets#ontario#buttertarts

GRANPA HAS FINE DINING AT A FRIEND'S DINNER PARTY

Sometimes it is fun to go out to eat. But fine dining at a friend's house like Barb and I did last Saturday night was enjoyable. Rose and Paul were the hostess and host. Appetizers were fresh Ontario cherries and tositos and hummus dip.
Rose made these delicious stuffed mushrooms that were cooked on the backyard gas barbecue.

She made two without any cream cheese for a friend who does not tolerate it. Very tasty.
For the main course, halibut heated again on the barbecue with a tasty sauce and tomato.

Rose served it with a cold vichycoise and beans. Along with salad it was a complete nutritional meal.

Presentation is everything.

So enough to fill the cook's belly. Dessert was some cake and pecan tarts. I always prefer the main course. So a pleasant time at the home near Kitchener-Waterloo was had by all!

GRANPA VISITS THE AURORA FARMERS MARKET AND ARTISAN FAIR 2016

Aurora is a sweet town north of our home. Go up Yonge Street from Toronto you will find it. To start some summer jaunts to markets, Barb and I thought we could start with one close to home. Last summer with a sore knee we did not go on any trips.

Wells street is closed off next to the town park. Use Mosley from Yonge Street to find the market.

Barb bought some fudge slabs- chocolate, maple and root beer from Sasha's Sweets.We are expecting some house guests so it will help with the dessert course!

Strawberries from Willowtree farms. We have actually been there on jaunts to Port Perry previously.

Nothing better than a basket of fresh cucumbers.

Fresh baked goods at the Nutmeg bake shop. Cheese bread and a couple of butter tarts for a weekend treat.

Delicious looking aren't they??

Peas from the Oak Ridges Finest- owner loves geography and is proud to grow on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Nothing like local farm fresh produce.

A nice variety of items including a row of handmade products by local artisans.

I let Barb look around while I took a little break.

Not a bad haul for a Saturday morning!

Cook's trip to the Aurora Market

#auroramarket#countrymarkets#freshfruitandvegetables#baking#nutmegbakeshop#buttertarts#oakridgesmoraine#granpa#freshbaking#fudge#cheesebread