My Vermont Kitchen took a week off from cooking and got out of the kitchen! A trip to Florida at the end of the month was just what the doctor ordered. Although it was cool by Southern standards, it was of course warmer than Vermont. Upon our return, the sugarhouses were in full swing, as is mud season; a symphony of birds can be heard in the meadow each morning, and I discovered crocuses, tulips, daffodils, and buds on the lilac bushes in the garden! Spring will soon be here!

In the meantime, I took some food pictures from some of my adventures. Yes, I was a crazy woman taking pictures of food amongst the regular shoppers! Farms stands pop up in Vermont and upstate New York probably the earliest being late May, so a trip to Tommy’s vegetable and fruit stand in Holiday, Florida, was mecca for me. The colors were vibrant and everything looked gorgeous and delicious. Next was a trip to Goral Polish Deli, where shoppers buying early for their Easter dinners, and me wishing I had another suitcase to fill with all the delicious food found on their shelves. We picked up pierogies and kielbasa for dinner. Yum! I don’t have a market of this sort locally so I was in heaven, checking out all the different jars and packages of delicious-looking foods. And finally, a trip to the Greek Festival here at home. The Saturday before Easter, a local Greek Orthodox church celebrates the holiday with a pastry and food festival. I always make a quick trip into town to pick up a box full of pastries to have with my morning tea and to share, since I don’t bake a lot at Easter.

So enjoy the photos and next week I’ll be back with another recipe. Spring is in the air, so I’ve said goodbye to root vegetables, heavy meat dishes, and comfort foods– winter is finally over!

Aren’t these ruby-red strawberries beautiful? They were delicious, too!

I thought this display of beefsteak tomatoes was gorgeous!

I love beets and was very jealous of the price!

Look at the price–and size!–of the cabbages!

A colorful display of oranges.

Pecans! I did think about filling an extra suitcase full of these nuts!

A trip to Florida isn’t complete without some Cajun boiled peanuts!

I couldn’t resist taking a photo of these beautiful peppers.

You know how much I love Brussels sprouts, I thought these were beautiful.

I was fascinated with the different kinds of tea.

I loved the jars of garlic shoots.

I love pierogies, but I thought the sign for frozen cavier was interesting!

All sorts of delicious fish.

The gorgeous Easter display.

And yes, I did want to buy a butter lamb for my Easter dinner!

The various kielbasa hang from the store’s wall.

The meat case.

This year’s Greek pastries, baklava, ouzo cake, and various cookies.