Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Flavor of Santa Barbara's Farmer's Market




As summer begins to wind down, Santa Barbara is finally receiving warm temperatures and bright sun. This arrival of our "real" summer, inspired me to take you on a visit to my favorite Farmer's Market. The Saturday morning Farmer's Market is held on lower Santa Barbara Street in a huge parking lot about half the size of a city block. Set up on asphalt under canopied displays, are over 50 local vendors from Santa Barbara, Ventura and even San Luis Obispo County. It is always a colorful and bustling scene.















It was a pleasure looking at the beautiful and perfect fruits of nature's bounty through the camera's lens. This Saturday, what caught my eye the most were the purples. Purple peppers (which I'd never seen before), and eggplant in dazzling shades of ultra-violet. A melon too captured my attention. It was larger than a bowling ball and had unusual markings of green with yellow dots. I reached out to touch it and asked the man behind the counter, "What is this?" He replied, "A watermelon of the "moon and stars" variety.






























**Dear Valued Friends, I will be making one more post, on September 10th, before taking a fairly long break. Over the next few months I have some extensive travel plans that will likely keep me busy through the first of the year. As I've said before, having this blog and sharing special moments, images and thoughts with you is an utterly delightful and illuminating experience. It is surely true, that a joy shared is a joy made double.

 Hope to see you in September.

 My fond regards, ~ Anitra

20 comments:

  1. Anitra,

    Your close up photos of fruit, veggies are making me hungry and I can smell the flowers. Your farmers Market looks bountiful. Our outdoor market is a good deal smaller but than our town is a good deal smeller than Santa Barbara. I will miss your refreshing views...Until the first of the year..

    Buckaroo

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    1. Lovely to hear from you Buckaroo. Thanks for sharing, ~ Aneet

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  2. Aneet-

    Farmer's markets are fun, aren't they? I've been to a few in my travels. They give someone literally and figuratively a taste of the local flavors. Your photos are perfectly arranged, almost as if you had transposed a color wheel. Santa Barbara never seems to be lacking bright and vibrant images, at least not when you have your camera at the ready.

    Summer certainly arrived late, but arrived with a bang here in the south bay. For the last week or so, I've been wishing I could hasten winter's arrival. Nevertheless, one day last week, I went down to Hermosa Beach and took a walk along the shoreline taking in the bright sun, and the refreshingly cool ocean water. I never realized how theraputic something as simple as ocean water washing over my feet could be.

    I will miss your posts, especially around Christmas, however I wish you safe travels and happy trails and eagerly await your posts when 2013 is upon us.

    Best wishes and warm regards,

    Joseph

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    1. Joseph,

      Thank you for your lovely words and the images they evoke. They are so well crafted. I'm glad that you took yourself for a walk along the water. There really is nothing like it, how balancing a walk on the beach can be. It's those negative ions, but also, a great deal more.

      I know that I will feel compelled to share and will miss making posts as well, but the time requires me to take this break. There will be more to say on September 10th.

      Until then, good wishes to you Joseph, ~ Aneet

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  3. Melons of the moon and stars variety... loved the way this post brought back memories of my days in Monterey and its Farmer's Market... I suppose John Steinbeck would say that we were West of Eden since we were on the other side of Salinas... it was, like your Farmer's Market in Santa Barbara, a place of a million swirling colors, people talking and laughing... thanks for the remembrance... oh, Miss Anitra, we shall miss you while you travel... but I'll probably headed outmyself in October or November to savor the Bayou Country and then catch my breath when I get back home before crossing the Pecos for another picture-taking expedition... travel safely... and know that there's a fair number of folk awaiting your return...
    Louis

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    1. Hello Louis,

      I so enjoy your mental meanderings. Putting Steinbeck in there and West of Eden brought such mood and color to your days in Monterey. You have lived and continue to live a unique and fascinating life. Your upcoming travel sounds exciting and fun.

      It's always a treat receiving your impressions.

      Sending my warm regards, ~ Aneet

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  4. Hi Aneet,

    Looks like you captured some really nice scenes at the Farmer's Market. I personally try to buy as often as I can fruits and vegetables that are organic. I can already see that if I was at this Market I would be getting quite a few organic things.

    I must say this is the first time I ever saw purple peppers! I wonder what they taste like? They look like a cross breeding between regular peppers and a can of Shasta Grape Soda. I also recently saw a bowling ball that closely resembled that 'Moon and Stars" watermelon. I wasn't sure if I should eat it or chuck it.

    Now a question for you: Was that a real dog holding up that "No Animals Allowed" sign or was that a fake? Just like that fake dog you took a shot of during St Patrick's Day, I thought this might be the same thing. Well, that dog looks real enough and thought it was very funny.

    I wish we had more Farmer's Markets here. We have them but you have to travel a bit to get to them because they're out east near the wine country. It always turns out to be a nice day though when I do go.

    Great post, great pictures, you're the best.

    Jonathan

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    1. Jonathan,

      As always, it's lovely to hear from you. I hope your summer is going well and that your baseball scores are hitting home.

      I like your description of the purple peppers. I can almost taste the grape soda. As for the dog, your right, it is a fake dog. In fact it's the very same dog that was dressed up on St. Paddy's Day. Your messages always make me smile. But seriously, that standard poodle was very much alive. He gave me many different poses to choose from and wore such a dapper scarf.

      So glad you like the post, Jonathan, you are the best as well.

