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Monday, May 23, 2011

18th century market fair and bento


Hi bento pals! This weekend we attended the Spring Market Fair at Claude Moore Colonial Farm, a living history museum that re-creates the life of a pre-Revolutionary war era tobacco farm here in Northern Virginia.

  In spring, summer and at the fall harvest, the Farm holds a wonderful fair on its rambling green grounds where visitors can see heritage farm animals and interact with blacksmiths, milliners, woodworkers, tinsmiths, farmers, bakers and dressmakers.

The farm grounds in May have a lush beauty with tendriling green leaves and vines dancing in the breeze before humidity has descended for the summer. It was a perfect day to enjoy the Fair, with the music of this green landscape in tune with the festival's flute, dulcimer and piccolo players....



Some scenes from the day...mama pig and her piglets! A guide explained that this breed, originally from the Pyrenees was the type raised by Colonial-era farmers in Virginia and that they are known for their intelligence (and, I'd add, cuteness!)



Jamison's capture of a peacefully resting sheep...


here's its more alert companion




The air was scented with rosemary-laced chickens on wood rotisseries...



A delicious lunch with local asparagus and buttered whole grain bread...







Various handcrafted items were for sale...


including all natural soaps and lotions








We brought home this delicious black raspberry preserve made at the farm:


Friends visited for a late lunch on Sunday, and Jamison made one of his magical glazed whole chickens with the preserves...yum! I saved a leg for today's bento, which also features red fingerling potatoes, romaine, mint, fennel and cucumber, blackberries and a mini cupcake with a black raspberry preserve frosting (garnished with a baby wild strawberry from the garden):


Have a great week!



25 comments:

Robin O said...

Oh my goodness what a fabulous post! Your delightful narrative and images kept me in step all the way. Did you hear me chuckle when we saw the piglets? What fun!

tinyskillet said...

What great photos, I almost feel like I am right there with you. I love the one with the three little pigs standing in a row. I wish we could go to more places like this. My husband stared his own jet ski repair and performance business so now on the weekends he's off to the jet ski races for business. This summer Maranda and I plan to do some car day trips. On our list is Tarpon Springs sponge docks and Greek Town. It reminded me of your weekend travels. If you come down to visit I'll be sure to take you with us! :D

Bentobird said...

Hi Robin, so glad you enjoyed this! I really wanted to take the piglets home with me, they were sooooo adorable and perky!

Bentobird said...

Hi Lyndsey! Nice to read of your summer day trip plans, they sound cool! Maybe we'll get to see picks at your blogs? I'm curious about Greek Town!

Would love to visit and see your beautiful tropical world...:D

Megg said...

Holy mole that is one good-looking bento! Those piglets are just adorable.. I love the spots!

Bobo said...

thats such fun adventure.. love the 3 little piggies along the path.. and sheeps..
looks like we are in the mist of a fairy tale..
thanks for sharing, Jenn. :)

Happy Little Bento said...

Oh, how exciting! I love your bento basket too. So quaint and lovely :D

Anonymous said...

Wow, such beautiful pictures and the bento is gorgeous!!!

Bentobird said...

Thanks Megg! Roast chicken makes great bento fare and seems festively picnic-like while having lunch at the office.

Yep, those spotted piglets were too much :D

Bentobird said...

Aw, sweet comment Bobo...you are SO nice! Thanks for coming along on this little visit...

Bentobird said...

Thank you Sheri :D So excited about the fun news on your blog, yay!!

Bentobird said...

Thank you dear Susan! Have a great week...

ann low said...

WOW! So fun at the farm! I like those little piglets they are so cute! Love your basket bento..very pretty and nice color :)

tata | bonitafood said...

Jenn... I love to read your poetic writing :D. And your photos have brought me to the old times, I love to live and bring myself to the imaginary world of fairytale where I'm living in :D

Gnoe (@Graasland) said...

You forgot to mention you also took home one of those cute little piggies! (I know I would've ;)

Lovely bento - as always. :) I wonder where to get such sweet wax paper... *wants*

Bentobird said...

Hello Ann! They were a highlight of the day, for sure! Thanks for your visit :D

Bentobird said...

Hi Ta, SO glad you came by to see this post, as the old farm theme had me thinking of you the whole time! Let's go back together and visit the piglets, ok? :))

Bentobird said...

Hi Gnoe! Yep, they are all crowding around me as I type (I wish)! A sweet bento pal shared this paper but I did some searching and found a source/seller at Etsy. Warning--browsing through her items you'll see many other adorable and covetable things... :D

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70617047/japanese-designed-wax-paper-50-set

Gnoe said...

OMG!!! Please do NOT -- and I repeat: NEVER EVER refer me to Etsy!!! That's rule number 1! LOL

Well, at least you know where I'm going next... :)

Mommalina said...

Great pictures!! would you mind to share where did you get that patterned parchment paper? I've been meaning to get some.

Bentobird said...

Hi Lina, thanks for your nice comment! Gnoe had the same question, so I found a link to a seller on Etsy a couple of comments up (as the paper was a present originally)....

Nippon Nin said...

This is fun post to look at. Piglets are so cute! I can tell you had a great time. The bento basket is really pretty too.

Anonymous said...

What a great market! And the pigs are so sweet. We have in germany also such places and its always nice to visit them.

And - oh no, i did it... Etsy!!! what a great webpage. I have to be strong :D

Your Anja

Bentobird said...

Hi Nippon Nin! Thanks for your sweet comments and visit! Yay for piglets!

Bentobird said...

Hi Anja! I'm sure there are amazing and historic markets in Germany...would be so fun to see! I love Etsy too and need to be careful when I visit. Best wishes!