Relax…it’s easy
GARDEN
FARMERS MARKET
Summer 2026 is here and the Farmer’s Market at the Lydia Zion United Methodist Church in Lydia will soon open. (Saturdays 9AM to 12 PM) The street address is 1026 E 205th Street in the small unincorporated community of Lydia although the mailing address is listed as Jordan, Minnesota. I am looking forward to another summer at the market. I plan to carry most of the old favorites and perhaps add some new treats. I am looking into a healthier venue as well. Perhaps a vegan carrot cake or some shortbread cookies.
Winter events prevented my plan to over winter at the Spring Lake Farm Store. However, the store is now open on a daily basis and has become an organic coop. Matt is raising Legendary organic vegetables and fruits, especially Strawberries (5000 plants went in this spring in his new green houses on the farm as well as a potentially U-pick area. Matt offers CSR subscriptions for at least three seasons (maybe more). Matt Arends now has his very own farm on Fairlawn Avenue as well, where he will be holding a series of Farm to Table Dinners this summer. Check it all out at springlakefarmstore.com. This is a must visit for many reasons.
The farm store is located in Queen Beez Lawn and Garden, 17860 Panama Avenue in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Don’t miss all the attractions here either. Crystal, the owner of this wonderful nursery and kid’s summer camp facility also has a farm open for families to come and see the animals. There are winter events in the green houses here with local crafts and foods and many other events.
I started my farmers market booth at “Smoke Signals – The Little Market That Could.” It was here that Rosemary and Sheldon showed me the ropes on starting a farmers market booth. I am forever thankful for their guidance during a very difficult time. This market is now closed and I have moved on to the Lydia Farmers Market at the Lydia Zion United Methodist church in Lydia. I am doing my fifth year here, thanks to a hand from Rick (better known to me as Mr. Gladiola, for his remarkable flowers) He recommended my booth to Kyle and Charlie, operators of this market, and it has been the best ever.
My focus has changed from the early days when I sold mostly cookies from the Betty Crocker cookie cookbook. I now focus on scones, caramel rolls, sugar cookies, fantasy fudge and kolaches. These are of the Irish/German genre as I cannot claim fame to those famous confections made by local Czech’s. Mostly I love to see the faces of kids picking out their favorite sugar cookie.
So what is this blog about? You’ll will on occasion find recipes from my 45 year collection of cookie and candy recipes. I may put together a cooky cookbook for all times.
I will be filling this site out with a series of serious garden, herbal, permaculture and Farmer’s Market posts and videos with links to see some of my favorite sites. I think you will find them as inspiring as I do!
Country Comfort 