Name that Bug

Hello Friends!

It seems that summer has finally arrived. The hot daytime temperatures and warm nights are just what the doctor ordered for the heat-loving vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. We hope you enjoy this change of seasons as much as we do!

As the season progresses, so does the crazy parade of bugs that we see on various plants. The picture I’m including this week is a mystery caterpillar. If any biologists know what it is, feel free to post the name on the blog! We just love the color. It says, oh-so-subtly, "Eat me and puke." (I'm also including a photo of the garlic harvest in progress. It's going well!)

Did you happen to catch the recent New York Times article on “The 11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating?” It a great list – check out the article at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/the-11-best-foods-you-arent-eating/?em&ex=1215316800&en=1d0deabcae7532d5&ei=5087%0A.

And what are the TOP THREE items on that list?
1. Beets
2. Cabbage
3. Swiss Chard

Does that sound like our farmers market stand, or what??!!

We recently heard that one of our youngest customers -- a high school BOY, no less -- has been cooking up a storm with our vegetables. His mom called me to say that he'd seen swiss chard cooked on the Food Network, and he was inspired to try the recipe out on his family. They all LOVED it! And now they all know the joy of cooking with greens!

Another customer recently told us that she’s having her wedding in Bloomington rather than the Chicago area because she wants to incorporate Bill’s food into the reception! How flattering! If you have any special requests for catering ingredients, just let us know and we’ll see what we can do!

And finally, a fit of insanity came over me this past week and I mowed. I grew up with three brothers, and my dad never made me mow. They always had to do it. My first time mowing was only a couple of years ago. Can you believe that?? So the urge to mow just came over me and Bill got me set up. He has to pull the cord the first time (when it’s harder to start), and then he has to give me the refresher course over which levers do what – a blade lever, throttle, speed lever, and those two bars. Totally confusing.

I was using the 1987 John Deere from my grandma. (We call it the Sissy Mower because Grandma went by “Grandma Sissy.”) We inherited it a few years ago after she passed away. She spent almost $900 when she purchased it in the late 1980s, which was a small fortune. She had it tuned up EVERY YEAR. It’s all metal, has 5 speeds, and is self-propelled. I was practically pulled off my feet a few times! I think I may have suffered permanent hearing loss, and the smell of exhaust was horrendous. Still, I had a pretty good time!

Here’s what we’ll be bringing to the market this week:

Head Lettuce
Beets (Traditional, Golden, and Chioggia)
Kale
Kohlrabi
Broccoli
Collard Greens
Parsley
Basil
Swiss Chard
Japanese Turnips (white and pink)
Summer Squash/Zucchini
Cucumbers
Carrots
Garlic
Green Onions
Bulb Onions
Leeks
Potatoes
Tomatoes

Don’t forget that we’re delivering fresh veggies to Common Ground and the Garlic Press on Tuesday evenings …

On Tuesday evenings Bill delivers produce to Common Ground in downtown Bloomington and to the Garlic Press in Uptown Normal. So if you miss a market or just run out of veggies mid-week, head to Common Ground! And if you need the veggies prepared into a fabulous meal, Garlic Press is right down the road.

We’ll see you at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – noon. BRING YOUR BAGS!! We’ll also be at the Trailside Market in Uptown Normal, every Tuesday from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Please let your friends know about the blog. We plan to put out the email sign-up sheet during the market season again. Call us at 467-9228 or email us at blueschoolhouse@yahoo.com if you have questions.

Thanks!
Mercy Davison