Heritage Festival

Did you attend the Heritage Festival?  My weekend was packed full of too many things, and I didn't make it downtown.  If you went and have pictures to share, please email them to me (my email can be found near the top right corner of the blog) and I'll put them on the blog for all to enjoy.  I've heard it was a good time!

--Karyn

Nutrition Programs at the Farmer's Market

Tomorrow is another Farmer's Market day!  It's a good thing--my fridge is looking rather bare.

I wanted to mention two programs available to qualifying individuals and families.  Both of these programs offer vouchers which can be used for produce at the Siloam Springs Farmer's Market.

The first program is the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program through the Office of Human Concern.  Seniors can pick up a application form at the Siloam Springs Senior Activity Center.  Qualifying seniors are eligible for $50 in coupons.

The second program is through the Arkansas Department of Health.  Mothers qualifying for the WIC may also qualify for the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.  More on that program can be found here.

See you at the market!

--Karyn

Fresh Pesto-Cooking from the Market

Lately there has been lots of basil at the Farmer's Market.  It's perfect for summer pasta dishes.  Fresh pesto simply tastes like summer!

With the weather heating up, it seemed like the perfect time to make a big batch of the tasty green sauce.  We stirred some into pasta for dinner last night and put the rest in our freezer for future use.  My mouth is watering thinking of eating pesto all year round...on pizzas, more pasta, layered with cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes for a mid-winter cracker spread...YUM!

Here's my recipe.  I think it came from a long ago issue of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.  Adjust the ingredients to your personal tastes--it's quite user friendly.

Fresh Pesto

(One recipe makes enough for 3/4 pounds of pasta.)

• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Whirl all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

*For a recipe variation, I swap out the basil for arugula and the pine nuts for walnuts.  While not as kid friendly, I like this more grown-up version just as well.

It's just as easy to make one batch as it is to make seven, so that's what I did.  I put the extra batches in freezer-safe containers.  When we're ready for more pesto, they can easily be thawed in the fridge.

And now I'm headed off to enjoy last night's left overs.  YUM!

--Karyn

Kid's Day at the Farmer's Market

Yesterday morning was Kid's Day at the Siloam Spring Farmer's Market.  I think it's safe to say everyone had a GREAT time!

There were sponge relay races...

...over-and-under-bucket relays (my boys were on the winning team, by the way!)...

...and balloon tosses.

The water games kept us cool so we still had some energy left for the play-dough table.

The table full of supplies to make potato people was especially fun!

And the grand finish: A Farmer's Market Scavenger Hunt!  The kids ran around to different vendors finding the market items on their list.

What a fun morning!  Thanks to the Farmer's Market for planning a great morning!

Heritage Festival

This coming Saturday, June 26th is the 5th Annual Siloam Springs Heritage Festival hosted by the Siloam Springs Museum.  Festivities begin at 9am and continue through 8am.  Historical re-inactments, arts, crafts, food, pow-wows, and music are just some of the scheduled festivities. Click here to find out more information.

Kid's Day

Kid's Day at the Farmer's Market!

It's happening this coming Tuesday, June 22nd and the fun begins at 10am.

There will be a bounce house, a play-dough table, a coloring table, sponge races, and more!

Come for your veggies and stay for the fun!

--Karyn

And the winner is...

...Fratelli's!

Yesterday was the Strawberry Recipe Contest at the Farmer's Market, and Fratelli's Nutella Pizza with Strawberries took home the blue ribbon.

But more importantly, everyone at the market had an opportunity to taste the yummy winning recipe.

Here is Tom (he made the pizza) accepting his ribbon.

Have you tasted the Dessert Pizzas at Fratelli's?  If not, head down there right now. You'll be glad you did!

--Karyn

A Few Reminders

There's a Second Saturday Concert in the park tonight.  Matt Brown plays at 7:30.  See the sidebar on the right for details and location.

Make an evening of it and have dinner at The Cafe on Broadway, Fratelli's, or Emelia's before heading to the concert.  (I've seen a sign about Saturday nights being Family Night at Emelia's, but I haven't had time to get the scoop just yet.)

There's also a play at the Sager Creek Arts Center called The Fantastics.  I'm not sure if there are tickets available, but it would definitely be worth a check.

Make your favorite recipe using strawberries and bring it to the Farmer's Market this coming Tuesday morning.  Judging begins at 10am near the Gazebo.  You could be the lucky winner!

Have a good weekend!

--Karyn

Coming Soon

The other day while on a walk downtown, I noticed a coming soon sign.

It seems the shop at 114 E University will be open soon with a Grand Opening on June 12th.

The sign also noted that Swanky Tots Boutique can be followed on Facebook.  Click here to find their page.

--Karyn

Storytime at the Gazebo

Swing by the Farmer's Market in the morning.

Ms. Deborah will hosting a storytime for all children at 10am.  She'll be in the Gazebo!

Remember to pick up fresh veggies, eggs, and baked goods either before or after the story.

Hope to see you there!

--Karyn

Pink Pawtini Bakery

This past week at the Farmer's Market we noticed there was a new vendor.

Susie Kahler is the owner of Pink Pawtini Bakery and her table is full of fun treats for furry friends!

Each of my boys picked out a bag of treats to share with our dog.  The treats are adorable!  The first bag's treats are shaped like dog bones and the others look like fire hydrants.  But most importantly, our puppy loves the way they taste!

Stop by the Farmer's Market on Tuesday anytime from 8am-1pm to pick up some treats for your pet!
--Karyn

Twitter is a good thing.

Do you follow Siloam Springs on Twitter?  I do, and this evening I'm so glad.  Somewhere along the way, I forgot about the Annual Kid's Fishing Derby.  Thanks to Twitter, I was reminded.  Here's what was tweeted:

Bring your fishin' pole to Sager Creek (behind Parks office) tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. and join us for the 31st Annual Kid's Fishing Derby.

Your assignment, should you choose to accept:

1. Follow Siloam Springs on Twitter.

2. Head downtown in the morning and catch some fish.

--Karyn

Salads

The Chef Demo at the Farmer's Market yesterday was a huge success!

Harmony from the Cafe on Broadway showed us the secrets behind the Cafe's yummy salads.

The crowd watched with eager anticipation knowing they were minutes away from a taste!

Lucky for us, the salad was just as good as it looked!

After seeing these pictures, are you craving a farm-fresh salad?  If so, you have two options:

Head to the Farmer's Market in the morning and pick up some salad greens to make on of your own

OR

Stop by the Cafe on Broadway and enjoy one made by Harmony especially for you!
--Karyn