One of my favorite places to walkabout in the summer is the Farmer’s Market at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. Every Thursday from June-October, farmers and vendors show up, pitch their tents on grassy knolls overlooking the harbor, then unload the backs of their pickups to display their wares. Fresh cut flowers, bundled into bouquets, sip water from galvanized buckets. Tables laden for sale with fresh peaches, wild blueberries, lettuces, tomatoes, radishes, onions, basil, and corn with shucking barrels nearby. Jars of pickles, jams, BBQ sauces, and homemade Italian sausage add to the feast of sight and smell. There’s fresh baked bread and honey in combs or jars. Sometimes I think I should show up with cash AND a stack of thank you notes for those who wake early to harvest, bake or can what I simply buy and eat. Mere money seems so paltry an exchange.
Today one table was spread with pies: blueberry, mixed berry, strawberry-rhubarb and key lime in a cooler. Hardly anyone I know makes pie anymore. Takes practice and a light touch to make a good crust. These pies reminded me of Mama. She could make a pie!
Growing up we ate fresh peach pies in the summertime. Through the winter, Mama made apple or cherry. Talked to my brother Ralph yesterday and he said,”Chrissy and Elise made Mama’s meal the other night: Norwegian meatballs, fresh green beans, mashed potatoes and cherry pie. The house smelled just like when we were growing up.”
There’s an amazing connection between memory and smell.
I suppose that’s one reason I love imagining the feast God’s planning for One day. All our special family gatherings included food, each contributing their best, so imagine what God’s got planned when the whole family comes Home.
Well, I can only hope He asks Auntie Joyce and Mama to share their recipes.
I know it’s not very holy, but when the Bible says God will supply all my needs, I hope that includes dessert.
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I enjoy your posts, simplicity but with heart through and through. Lovely connection between the market to table, then the table to the best place of all – when it’s time for it, that is.
And just think, not only will the taste be indescribably scrumptious but we won’t have to worry about fitting into our pants! Haha!
Amen!!! And what Katherine said! 🙂
Hi Jan,
I’m sure “dessert” will be at that heavenly celebration. I’m so grateful we won’t be getting our “just desserts!” Thank the Lord for his mercy and grace…
Dear “Sister in the Lord,” I think it would be wise to distinguish between “wants” and “needs” and then consider what God has promised to provide! 🙂 At least, there will be no need to count calories to maintain our glorified bodies!
Love as always, Dale