Farmer's Market Kabobs

We finally got rain this weekend....blessed, glorious rain!

And boy, did we need it!

It was another busy weekend in my world...aren't they all, it seems? But I snuck in some 'me' time to head out to the farmer's market in a neighboring town. The market is held every other Saturday morning, and I've been going religiously for years. 

They have a wonderful selection of locally grown produce plus maple products, honey, jams, and jellies. Some of our local farms are represented, selling organic free range chicken, pork products, and grass fed beef. Regional organic cheese, home made soaps, fresh herbs and herb vinegars, perennials, cut flowers, beeswax candles, wool socks and mittens - you name it! Cooking demonstrations, physic readings, pet portraits, a live bluegrass band, and a local food truck add to the eclectic nature of the market. Throw in some baked goods made by the local church ladies and I'm in heaven. 

My daughters and I usually make it a special girls' morning, heading to the market and enjoying a little quality time together. This weekend they weren't around, so I took my other babies...the furry ones....with me. 

The pups love going for a ride in the car, and since the rain had cooled everything off nicely, I was glad to take them. 

The Monkey rode in my lap all the way to the farmer's market....and Tubby was quite contented in the back seat. 

Farmer's market day always means dinner is planned around the market's offerings of the week. 

This week, I decided on Kabobs. I have been craving them lately....and the market had just what I needed. 

One of the great things about grilling veggies is that they don't need much to make them amazing. They are the ultimate Easy Peasy recipe. 

For the yellow squash and zucchini, I drizzle some extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle some McCormick's Garlic & Herb seasoning on both sides. 

The rest of the veggies just get olive oil. They need nothing else but heat to bring out their amazing flavors. 

The beef was marinated in a Brazilian Steakhouse marinade, also by McCormick's. 

No, this is not a sponsored post - it's just me telling you about my dinner!

On went the kabobs, to a med-hot grill, and down went the lid. 

Walk away for a few minutes, shake up a cocktail. Easy peasy. 

The hardest thing about making this dinner was the weather. I had to put on my rain jacket, and sometimes I even had the hood up while I was out there turning the kabobs. 

You couldn't even see the peak of the mountains with the weather - normally the peak would be seen through the trees, near where those birds are sitting on the wire. 

The birds are probably all wondering what happened to the bird buffet that used to be served here regularly. 

I miss feeding my little critters. 

After bear season I'll get back in the swing of it. 

It was raining pretty good, and the herbs and the gardens were as happy as can be! We seriously needed this rain, it's been a very dry season. 

I can't even describe how heavenly the aroma on the deck was while dinner was cooking. I'm surprised Mr. Bear didn't come for a sniff....and I'm ever so glad he didn't!

I served the Farmer's Market Kabobs with a spicy Quinoa Black Bean mix. 

It was the perfect accompaniment to the sweet veggies and the tender and amazingly delicious grass fed beef. 

What a meal!

The skies were glorious after dinner, despite the less than ideal weather. This photo was shot in the opposite direction, and the clouds were just sitting on the peaks, while the sun tried to break through. 

Back in the direction where we saw the birds before, you can now see the clouds sitting on the distant peaks. The storm must have passed over there already, the skies are much clearer. 

And looking over the edge of the deck, I see Sweetie is getting ready to take on another project at my house. He's such a good sweetie! 

What went on in your world this weekend?