The Spoils Of Market

If you've never been to Sunday Market in Astoria, it should be a MUST on your to-do list.  I'm a day behind in my blogging, but this is the best "farmers market" ever!  It was bright and sunny when I left Seaside, but if you just hang out for awhile, it will chAngE.  Sorry ... a mosquito just got me.  With all the rain they've had up here this year, I've been chasing them throughout my rig!!

Just as I arrived, the skies opened up.  I try to be there by 9:30, driving to the top of the market by the church where I have always found perfect parking.  I waited out the rain.  Balancing a big camera, my backpack and an umbrella just doesn't work out so well.

There are three blocks full to the brim with vendors, many of whom are here every week.  Some only come on the first Sunday, which of course means you have to go EVERY Sunday to catch it all.  Your puppies are welcome to come along.

If you live in this area, it's the perfect place to buy plants grown locally.  There are also a lot of craftsmen here who don't want pictures taken of their booths.  You might be trying to steal their ideas.  There is everything from jewelry to knives to cutting boards to cigar box banjos and steel creations.

Then there are the flower vendors, putting together amazing bouquets ... HUGE ones for $10-20.

These two cuties took the cake ... and so did I by the way.  Bow ties and all, they are selling their homemade playdoh.  I'm sure Mom is somewhere in the background, but these kids do it all, including giving you free samples.  How could you resist??  The other side had the older brother and sister selling their pottery.

This little baby sells lots of Goat Soap ... not the girl, the goat-goat as I used to call them when I was little.  Spoiled to the hilt, she's here every week for you to pet and play with ... I mean the GOAT.  

I walked the length of the market to the food court at the bottom.  I was hunting my all time favorite snack, a spinach hand pie.  Alas, they are no longer here.  That's bad news, since now I'll have to try and recreate it myself.  She previously gave me lots of tips, so we'll see how it goes.  Puff pastry ... now that should be a fun experiment!

It being only 10:00 am, the salmon chowder and oysters didn't quite fit the bill, so I opted for a strawberry/lemon crepe.  It was delicious, but didn't kill the craving I had.  

Here's something I think Miss Terry purchased the last time they were here, although it may not be the exact one.  It was pear vinegar.  She used it as salad dressing in the fabulous dinner she made (including her one-of-a-kind lasagne).  I've been looking for it ever since.  Actually, these were all balsamic vinegars (who knew there was white balsamic) with different flavors.  Aged for 18 years, they do not require refrigeration, even after opening, and are delicious with a capital D.  This one is to pour over chicken or fish ... it has a lemon/orange citrusy flavor.

Back at the rig, here are the spoils of the day.  Carmel corn ... keep it in the freezer for those midnight snack attacks ..... pear wine from Nehalem Winery .... a ceramic garlic grater for the Arizona house .... Raspberry Jalapeño jam (they were out of Marionberry) .... the best cookies in the Northwest .... a fresh strawberry mini pie .... Celia's white balsamic vinegar and a fruit filled hand pie.  Somehow the cake disappeared.

With my shopping done, I was off on another vacuum search, which resulted in nothing but some pretty pictures of the bridge with the old railroad tracks in the foreground.  This probably could have been better, but there were two homeless men sitting on a nearby bench that decided to head my direction.  

Ten minutes later, check out the difference in the sky.  There were ten ships anchored out waiting for their pilot to take them up the river.  Just as I was leaving Seaside on Monday, this big ship was heading out under the bridge.

Although my hunt didn't turn up any vacuums, I did find this wonderful entertainment palace for a late night drink.  I'm sad to say that several business I normally visit are OUT of business ... but this place just keep rolling on!!  Yeah ... it's all about the sign.

In spite of all my goodies, I stopped in at the Great Wall Chinese Food in Gearhart Oregon.  I love their fried rice and they give you a HUGE amount.  Be sure and go for lunch however, as dinner is the same thing, just more expensive.  

Chicken fried rice and strawberry pie!!  I have so much rice I think it will last for four days at least!

Monday morning bright and early, I packed up and headed to Long Beach, or rather the Thousand Trails campground in Seaview.  There's been some changes here ... and some critters to watch out for.  Even better, I've caught up with Carol and Dave Krajcar.  I'm heading their way this morning.  It's just so cool to meet my readers for the first time!!