Happy Friday!

We had a field trip today at work - fun!

Sam, Trish, Nancy (that's her pictured) and I went to to the Delaware Valley College's Market on Lower State Road in Doylestown to pick up lunch. And some extras, because it's just impossible to go in and pass up all the local grown goodness. In addition to farmers market fare, the Market also has a nice selection of natural and organic foods, a bakery, a coffee bar, a prepared foods deli, a small ice cream stand, and an incredible selection of desserts. Desserts like peanut butter pie. Zomg!

The market's structure is pretty awesome. It's really a big classroom where students from DelVal College (most known for their agriculture programs). The Market provides a one-of-a-kind, hands-on opportunity for students in all areas of study:

"Learning is brought down to earth, while real-life experience is elevated to an unparalleled level of excellence.

"Business Administrations majors can handle The Market’s daily operations, including ordering, invoice processing, staff management and marketing. In the kitchen, Food Management majors can make sure supplies are available,handle prep work and hire kitchen personnel. Horticultural students can handle the daily care of orchards, vegetable gardens, and other growables. Community outreach programs can be organized and run by Education majors. A market newsletter can be written and produced by Written Communication majors, and the College’s Ornamental Horticulture department can landscape The Market’s exterior areas."

How cool is that? I can't think of a better way to gain knowledge than through this type of learning-by-doing education.

There were lots of DelVal-grown lovelies avaialable this trip: eggplant, zucchini, patty pan squash, yellow squash, different varieties of tomatoes, peaches and red, yellow and green bell peppers are some. Other locally grown produce (broccoli and romaine, red leaf and greef leaf lettuce) was displayed as well. So pretty :)




















The last picture is what I took back to tthe office. For less than ten bucks. Sweet! Clockwise from left that's a quarter peck of DelVal peaches, Stuart's Rootbeer, Terra Blue chips, Del Val spicy string beans, DelVal three bean salad (that had colorful Del Val peppers in it, too) and my Market club card. Not sure what the card does for me yet, but I use it :)

The Market at Delaware Valley College: http://www.devalcol.edu/themarket/about.htm

Saturday night in D-Town

Support your local eateries, musicians and clubs!

We celebrated Jason's momma's birthday tonight. Sharon is many things, but food adventurer is not one of those. Jase asked around and found a real American restaurant right in Doylestown, aptly named, The American Kitchen; as well as a great after dinner music spot, Puck.

At the American Kitchen, Jason had the Four Cheese Pasta with Shrimp, his brother Dean had the Meatloaf, Sharon had the Salmon and I had the Goat Cheese with Spinach Salad and Beets appetizer for dinner. Yummm.

A couple blocks walk after dinner, and we were at Puck on Printers Alley. For a $7 cover charge, we were jamming to the sounds of Steve Brosky + The Big Little Band. Puck is in a basement level space, and oozes a Chicago blues funk, f the man vibe. The neon red vertical- reading Puck sign on the side of the building is the perfect avante garde backdrop to the club's outdoor seating and eating area. The patio is defined by, and centered around, a huge, phenomenally beautiful mermaid garden fountain.

Past the outside area, your drawn downstairs by a set of cement, red velvet roped stairs and into the bar. There, your sure to be met my an outgoing, friendly and hip staff. And more red velvet ropes :) Once through the lobby, the popping red and black color scheme and basement factory tone becomes lush and welcoming.


We had a couple drinks at the bar, then moved to a small table toward the stage. Once the band started, a space cleared for a dance area, drinks flowed and the bodies jammed. The band was playing the crowd quite nicely and even acquiesced to Jason's hollering of "DOMINO" after they mentioned Neil Young. Of course, they made him (and his girlfriend and mom) get out onto the dance floor once they started playing his request :)

One thing about partying in Doylestown? There's no cab service. Make sure you have your designated driver process in place. We didn't. I tried calling for a cab from the closest taxi company, in Horsham (with the help of an incredibly gracious, sweet, funny and knowledgeable Puck team member), but they wouldn't pick us up. Boo. We ended up walking to Sharon's house and going back to pick up the car later.

Still, we had an awesome time. We'll absolutely be back to The American Kitchen, Puck and to see Steve Brosky + the Little Band again :)

Lavender locks

I was running early to pick up Jason from work yesterday, so I decided to take the long way to his office, driving around the lake. I was taking in the views and listening to David Sedaris' voice coming through the car speakers (reading his book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim). Sigh. So perfect.

It was a brilliant little break between work and home. You know, when there's just enough time to do nothing and not feel guilty about it? Yeah, that's where I was.

And man, was I relaxed just enough to remember the lavender farm? Oh yes, I was! I stopped in and picked up a treat for the family. Our hair is going to be the envy of the block! Next time you see one of us, ask for a whiff :o)

Peace, love and lavender

The Peace Valley Lavender Farm is featured in this month's publication of Bucks County Town and Country Living magazine.

Sigh. I heart lavender. Occasionally Jase stops by the farm to pick up a lavender surprise for me. Sachets, honey, a little plant... Mmm, I can smell it now!

The article is great (Joan Schultz) and the photographs are absolutely stunning (Randl Bye) - go get your copy today! And, be sure to visit the farm because as stunning as the photos are, they're nothing compared to a real life visit. The bright purple awnings on the barn? To die for.