Good News, and I Don't Mean the Weather Report

It was with guilt I sent my children running through the pouring rain this morning to their respective school bus stops. Maybe I should be homeschooling them, so they could huddle at home on icky days, wearing their sweats. Not that I would know anything about that. The only problem is that I don't have it in me to homeschool, so their education would go out the window. Is it better to be comfy and dry, or literate?

Well, better than either option is to be well-fed. Therefore, rather than wrestle with such weighty issues, let me distract you from the soggy gloom with good news about our food providers at the Bellevue Farmers Market.

First off, Samish Bay recently competed in the American Cheese Society's annual competition at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, and--drumroll, please--took home a boatload of awards!

First Place, Fresh Unripened Cow's Milk Cheeses: Ladysmith

Second Place, Farmstead Cheeses Aged up to 60 Days: Aged Ladysmith

Third Place, Farmstead Cheeses with Flavoring: Ladysmith with Chives (all I can say about this is, if Ladysmith with Chives got third place, I really have to get my hands on first and second place because this is a huge household favorite!)

Third Place, Cultured Products from Cow's Milk: Samish Bay Yogurt Cheese (Labneh)

Congratulations to Samish Bay! Today for lunch I'm making myself a sandwich with roast beef, Ladysmith with Chives, and cucumber. And for breakfast I had their Greek Yogurt, to which I added BFM's Sweet as Can Bee Honey, Hedlin Farms blueberries, and homemade granola. Delish.

In other good news, Loki Fish reports a banner year for the Frasier River salmon run. This tasty variety rivals King for oil-content but is slightly leaner. Get Frasier River salmon fresh now. Loki also has fresh King salmon from Pt. Roberts, Washington, and frozen Keta. Remember: buy 10 lbs and get 10% off!

And my last tidbit: the first apples of the season are in. This is the lovely part of the year where peaches and pluots and berries and apples overlap. Could it get any better? I snapped up some Gingergolds, but once my children tasted them I realized I didn't get enough. This Thursday and Saturday I plan to remedy that.

Swing by the Market this week, whatever the weather, and enjoy the bounty of our award-winning farmers and producers!