MOBOT in the fog

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

Japanese Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Maude's Market fall 2012 CSA coming soon!

I've not been taking a ton of photographs this summer, so I've gotten very few of the bounty I've been reaping from the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share I get from Maude's Market in Dutchtown, here in south St. Louis.  But above are a few of the greens and yellows that have crossed my plate this summer.

And the season's nearly over!  Next week is the last pickup of the summer. The autumn CSA begins October 5.

I've gone on and on about the CSA here on the blog.  You can see some of my posts here for a sampling of some of the awesome goodies I've gotten and an overview of how the CSA works.

But, even better information is available from Maude's Market itself.  Check it out here.  Not too late to sign up for next season!  And I urge you to.  It's fun!

If you're not local, and haven't participated in a CSA before, check out some options in your own community.

It's Roid Week! (Friday)

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

Roid Week is a celebration of instant film, on Flickr. See all about it (and other people's photos) here.

This photo was taken on S. Jefferson Ave. in south St. Louis.

I used a Holga camera with a Polaroid back (affectionately known as a Holgaroid), with Polaroid Type 89 pack film (which is no longer made and past its expiration date by a few years, so I keep my last few remaining packs in the fridge for special occasions, like Roid Week!)

It's Roid Week! (Thursday)

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

Roid Week is a celebration of instant film, on Flickr. See all about it (and other people's photos) here.

This is the last remaining location of Globe Drugs in St. Louis. Globe Drugs — for the uninitiated — is part pharmacy, part wine/spirits store, and (I would say) mostly variety store.

There are so so so many things there, at low low prices. What's in stock changes frequently. Expect the unexpected, for sure. Go check it out!

This photo is a Polaroid transfer. I took the photo with my regular digital camera, printed the photo, and then exposed the image to Polaroid Type 669 pack film (which is no longer made and past its expiration date by a few years, so I keep my last few remaining packs in the fridge for special occasions, like Roid Week!)

After the image is exposed to the pack film, the negative is separated from the positive, and the negative is printed onto something else (in this case, watercolor paper).

It's Roid Week! (Tuesday)

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

Roid Week is a celebration of instant film, on Flickr. See all about it (and other people's photos) here.

This photo was taken on S. Jefferson Ave. in south St. Louis.

I used a Holga camera with a Polaroid back (affectionately known as a Holgaroid), with Polaroid Type 89 pack film (which is no longer made and past its expiration date by a few years, so I keep my last few remaining packs in the fridge for special occasions, like Roid Week!)

It's Roid Week! (Monday)

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

Roid Week is a celebration of instant film, on Flickr. See all about it (and other people's photos) here.

This photo was taken on Chippewa Ave. in south St. Louis, not far from my house.

I used a Holga camera with a Polaroid back (affectionately known as a Holgaroid), with Polaroid Type 89 pack film (which is no longer made and past its expiration date by a few years, so I keep my last few remaining packs in the fridge for special occasions, like Roid Week!)

last week of spring

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

last week of the spring CSA share from Maude's Market in St. Louis.

Village Chippewa

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

St. Louis, Missouri, USA
shot with a Holgaroid

There was a fire

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

grapefruit brulee

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

grapefruit, a little vanilla sugar, and tiny pieces of butter sprinkled atop, then broiled.

grapefruit and vanilla sugar from Maude's Market in Dutchown in south St. Louis.  Maude's spring CSA is starting up soon, details here.

The Rooflines of Cherokee Street 6

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

The Rooflines of Cherokee Street 5

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

The Rooflines of Cherokee Street 3

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

The Rooflines of Cherokee Street 2

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

The Rooflines of Cherokee Street 1

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

down but not out

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

... and a good time was had by all

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

downtown STL one day

Untitled, a photo by Hilary (curioush) on Flickr.

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?

Yay yay, CSA!

If you have talked to me at all this summer, you know that all I want to talk about is my CSA share.  I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to photographing any of my CSA bounty until now.

What’s CSA?  That’s community supported agriculture!  The quick explanation is that it’s a subscription-type program through which I buy groceries each week from local farmers and other producers.  More on CSA in general here. 

I get my CSA share from the wonderful Maude’s Market in Dutchtown. Once a week Maude sends an e-mail detailing what will be in that week’s share.  It usually includes produce, meat (vegetarian shares available), a staple, and a treat.  A well-rounded meal plan if you ask me!  

I’m nuts about it.  I’ve cooked things I’ve never cooked with before, such as tatsoi and ground mutton; I’ve made dishes I never thought of before, like cantaloupe salad with basil and mint; and I’ve gotten to spend the summer with old favorites, like sweet corn, beautiful tomatoes, and fat, pretty eggplants. 

Some other highlights have included fantastic yogurt, focaccia, spices, jelly, and goat milk moisturizing cream(!)

The summer subscription for the CSA is ending soon, and it’s time to sign up for the fall period (roughly October-November.)  I asked Maude tonight and she said there’s a waiting list for fall, but there’s a chance a spot will open up, so I recommend sending her a note and seeing about getting in on the fun.  

More details on the commitment here.

And you can look on the Maude’s Market blog for examples of what each share has looked like for the last several months or so.   

Even if you don’t get in on the CSA, I urge you to go visit the market.  It’s a darling little space, with really interesting (all local) products.  Go!  See it!

Maude’s Market

4219 Virginia Avenue

(2 blocks east of Grand, just south of Meramec)

St. Louis, MO

 things I got in this week's share

 eggplants, arugula, smoked Gouda!

 that basil sure looks like it would like to get a little closer to those tomatoes.  don't be shy, basil!

sweet corn, leeks -- can't wait to eat you!