Life in Big Canoe, Real Estate in the Mountains

Hi Everyone,

Yikes, It’s Monday!!! The weekend flew past faster than the Lotto Tickets at the Chevron! I didn’t do a whole lot of exploring due to the windy and overcast weather but I did manage to carve out a Saturday to head out to Jasperwith the kids. I figured the Farmer’s Market would be a washout and didn’t plan on going. However I drove by on the way to Ingles and there saw it across the street from the Jasper Middle School. I pulled in with the kiddies in tow and saw a handful of brave vendors with a wide variety of goods for sale. Truth be known I probably spent 20 minutes total at the Farmers Market but I am not one to be dubbed a “shopaholic”! Dan (my beloved) would disagree but my theory on shopping is to get to where I need/want  to go, assess the goods, spend a small percentage of time “oohhing and ahhing” , get the things I came for and remember the rest that I liked. Most of the time I come out with more than I planned but everyone is happy in the end!

This trip I bought a nice big bag of hot peppers, more than I’d eat in a year for $1.50! I also got a heavy watermelon for $5, and shared a piece of “Friendship” cake with my kids so we wouldn’t starve while we browsed!! The cake was loved by all 3 of us and I learned that it takes 30 days to make a Friendship cake, but I lost the details of it as I was on a mission!! Thirty days!!That’s longer than some friendships last!!! I was surprised that the Farmer’s Market was way more than Grandma’s Tomatoes!! Some points of interest included the handmade jewelry, painted window glass, handmade furniture, fresh cut flowers, handmade soap, jellies and even purses. Luckily I only brought $7 in cash because I’d have spent a lot more!!

The prices were AMAZING (but I think I was taken on the $5 watermelon) We haven’t tried it yet but I got it so I could try out the barbecued watermelon recipe I found in some magazine in the doctor’s office. I’ll keep you posted on that and even take a picture, ESPECIALLY if it’s cooked on the Green Egg! Back to the price highlights. One of the best deals I saw was the hand made porch swing for $125 and the owner has a shop in Jasper. The hand painted windows were nicely priced at $50 each.  Try finding that in an Alpharetta boutique!! If you haven’t already guessed, most Big Canoe residents love a bargain!

For the short time I spent there on a very crummy day I would bet you a buck that it is a barrel of monkeys if you get there early on a Saturday morning with cash spilling out of your pockets. This market was perfectly sized where you can get in and out quickly and also feel good  knowing you have supported local farmers. You can head to the grocery store afterwards and skip the produce section!!

Have Fun, and PLEASE feel free to comment with your stories of the Jasper Farmer’s Market!

I promise to add more pictures in my next blog!!!

~Karin