Day 132: Farmers' Market, Playdate, and Dilly Beans

Taiya, William and I headed out Saturday morning, cooler in the trunk, to pick up our Farmers' Market pre-order. We stopped at the gas station to fill up and of course, William had to poop. It wouldn't be notable and I wouldn't be writing about it except that it meant Taiya and William had to mask up for the first time and go inside. As I tied on my mask and tied on theirs, my muffled but stern instructions were: Don't Touch Anything. Hands At Your Sides. Don't Take Off Your Mask. And Stay Away From People. Thankfully, they are old enough to be able to do as they are told since they can understand how important it is. Most people in the gas station were wearing masks, but not everyone, even though there is a mask mandate in place now, finally. 

We made our way north on what had been my daily commute. It is a beautiful, mountainous drive up to Fayetteville, and we rocked along listening to the kids' favorites: Jojo Siwa, Pink, and The Greatest Showman soundtrack. Once we got to the drive-through farmers market downtown, we just pulled up and parked and some lovely people put my order in the cooler in the back of my car, and we were on our way. I could see the market from where I was parked and there were way too many people for me to feel comfortable shopping there. I am glad they have the pick-up option. 

After taking care of this errand, we met up with Taiya's friend and her mom (my coworker) at a local park. We set out picnic blankets about ten feet apart from each other and were able to have a playdate for about an hour. The kids were so excited to see each other. They ran all over the place, collecting cicada skins, finding sticks, jabbering away. William carried his shark toy everywhere he went, and did a good job keeping up with the big girls. My coworker and I got to sit on our blankets, drink tea, and catch up while keeping an eye on the roving children. We didn't wear masks since we were outside and stayed apart. The kids probably should have worn masks, because they frequently forgot to stay six feet apart. But we discovered a good activity for social distance playing: finding really long sticks and sword-fighting with them. 

After a not-long-enough time with our friends we headed home. We balanced out the wholesomeness of the morning by getting lunch at the Braum's drive-thru. Nothing like chicken strips and milk shakes to balance out our farmers' market good karma. 

In the afternoon I made my first-ever batch of Dilly Beans. I am looking forward to enjoying the crisp taste of summer preserved in pints when it gets cold. I was told a long time ago by Jeremy's Aunt Kathy that you shouldn't open your canned goods until after the first frost, and I like that rule. The wait will make it taste that much better.

My first Dilly Beans.

Saturday dinner: sourdough bread, mayo, basil,
heirloom tomato, and a little sprinkle of salt.