Saturday, August 30, 2008

Salt Lake City Downtown Farmer's Market

We finally got to go back to the Downtown Farmer's Market today. The assortment is great during this time of year. We picked up some delicious heirloom tomatoes ($3/lb), basil ($1/bag), thyme ($1/bag), a cucumber (2/$1), an eggplant ($1), and another bag of our favorite Wild Flour pancake mix ($12/5lb. bag). You can find this local favorite pancake mix at some Utah grocery stores including Harmons. It is made without any white flour, white sugar, or trans fats.

Today was a very nice day at the farmer's market. The place was packed, but there was still plenty of parking. In case you go, we have found the best place to park is a parking garage (free!) about a block north of pioneer park on 4th west.

We came home and made delicious BLT's with a light rye bread (browned in a pan with a little butter), the heirloom tomatoes, light mayo mixed with just a little lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper, and chopped fresh basil, and crunchy bacon. It was a great end of summer meal.

We also picked up a delicious individual fresh fruit pie with Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and Peaches. The ladies were sitting behind the table cutting the fresh fruit as we watched on. It was in a nice homemade basic pie shell (that reminded me of the kind my parents made growing up). A little cream topped it off ($5). Our son picked up a double scoop of ice-cream (I think it was called Scoop Dog) in chocolate and baklava ($3.75) that was really good put on the pricey side.

If you get the chance before year end the Downtown Farmer's Market makes for a fun Saturday morning or a lazy Saturday afternoon (they also have lots of food vendors serving lunch).

Monday, August 18, 2008

I believe in Humanity

So, what to say....this has been a crazy month. Thank you to all of my friends and family who have helped me get through it. I feel like as things are difficult in my life it makes me more able to open my eyes to others and believe that humanity is alive. Some things that have happened in the last few weeks have really made me think.

Braeden and I went to Dairy Queen and somehow missed the tiny homemade sign that was half- way attached to the door saying that the credit/debit card machines were down. I never carry cash. We ordered and then they told me their machines might not work. They tried my card a few times and it wouldn't work. Braeden was having a really bad week. I told the long haired, sixteen-year-old that I didn't have any cash and would have to come back some other time. Braeden was in tears. Long haired sixteen-year-old turned to me and said hold on and pulled out cash from HIS wallet. He said don't worry about it, I'll cover it. I refused and he asked if he could at least pay for Braeden's. I said no way but we would come back. Honestly I was so shocked that instead of just going home and coming another day like I was planning on, I drove home, scrounged up some cash and went back to get Braeden his treats. Braeden gave the guy a post card that said "thanks for being so nice." This coming from an age group that I honestly have NO expectations from whatsoever. Most people working fast food don't even pay the food they eat while working. At best, I might be able to see an employee (who isn't a sixteen-year-old skater boy) just offering to comp it (on the company of course) but never pay for it with their own money. Wow. Just wow.

Sometimes my job is really lonely. The people I interact with on a regular basis aren't usually that interested in seeing me because I am just another annoying part of their job that gets in the way of getting real stuff done. I pretend like it doesn't hurt my feelings and that it doesn't matter that I have been in their store to speak to them 28 times in the last year and the first thing out of my mouth still is "Mica with i-wireless". Usually they know me (not my name...just phone girl), but sometimes they still look confused about who I am. One woman at a particular store who I have had to work with about some issues with employee theft came up to me and gave me a big hug and said she is always so happy to see me when I come in. Ok, I'm not going to lie that it was a little weird. I'm also not going to lie that it made me feel good that someone cares just a little bit at work. That if I someday just quit going it might matter a little bit.

So thank you for reminding me that I believe in humanity.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Memory

Some of my friends who blog have been doing this memory thing. Anyway as per requests if you have a memory about me, I'd love it if you would share it in the comments. I will leave one about you too if you make a post about it on your blog.

This seems especially helpful to me right now as I go through all the questions of "who am I and what am I doing with my life". Thanks everyone!