Farewell Summer


Although autumn is undeniably my favourite season, I am sad to be saying good bye to this past summer. It was a really good one. Here are some highlights from a trip we took to the Okanogan Valley with half of our staff, some neighbours and a few spontaneous friends. It was, in my mind the perfect week. Beautiful food, long hot days floating on the lake, amazing company and so much laughing my cheeks hurt.
As the days grow shorter and the smell of fireplaces begin, I am truly grateful for one of the best summers I can remember.



photographs | Klee Larsen




  My favourite thing about  Prospector Co. products are the scents. Maybe it's because I grew up in the country or maybe it's because I am a taurus but I love 'dirty' smells. By dirty, I mean earthy, musky and  botanical. Prospector Co. has no lingering scent of alcohol and manufactured florals, just beautiful blends of plants that remind me of dampened earth and campfires.






Bee Hive Tour



    Many of you who have been to the shop have noticed the beehives on our garage roof . Often there are families gathered below, speculating on the what type of bees they are, couples guess how much a hive produces, people come in the shop to ask if they sting unsuspecting patrons. If you have ever found yourself, standing below with a string of questions and no one to answer them, here is your opportunity to find out everything you've ever wanted to know about bees and beekeeping. Melissa Cartwright, the beautiful beekeeper and owner of Mellifera Bees (infused honey) is offering a hive tour on the garage rooftop. Come learn about the fascinating lives of bees, sample honey and enjoy an unusual afternoon, right here within the city. Please email her directly at melissa@melliferabees.com to sign up. See you there!

Soda Syrup


 These summery concentrates are the perfect thing to add to a glass of sparkling water. Made on Vancouver Island by Organic Fair, here is what they have to say about them.

"All of these syrups start with a base of organic fair trade sugar mixed with our farm's spring water. We then add in at least one flavour ingredient that we grow here on our organic farm. Our Root Beer even includes some of our Hallertauer beer hops! These syrups are packed with flavour and a little bit goes a long way. This means that a serving of our soda has significantly less sugar per serving than traditional soft drinks."

Our shelves are stocked with Lavender Lemonbalm, Gingerale, Orange Cardamom and Rootbeer.
Happy Summer!



photo| Klee Larsen

Patricia Larsen's home in Baja

I thought I would do a quick post of our visit to our little mama's in June. I intended to do a much more in depth one but alas, the summer is flying by. This is just a small taste of the beauty our mom has created in a little scratchy corner of the Baja. I still plan on doing a post on our favourite places to eat and stay down there but until then, I hope this tides you over.

Parsons Farm

 

     This is our 3rd summer here at Le Marché. It is also our 3rd summer of working with Parsons Farm in Keremeos, one of the oldest farms in the Similkameen Valley. Quentin has a passion not only for your more recognizable summer fruits, peaches and apricots but also more unusual varieties like heirloom squash and my current favourite Lemon and Lime basil. His sister and her husband are the couple behind farmersdotter Organics, preserving amazing things like garlic scapes, peach jam with fireball whiskey and of course their famous roasted garlic scape salt. Like all things good and handmade, there are limited quantities of the preserves so don't wait. Some people have already started stock piling for Christmas!
   We have been receiving a weekly supply of what's ripe on the trees, fat peaches, apricots, plums and soon nectarines. If you'd like to pre-order so you don't miss out, just drop us a line at info@marchestgeorge.com   Happy Summer!