One on my favourite excursions in Canada was to St Jacob's Mennonite Market - I don't think there are any Mennonites in Britain so I found the experience really fascinating.
I also enjoyed seeing Mennonites travelling in their horse drawn buggies and exploring the crafts from these amazing people.
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| Photo courtesy of Google |
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The market itself was wonderful and was it just my imagination or did everything look so much bigger and brighter than in the UK? You be the judge!
Now according to my very good friend, Ruthie, who I believe to be an expert in these matters, one has to partake of apple fritters at St Jacob's market and who was I to refuse?
These were as good as they look and as Ruthie had promised!
I bought a beautiful hand-crafted baby book from this lady - I'll show you it when I find my camera!
I also bought maple syrup and a lovely smock for Mr Thrifty and a receiving blanket made of the softest calico ever.
Here is the link if you would like to find out more about the market.
We then had a wander around the nearby town of St Jacobs where Ruthie had to practically drag me from a couple of quilting shops and another shop selling Mennonite and Amish crafts... take a look for yourself:
The trip was finished with lunch at the crossroads - a Mennonite restaurant offerring fantastic home-cooked food. http://www.crossroadsrestaurant.ca/our_restaurant.php
The selection was truly amazing and I forced myself to have a very small portion of the main course so that I could fit in pudding - there must have been around 15 choices of dessert!
Afterwards we wandered around another gift and quilt shop - there is going to be a quilt shop in my heaven!
Have a wonderful day wherever you are
Love Mrs Thrifty
xxx
This looks like a very interesting market. I'm fascinated by the Amish and Mennonite people and would love to see their quilts up close. I hope I'm in your heaven, we can shop for quilts together! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe quilts were fabulous Emma - I was quite envious of the skill. I'll book you in ... can we have a tea shop too? xx
DeleteWow, what wonderful produce. It's a shame they have to stick stickers on some things just like in the supermarkets, apart from that, I think you're right everything seems bigger and fresher looking than here.
ReplyDeleteIf I couldn't grow my own I would want to shop somewhere like this.
That restaurant meal looks pretty amazing too, you did well not to pile on the pounds while you were away!
Sue xx
I know Sue - I think I could easily have put on a lot more weight. Food was abundant and available. I wish I could my head around growing my own too - I do have a pot of tomatoes and one of chillis - that's a start! xx
DeleteI love to see different ways of life especially as simplistic as the Mennonites and Amish. I worked on a Kibbutz several times in my twenties & loved it though expect would find it very restricting if I actually lived on one for good.
ReplyDeleteLovely food & crafts.
a
DeleteThat must have been so interesting. I think you would have really enjoyed the look into the Mennonite way of life. Thank you for joining me. xx
We lived 5 minutes from the St. Jacob's Market, just on the Conestogo River. The Crossroads was where hubby & I used to meet up when he got after work the odd time for a supper, also where we used to take his Mother for a Dinner when she lived in Elmira. The buffet is wonderful there, did you find so? My sister-in-law's Bath & Bedding store was at the Outlet Mall, just beside the Farmer's Market. I worked in Elmira for just over 3 years. You certainly were minutes from our old "digs". Happy you were able to make it to St. Jacob's as it is so well known. xxx
ReplyDeleteIt was fabulous Cindy and one of Ruth's favourite places. What a shame you weren't still living there xx
DeleteWhat a great place to visit!!! I need to go find something to eat now!!!
ReplyDeleteI know Debby - all that food makes you hungry xx
Deletewe were just at St. Jacobs on the weekend, had a great time, did not know about at restaurant though, wull have to try it out.
ReplyDeleteGill
The restaurant was a bit out of St Jacobs Gill - I am not sure where but it was well worth the visit xx
DeleteHaven't been there in years. We have Mennonite communities here so we have lots of roadside stalls in the summer.I'd yes to bigger and fresher!
ReplyDeleteJane x
They really were weren't they! xx
DeleteEverything at the market looks delicious! What a fun day that must have been.
ReplyDeleteThanks Juhli - it was great - in fact, we went twice so that Ruth's Mum could come the second time; she was also visiting from England xx
DeleteFabulous market produce, and the crafts look beautifully done. I am confessing to yet another flaw in my character here: delicious though it looks, I would have cut out the main course (holiday rules allow that kind of behaviour) and had two puddings.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this interesting glimpse of your visit!
I did have 2 puddings!!!! lol - apple crumble (my favourite) followed by ice cream xx
DeleteI have been to this market when we were visiting Canada. The photo's were a lovely reminder. A fascinating insite into Mennonite living. I remember the produce on the market looked and tasted fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful Sal and definitely one of the highlights of my trip - I would go back any day xx
Deleteor even insight.
ReplyDeleteWow that market looks great... and yes the produce does look bigger and brighter!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to visit.
Julie xx
Wow I didn't realize you had taken these pictures - the colours are amazing at the market. You really can't beat the fruit and veggies - other than grow your own - but it kinda feels ok to buy the fruits of their labours!! Remember too the wonderful hanging baskets we bought at $10 each for gigantic ones .... they are still going strong in my back and front gardens!
ReplyDeleteHurry back soon x
I do remember the baskets Ruthie and I especially remember the apple fritters! xx
DeleteWhat a fabulous market with all this fresh produce! It looks amazing. Our farmers market looks so bland comparing to this...
ReplyDeleteIt really was wonderful Lena - so fresh and all organic too! xx
Deletewe are heading to the restaurant for lunch on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteGill