My first visit to the Portland Farmers' Market at PSU in the South Park Blocks ... what a Saturday morning treat! Thanks, Sarah!

I bought a bunch of these carrots.

When I set them down to pay for them, the guy calmly, deftly twisted the tops right off and tossed them into a box behind him on the sidewalk. Surprised, I said, "Oh, we want those for Sarah's chickens!" So he handed the box to her, I gave her a Fred Meyer bag I'd brought, and she filled it up. "The girls are gonna love this," she cried.

To tell the truth, the two of us girls loved the entire outing and the bounty we brought to our respective homes.

Sarah, my friend from work, the one who gave those us gorgeous eggs a few weeks ago, picked me up in her Honda SUV at 8:30 a.m. At the traffic signal on SW Salmon at SW 14th, I spied this glorious pink dogwood out the driver's side window. As I snapped my first shot, Sarah lowered the automatic window. You can see the blurry edge of the window as it goes down in this photo.

I have to show you the second photo, too. Isn't that a beautiful sight on a cool spring morning?


As she searched for a parking spot close to the Farmers Market, my eyes locked onto these white items along the sidewalk. "What's that?" I asked. Sarah saw a spot just then, so we parked. "I don't know, but we're going to walk right by them," Sarah said. And we did on our way to the market.

See them down the sidewalk?

And across the street.

I like these, but I'm glad I didn't have to drill all of these holes!

One more close up.

Interesting for sure.

Here's what I found about the sculptures at TriMet's Web site: Fernanda D’Agostino has proposed 10 to 12 carved granite sculptures based on diatoms, microscopic organisms studied to determine the health of a water system. The over-sized “Diatoms” will be located in the infiltration strips adjacent to Portland State University in reference to TriMet’s and their shared emphasis on sustainability. I'd say that TriMet accepted his proposal--I have beheld the proof.

Around the corner and a couple of blocks west we entered the market area itself. I quickly realized heaven on earth awaited all five of my senses. Here are my photos, in no particular order.

I smelled food being cooked. I tasted a crepe, a slice of pear, a slice of apple, pepper jellies, pear cider, and a bite of arugula as well as a bite of pate. I touched everything I tasted except for the pear cider--it was in a tiny paper cup.
A man makes a crepe.

My crepe with eggs and Black Forest ham.

Did this ever smell good! Salumeria di Carlo, who make Italian sausage sandwiches, either spicy southern or sweet northern. You can add those grilled veggies, too.

My scrumptious crepe, filled with eggs and Black Forest ham. Dining on it kept me from buying a sausage sandwich--maybe next time!


I saw flowers, vegetables, cheeses, meats, eggs, pastries, jellies, honey, cherries and chocolate, plants, vegetable and herb starts, and lots of engaged vendors.
Double daffodils.

I got a bunch of these yellow double daffodils on my way back to the car.

Asparagus--I bought some even smaller than these at another vendor.

Tulips were everywhere. Sarah got one of these bouquets.

I got a bunch of these teensy green onions.

I haven't seen this plant since I left Mississippi. It's called Wandering Jew, but we called it cane. Our sweet friend Kay had a huge pot of it. She put a few stems broken off on purpose into one of our big pots. Before long, we had our own pot of it which we kept for the next five years, out on our patio/deck. I put it into a tent each winter to protect it from the cold.

See what I mean about the tulips?

I've never seen these spiral petals! Have you?

Aren't these eggs beautiful?

I got some of these Red Anjou and Bosc pears. And in the background are the apples--I got two Braeburns. I tasted the Bosc and the Braeburn before buying. Good taste, great texture.

More gorgeous veggies.

I forgot to go back for some of this, doggone it.

Starts galore. Oh, if only I had some dirt!

Baby turnips, what a sight.

This is where I loaded up a bag of greens, all sorts of really fresh, great tasting greens. The only think lacking was more tongs to grab the greens.

A tier of quiche delights! I got a spinach, artichoke one--yummy beyond compare.

Next time spinach pie!

Rainbow chard and another photographer.

Veggie Valet--stupendous idea!

Well, she walked in just as I snapped the Veggie Valet, but I'm leaving her there because I like the bags and the petunias!

Baby bok choy.

One of the few vendor names I can remember, Salmon Creek Farms, Battle Ground, Washington--these are their tomatoes. Across from this pile there were small brown paper bags, grab bags for $2 I think, each with four of last week's tomatoes in them. I got one because I could tell they still looked very good.

And one of their beefsteaks. Beautiful, aren't they? Here's more about this vendor that I found on the Farmers Market Web site, Hydroponics and Bee farm (Apiary). I didn't buy any honey or bees wax, but I did see it.

Look at the perfection of form and color in these artichokes.

Echeveria.


I heard people asking questions about produce, fruit, flowers, food at an information booth, as well as a musician standing on the corner in front of the Simon Benson House.
Information booth near the Simon Benson House.


Here's a guy who must have a strong ability to restrain himself. By that I mean if all he bought was what appears to be lettuce and onions, he's able to withstand the bounty way better than I was.


My big, water-repellent bag, holding my two bunches of flowers.


Sarah and her tulips!


So Portland, on the way home, to see once again that strange van I first noticed a few weeks ago on West Burnside--right beside the westbound MAX a block from where it had derailed last Monday. There's something different on the van already. Look at my post "Whoa! What's That?" as seen in an earlier April post.


Here's a bit about the Portland Farmers Market, from their Web site.
Consistently ranked as one of the best farmers markets in the country, our Saturday Market at PSU has grown to become one of Portland's premier events for locals and tourists alike. After spending some time experiencing its energy, diversity and abundance, it is easy to understand why.
Since there are other markets happening on other days and during other months, I hope to get to some of them, too. The Web site says: So don't miss out on this landmark Portland experience. And then take the time to visit the other four Portland Farmers Markets. Each has its own unique feel and appeal... from the integration of Wednesday's market into downtown life to the neighborhood feel of King and Eastbank, to the intimacy of the Pearl.

Tomorrow, I'll post photos of the bounty that I brought home!