A Whidbey Saturday

 Even though living here on Whidbey Island for the 5 weeks I've been here now feels like being on vacation, I'm still working. Some day's it's part time, and some days I have so much to do that I work all day. So when Saturday rolls around, I am ready to play. Well, ready to not work. And that means some unboxing and then play.

About a mile or so from my house, there is a wonderful Saturday morning farmers' market, and it is a delight. I had a grand time wandering around. By the time I left, I had a backpack full of produce for the week, a bouquet of sweetpeas in my hand, and a few cartons of delicate raspberries... just because.

 

 The first thing I spotted was this amazing array of sweet peas. You can smell them from there, can't you? How could I resist? A bunch of them is now on my kitchen table.

Apparently I was drawn to pink this morning, because these turnips caught my eye. I've never cooked turnips (if you do, how do you do them?) but I enjoyed looking at them. Maybe another saturday I'll bring some home.

 

Seahorse sourdough bread. Just $1 more than a plain old baguette. How could I resist? 

There was a "bag lady" booth selling tote bags made from big plastic/fabric feed bags, with proceeds going to charity.

I was kind of tempted by that bag with the cow, but I have promised myself not to buy any "things" until I unbox and put away the things I've moved here.

There was a goat-petting section filled with little kids -- of both kinds. It was a swirl of constant movement so this was the best goat picture I could get. They are quick, those little guys.  

And there were lots more flowers. These, I learned, are Sea Holly. So pretty. I've added it to the list of perennials for the flower beds I am dreaming of planting in my big yard.

After leaving the farmer's market, I popped into a nearby nursery that I was introduced to by my realtor Mary, an avid gardener. Bayview Farm and Garden. Oh my. It had section after section of beautiful, healthy plants and blooms, laid out so you can wander through as if you are in a beautiful garden. Today I was drawn to coneflowers for some reason - perhaps because just this morning I'd just unpacked Anna Maria Horner echinacea fabric. This one. 

I have no idea what I will do with it but it's so pretty. Anway. The real coneflowers. They are on the "future perennial garden" list.

 

Oh look, there are dahlias!

 

 

And then I stumbled onto these pretty flowers -- some sort of annual, I think.

 

I resisted buying any plants, because I figure I need to deal with the inside before I start fussing in the garden. But I am starting to make lists and look at garden stuff online. Today I discovered a Facebook group called "Creative Gardening" and boy, is it inspiring. 

Oh wait, I did make a purchase at Bayview Farm and Garden. When I was there a few weeks ago, I spotted a little fountain. I had to leave my bigger fountain behind in Healdsburg because it just didn't seem prudent to move three huge concrete bowls along with everything else. But this little one stayed on my mind... so today, it came home with me.

Pretty, huh? I figure I'll put it on the deck nestled among some pots of flowers and plants... which I have yet to acquire. But this is a good start, don't you think? I need to start checking yard and estate sale for flower pots. 

 Leaving the Bayview garden center, I passed Whidbey Donut - which I'd read about and figured was a little strip mall donut shop. But NO! It is a rather charming cafe with a pretty outdoor eating area surrounded by lush blooming plants, and a full breakfast and lunch menu. Tempting, but it was crowded and I had sweet peas to put in water.

So, from there to the grocery store for a few things. The market close to my house has guys outside grilling and smoking meat on the weekends... it's a heavenly smell.  I stopped for the first time today and bought some barbecued ribs for dinner. I got some fresh corn on the cob, too -- just 2 minutes in the Instant Pot I now know (having tried it that way for the first time this week) and it will be perfect. 

And for dessert, a real treat from local Greenbank Farm: 

 

 All in all, a very enjoyable Saturday morning.  

And in other good news, my Bernina came out of the box this week! I have yet to get set up with thread and supplies nearby, and I have yet to sort the UFOs which are what I should start on once I get sewing, but it's a start. It makes me happy just to be able to see my machine.