Saturdays at the Clintonville Farmers' Market

One of the many reasons we love where we live is the location of the Clintonville Farmers' Market -- it's just down the street, a few minutes' walk away. We went to several of the outdoor Saturday markets after we moved in last summer, but we'll go to even more this year. My mother-in-law is one of the vendors.

She has sold produce and flowers in past years at markets in Worthington and Hilliard, but this year she opted for our neighborhood. And I'm doing a lot of the Facebook marketing, so be sure to like her Red Brick Farm Facebook page!

Edith helping Grandma.

But that's not the only reason the market is so much fun. There's a lot to like at the market (meat, bread and coffee -- for Paul at least) and quite a few pastries and desserts, too (those are for me). I'm also anxious to get some real maple syrup. Each vendor tent includes a sign that explains where the items are from and the distance from Columbus. It's interesting to see how much comes from so near.

The market runs through November, so this is the very beginning.

Dessert and A/C!!! at Chelsea Market

I was still in New York on my birthday in July, and it was about 200 degrees.

That's an exaggeration, but not by much. It was miserable. And even if it wasn't quite 200 outside, the temperature in the stifling subway elevators couldn't have been too far from that number.

But I couldn't sit home all day on my birthday, even if it was tempting to park myself directly in front of our apartment's lone air conditioner. So as the afternoon wore on, I packed up Edith and we went to Chelsea Market.

Chelsea Market is an indoor restaurant and shopping boutique located in a building that used to house the National Biscuit Company. The building that once churned out Saltines, Mallomars and Oreos is now filled with shops that sell wine, lobster and specialty cupcakes.

On beautiful spring days, Chelsea Market can feel dreary. The shops are all on the ground floor (I believe offices fill the remainder of the building), and there aren't many windows. But in the middle of a heatwave, the air conditioning is a godsend. In six months it will also be a great destination: It's the perfect place when it's freezing cold outside and you need a place that isn't a museum to while away an hour or two.

I like Chelsea Market's desserts, but I also like just looking around the building.

On my birthday, I visited Chelsea Market not only for the air conditioning, but for a specific dessert at Amy's Bread (more about that on Friday). I'm also a fan of the brownies at Fat Witch Bakery and the cupcakes at Eleni's. The range of desserts also make the market a good stop on the way to the High Line.

The takeaway: If you're in Chelsea, stop by the market. The nearby High Line is rightfully a very popular attraction, and Chelsea Market is worthwhile as a slight detour. Get a bite to eat. I've never tried the restaurants there, but they are crowded and look fantastic.

But if you have only a limited amount of time in New York and don't plan on visiting the neighborhood, I think it's not worth a special trip. Unless it's 200 degrees outside.

I visit Chelsea Market for the desserts,
but aren't the spices purty?

The Holidays in Union Square

The Union Square Holiday Market has become an annual can't-miss event each Christmas season, for me if not for Paul.

Each year we bundle up, battle the crowds and browse the 100+ booths of food and gifts. We rarely walk away with much, if anything. The first year, I bought a purse. This year, I actually did buy a Christmas present.

Every year, however, I catch the holiday bug watching others, whether they're warming their hands with a cup of hot cider, picking out the perfect present, or playfully trying on alpaca hats.

Paul patiently waits as I glance at jewelry we both know I'll never buy. When we split up for a moment, finding him again is a little like playing "Where's Waldo?" My nose is red and my fingers are cold. But the holiday season has begun.

From Bathhouse to Marketplace

Brooklyn Lyceum

Flea markets, I'm finding, are one of the best ways to see the old buildings of Brooklyn.

First, I took something of a self-guided tour of the historic Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower when I visited the Brooklyn Flea a few weekends ago.

Last Sunday I got off the subway one stop before the Flea and went to the Brooklyn Lyceum's Spring Food and Craft Market. The vendors were similar -- Etsy-type crafts and lots of delicious food -- but the venues couldn't have been more different.

The bank location is gigantic, with huge ceilings and a large mural on one wall. The architecture was amazing -- it almost looked like a church rather than a former bank.

The lyceum -- formerly Public Bath #7 -- was much more cramped and crowded, but the building was just as interesting.

According to the lyceum's website, the 100-year old building once held the largest indoor pool in the country. The building, now a cafe/theater/gym/building-available-for-rent is a bit shabby in the corners, but with lots of personality -- and a surprising amount of natural light.

I tried a few samples (like a yummy piece of coconut truffle) and wished I had tried a few more (bacon marmalade, anyone?). Other than that, I left empty-handed, but I left intrigued about a block of Brooklyn I had never before given a second glance.