Thanks!

Responses to my appeal for help are coming in. You DO want to keep upstatesc.locallygrown.net going! We will try to make it so that the tasks are small and are spread out…maybe 2 hours, if that’s what you are comfortable with. We had a couple of volunteers at the Saturday Market this week, and one last week. That was a great help, and it allowed me to get out for a few minutes and actually see what was going on at the other booths. There are many fine vendors there, and I encourage you to come have a pleasant Saturday, 8-12, strolling the market and viewing all the local goodies. You will be glad that you did. We are forming a core group, and if you would like to contribute your good ideas, please shoot me an email.

WHAT’S FRESH THIS WEEK? The locallygrown site has lots of veggies to offer this week, including many varieties of heirloom and unusual tomatoes. I have regular peppers, and Bioway has several kinds of both; sweet and mildly hot. Remember to order fresh herbs for use now, and for drying…We even have Bay leaves which may be used, not only for a grand touch in meals, but also for keeping your cuppboards free of uninvited pests. Rosemary stalks are wonderful for shiskabob skewers, or even to strew on the hot coals to flavor your grilled meats or veggies. We have fresh mint, parsley, cinnamon basil, oregano, marjoram, garlic, chives, garlic chives, perella (shiso, used on sushi) Click on More sometime when you have time to read abut the uses and history of some of these herbs.

Basil may be dried in a paper bag and crumbled in your fingers for future use when the season runs out. It is easy to freeze tomatoes, with the easiest way being to dip quickly into boiling water, peel or not, and freeze whole to add to sauces this winter.

MICROGREENS ANS SPROUTS We would like to know how many of you are interested in microgreens and sprouts…We have a grower, but she would have to travel a distance with them. It could be that we would order every other week if you are wanting this. Email me about it.

How often have you worried about eating potatoe skins because of pesticide residue? Some of you have tried Mc Mullan Family potatoes. I find them to be delicious and to have a great texture. They have been grown in organic soil without chemicals. Thank you for that, Michael.

THIS MARKET DOES NOT DESCRIMINATE AGAINST ANYONE: When I wrote about my friend Jerry’s illness, I mentioned Christ…..which offended someone. I was asked whether we descriminated against non Christians. THE ANSWER IS NO. This market is open to all, regardless of belief systems, color, or economic circumstances. I have always been one to accept everyone the same. I care more about what is in your heart than if you are wearing a designer handbag or if you have a nickle in your pocket, or if you are on a different level of spiritual understanding than I am at the moment. And it seems to me that you are a very special group of people with big hearts.

I will try to keep the newsletter that I send out to everyone less personal. However,I am a Christian and there are many times when I feel like writing my faith in my web log…So if you would like to read the log, please do. If it would offend you, you are welcome to not read the weblog. I will leave that up to your descretion. I hope that you all have a wonderful week, and find the local foods that you are hungry for. Donna