Market Meals

This weekend was a beautiful spring weekend here in Memphis.  Just when I thought we were headed for 90 degree weather, we had a lovely sunny and breezy weekend of 50-60 degree temperatures.

The Memphis Farmers Market also opened.  Now, before I get into this fabulous market, let me tell you a little bit more about the markets I’ve known in DC.  They are a) overpriced b) touristy and c) functional.  However, I must pay credit where credit is due.  The DC markets turned me into the market-girl that I am.  Now, in a city where you are trying to convince people that buying locally is a great help to the local economy (and your health), markets such as those in Memphis must create a little atmosphere.  And that’s exactly what they’ve done.  The market was a beautiful celebration of these local growers.  Neat artwork, live music, free dog sitting.  The atmosphere was festive and exciting, not pushy and demanding.

Jam and I returned home with meats, cheeses, veggies, and even honey.  With it, we’ve spent the rest of the weekend cooking and making wonderful Mark Bittman recipes.

Spicy Pork Salad

Marinate a pork chop (market) with cumin, chili powder, and sugar.  Broil or grill.  Mix fresh leaves (market) with red onion (market), avocado, and slices of oranges.  Top with dressing of orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, and dijon mustard.

BLT Salad

Fry bacon (market).  Mix salad of greens (market), red onion, tomatoes (market), and bacon.  Top with dressing of pureed avocado, lime juice, garlic, and basil (market).

Five Year Plan

Never have I planned beyond the weekend.  I take that back.  I planned our California road trip in advance.  I planned a wedding.  When I was 8, I planned what I would wear to school each day.

After a whirlwind move to Memphis that felt something like ripping a bandaid off a wound with salt in it, I sit dumbfounded, ready to start my new trend of planning.  I’m not saying I regret this move.  I have constantly felt affirmed even though the transition has felt awkward at times. I think it’s only empowered me to say, “If I can do this, imagine what else we can do!”

And suddenly, my organizational skills and my desire for spontaneity and far-off places have collided.  Jam and I made a five-year plan.  We planned the places, the times, the back-ups, the people, the transitions, and the lifestyles.

I still feel a bit shy with the details, even though this blog has no readership.  But for now the point isn’t the place and the time, specifically, but this season of planning and the celebration that ultimately those plans will be enforced (or shut down and reinforced) by a loving Creator who knows exactly who Jam and I are and exactly how we will live, and when and where we’ll do it.