Monday, July 18, 2016

WHAT Ladder??

Remember what I said about having too much food and not needing any more sweets?  Well that went right out the window the second I landed at the Astoria Sunday Market.  If you are ever in this area, it's a MUST see.  Happily, more than half of the upper parking lot was full of vendors.
Meaning it has expanded by another 20 or more vendors, with three more selling plants and flowers.  You could landscape your entire yard with the beauties found here, not to mention your home with the amazing arrangements the ladies make.
This is where it hit me.  The very top vendor is HUGE and has more cinnamon rolls and cookies than you can shake a stick at.  My sweet tooth kicked in immediately, dragging me all around the display table where taste testing is a MUST!  There are samples for each and every one!! 
To make it even better, as my tooth cried out with joy .... they have every kind of jam, jelly and honey you could imagine .... and you can taste test every single one of those TOO!!  Baskets full of crackers await you!!  I think I showed great restraint.  I only tasted three jams and NO cookies ... however, three cookies, one scone and some jam ended up in my bag.   Not bad for a sweet fanatic!!
I stored all that in the car and headed back down the three block long gauntlet of goodies.  There are samples of everything edible, lots of fruits and vegetables and tons of jewelry.  I skipped them all however .... I was on a mission.
THIS was my target .... they call them a POCKET, but really they are like a pastie (pronounced pass-ty) a traditional pie from Cornwall England.  They are also called Byrek (Albania) or Borek (Istanbul) or any number of other names, including DELICIOUS!!  It's puff pastry with filling, this one being spinach and cheese.  I ate every single bite!!  I'm going to try and duplicate it, after I take out a little more fire insurance.
There were lots of organic vegetables, but I opted only for lettuce and basil, since my fridge is already full of squash and tomatoes from Illwaco.  The good news is I'll be around here for another month, so I'll get all my required daily veggies.
The Canadian guy at the end is still making birdhouses.  Yes, MANY of these vendors come all the way down from Canada to sell their wares.  Made with the BEST Canadian wood, he said!!  Even the man who makes and sells cigar box guitars is still here.  
Meet Ariel.  My oh my ... what a sweety she was.  She tried to get in my pockets and succeeded in jumping up on my chest and giving me a nice big kiss!!  Ariel is promoting the goats milk soap her Mama makes and was attracting loads of customers, unlike last year.  There were at least three vendors selling goats milk soap, so having a gimmick as cute as this, upped her sales dramatically!!  I wonder if they can be motorhome trained??
Still trying to buy local, I saw the Nehalem Bay Wine Company was giving out samples ... pretty LARGE samples at that ... of their wine selections.  This may be the one Miss Terry of Miss Terrys Kitchen and Gypsy Journal Fame, purchased last year.  You're going to think I'm weird, but the Pear Wine makes a GREAT salad dressing!!
Feeling pretty good that I showed GREAT restraint, except for that 2000 calorie pocket I consumed, I loaded up my meager purchases and drove down the hill to the huge two story Antique store I visited the day before.  Phog Bounders on Marine Drive is the name, but I don't think there's a sign.  I really wasn't looking for anything particular, but once in the basement ... you HAVE to go to the basement ... I spotted not one, but TWO ladders.  

What the heck does she need a ladder for??  As a quilter, you are always looking for ways to display your quilts.  Hanging them all over your walls is one option, but really my walls are not suitably wide enough where I want to hang things.  This idea came from seeing the ladders Indians used to access their rock wall houses .... and of course I've seen it in many a quilt store.

The best part is this ladder is wider and taller than most, making it perfect for it's new occupation.  Unfortunately with bike and ladder in the Jeep, no one can ride with me.  Maybe I can fit it in the basement of the rig.
The fog never lifted and the wind never blew yesterday, so the puppies and I lounged around the campground watching late comers fighting for spaces.  Being Sunday, it was nice and quiet last night as the horde of tent campers and weekenders filed out the gate.  I can actually see a tiny bit of blue in the sky this morning, so here's hoping there a nice breeze on the beach for kite flying.




9 comments:

  1. Marcia said her previous mother-in-law use to make Bourekáki...same thing, just Greek version.

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    1. Really? Does she have a recipe for a spinach/cheese filling? Those Greeks really know how to cook!!!

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  2. Nancy,
    I am so jealous! We opted to stay in the east this year but plan on spending most of this coming year checking out the Long Beach Peninsula and surrounding area. While we don't regret this decision, we sure are missing it up there! Especially with you pointing out all of my favorite highlights, too! And yes, Nehalem was the winery we visited. The Cran-Peré was my favorite! Thanks for all the beautiful reminders! Wish we were flying kites together again, Nick seconds that, too! We sure miss flying with you! And the wonderful seafood! Keep the pictures coming!

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    1. Terry, I can't tell you how much I miss you two when it comes to kite flying, not to mention your amazing lasagne!! They didn't have Cran-Pere ... guess I'll just have to visit the winery!!

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  3. It's so hot here that I wish we were still on the coast. Have you visited the 2 quilt stores in Asroria yet?

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    1. TWO stores?? I only know of ONE down by the bay on 10th street. I'm so sorry it's hot there ... I'm totally enjoying the cool in spite of the rain!!

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  4. Astoria Vintage Hardware … Architectural Salvage and Home Furnishings. The source for repurposed and reclaimed treasures for your home and garden: antique doors, hardware, windows, molding, bath and light fixtures, artifacts, etc. blended with custom creations from their personal studios, My Grandfather’s Nails and Savannah House.

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    1. Oh I'm DEFINITELY going THERE Ed!!! Saw that last year and could have spent a fortune!! The problem is getting it all home!

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  5. One of these days I'm going to nail his computer to the wall
    Seems like it's got a mind of its own
    what's missing is the next time you're down by the waterfront in Astoria
    Check out Astoria vintage hardware its down where you were for your ladder almost next door check out the cast iron Bins you should be able to find something there decorative is well as hangers

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