Today was the first Farmer's Market in Daley Plaza. It was lovely to stroll through and take in the beautiful, young plants and the first produce of the season. The purple-tipped asparagus winked suggestively and a few early tomatoes made a surprise appearance. Last year the season got off to a poor start (with low temps, little sun and too much rain). This year seems much better; there appear to be some new vendors and all the tables were much more full.

So it begins...I will fill my backpack with canvas bags and each Thursday will march down to the plaza to get produce for our household. While we like to grow our own food, it will be quite a while before our yard will begin to yield much beyond greens. The sunshine will kiss me, luring out my freckles. The plaza fountain will sing like a thousand ladies rustling their silk skirts while The Picasso looks on cryptically. Though commuting home with pounds of produce on each arm is not always a thrill, it is well worth the joy of living a little closer to my values.

One of the best milestones of my year has come...now I begin counting days until the blueberries arrive. :)

To find a Chicago Farmer's Market near you click here. Folks outside Chicago can track markets through Local Harvest.