Saturday, September 27, 2014

Sustainable Saturday - Nature Paints by Number

I have been in a summer mood the past couple of days. Here in the Binghamton area of upstate New York, it has been so sunny, so warm, and so non-humid that you would think it was a wonderful day in July and not the end of September.
With our trees starting to turn color, we decided to drive today about an hour north, into the Finger Lakes.  Which is how I ended up seeing these jars of honey, glowing in the mid morning sun.
We were at the Saturday Ithaca, New York, Farmers Market, one of the best in the country.

It is located on the shores of Cayuga Lake, one of the Finger Lakes of upstate New York.  Nearby, people can dock boats. Along the market side of the lake are picnic benches, where you can sit and watch people or nature.
It is unfortunate that some of what they sell is quite expensive, but there is also a lot of more reasonably priced produce.  A lot of it is organic, and market rules demand it must be grown within 30 miles of the market.

Nature paints with such lovely colors, doesn't it?

We aren't that far from the end of the growing season.  If we had weather like this every day, we would quickly take it for granted. But we know that the bitter winds of winter will soon blow.  The days grow shorter every day, and more and more trees turn color every day.

These days are precious, and numbered by nature, even as it paints us an apology for what is to come.

One day, our frost will come, followed by the first freeze, and then the first flakes of snow, tumbling out of cloudy skies.

And the markets will move indoors and hunker down for the cold months.

But for now, honey glows and produce sings.

9 comments:

  1. I just love your heart, Alana. Those glowing jars of honey are just so beautiful, and something I would have stopped to marvel over as well. I am glad you guys get a few more days of warm weather before the winter hits. And I just love farmer's markets! I sold baked goods all summer at a farmer's market in Sheridan, WY and I had such a good time, and made a bit of money too. :-) Thanks for taking me along for the trip!

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    1. I've never sold at a farmer's market. I've only been on the other side of the table (the consumer). Most all the growers I've talked to are fantastic - willing to share their expertise and explain what they do with such patience. I've even visited a couple on "open farm days" - a fantastic experience.

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  2. "One day, our frost will come, followed by the first freeze, and then the first flakes of snow, tumbling out of cloudy skies.

    And the markets will move indoors and hunker down for the cold months.

    But for now, honey glows and produce sings."

    Oh my - you blew me away with this description! WOOHOOO - nature paints with its colors and YOU paint with your words #HUGSSS

    LOVEEEEEE

    Kitto

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    1. I try to paint with words. I'm happy I succeeded!

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  3. Lovely post! We've been having great weather too.

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  4. Yes, nature paints by numbers it seems with as vivid as the colours they came in, such as the golden honey and fresh vegetables. I think it's interesting that the farmer's market can only sell produce within 30 miles: that's a great concept! And I love that it's mostly all organic. Cool! And I love farmer's markets! :) <3

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    1. The Ithaca market is a fantastic place to visit. I like our local markets where I live, but I must say, the Ithaca market is worth the hours drive for those with the time and ability to do it.

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  5. Nature with it's coulurs and offerings makes up for a great canvas with God having painted on it, doesn't it?

    Random Thoughts Naba..It Cost more than One Life..

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