giving, giving, giving

Ok. The turkey is officially behind us. There’s usually a bit of a lull between Thanksgiving and the holiday frenzy. But this year, with Chanukah beginning next Sunday, and Christmas less than two weeks later, there is NO lull.

Don’t panic. We’ve got you. This year, we’ve invited more makers to the market in December to help you scratch some gifts off your list. And, I don’t know about you, but for me, gifts that are handmade by an actual person are de rigueur this season.

So consider buying a beautiful wreath from Michele, at The Wreath Forager, made out of hand-twisted vines and foraged winter berries and botanicals or an elegant fir wreath from Thousand Leaf Acres. Wreaths make GREAT early gifts for a neighbor or a friend. Or pick up a stunning piece of pottery crafted by Rose Swan (it’s been a while!) or Chloe Sikirica or Tatjana, from Mermud. Tatjana also sells handmade jewelry and those oh-so-popular chunky knit hats in gorgeous colors that are becoming part of the Rivertowns winter “uniform”. Claire Cornish of Pin Millmade is also back with her unique wooly hats made of up-cycled boiled wool sweaters. No two are the same!

In the edible gift category, who on your gift list wouldn’t want something as delicate, sweet and crunchy as La Petite Occasion’s pistachio laced toffee. Or a large bottle of Agape Premium EVOO because, IYKYK.

Remember, we are only open Dec. 6th and Dec. 20th so think ahead to your December plans and what you might need. When planning your holiday meals, you should know that Wil-HI Farm will be here on the 20th. Also R&M Farm is taking orders for smoked ham, prime rib, beef tenderloin and leg of lamb. The winter season marks the return of White Pine Community Farm. Farmer Ben will have his usual panoply of microgreens, but also, herbal healing teas, and his elderberry elixir, a winter necessity! Also, Austin Furnas, of Boxing Day Cafe will be our coffee guy for the winter season, so your Saturday espresso drink is guaranteed. Austin will also be bringing drip coffee for those of you who need a warming quick shot of caffeine before you shop. Fairy Juice Bar will step into the cold-pressed juice chair until the spring.

Unofficial Ice Cream is bringing hot cocoa to the winter markets. If it’s any bit as delicious as her ice cream, well... She will be offering both adult and kid sizes...smart! Her flavors this week are: vanilla ice cream with kojinut jam, brown butter miso ice cream with Andrew’s honey ganache, and cranberry sorbet.

If you were lucky enough to snag a falafel sandwich from Noam at the Zabari tent last week,then  you’ll be very happy to know they will be joining us for the winter season as well. Try their hot yellow lentil soup if the sandwich proves too overwhelming. It's divine. Del Norte Empanadas will also be serving up hot winter vegetable soups at the market as well as his locro, Argentine stew, packed with protein. Of course, he will have toasty warm empanadas, too. And the Fearless Food Truck is also here slinging breakfast biscuits and so much more. The Grumpy Dumpling has dumplings you can take home for a quick and easy supper if you need a break from cooking this week. And, of course they will also serve them piping hot. As you can see, we are determined to keep you “belly warm” while you shop this winter season!

I’m assuming that, like me, your Dutch oven has taken up its winter residence on your stove top ready to be your kitchen workhorse. Take it for a spin this week to make this beef stew from The Pioneer Woman. I haven’t shared one of her recipes in a while. But I’ve been thinking of her since we switched from gas to a wood-burning stove to heat our home in the fall. I’ve been literally keeping the home fires burning all day long. I'm eager to try this fish, fennel and baby potato stew stew when I can tear myself away from the fire.

Some of you may have noticed the Feeding Westchester van filling up at the last market. We were thrilled to be able to use some of your donations to purchase meat from R&M, produce from Morgiewicz Produce, and breads from Wave Hill in time for Thanksgiving. We are continuing to help families in our community throughout the holiday season, so please, give if you can. There are lots of ways you can do that: You can donate money by clicking the DONATE button below. (We’re a 501c3 so you’ll get a tax write-off). Or, this week, you can buy a pound of ground beef, from R&M and Ryan will throw in a free pound of ground beef for the Hastings Food Pantry. In addition to providing fresh market food to those who might not otherwise afford it, we are also providing warmth. This Saturday is our third annual winter coat drive. Please bring any coats, jackets, rain gear (men’s, women’s and kids’) you are no longer using and we will get them to people who really need them.

And, The Hastings Youth Council has reached out to us about doing a KID’s WINTER CLOTHING AND GEAR drive Saturday as well. So this is a good time to go through your closets and garage or basement.

See you at the market which opens at 9:30 a.m. in the winter.