Saturday mornings are sacred at my house:  My family knows that I need a little ME time after the bustle of the week.  I start out with coffee by the koi pond, a fruit smoothie and then a walk around our house and gardens to inspect the bounty and my endearing weeds.  Then, don't get in my way, I'm off to the farmers market . . . come if you will, maybe I'll treat to some homemade ice cream . . . this hooks my kids every time.  I am one of those who loves to talk to my farmer friends, find out what's in season, what to put on my cabbages in my garden to keep the bugs off, what other new farmers' markets are opening, get an insider view of what it's like to be a farmer (my secret dream), and lay the groundwork of menus for the coming week.  When I shop at the farmers market, I know there are going to be some great meals ahead . . . how effortless it all is going to be . . .
 

Our picnic at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens on Sunday was delightful and simple.  A lovely organic greens salad jeweled with fresh tarragon & peppery chive blossoms from N Thyme Farm (a mere $4.00) was finished with a few scoops of chive and herb goat cheese from Bosky Acres in Waxhaw  . . . I needed little else as this salad, finished with a some EVOO and a squeeze of lemon, was heavenly.   Simply sliced, vine-ripened tomatoes from My Mater Man outside of Monroe finished with chopped plump red scallions, olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar reminded us that we should never eat tomatoes out of season.  Grateful Growers makes a wonderful sliced prosciutto ham that when served with marinated olives and sturdy bread from Nova's Bakery makes you believe that you are dining al fresco in the Tuscan Hills.  Oh, let's not forget the mushrooms . . . I picked up several locally grown varieties, lightly sautéed them and served them with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.  We enjoyed amazing, plump broccoli florettes from Nise's Herbs with a side of home-made buttermilk ranch . . . it doesn't get any better than that!  A picnic isn't a picnic without chicken, so I roasted a whole chicken from Gilerest Natural Farm with fresh German garlic and rosemary from my garden and served it at picnic temperature . . . so, this is what chicken is supposed to taste like!   We sat on a blanket under the shade of a tree.  Our conversation flowed from our dreams to our family histories as we shared our picnic in a magical garden.
 
So, these jewels are right outside your door in Charlotte, ready to be lovingly eaten . . . little culinary skills are needed.  Please support our community farmers.   They are true muses, coaxing art from Mother Earth, enriching our lives, communities and family dinner tables.

Jill Marcus  
Founder, Green Goddess Alliance
President, Something Classic