Farmer's Market and Inconvenient Bag in a blog

The farmer's market is my shrine of shopping. Don't you just love that first deep whiff of fresh basil (it's cheating if you're smelling it in February), the season's first corn on the cob, tomatoes and fresh flowers? Well, the tomatoes may not be ready yet, but if I'm not mistaken, our fabulous Farmer's Market starts today! Oddly, I didn't see any mention of it in this morning's paper, but it starts in June, and here we are. Can't wait to see if the mushroom guy is there -- hoo boy, we love those maitake mushrooms. And later, when the heirloom tomatoes are in, I can be happy with just those for dinner: slice them up, do a little fresh basil chiffonade (a fun and satisfying little project, almost as much fun as snipping chives with scissors), drizzle a little good olive oil on them and a wee splash of balsamic or maybe a brighter vinegar (champagne pear), and then a light sprinkle of good, french, crunchy sea salt. Yum. What's your favorite farmer's market treat?

I'm really happy to see so many new market tote options, and to see so many people using them! A year ago, if you walked into Albertson's with your own bag, people looked at you like, what are you, some kinda hippie communist? Now it seems everyone is really getting with the idea of bringing a tote. You might forget to bring the bag the first couple of times, but then it becomes second nature. The main thing is to throw the bag(s) back in the car after you unload them.

Here's our most recent entry into bag options, available at both Pomegranates (although a reorder will soon be needed). I adore this line: they're called An Inconvenient Bag and are adorned with cute, funky graphics. I met the designer at market last winter, and he was so excited about his product. I'm a total sucker for a passionate, one-person company with vision and a good idea. About two seconds into his animated pitch, I put my hands up and said, okay okay, I'll take them all. These are lightweight, but very strong canvas bags. The front, back and bottom are cut in one long piece, so that there are no seams at the bottom of the bag, where the most stress is. They're nice and wide, and have long enough shoulder straps so you can tuck it under your arm, even when full. Pick one up ($16) at our downtown store on your way to the market...