Dallas Farmer's Market

When I posted My Summer Bucket List, I received a FB message from one of my college roommates. She told me she wanted to help me cross a specific item off my Summer Bucket List: Buying produce at a farmer’s market. It took us a couple of messages to decide on a date, but we finally settled on Aug 17^th. So last Saturday I got in my car and drove over to Dallas to the Dallas Farmer’s Market.

Before my visit, I went to the Dallas Farmer’s Market Website. I scoured the website to find any info I needed to know before my visit. I found some vital information about parking and my need for cash-ola. I also learned there were three main sheds. Shed 1 was all local produce, only from the State of Texas. Shed 3 was  for refrigerated produce sellers. All of this produce came from out of state. Shed 4 was for wholesalers  buying in bulk(aka, not me). I saw something about Shed 2 hosting eateries & specialty foods. I was not super concerned about shed 2 or shed 3. I found out that each shed had free parking (I like the word free!!).

Before I arrived at the Farmer’s Market my friend called and told me she was parked at the corner of Pearl & Marilla. Somehow (by the grace of God I think) I ended up parking right next to her with only a car between us. It took us a few minutes to find one another and then we were off! Of course we stopped by the Farmer’s Market sign for a selfie.

Next we headed to Shed 1. Still not sure what to expect we rounded the corner to find a long open aired shed with a street running through it. On either side of the street were vendors. Each vendor had people who offered samples of the food. I was happy to try different things. I mean I didn’t want to buy something that didn’t taste good! So we walked up and down the sidewalk and took everything in. I was honestly surprised by the variety. We saw melon, peaches, tomatoes, peas, okra, honey & even meat. My first purchase of the day was peaches. YUM! I have been craving good peaches all summer.

We walked over to Shed 4 curious about what we would find. Shed 4 was full of people and more produce than I my eyes could take in. We saw some different things, but did not purchase anything in Shed 4.

We returned to Shed 1. We talked about what we would purchase. I knew I wanted some tomatoes and my friend wanted to purchase some peas. So we picked out our purchases. At the last minute I saw some pears that I knew the hubby would like. He started back to school this week and I knew it would be a nice treat for him.

My friend and I were not ready to let go of our time. We sat and visited for awhile and watched people line up at the door outside of Shed 2 (remember that was the specialty food shed). We wondered what they wanted. I had heard about a place in Shed 2 called Pecan Lodge that served something called the Hot Mess. We wondered if that is what people were waiting for. When the doors finally opened, people rushed in to get in line at Pecan Lodge. We had to admit, it smelled divine, but we were not willing to wait in the long line that wrapped around the small stand inside Shed 2.

Instead we decided to head to Central Market. You see Central Market was running their Annual Green Chile Festival and no good New Mexican can allow that festival to come through without attending. So off we went to Central Market. I love to stand and smell the chiles roasting at the door. A smell only a New Mexican can truly appreciate!

We wandered through each section trying different green chile flavored things. I picked up two of my favorite things and one new item I had been wanting to try. First was my non-negotiable: fresh roasted green chile by the pound. I bought 4 pounds. Which I promptly took home and put in the freezer. I also picked up some green chile and pineapple salsa that I fell in love with last year. My new item was green chile hummus. I fell in love with this hummus at first bite!

I had so much fun with my friend Ashley. Ashley, thanks for helping me check off another Summer Bucket List item! I enjoyed spending some one on one time with you!!! Let’s not wait so long next time okay?

Fort Worth Food Truck Park

Well, remember that ambitious Summer Bucket List I had?? Well…..yeah I might have bitten off more than I could chew this summer. I had no idea how much our lives would change once our college students were out of school. I got so busy that I have really been struggling to blog. Sorry Friend

The first item on my Summer Bucket List was visiting the Ft. Worth Food Truck Park. I have heard several of my friends talking about this place and I was excited to try it out. I got to complete this task thanks to my SIL Brittany. Brittany wanted to go to the Food Truck Park for her birthday. So off we went as a family to the Food Truck Park. I was beyond excited!!! We rolled down this small regular looking street. I kept wondering when I would see the food park.  To my right, tucked off to the side was the Food Truck Park. At first glance I thought, is this it? The Ft. Worth Food Truck Park was not very big. They had five to six trucks parked around the edges of the park. In the middle was a gravel area with picnic tables.

Our first task was to find a table in the shade. After securing a table we walked around looking at each truck and tried to determine what to eat. Finally we decided to order from different trucks. I was craving tacos, so I ordered tacos from the What's Cook-N Chef truck. My hubby ordered fish and chips from the Three Lions Truck. We split two kinds of mac and cheese from the Sweetie V's truck. My hubby's fish and chips were SO good! I was actually a little jealous. My tacos were good, but not spectacular. Next time I would order something different. The mac and cheese was SO good. We tried regular & creole. I must say they were pretty greasy, but the taste was worth it.

Over all, we had a good time. The trucks at the Food Truck Park change every day, so the food is constantly changing. I would love to go back and try more food, next time I will be a little more ambitious about trying something different.

My Summer Bucket List

If you know me, you know I love a good list. I have lived in the DFW area for almost 8 years. And there is so much of my city I have not seen. So much to experience. So, I started writing down the things I would like to do and see this summer. Things I want to accomplish. And therefore I give you, My Summer Bucket List:

Now let's review:

My first item is to visit the Fort Worth Food Truck Park. I have been hearing so many awesome thing about it. I have been telling my Lovie for months that I want to go. 

Next seems a little silly. But you see, contrary to my grandmother who can grow anything like Mother Nature, I have the black thumb of the family. I have tried my hand at tomatoes (which is truly my ultimate goal), I have tried the basic house plant. It never fails. They die by the work of my hands. Seriously it's gotten out of hand and I am determined to be successful. Any suggestions for this black thumb girl?

I have heard so many cool things about the Fort Worth Zoo. It was right down the street from me when I lived in Fort Worth. But I am somewhat of a tight wad, and well. I would never spend the money on myself to go. 

Nothing says summer to me more than fresh produce. I have been dying to check out the Dallas Farmer's Market. I figure since I cannot grow tomatoes the Farmer's Market is the next best thing. 

Former President's George W. Bush's Presidential Library is here in my area. It opened recently and I think it would be cool to check out. Now it totally doesn't hurt that my favorite dessert place Pokey O's is right around the corner from the Library. If you take a trip to Pokey's get two snicker doodle cookies with cake batter Blue Bell ice cream. Just trust me on that one.

Recently I realized I have a problem. I pin so many recipes to Pinterest and I have barely tried any of them. So this summer I want to try three new recipes. 

Ohh I love a good craft. Again I have SO MANY pinned and have not completed a single one of them. This has got to stop!!! 

Funny story about where JFK was killed. My husband drove around Ft. Worth one day trying to find the site, only to learn it was actually in Dallas. Ever since he first told me that story, I have wanted to see it. Again, just to experience my own city. 

Milk glass. What is that you might wonder? Well just head over to my Pinterest Board and check it out.  My goal for this is just to start a collection. That means I just need one piece. I love the hobnail patterns and the lattice work patterns. 

My last item is well, kind of sad. When I was in Seminary I bought myself a DSL camera. I paid a pretty penny for that camera and I still don't really know how to use it. Last month I spent hours reading blogs on how to use it and trying to understand aperture and shutter speed, etc. I'm hoping some of my college girls (who have professional experience) will give me some lessons this summer. I'm thinking it's going to take a few. 

Well, there it is! My Summer Bucket List. I will keep you posted on the adventures I hope to go on as I seek to complete each one.