Although I miss the regular contact I had with the farmers in NC, Dallas has a Thurs and Sunday Night Wholesale Farmers Market where anyone can buy produce in bulk from local and regional farmers at a discount price. The only drawback are the hours of operation - midnight to 7am next morning! Now if you own a restaurant business, these hours are perfect. But, if you are nodding by 9pm like me, its a problem. This is going to take a lot of effort on my part to make this 15 minute trip downtown to the market. Brother K is going along (for added protection) but he ain't happy! Tonight I hope to buy either some cucumbers for Bread & Butter Pickles and Cinnamon Cucumber Rings or yellow squash for Hot and Mild Squash Pickles.
My "sweet" menu has changed a little Tarheels. Cowboys like sweet heat. As the OJays song goes, "Got to give the people what they want".

Tis the season for picking peaches, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Its been a peachy week!
Peach Jam
Peach Habanero Jam
Berry Peachy Jam
Sugar-Free Peach Jam, and everyone's favorite,
Peach Cobbler.
I understand the consumer wants to see and buy the "perfectly round, defect-free peach". But in the final analysis, does that really matter? Why care how the peach looks as long as it taste good? Every good canner knows some of the prettiest peaches are hard and bitter, especially if they are not in season. That same canner also knows some of the ugliest peaches are juicy and sweet when in season.
Peaches, like strawberries, will be gone before you know it so... gather ye peaches while ye may.

We did the Dallas Farmers Market this past weekend. I am not kidding; it was hotter than... out there! 95 degrees plus by noon, and the temperature continued to climb. All vendors were asked to be packed and ready to leave by 5;30 because market coordinators wanted to set up for the Sunday Margarita Meltdown. Well, we were packed and off the premises by 4:50. Didn't have to ask me twice! It was a good day overall but the heat and I don't get along. 
The young lady in the pic is from Florida. She misses the ocean and fresh seafood too.. But she purchased a jar of Peach Habanero Jam!

I use to wonder how it would be if the fire alarm went off while we were working in the commercial kitchen. Well today I found out! We had just finished placing the Peach Habanero jars on the table to cool and were about to start on the Berry Peachy Jam when the alarm went off and the intercom announced, "All persons please leave the building, a fire has been reported." Needless to say I freaked out! This was like reliving a dream that was not pleasant the first time! We turned everything off on the gas stove, ran out of the building, and waited , along with many others, until we got the coast was clear.
I hope if this happens again, I will remember to grab my cell phone & wallet.
​Oh yeah, thank goodness it wasn't a fire.
Preserving continued...aren't you glad!
​p.s.
​(this is what happened to the last jar of peach habanero jam that did not get turned right side up before exiting the building!) It harden upside down in the jar. Think I'll keep this one as a reminder of that day.

We missed making the (Dallas) market last weekend because we learned our son-in-law was graduating that very same weekend in Kansas. Needless to say, we had to go to witness that event. Well this weekend we will return to Farmers Branch. Of all the markets I have ever done, this one is the most laid-back and is the shortest in duration; oh yeah, and the least expensive one to be in. So... this weekend we will have Strawberry Jam, Peach Jam, Peach Habanero, Berry Peachy Jam, Jalapeno Mint Jelly, Chow-Chow, Hot Chow-Chow and Hot and Mild Squash Pickles.
​We are "back in the saddle." Come see us!
Hours:  5-8pm
​Place: The Grove at Mustang Crossing, Farmers Branch

 The market was better than I thought it would be! Turnout was large, live band was great and the weather was perfect! Even met a couple of people with ties to NC. Having it at the Grove in Farmers Branch among the tall shade trees was almost enchanting! My pics will not do it justice. Looking forward to our next time as vendors. 
​Pics of early and last customers of the day. All three wanted the new Peach Habanero Jam.

Saturday, May 5, 2018 the first Twilight Market will be held in Farmers Branch Texas from 5 til 8pm. We are excited. Not as large as the Dallas Farmers Mkt but definitely large enough! Hope to post a short video and pics of the event. 

When I tell you I know every strawberry in your jar of jam, I am not kidding! In mid April, my other half and I went to Athens Texas to pick strawberries at Highway 19 Produce Farm. We arrived (11am) hours before they opened the farm to the public (2pm). So, we were able to pick as many berries as we wanted (or could pay for) with no one else around. I invited friends Gloria and Sheila on this trip but neither of them could make it, so my wonderful hubby came along. It was more than what he bargained for! We both agreed we were getting too old to do this next year and we would either meet Bobby mid way or at the Dallas Market. Same good berries with a lot less labor involved.