Soul Sweets

Paress Randolph, of Soul Sweets, at the Gilroy Farmers Market

I first learned about Soul Sweets at last year's San Benito Olive Festival when I followed the delightful baking aroma of something mighty delicious to its booth. I didn't get a chance to eat one of their berry cobblers, but the Husband did and he still ooohs when he talks about it. I'll finally get the opportunity now that Soul Sweets will be at the Hollister Farmers Market, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23.

Soul Sweets is based in Morgan Hill. Check out this article about Dawn and Anthony Randolph, the owners, in the Morgan Hill Times. Besides the Hollister Farmers Market, you can find their baked goods at the Gilroy and Morgan Hills Farmers Markets. To learn more about Soul Sweets, head over to their website at www.soulsweets.net, or their Facebook page.

2014 Gilroy Garlic Festival

I love the smell and taste of garlic. If you were to ask me to make garlic bread with fresh garlic, do not be surprised when I put a whole bulb's worth of garlic on the buttered french bread. Yum!

So, yup, the Husband and I are ready for the Gilroy Garlic Festival this Friday. The annual event will be Friday to Sunday, July 25 to 27, from 10 AM to 7 PM, at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy. For all the details, click over to the official Gilroy Garlic Festival website.

By the way, Friday, July 25, is Local's Day. Residents of Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Aromas, Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill get $5 off the price of tickets. At the gate, locals can purchase adult general admission tickets for $15; senior (60+) tickets, $5; and children (6 to 12) tickets, $5. Also on sale that day for local residents is a 3-day pass for $30. Be ready to show a valid ID with your local address when you buy your tickets.

How's the Weather?

We've been having some interesting weather lately. Strong winds whooshing through. Mugginess in the air. And amazing cloud formations.  I saw this glorious cloud pattern above downtown Hollister yesterday at the street festival. Maybe rain is on its way.

Hysterical San Juan Bautista

This sign in San Juan Bautista always cracks me up. But, I wouldn't be surprised if something did happen on that particular spot on Third Street.

The Old Elks Lodge -- Another Angle

It just happens all of a sudden. You notice a completely different view of something so familiar.

That's what happened to me at the Farmers Market this week. While talking with someone, I glanced up the street and noticed that the beautiful piece at the top of the old Elks Lodge Building (on the southeast corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets) does not extend to its south side. I wonder why.

The Agricultural Signs in San Benito County

Back in January, I began noticing the beautiful agricultural signs popping up around San Benito County. They showcased both the products and the growers. The signs are part of Ag in the Classroom project sponsored by the San Benito County Farm Bureau. They deserve a big round of  applause for their work!

So far, I've taken photos of three of the agricultural signs. You can find this sign at the southwest corner of Union and Southside Roads.  It's like a scavenger hunt for me. As I take photo of the different signs, I'll post them. To see the other two agricultural signs, click here and here.

Cooking Demos at the Farmers Market

This year, the Hollister Farmers Market has added cooking demonstrations, which are given across from the Veterans Memorial Building. Every week is a different theme. So far, local farmers and agricultural organizations have presented ways to prepare artichokes, mushrooms, cherries, stone fruits, corn, and Blenheim apricots. Yum!

The demonstrations are given at 5:30 PM and 6:45 PM every Wednesday during the Farmers Market, which runs from 3 to 7:30 PM. For more info about the Farmers Market, visit this page at the Hollister Downtown Association website.