      Sincerely, ~ Aneet

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  5. Hi Anitra:

    When I saw these photos, I had to comment. I really love your farmers markets photos. They are very vibrant and full of life. I wish that I could have farmers markets and wonderful weather all year round. When winter arrives, I will be sure to view these pictures to remind me of summer's return.
    I've been to some local farmers markets near me and while they whet my appetite for juicy summer fruits and vegetables, this takes the cake. Fifty vendors! Wow! I haven't seen anything unusual like those purple peppers you found. What do you like to get at the markets?
    Anitra, I do wish you a happy, healthy and a safe rest of 2012 along holiday wishes thrown in there as well. Can't wait to read you in 2013. Take care. P.S. Love to see more TPIR scenes with you, Janice and Dian.

    Sincerely,
    Marie L.

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    1. Marie,

      Lovely to hear from you. I know that the farmer's market is one of your favorite things. One always finds vitality and color in those open air venues and a sense of celebration. When I'm there, I usually get fresh greens and of course, sweet and crispy carrots. It's always nice to just wander and see what looks especially good that day.

      Thank you so much, Marie, for your good wishes. I would like to return those wishes of health and Happy Holidays to you. I know, on my hiatus, I will surely miss the delightful camaraderie I feel from everyone who reads this blog.

      I'll have more to say on September 10th. Until then, sending my fond wishes your way.

      Sincerely ~ Anitra

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  6. Hello Aneet
    Love these pics! all the delicious vegetables,bright colors,and purple peppers! the flowers are quite lovely too.Im coming up on my one year anniversary of being a vegetarian,and these
    nice pics inspire me to continue down this path of all natural and organic Foods.Ive come with my family to Italy for a one week cooking class on how to perpare vegetables,and for some much needed R n R.this has been quite a year for me......Im managing to keep going.
    Your Post are very inspiring,and uplifting.I will not work as hard as Ive used to,as I need my energy to Raise my 5 year old Nephew! I just want to let YOU know how much appreciated YOU are.Enjoy your travels Roger

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  7. Roger, hello,

    It's lovely to hear from you. Congratulations on your decision to become a vegetarian. I wish I could do that. It makes so much sense when it comes to creating good health. And how inspiring and expansive for you to go with your family to Italy for cooking classes!

    Your story about losing your brother and now raising your nephew is very touching. You deserve so much credit and good fortune. I would like to send you my wishes for boundless energy and support.

    YOU are also very much appreciated. Sincerely, ~ Aneet

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  8. Hi Anitra,

    Love the market photos - a feast for the eyes! Looks like it was a great growing season in Santa Barbara, which bodes well for your Santa Ynez vineyards I guess. We had a great summer here in central NJ too - alot of sun and a nice amount of rain too. The local farm stands and "corn stops" are stocked with good things.

    I hope you have a nice traveling experience, it'll be interesting to see the photos you come back with.

    Peace and safety on your extended caravan!

    Al

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  9. Hello Al,

    So nice to hear from you. Glad you like the photos :) Yes, you are right, our Santa Ynez vineyards are experiencing a bumper crop right now.

    Glad that you on the East Coast are also experiencing this year's bounty. I enjoy the image of your local farm stands.

    Thanks so much for your good wishes, Al, they are happily received.

    Peace and joy, ~ Aneet

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  10. Hi Anitra:

    I wanted to let you know that I did indeed find purple peppers at a local farmer's market. I heard that they're sweet so I can't wait to try one.

    With TPIR's 40th birthday coming this week, how does it feel to be part of a show that has garnered such a popular longevity. I wonder if it will surpass even 50 years. For the 40th, I heard that people who have appeared in the early days are coming to play pricing games. Have you visited the show? Have a good Labor Day week.

    Sincerely,
    Marie L.

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    1. Marie,

      And so, Santa Barbara is not exclusive in the purple pepper arena. I can imagine that they're very sweet.

      I'm sorry for my delay in answering your message, but I've been out of town. Thank you so much for telling me about the TPIR anniversary show. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to view it. That would have been fun. I did get to see a montage of the show on CBS Morning. In it, they had some of the old clips of Janice and me. It's been quite a long time since I've visited the show. It is really amazing to think of its longevity. I must say, it delights me that the show has done so well.

      Thank you so much for your good wishes Marie. Sending my warm wishes your way,

      ~ Anitra

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  11. Hi Anitra. Today 9/4, 40 years ago you and Janice started Baker's beauties.

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    1. Kevin,

      Yes, it was the beginning of a long run. Nice to hear from you, and thanks for sharing.

      Sincerely, ~ Anitra

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  12. Hi Anitra:

    No apologies are needed. You can still watch that 40th anniversary episode. If you visit the The Price Is Right web site (you can Google it), you will be able to see the episode. There's a brief clip of you in an airplane on a 1976 episode.

    You might be surprised to learn that Bob didn't appear for the anniversary. Bob should have had at least a cameo appearance. I don't know why this was done.

    Well, I hope you are having a great week and can't wait for your message on the 10th. Thank you for your warm wishes to me.

    Sincerely,
    Marie L.

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  13. Marie, hello,

    Thank you so much for your feedback. The clip you refer to with the airplane was in the CBS Morning montage. That was a cute scenario. I'm amazed that Bob wasn't present at the reunion. Just like you, I'm surprised, and it makes me wonder...? Of course, he was in many of the film clips.

    It has been a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend for me; hope all is copacetic in your world.

    And, as always, lovely to hear from you Marie.

    Sincerely, ~ Anitra

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