Farmers' Markets, Pluots, and Pistachios... Oh My!

I've never considered myself crunchy granola. My views on farmers markets were always more of the "buy local" angle than anything else. I also just love food. :) But farmers markets here in California have added to that view. Here, you can actually find organic fruits and veggies that can't be found in stores! Ever had a pluot? It's a plum/apricot hybrid with which my kids fell in love, as well as pearlette grapes. Raw honey, raw milk, peach varieties, Armenian cucumbers, passionfruit and figs (my new favorite go-to snack) are just some of the items you can find every day of the week at one of the many farmers markets in the summer. Many close October-March, but there are still 2-3 that stay open all year long.

They're more like social gatherings and block parties, some complete with food trucks and live entertainment. And you get to sample everything. Everything. You would think my children are starving the way they shove everything in their mouths. But how else are you to decide which of the 7 varieties of peaches you want to take home? We learned early on to bring plenty of reusable bags. For us, that means 4-5. Initially, we went to the Old Towne Clovis Friday night market that spanned 4 blocks and always had live music. They also have themes, like Fig Festival, Peach Party, Ice Cream Social, GreekFest and the Pistachio Party. When the season ended, we branched out to one of the most popular year-round markets: The Vineyard Farmers' Market. What makes this unique is the canopy of grapevines overhead, including hanging bunches of grapes when in season. This one includes fresh baked bread and a coffee & hot chocolate bar, making it a wonderful Saturday morning tradition with the family.

 Sampling the flavored nuts

 His favorite were the raspberry flavored pecans

 giant vegetables

herbs

buttered or spicy parmesan corn-on-the-cob

Kings Canyon

We took the kids to one of the local national parks! J was able to get a free annual pass with his military ID. Kings Canyon is situated north of Sequoia National Park and south of Yosemite. Only an hour and a half drive from the house! It was a bit chilly, but that meant it wasn't busy. We had never seen sequoia trees before, and the kids were amazed at the sight. They're so tall! I was a little worried that they would be a little bored, but it turned out to be a nice family outing. I do wish the sun had been out; would have made for better pictures. But it was a great first trip. Some sort of hiking/outdoor footwear is needed before we venture out again. Now it's just a matter of when. Our next visit: Sequoia National Park. Yosemite is a bit further, so we'll probably plan to stay in the park overnight some weekend, but that may not be until spring.  The hubs and I thought it would be wonderful to see everything in a blanket of snow this winter, but the abundance of cliffs during the drive would give me a heart attack. He would have to drive while I lie in the back sucking my thumb in the fetal position. But it might work...

CaliOkie

Well, we made the move. We are now residents of Clovis, California (suburb of Fresno) in what is known as the central valley. That's right, this Oklahoma born-and-raised Sun Devil is now part of the nickel-nickel-nine. Although I'm told Fresno is as "midwest" as you get in California, I have seen lots of differences that we've never encountered in Oklahoma or Arizona. First, "clean air vehicles" have their own parking spaces, right up there as close as handicapped spots. And they love U-turns. Seriously, they're everywhere. In several places, it's the only way to get where you want to go. And of course, produce is a big deal here in Fresno. There are farmers markets just about every day somewhere in the city, some of which are more like weekly block parties. The food? Ahhh-mazing. There's a larger variety of fruits and vegetables out here than I've ever seen before, especially "hybrid" fruits. And the organic section at the grocery store is about half of the whole produce area. And is it me or is "organic" not quite as expensive as it was in Oklahoma?
I think we'll enjoy our time here, but I've already told the hubby I definitely think this area is temporary for us. He says I should calm down since we've only been here a week. Why do I feel this way? Well, it's Fresno. It's been recommended by several people to stay away from (what feels like) two-thirds of the city. Woodward Park? Gorgeous, but don't go there after dark. Especially on the weekends. South of Shaw Ave is to be avoided. In Phoenix and Tulsa, downtown is the place to go. It's rich in culture and entertainment. Here? We're told "there's never a reason to go downtown." Well, that's disappointing.
That being said, we love love LOVE the community we moved into. With all it has to offer, it makes up for the less-than-stellar reviews of Fresno. It's like our own little oasis in the desert. And there's the mountains; Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia national parks all a relatively short drive away. So we'll dive into the Clovis culture, take advantage of all the outdoor activities and travel to see all California has to offer while we're here. Let our California Adventure begin!

Focus

Here's a secret about myself: I will let one negative critique keep me down. It doesn't matter how many positives I hear, I tend to focus just on the negative. There is one negative critique that happened years ago that I allow to continue to following me around in my mind. I have let it develop into a fear of rejection, and to this day it is can haunt my dreams. WHY?!? Why do I allow it to fester? Why can I not let it go?

Getting back up after being knocked down is easier said than done. That wound becomes tender again, but it doesn't mean we should start picking at it to relive the pain. Keep the helpful critique but drop the negativity. Dealing with one bad apple does not destine you to a life of spoiled fruit. It seems I made it worse by giving up. I never had a chance to redeem myself, prove the haters wrong and find appreciation. It's long overdue. Getting back on the horse is scary, but sometimes it's the only way to put the past behind you.