Clintonville Farmers Market

Farmers Market season is in full swing. And boy, have the farmers been busy or what? With all the rain, and the coolish spring we have had, I was VERY impressed with what was on the offer at the infamous Clintonville Farmers Market today.



I know I have to stop comparing life here with life in Northern California. That was then, this is now. However, it is safe to say that the Clintonville folks have got it right. They have a thriving farmers market, regardless of what standard it is compared to. Sure it is lacking the local avocados, and the deep yellowish orange Meyer lemons, or the sweet ripe fresh figs...but what I saw today was impressive. Especially when it is still May.



There were strawberries, and asparagus, mushrooms and grass fed beef, vegan burgers and farm fresh eggs, Ohio maple syrup, honey, and so many plants and flowers I forgot where I actually was!

Needless to say, if you have not visited this wonderful market, you must. It happens every Saturday from now until late fall. Get ready for a lot of great local produce, and artisanal goodies. You can also feel a strong sense of community here, and it was only my first go-round!

Clintonville Farmers Market
The market is located in Clintonville along the west side of North High Street at Dunedin Road between Orchard Lane and Torrence Road. Open Saturdays until Oct 29, 2011.

Taco Truck Dos Rositas

Sunny Saturday for the first time in a while.

We had just frequented the Olde Worthington Farmers Market (whoa - they are pretty serious there. Reminded us of a California farmers market!), and we needed to refuel.



Close to home on the East side of Columbus, there are not as many taco trucks. We had found one before, and were loyal to them during their season last year. They have not returned, at least to their normal site, however.



Today, we found this one: Taqueria Dos Rositas. It is right on Livingston Ave, not far from the intersection with Brice Rd.



We beat the lunch crowd, it felt like, and ate our tacos and burritos in the shade under a tree near the parking lot in the back.



We even had a picnic blanket in the car which made this delicious taco truck lunch the best impromptu picnic in a long time!

Village Valuables

Do you like yard sales?

Getting good deals?

Doing it all in a quaint, friendly, walkable neighborhood?

It was my first time at Village Valuables in German Village. A friend I bumped into there yesterday said "It's a rite of passage" of sorts for being a Columbus resident. And I could see why!

If I didn't have a young-one tagging along with me, asking to go home, to have more breakfast, to please Mommy can we go back...I would have spent all of my Saturday browsing the streets of this quaintest neighborhood in Columbus.

It started early, at 8am, although I am pretty sure that many people had an even earlier start than that.

I didn't do justice in taking pictures of the 'valuables' I saw at dozens of spots that we did manage to stop at. There was pretty much everything under the sun, from clothes, to pottery, to furniture, to books and toys.

The bad news is that we will all have to wait another year for this day to return. But it will be worth the wait!

OSU's Jesse Owens

Ohio State's Thompson Library celebrates one of the most respected atheletes of all time: Jesse Owens.



It was my first time to this library, an impressive building unto itself. And the exhibit taught me many things about Owens, the four-gold medal winner at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin.



Owen's accomplishments echoed more than just that. During a tumultuous time in world history, he represented an icon, a hero, a Black man against all odds.



I enjoyed the exhibit quite a bit. I especially liked reading the fan letters, a lot of which came from  youngsters who looked up to him as their role model, appropriately so.



I also enjoyed riding the elevator up to the very top floor of the library afterwards to get a panorama of Columbus in (wet) bloom.

It's a worth a visit!

The exhibition is located in the Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Ave., in the display area on the first floor outside the Gallery. The Thompson Library is open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. -2 a.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. -10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. -2 a.m.

Pattycake Bakery

Is it bad that I had not been to Pattycake Bakery until today?



I think it is. After all, I have seen, and eaten Pattycake baked goods several times before (in the last 8 months that we have been in Columbus...eight months have past, amazing!). They are sold at several places around town, and they sure are delicious (and vegan, and some are gluten free!). I honestly didn't know that there was a store-front, a real little bakery of a place where I can walk in and look longingly at all the possibilities.



After a morning at Urban Acupuncture, and a satisfying lunch at Lavash Cafe, my friend suggested that we meandered to Pattycake Bakery for a little something sweet.



I loved the blue table and chair instantly and wished they were for sale as well. But I was able to let go of the love (for now), and settled for a lemony cupcake instead.

It was not blue, or practical, but I think my choice for the cupcake (over the table and chair set) was a mighty good one.

Pattycake Bakery

614.784.2253

info@pattycakeveganbakery.com

hours:
mon-fri: 8-7
sat: 9-6
sun: 11-4

Pattycake Bakery
3009 N. High Street
Columbus OH, 43202

Julia's Kitchen

I apologize for my absence. Life has caught up with me!

I also apologize that this post has nothing to do with Columbus, or Ohio. Rather, I am sharing with you a glimpse of Mrs. Julia Child's real-life kitchen. The one that she cooked in, and lived in, until she gave it to the Smithsonian Institution.

During our Spring break a couple weeks ago, we got a chance to do a whirlwind tour of Washington DC. We didn't do it all, since that is impossible to accomplish in a few days...but we did visit the National Museum of American history, now home of Julia Child's kitchen.



Her kitchen was cozy, and full of pots, pans and knives. I love the table in the middle there, inviting anyone to spend time with the cook at work. I am sure it would be extremely convenient to cook & serve, all within a few feet. I would really like that.

We did a lot more in DC than seeing this lovely kitchen, of course. We visited Mt. Vernon, the lovely estate of George Washington. We went up the Washington monument to get the best views of the city (and witnessed how close those planes get as they head to the airport). We hopped in and out of many museums. We loved taking the metro and walking around the city that was in full Spring bloom, the cherry trees included!

Spring!

Isn't it grand to be opening those windows again?



And to see things starting to shoot out of the ground?



Spring here is going to be fantastic, I can already feel it.

We are off to the capital of the country for a few days. I will share some interesting finds here...

Until then...enjoy the warm air and all the signs that Spring is indeed here!