Thursday at the Market

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The potato casserole, dressing and Xmas Bombe are prepared and in the freezer; the cranberry sauce has been made; Rugelach and Gingerbread are finished and stored for the big day; girls are tired of being "Xmasie" and just want a regular day where they sleep until noon. So, today I did something I've wanted to do for years.....
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I went to the Farmer's market in Lunenburg which I never get to go to because I'm working. What a wonderful time of year to visit the market! It is full to the rafters with Christmas -- smells, tastes, sounds, signs!
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After visiting a bread stall (where I got a big fat pretzel), I visited Grand Pre Winery's stall (where I got 3 tiny samples of wine -- red, white and dessert). Yeah! Sure! I know it was only 9:30 AM. But if bread and wine are good enough for Jesus (who's birthday is very soon, ya know), then they're good enough for Sandy! And I'm sure that big fat pretzel soaked up any alcohol I might have imbibed!.
There were gorgeous displays of local cheese. (The Gouda was very gooda!) There was fresh haddock, salmon, lobster and sole; there was grain-fed, organic beef, pork and chicken. There were at least 4 different stalls selling breads and fruit pastries. There were several tables of jams and jellies and pestos and dips and pickles etc etc etc. -- with sampling! Be still my heart! Sampling! (I bought a Red Pepper Pesto and spiced mixed nuts. The middle Eastern pesto with dates & spices was divine too. Oh for goodness sake! It was all divine!)
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There was one lovely booth full of fragrant Spanakopita, Mini Quiche, Tourtiere, Meat Pastries and such -- so lovely and fragrant and enticing that I bought their variety box for Xmas Eve dinner. With a green salad and a bottle of red, won't it be ducky, darling, delicious!.
There was greenery everywhere, and the smell of pine and fir was intoxicating.
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And then there was this .....
The German Cake Lady! Have you never had traditional German baked goods? They are so good! (But a little pricey too! As much as I wanted that Chocolate Hazelnut Torte, I couldn't bring myself to pay $28; but I did get a sample!) I settled for a small plate of cookies -- Cinnamon stars, Almond stars, Linzer Torte & Sand crescents.
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Why, even Santa and Mrs Claus were there playing harp and mandolin. When I asked if I could take their picture, Santa insisted that I come and sit on his lap and have my picture taken. (Ya know; Santa looks remarkably like Dr Abriel from Mahone Bay. Isn't that strange!)

Santa "Ho, ho, hoed" and said that it was probably a long, long time since I'd sat on Santa's lap: and I said yes, and that I hadn't been a very good girl since then!
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But he said not to worry; he'll be here Saturday night!
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PS: Santa did not say what he would bring me. But if he remembers my letters from the last 14 years, there'll be a 6' tall package named Carlos under my tree and 2 tickets to Guada la Hara in my sock!
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