Ripe for the Pickin'!

Ahhhhhh  . . . Summertime, Summertime!  Oh so good . . . Barbecues, Crab boil, Neighborhood Gatherings and Family Reunions, Fireworks, Dancing in the streets . . . 

Warm summer nights . . .

Summertime, And the livin' is easy,
Fish are jumpin', And the cotton is high
Oh, Your daddy's rich And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby, Don't you cry . . .

One of these mornings, You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings, And you'll take to the sky, But until that morning, There's a'nothing can harm you. With your daddy and mammy standing by . . .

. . . A great timeless song written by one of our famous music masters, George Gershwin from the opera, Porgy and Bess, first performed in 1935 . . . 

I love summertime! Riding down the road with my sunroof open, catching the sun rays tanning my skin . . . Weather, lots and lots of weather . . . Tornado warnings, thunderstorms, humidity. And let us not forget, Fourth of July sales, and best of all . . .

Local farm produce!  Just in case you do not have your personal "Harvest Guide" hanging on your refrigerator door, included below is the listing of the vegetables and fruits now in "peak" season . . . Blackberries, blueberries, cherries, melons, peaches, plums, raspberries, snap beans, yellow and white corn, cucumber, eggplant, okra, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes summer squash and delicious tomatoes! And don't forget your fresh flowers!

Exciting days ahead!  Buy Local Week is on the horizon! During the last week in July people across the country will be engaged in this activity. This is one annual observance that I support as it is one way to encourage folks to eat well and to support our local farmers!

Embrace the Challenge!
You are invited to visit American Market
Purchase your local produce from one or both of our 
farmers and become a 2013 Buy Local Challenger!

The task is very easy . . .   Included below are the Buy Local Challenge participation guidelines. (Complete details are listed on www.buy-local-challenge.com/participate)

How to Participate in the Buy Local Challenge

Anyone can take the pledge and buy local during Buy Local Week (last full week in July). But there are many other ways that you, your family, your business and the organizations you belong to can participate by spreading the word and encouraging others to take the challenge.

Individuals ~ Take the pledge and encourage friends and co-workers to do the same. Ask your favorite restaurant to participate.Post the BLC logo on your Web site, blog, Facebook or MySpace page. Join the Facebook BLC group and invite your online friends.

Children ~ Children can join in too. For great family farm entertainment, food and fun visit Cornelia and her veggie friends at www.letsgotoafarm.com.

 And  while you are thinking about what recipes you will prepare during the Buy Local Challenge, now is a GREAT time to submit one of those tantalizing recipes for inclusion in the  American Market Recipe Book.

 Support our farmers at American Market by purchasing your produce and send us the recipe along with a photo of your finished masterpiece! By the end of the season, we hope to have the recipe book available for your use and enjoyment. It's simple, anyone may participate. 

Here's what you will need to do . . . Join in the fun!

• Visit us at the American Market, or any local farmer's market if you are not visiting National Harbor, on Saturday, July 22 or July 27, 2013,
• Purchase fruits, vegetables for your dish from our farmers,
• Whip up the dish, take a photo, include the name of the dish,list the ingredients, your name, local farmer's name/farm, city/town. (*If you do live in the D.C./MD/VA area, include the name of the farmer in your neck of the woods.)
• Send your recipe to: American Market Recipe Book c/o: phyproductions123@gmail.com no later than August 17, 2013.

American Market at National Harbor
(located on American "Way" between Fleet and Waterfront Streets)

Every Saturday until October 26, 2013

10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Farmers and Specialty Food Vendors

Tyson's Farms

Miller Farms

Big Poppa's Kettle Corn (and frozen lemonade)

Boordy Vineyards *

Crave IT (funnel cakes and lemonade)

Gone Greens (collard green condiments)

Gourmet Spices by Joni (dips/sauces)

Havana Banana Breads

Puddin’ (Bourbon and Brown Sugar bread pudding)
Ms P's Concessions (beef patties, rum cake, beverages)

Toticakes (sweet confections)

TAMO Smoothies (every fruity flavor under the sun!)

Wilhoit's Roasted Nuts

Artisans and Crafters

Beads by Persia (jewelry – men, women, children)

Big Mama's Blessing Soy Candles

Canvas Photography by Klaire and knitted puppy hats

Casazza Designs (jewelry, hats)

Elements One (jewelry, travel candles)

ET Textiles (handbags and jewelry)

4 the Hefa in You (recycled handmade leather accessories) *

G.A.B.E (caricaturist)

Habeebah's Herbals (skin and hair products)

Holly Blue Jewelry (silver) *

K. Lynn Creations (ornaments, pillows)

Mad Mud Studio (original handmade stoneware, pottery)

Millie's Scented Rocks (aromatherapy)

NativeGrind (long boards)

Naya’s Closet (tutu’s for little ladies)

Ollie Trolley 4 Guys and Dollies LLC (women's and men's hair jewelry)

Samantha Stittle (visual artist)

Reinvented Elegance (jewelry created with recycled items, greeting cards, mosaics, ornaments)

Relaxing Arts (original watercolor, acrylic paintings, giclee prints, note cards, colored eggs, tea cozies) *

Sugalump Boutique (children’s hair accessories)

Twin Pieces (women’s jewelry)

 

We love having company . . . So bring your family, friends, come and visit, stroll, have a seat and support our artisans and food vendors and meet our new folks on the "Way"!

Rain or Shine, we will see you on Saturdays!

www.phenomenalproductions.com and visit www.nationalharbor.com - Click 'Things to Do.'  If you would like to be considered as a vendor, please contact us at: phyproductions123@gmail.com

Phyllicia and Mark
Market Masters

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