Boggy Creek Farm

www.boggycreekfarm.com

What a treat it is these days to be able to buy food from a local organic farm.   Even more if it is an inside the city limits.  It is said that there are more than 11 million FarmVille farmers in Facebook but there are only 2 million real farmers in the US.   Doesn't make sense,  does it?    If we realized it is food we are talking about.  

Carol Ann is one of them.   She not only knows and studies the land where she proudly grows real food, she teaches and takes under her wing future farmers with respect for the profession.
They work hard.  Every day in every weather conditions.  They wish for rain and worry about frost.
But they love their job and do it well.  (I am  grateful for that!)

And then, once the produce is ready to  be harvest,  all their hard work is displayed.  Beautiful bunches of vegetables are perfectly arranged at  Boggy Creek Farmer's market.    

Patient chefs wait in line to be the first buyers,  moms and dads rushed in during the morning until every single vegetable is sold.   And I mean everything!  (I am grateful for that too)

Carol Ann blooms on market days.  Wednesday and Saturdays are the days where her hard work is payed off.   I imagine it would be like having an art show and knowing  every single piece was sold.
Pretty cool!  

Meet Carol Ann, and her assistants Marissa and Austin

It is early in the morning....
The first one to arrive is Austin.  He rides his bike everyday to work.   Marisa comes right behind him.  Carol Ann is organizing her thoughts and planning their schedule.

After a long day of work Carol Ann cooks a "Farm-Lunch" for the three of them (and visitors too, meaning me).    Her recipes are simple and fresh.  She wants everyone to be "nourished, not fattened" and she does it well.  For ideas and recipes go to her Facebook page. 

Meet Juanita.

When I was 7 years old my parents bought a property outside Mexico city.  Two hours and a half  away from the big city.   
Every weekend we would drive up the mountains to find refugee from the chaotic life,  in a very rustic and wonderful house  close to a small town called Temascaltepec.  
For as long as I remember not much has changed in this town.  One single road will take you in town and and a secondary one will take you out.
There are no restaurant chains or big name supermarkets.  Only local owned business serving this small community.   As small as this town might  be it is close to being self sufficient.
The oldest "tortilleria" is located across the main plaza.  It has been in the same corner for many years.   It was recently painted orange by the owner's son and daughter who are now in charge.   Meet Juanita Arteaga and the "Tortilleria Del Centro."
She will always greet you, weigh and pack your tortillas, and even roll a warm one for you to take on the road.

Rice for the newly weds

Ivan and Lourdes were greeted with rice at the end of mass.  As newlyweds they were wished good luck and abundance.  As well as fertility.   

They were hit several times with bunches of it.  People cheered. A group of Mariachis sang.

In small towns in Mexico weddings are community events.  Uninvited people show up to comment about the bride's dress. In laws lend flower arrangements only to take them back with them.  Children play soccer outside church while the hour and a half mass is over.   Then the bride and groom walk through town while the Mariachi band follow them.   Giving the unaware a second chance to participate.  

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