Simple Saturday: My Farmers Market

One of the best parts of my week is Saturday morning.

And not because I'm in my pj's, sleeping in.

It's because I'm waking up around 8 or so (which I know to some of you is sleeping in, but I still consider it getting up). I make my hair look presentable, or mildly so, throw on some clothes (usually of the exercise variety) and say goodbye to my husband as I head out the door on my way to...the farmers market!

And I am so blessed to have a magnificent, wonderful farmers market to frequent. (At the Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged conference, P. Allen Smith referred to it as the best farmers market in the state!)

It's full of fun, interesting produce and even crafty things that are made, grown and plucked by the hands of those in my community.

They define my weekly menu and make my cooking life like a much less stressful chopped where I rely on the seasonal ingredients that happen to look the best.

Shopping here is alive, full of sounds and textures and smells, and 20 times more enjoyable than trolling the aisles of a grocery store under fluorescent lighting. And my farmers market, on the Fayetteville Square, is 40 years old this year!

Having this farmers market has changed the way I eat, live and interact with my community.

What's your farmers market like? And if you haven't found yours yet, look for one here!