We never feel this Petri Kajander quote to be more true than in January. Now, we set aside thoughts of sun-drenched days of spring when bees waft around the apple blossoms and, instead, let ourselves notice and absorb what goodness January brings… lavender and apricot sunsets etched against a background of white and grey, potted narcissus flowering on the windowsill, days when the mercury rises above freezing and the winter sun warms our faces. The market has a different personality in winter, too. We are all especially glad to be together, off our farms and out of our studios, vendors trade conversation and barter with one another. 

 

In summer, market entertainment might look like a band of a dozen playing vibrant Ugandan music. Last Sunday, our entertainment was one 12 year old boy, Avery, playing his fiddle. And play he did, for nearly three hours straight. Avery preferred not to take breaks lest someone arrive and not be greeted with his jaunty, sweet music. When he concluded his playing for the day, the entire room applauded in unison. Avery’s fiddle case was filled with coins and bills, a wedge of cheese, a box of truffles, and a bag of Chocolate Chip cookies and Avery smiled broadly. There’s January for you. The slow and steady advance toward springtime is underway… Fabyan Sugar Shack will begin tapping the maples this weekend!