Today has been marked on my calender as a special occasion for months.  Today the Downtown Tacoma Farmer’s Market opened.  Last year my son and I made it a weekly excursion.  We would ride the “train,” wander through the market, pick up lunch and mini donuts and head home.  By mid season my arms would get tired from carrying my basket it was so heavy with treasures I would find.

Our market isn’t the biggest in the world, but it is growing.  When we lived in downtown Tacoma it was a seldom visited little market with more craft vendors than actual produce.  Today it is over flowing with the bounty of spring.  Sure there are a few handmade goods to be found, but there is more food.

When I told my son that today was market day is first response was, “can we get some fish?”  He is referring to Rolf’s Smoked Salmon.  We indulged and purchased a package that will likely be consumed mostly by me (only because I hoard it).

In addition to our fish we picked up a few herbs (including 2 cinnamon basil plants), Walla Walla Sweet spring onions, asparagus, 2 kinds of cheese (from 2 different vendors), baby lettuce and a bowl of West African Peanut Soup (for my lunch).  My son opted to not have lunch at the market, but was sad when I didn’t get him soup.  Next week baby.

I was quite excited to see the variety in the produce available.  There were more plant vendors than usual and the choices in prepared foods has grown as well.  My favorite Indian place (Gateway to India) even has a booth.

To make life easier we were gifted a beautiful new wagon over the winter.  This will make hauling my produce from the market to the car much easier.  I apologize if I run over any toes.