Autumn in South Mountain

Autumn at Farmers Market, Phoenix, AZ

Yep, under desert sun, and in the midst of palm trees and cactus, we still indulge in autumnal celebration here in the South Mountain community of Phoenix, AZ. This is a local fruit barn and bakery on Baseline Road that sells a variety of fresh produce, dried fruit, nuts, and baked goods. Autumn is a season that conjures up images of harvest, and the display at this farmers market illustrates this theme perfectly. Chile ristras hang in rows, wheat stalks are bunched together at the posts, and pumpkins are stacked on top of each other in a mound. Looking at this sight, you can't help but entertain notions of the bountiful beautiful, and you can't get much more autumnal than that! Well, trees with leaves that change color in the fall would be a beautiful thing, too. I guess a future trip to Prescott or Flagstaff is in order. Anyway, enjoy the beauty of autumn!

Boulder Farmers Market

Yes, I know: there is nothing unusual about a farmers market; people have them everywhere. Still, there is something so Boulder about a farmers market: the selling of organic, locally grown produce and other locally made food stuffs. And, hey, there is even a local vendor here who makes organic granola, and you can't get more Boulder than that. Anyway, I love farmers markets, the colorfulness of the produce, the sense of freshness, and the idea of purchasing something grown in local soil. A farmers market is even more appealing in autumn, when you can't help but entertain notions of harvest bounty. Anyway, here are just some choice photos of the farmers market I enjoyed last weekend in Boulder, CO.

Here, guys are roasting chiles, New Mexico style, just like when I lived in Santa Fe. There is nothing more appetizing than the smoky scent of chiles roasting on an open fire. To this day, whenever I smell chiles being roasted, I am brought home to the season of autumn.

Again, nothing is more rich than the variety of colors you encounter in the produce sold at farmers markets. Just beautiful.

Is anything more autumnal than the selling of squash? Here, the season just comes alive.

Of course, I had to get a photo of the large sunflowers bringing festive light to an otherwise dreary gray day.