After reading Tracy's (Ms. Bake It) and Shellbelle (Tiki Hut) posts on their adventures last week, I just had to get down to St. Petersburg to experience the Saturday Morning Market for myself. WOW! It's fantastic! (I had only been to the summer market which was held in a parking garage...in the shade...and is much smaller.)
There was so much to see...to experience. Mac Daddy and I spent most of the day exploring the market, neighborhoods, and a few thrift stores. Drummer Boy, his wife, Sweet Catherine (Sounds of Sight) and her mom met us at The Dome Grill...a Greek-style diner which has been thriving in downtown forever. (We were first introduced to The Dome by another son, Wine Guy, and his lady.) It's known for scrumptious breakfasts and Greek Spanikopita. It's a "place your order, gather your flatware, tear off some paper towels, and pour your own coffee" sort of place. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables! You will see a cast of characters eating here...baseball players, semi-homeless, and well-heeled residents...and the sweetest lady who busses the tables. She calls all the regulars by name...and even sits and chats if the restaurant isn't too busy. (MacDaddy had a delicious omelet, and I had a classic eggs and bacon breakfast. Mmmmmm....)
As much as we enjoyed the food, we all wished we had not eaten....because there was so much food at the Saturday Morning Market. And the smells were so enticing!
Here is a little taste of our day in St. Pete...
FRESH "NATURALLY GROWN" VEGETABLES AND HERBS (I spent a fortune here...I've GOT to get a garden planted!)
There were ARTISANS scattered throughout the market. This vendor had metal coastal sculptures. I loved the seahorses! I spied a GOURD lady, a SOAP maker with wonderful olive oil soaps, and more. I spied a couple of PAINTERS, too. Most of the work was not original, though. The one I truly liked had mostly giclees of his original works. However he had one truly inspired original...a 3 dimensional painting with lots of texture.He was so excited that I had noticed it (the first person to do so in 3 weeks), he shared how to do it on my own. :-) I also loved the ADIRONDAK CHAIR maker...and his fish chair and table.
Notice the bouganvilla at this stand... was amazing! And the prices were so much lower than the plants we found at Lowes or Home Depot... I'm going back next week!!!
Aren't these pepper plants gorgeous!
Cute puppies were everywhere! I loved this little Dalmation. He was so sweet!!!
The little Yorkies were dressed in glitzy duds...and they rode in style in a double-decker pet stroller. Too cute!
I am planning to return next weekend...with good walking shoes, a hat, lots of cash, and AN EMPTY STOMACH!!!
I am linking up with Outdoor Wednesdays this week. Check it out by visiting Susan at
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/
17 comments:
What a great outdoor market, a little bit of everything. Looks like a perfect place to sell your art... I bet you'd be very popular.
p.s. I had leftover collard greens for breakfast :-)
looks like great fun!!!
Warm howdies to u,
d
I love,love,love outdoor markets...I need to make this a "got to" see,next time I'm down.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly
oooh, sounds loverly! I'll have to get my other half over there one shiny market day...it's only an hour away...we could call it a day trip :)
loved your description of the restaurant where you ate...the characters around here are such astonishing mix, aren't they? My brother from Mpls. has a home in North Fort Meyers and whenever he returns for the winter, he smiles to himself and says, "ahhhh, I'm back in the land where they call me 'hon and 'sweetie! feels so darn good!"
Looks and sounds like you had fun! Sean and I went early. It was a great day at the market Saturday and I saw and talked with a lot of new vendors. I never get tired of going to the SMM because it is different every time. Sure there are the regular vendors who are there every Saturday but then there are always new ones showing up too.
Hugs,
Tracy
Hey, Ive been meaning to ask... How much do you think it will cost for becky to make me a small quilt. About Half the size of the one she made me!
Looks like fun, Jane!!! :-)
Isn't it the best?! Of course, you had much better weather than Tracy and I had the day we went, lol. I've love to go again and get me some of those greens. You say they're so good and now I have to see for myself. Thanks, now I'm hungry and it's only Thursday.
Glad you had a great day!
Looks like such a fun happy day!!
I have to get a little winter escape condo in FL!!! So fun!
Making plans to go. It looks wonderful!
Jane have I told you how much I adore your background? The watercolor is just superb!
Come and join my amazing giveaway from Splenderosa!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
returning to give you a pre v-d-y hug. you know the code, j-ne.;-p
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
she.
Wow. Flowers. And we are under about 24 inches of snow! Good thing I like snow but it was really nice looking at the flower pics.
Take care, Linda
What a fun day! I *heart* those pepper plants!!!
Hi Jane,
It all looks and sounds wonderful! Makes me long for summer! I love bouganvilla, but it's an annual here -- such beautiful colors though!
How lovely to see all al these warm outdoor pictures. My sunbathing chaises are again covered in snow and ice. May call for another picture.
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