Elkhart Lake Farmers' Market

The kids and I ventured out to the Elkhart Lake Farmers' Market on Saturday morning while Marisa toiled away at her monthly training. My mom and grandma sell high quality junk under the guise of antiques along with other hand-crafted goodies. They have been holding down the same spot that my grandma and grandpa first debuted at over 20 years ago.

My mom has hopped on the "green" band wagon in the past two years and the big seller on a weekly basis is the "Market" bag sewn from trendy fabric scraps for the locals/tourists to carry their weekly haul of kohlrabi and cinnamon rolls (both delicious if I do say so myself). There is some fierce competition as the interlopers/copy cats are onto the hot-selling trend and knock-offs have hit the market. So much so that they are already planning their new marketing strategy for next year: shirts reading "The Original Market Bags"

(double meaning intended)




I have been going to the market at least a couple times a summer for the past several years (although not as much as I used to, sadly) and have never seen the cartoonist. It's not even that big of a place. He claims that he's been there for three years, but I don't believe him. He didn't bill himself as a caricaturist so the result has a bit more of a traditional feel. Cal sat still for 10 minutes in the posing chair. Clara- not so much. She paced around trying not to make eye contact. I think Cal really enjoyed it and even offered the artist an unsolicited high-five.




Playing on the railroad tracks in front of the historical train depot is always the highlight of the trip for the kids- aside from the fresh bakery.

"The Original Market Bag"

Recent Work- Niki's Senior Pictures

A few weeks ago I took our neighbor Niki's Senior pictures (the best dog watcher since Hank Azaria on Mad About You) (I think I just dated myself). Anyway Niki and mom and I spent a couple hours at a few of the local picturesque spots and her back yard and came away with some good shots. Here are a couple of my (and her) favorites.

That's Henry- their new puppy.
(or Hangree as it is pronounced by a certain little lady I know)

Indian Summer

So, I have a confession to make. I am obsessed with our vacuum sealer. I don't know why. I just find it fun. We were at the West Bend Farmer's Market on Saturday having some nice family time. Coffee, fresh cinnamon rolls, kids in the wagon, a perfectly cool fall morning. The next thing we know, we have to kick the kids out of the wagon so we can haul 1/4 bushels each of fresh roma tomatoes and green beans. Oops. Needless to say, we ran out of vacuum sealer bags late Sunday afternoon.





On Sunday, we were at Dylan's Run/Walk for Autism with Marisa's company. It turns out it's a lot easier to do these charity walks if you keep the kids strapped into the strollers. We finished very near the back of the pack.

You can just see the sassy swagger in this picture.

Too bad we didn't keep this pace the entire time.

Labor Day Weekend- Mexican BBQ

A big thanks to April and Alberto for hosting a fantastic weekend of friends, food and fun. As far as parties go, you are definitely 2 for 2!

Getting set up for the weekend.

There's a joke here somewhere...

Baggin' it.

Clara trying to sucker me into something.

Gettin' the hair did.

Roomies.

Man, that was good.

Let the Margarita contest begin!

A delicious top five finish.

You want a piece of this Third Place Margarita?!?

Second Place: Parenting 101

And the winner is....Amy!

No, I'm Calvin.