Tuesday, February 2, 2010

An Outing

On Sundays, Mark and I often plan outings. And many of the local farmers' markets, including our own Japantown market, are on Sundays. So we decided to take the light rail and check out the Campbell Farmers' Market. This is when you truly appreciate living in a Mediterranean climate. The market was three city blocks long! The first block had colorful stalls of arts and crafts, the second block was filled with fruits and vegetables and the last block had stalls of meats, baked goods and prepared foods for sale. Interspersed were small groups of musicians, clowns creating balloon animals and petitioners eager to have you sign up to save the state parks. Oh, and people.... and strollers..... and loose children. It was sunny and warm and chaotic and glorious. Mark and I found a stall selling French-style sausages and pates. The store is in Oakland (45+ minutes away). But we could select several delicious blends to try at home. And then across the way, was an Indian stall with yummy chutneys and naan and homemade sauces and mixes for curries. We will be trying a few of those too. And the vegetables..... so much eye candy! Strawberries! And rainbow chard and apples and cauliflower and.... and.....all locally grown and most organic. So, once our bag was full of good things to eat, we decided to check out a few other interesting spots in Campbell. There is a great yarn store - Green Planet Yarn - that carries Brown Sheep yarn (my favorite). And then there is Psycho Donuts........

Psycho Donuts is a small store just off the main drag/Farmers' Market area.... and easy walk. The staff, dressed as nurses, are friendly and very helpful when you are not sure which of the many types of donuts you should try. There's the Jekyll and Hyde - chocolate covered with drizzle on one side and choco sprinkles on the other. Or Noses and Eyeballs - custard filled body parts give a new meaning to "eye popping" and "I've got your nose!" Then there is the Hamburger Donut..... it really looks like a sesame seed bun but it's a sesame seed donut bun, honey butter, strawberry jelly, and strips of bacon. I had the Apricotology - a glazed fritter COVERED in apricots. And Mark had the Cookie Monster - oreos topped with a scrumptious peanut butter drizzle. AND they have their own padded room if the donuts make you a bit crazy. AND they have art for sale..... Little zombie-esque images and sculptures. AND they have karaoke every so often (see the web link for Nurse Dylan and Batman performing). So, once we were full of sugar and fat and sticky all over, we waddled happily back toward the center of town and on to the light rail for the ride back home. It was a very good day!  Click here to see more of Psycho Donuts