Les Flâneurs

Autumn still hanging on in Providence - return to Swan Point

George and Hannah Campbell

French Tarte's second Saturday

This past Saturday, the Tarte's second retail day of the farmers market season, went off without a hitch. Once again nearly everything sold -- except for four large tarts. Business was brisk and sales were better than last week. Not too bad at all. And Kelli Rae was on hand to pitch in as well.

This Saturday was a special day, however, since Susie's sister Joyce dropped by with sister-in-law Dorothy. Joyce had driven down from her home in Maine the day before and the two gals came by the shop bright and early Saturday. Always nice to see their smiles poking through the door and after a brief chat with the Tarte they went off exploring the newly expanded market. Anyway, we would see both again later that evening at Dick and Dorothy's in Douglas, MA, along with Dick and Susan's Uncle Frank. Unfortunately, Aunt Cathy was still under the weather and had to beg off from traveling. Her wit and charm would be sorely missed.

Overall, the day went well and the Tarte put out most of her usual array of goodies along with one or two new treats.

apple tart right out of the oven

shortbread bar is open!

Susie, Dorothy and Joyce (l-r)

pecan caramel bun

raspberry pistachio financier

what do you get when you mix flan filling with croissant dough? a flan bun

moelleux

sisters: Joyce and Susie around Dick and Dorothy's table

siblings: Dick, Joyce and susie

Midweek in Providence

A few tidbits of my life in Providence. . .

workmates

the newly remodeled and reopened Arcade indoor mall (built in 1828)

alleyway on Weybosset

autumn on Weybosset - just a block from work

and autumn from our back window

We still miss you, pop!

Nine years ago today my dad passed quietly away, passing through that door to see what was on the other side.

French Tarte is back open for business at the Winter Farmers Market

Yesterday, Saturday, was a gorgeous day with autumn still in full color overdrive; a beautiful day for the kickoff of the Winter Farmer's Market here in the greater Providence area. Farm Fresh Rhode Island coordinates most of the major farmers markets in the state and in the winter time they bring together a large number of local producers under one big roof, the Hope Artiste Village right across the city line in Pawtucket (less hassles than in Providence). This year it's even bigger and they've now expanded into the other hall of the old mill building complex.

But the increased space didn't seem to affect the French Tarte's business -- trade was brisk, lots of regulars from last year and she sold out nearly everything except a half dozen caramel pecan buns. Tres cool!

Anyway, besides myself -- doing little else than work the retail side -- Susie had Kelli Rae to help out for a few hours a week, including Saturday market retail, until Lee returns from Paris later this month.

I made good use of the opportunities: Schartner's Farm for potatoes and carrots, Mello Farm for their yellow beans -- they claimed no frost yet and their beans looked superb -- and a stalk of brussel sprouts from Freedom Hill Farm.