Russian Black Bread at the Farmer's Market

It started out as a typical Saturday morning with a trip into town. My first stop was the Farmer's Market on the Town Square. If you would like to read more about the Town Square click HERE.

While writing this post, I realized there was no way I could tell you everything I learned, in the time I spent shopping at this small farmer's market. It is a place to buy fresh food, grown on the land that surrounds my home.

The woman who bakes the bread starts the day before, by renting the kitchen of her church. She told me she has the three ovens all going at the same time.

You see each table at the market, lined up with coolers. Can you just imagine how much work it is to gather the vegetables from the garden, store them in coolers and then load them up for the trip into town?

There is no way a super market chain can provide you with this "fresh"......

Here you are able to talk to the grower, ask questions, and share information on how to grow your own.

The market is not just limited to fresh vegetables. There is a wide variety of jellies, jams, salsa, and canned peaches and pears.

I guess a local market would not be complete without a table of fine crochet work.

When the introduction to new friends, the sharing of ideas, and the buying was over, I had an arm-load of goodies.

Can you imagine the flavor the fresh onions will give to my pot of vegetable soup?

The real prize was the loaf of Russian Black Bread. As you can see, I didn't waste anytime in tasting it.....

If you doubt how much I love the place I call home, just browse around my blog and read my stories. I have come to realize how strong and confident the women are who live in my community. They are friendly and open in sharing their knowledge and skills.

In one short hour, of shopping at the farmer's market, I met new friends,  found new recipes and how to grow bigger and better onions.....all given "freely".

Meggie Mac

Friday's Fences...Small Texas Town

A beautiful black iron fence, behind the Christmas garland, surrounds another small Texas town courthouse.

The 170' tall Courthouse, built in 1897, is constructed of brown sandstone and grey stone from Texas. It is written in a brochure, that the stone was shipped in by rail car as large boulders. They were cut on site by the local farmers and other laborers.

Beautiful Romanesque arches frame the entrance doors on all four sides of the building.

The clock tower, with 2-story high windows, can be seen for miles away.

It is easy to see the community, population around 2,300, takes the decorating of the Town Square very seriously.....

Click on Photo

While not forgetting the real meaning of Christmas.

Meggie Mac


I'm joining in with Jan and Jer's Friday Fences.

On the Square....Small Town Style

In Texas, many county seat (place of local government) courthouses are constructed in the center of town. Typically, this was the gathering place for the community to be used for musical concerts, rallies, and for shopping. The nearest town to the farm consists of this type of set up.

This is the county's 4th courthouse to be built on The Square. The construction was completed in 1891 for a cost of $99,407. The 3-story masonry and stone structure, is built in the Romanesque Revival style with a 100 foot tall clock tower.

The outside materials are native to Texas....blue sandstone from Muldoon, red Pecos sandstone, Burnet granite, and Belton white limestone.

The details are accented by the different colors of the stone.

A closer look at the tower clock.....

An American eagle is carved in the stone of the tower.

During the week, The Square is crowded with cars and trucks, traveling within the square that surrounds the courthouse. The one-way lane nearest the courthouse travels counter clock-wise, while the outer lane of traffic drives clockwise. At each corner is a street that leads away from the center of town.

This give you some idea of the architecture of the store fronts.

The shops are lined up on all 4 sides of the square. You will find gift shops, a custom jewelry store, a meat market, kolache bakery, a couple of banks, several speciality restaurants, and a wonderful coffee shop serving lattes and homemade fudge.

With all the hustle and bustle of everyday life during the week, at Noon on Saturday, most stores close down for the remainder of the week end.

Remember, this a a small Texas town with a population of 5,000.

I hope you have enjoyed the mini-tour of the small town near the farmhouse.

Meggie Mac