This Morning's Market--A Score and A Splurge

Fruits or flowers?  Maybe both?

The Saturday market this morning was not as crowded as it was last week. There didn't seem to be as many British tourists.  Perhaps I was a little early or the weather was a factor.  I think there might also be something going on up at La Cite--some re-enactments at the Chateau.  I may walk up after lunch to check it out.  Whatever the cause, the market was a real joy.

The green of the asparagus mirrors the fresh green of the trees

Asparagus sorted by size.  (The waiter in the backgound at Bar Felix is Herve)

It is definitely asperges season....several booths were selling nothing but the green pencils.  I never knew there were so many varieties and that they are graded, apparently according to size.  The price has most definitely come down.  I was able to score two boites (bunches)  for a Euro a piece; at that price I have no reservations about making soup.  I won't grind up the more expensive spears; I eat them whole.  This stand also had a special on little melons, scarcely larger than a softball--3 for 2 Euros.  I had to try them.

There were also artichokes, some nearly as big as those red rubber balls we used to bounce in elementary school.  Some were scarcely bigger than unopened roses.  Artichokes have been available at the market all winter, but now they are quite plentiful.

Artichokes from small to gigantic

The market is awash in color and growing plants. The lady in the red hat and I had quite the conversation

But the biggest change I see in the market is the availability of plants--herbs, flowers, vegetables are overflowing the tables and the shelves.  The gardeners are in heaven and I am so sad that I don't have an "outside" where I could plant some basil, a pot of strawberries or a tomato plant. 

My windowsill "garden"  Jade plant, Christmas cactus and the newest addition, a gardenia

I have a windowsill "garden" that is thriving right now, but the plants are all indoor plants and do not need direct sun.  That fact does not stop me from lingering at the plant stands, wishing, wishing....

  

This morning I struck up a conversation with two other patrons.  One of them, an elderly gentleman with a definite twinkle in his eye, joined me at the flowering cactus table--and we marveled over the delicate blossoms on such fierce-looking plants.  "Ah nature," was his parting comment.  Further down the table, I encountered a lady in a jaunty red hat who traded me the French names for the flowers for their English counterparts.  When the market is really crowded, these kinds of exchanges are more difficult with so many people jockeying for passage through or to pay for their selections. 

General Sikorsky clematis?

I meandered over to my favorite vendors...tasted some honey with sunflower oil--superb, and I am not a great lover of honey.  My favorite organic vendors were doing a brisk trade in eggs and squash.  The girl is the one who introduced me to white beets.  Today she is a bit under the weather--perhaps she's caught a little cold.

On the way to one of my favorite vendors

But the splurge of the day came at the florist's....pivoines....peonies!  White, pink, and a coral that I have never seen before.  They are my favorite of all flowers and I splurged on a ready made bouquet.  I spent 5 Euros on my food and 7 on the flowers, and am thrilled to have done so.  I inhaled their fragrance and was transported immediately to the front yard of the place where I grew up.  Grandma had a lined of peony bushes ( I grew up pronouncing the word as pee-OH-nee)  I could hardly get enough of their perfume.  The florist told me that they have a relatively short window of availability, so I will be sure to look for them for about the next month.  

My Score and My Splurge

And after that, well--at this past Thursday market, I bought a gardenia plant with three buds, and I am positive one will perfume my apartment all by itself.