farmer's market finds

Madison is known to have the largest producer-only farmer's market in the country. That means that everyone selling the produce, flowers, cheese, and bread is the one who made it.

After a few Saturdays of perusing this market which surrounds the entire capital building, I've determined that when the person selling you that bundle of flowers is the one who grew them, that person tends to be that much more proud of his or her product, and therefore has a better product to sell you.

You just don't see neon yellow sunflowers in every grocery store flower section you glance through.

How can you not look at these babies and smile? Especially when you have the image of the farmer hacking off the stems to your desired length with a machete. Hard core.

And remember when I promised myself that I would start growing my own herbs? Well, three pots are currently out on my balcony, furiously growing some seriously fragrant rosemary, cilantro, and basil.

Since I am admittedly a total gardening newb, I asked the farmer who sold them to me how he suggested I take care of them. He told me to "use them often", and "water them".

I'm not that much of a newb, even if I do look like a city-slicker in my Ray-Bans.

But in regards to his first bit of advice - done! Time to make some fresh pesto! And rosemary rolls, and a butternut squash and chickpea salad...

 Aw hell yeah.