First autumn CSA share

If you've been following my blog (and really, who hasn't?  Hi, Mom!), you know that I've been super excited about the CSA share I've been getting from Dutchtown's own Maude's Market. 

The autumn session has just started, and man, every time I think Maude can't top herself, she goes and does it!

This past weekend's share included bison meat, sweet potatoes, figs, Billy Goat chips (so yum), baby kale, pears, and lepina (amazing Bosnian flatbread.)

Everything=so good.  If you aren't near Maude's Market, and you haven't already looked into CSA shares in your area, I absolutely recommend you check it out. 

What's that you say?  You want a closer look at the goods?  They are so pretty that they love to pose, so here are some highlights of our little photo session.

Gorgeous figs from Ivan's figs

round pears from Akins Orchard and Farm

Bosnian lepina bread from Golden Grain Bakery, and baby red Russian kale from Yellow Dog Farm.  That crust on the lepina?  Unbelievable.  Go get you some, seriously. 

And one more look at those luscious figs, because they are just beautiful, aren't they?

Another sweet weekend on Cherokee Street

Have I mentioned how much I like Cherokee Street?  Well, I do.

Every time I spend time on Cherokee I'm reminded of how many wonderful people and places are there.

This weekend I had occasion to hit a few spots.  Saturday I went to a poetry reading at the Firecracker Press.  Tony Renner and Steve Schroeder read from their work, while Eric Woods of Firecracker cranked out letterpress broadsides of their poems.  These things (the poems and the posters) are so cool!  Keep an eye out for the next poetry readings in the series at Firecracker.  Such a great idea.

Tony Renner reads while Eric Woods prints a broadside of one of Tony's poems

Afterward had a late lunch at the always-delicious La Vallesana.  It has expanded its outdoor patio/dining area lately but it's still as yummy as ever.  Hibiscus agua fresca might be my new favorite drink.

Sunday I finally got an opportunity to stop by the recently opened St. Louis Curio Shoppe, at 2301 Cherokee Street.  Kristin and Kristin, the sweet and funny owners, are stocking St. Louis-related products of all kinds:  books about the history of gangs in St. Louis, peanut butter made locally, Fitz's soda, Coral Courts keychains, jewelry by local designers, eco-friendly cleaning products, beautiful wood cutting boards ... you name it, it's there.  (Oh, also they are being kind enough to carry some of my St. Louis photos for sale.)

The shop is incredibly cute.  I want to buy everything in there.  You will too, once you visit.  Which you should do soon.

St. Louis-related memorabilia on display at the St. Louis Curio Shoppe

Soap for sale at the St. Louis Curio Shoppe

 locally made potholders at St. Louis Curio Shoppe

Buy REALLY local

The other night my awesome neighbor Maggie brought me a sample of these delicious chocolate cherry tomatoes from her family's garden. So.good. I had to place an order for more today as I ate up my sample real quick-like.

I like to buy local produce in season when I can, but I am not always so good at getting out to the farmers' markets and don't love going to the grocery store, so I don't manage to do this as much as I should in the summer.

So, yay yay yay for local being grown-across-the-street local. Right here in Gravois Park!

I am not quite up-to-date on photos from my recent activities, but these were so lovely and delicious I had to sing their praises right away.

If you want to buy your very own amazing tomatoes, visit the Cade family's web site to learn more.