We've been to the famous Stroud Farmers Market this weekend. A cold, crisp autumnal morning somehow feels like the perfect backdrop for a British market. I came away wondering why there aren't more places like this to buy food - somewhere to hang out, to bump into friends, to listen to music (our lovely neighbour John was there playing his fiddle).
Anything that makes the shopping experience more fun is a winner in my book. I don't know about you but since I have become a parent I have found that shopping and thinking about what to buy and cook is a relentless task, one that I often dread.
The smells, the colour, the noise - you don't get that in a supermarket, and I can't remember the last time Tescos was handing out free organic carrots for children to chomp on. We had a (second) breakfast of bacon baps - stuffed with a lot of delicious bacon, not just the odd measly grey strip. The children were a bit chilly to start, but once I had bought some hats (what an unprepared mother!) they started to enjoy themselves, and were soon loving the sights and sounds of the market and running around chasing their little friend Rufus.
We bought some quinces for Grandma to make some Quince jam, then it was back to Matt and Sarahs' house for a lovely lunch, entirely sourced from the market. The market is now being held every Saturday morning from 9am, get there early for the best produce, and DO try one of the bacon baps.
Let me know if you buy your food somwhere unique. Also, do your children enjoy the supermarket experience, or do you dread every trip? I'd love to have your comments.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteThe markets up North specialise in discount tea towels, pegs, and cleaning products. Mr Tesco gets our business unless we're feeling very flush and once every 6 months or so we treat ourselves to some Lewis and Cooper produce.
http://www.lewisandcooper.co.uk/store/home.asp
Enjoying the blog!
Hi, thank you so much for the comment in Toddler Cafe! Your blog is very cute, great ideas. I am thinking about the next book and world cusine this is for sure one of my next ideas.
ReplyDeleteWell with my three I have to be really organised...we get a veg box and milk delivered every week, eggs and milk from village shop and rest from Sainsburys. I tend to get shopping delivered but the babies LOVE going tp the supermarket. They like looking at all the bright colours ect and I always finish with a trip to the cafe and feed them leaving a bit of a mess!
ReplyDeleteLara you must be the only mum with triplets who can enjoy the supermarket trips, you are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMike - do you have Booths in Yorkshire, we were seriously impressed with it when we were in the lake district - almost as good as the Waitrose down south!!!!
Looks like it was a beautiful day out! And LOVE that gorgeous hat!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, about your daughter's upcoming princess party. I found some princess crown templates for you (9 to choose from) : http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/princesscrown.html
You could cut them out beforehand as well as a long strip of cardboard to make the band for around their heads and they could be coloured with bright crayons and then embellished with a bit of glue, glitter, stickers, sequins, or even cake sprinkles! I hope this helps...