Monday, August 6, 2012

A SHORT SUMMER JOURNEY






Today, I hope you'll join me on a short summer journey.  It will take us down a winding country road, past green pastures with tall trees and long fences.




We will end up at a place full of savory and sweet delights, accompanied by the lilting sounds of folk music and birdsong...




And the scent of beautiful florals and ripening fruit wafting through the pine trees...




But, before we reach this inviting destination, I will tell you the story of how this place came to be....

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The North Star House was the main home for the superintendent of the North Star Mine.




Commissioned by Superintendent Arthur DeWint Foote and his wife, Mary Hallock Foote, an author and illustrator, it was designed by Julia Morgan, Arts and Crafts architect, in 1905.




The North Star Mine was the second largest producer of gold during California's Gold Rush.




The Footes originally lived on the mine property for ten years with their three children, in a cottage, when Foote and his wife decided they needed a home to entertain the investors, dignitaries and celebrities that were coming to the Gold Country.  They hired Morgan to design it.  While living in the house, Mary Foote wrote her lifetime reminiscences which form her published memoirs, "A Victorian Gentlewoman in the Far West."  From the time of construction to 1968, the residence was occupied by the Foote family.




Listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 1, 2011, months later, it is still undergoing restoration...

The 18,000 square foot mansion, with 22 rooms, cost $23,000 to construct.

Footnote:  Information obtained from Google/Wikipedia


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Now, as promised, we have reached the destination of our short journey...




During the summer season the property is the scene of the Nevada County Grower's Market.  It is also used as a venue for weddings and other celebrations.



Tempting Tomatoes


Perfect Peaches


Wonderful Watermelons


Scrumptious Squash


Beautiful Breads


Bee-worthy Blackberries


Sweet Strawberries 
Gorgeous Green Beans


Fragrant Flowers


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"The modern marketer will still occasionally observe some relics of the past; who cling to the old custom taught in their youth, perhaps by an honored sire, who was not too proud to carry home a well-filled market basket."

"The Market Assistant" 1867


Hope you are enjoying all the bounty that summer has to offer....Judy






I'm sharing all this goodness with:
































17 comments:

  1. I sure enjoyed this journey! The farmer's market made my mouth drool!

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  2. That looks like a great farmer's market! Those flowers and vegetables are so colorful they make me want to set a table and create a delicious meal. Have a great week Judy!

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  3. A wonderful post Judy, I love the fresh fruit markets, looked like you had a lovely day , Thank you for telling us about the gold mine, very interesting, we still have a small one in Wales and the gold is used to make Royal wedding rings! I love your sunflowers
    Thea x

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  4. Wow Judy...
    those flowers, that bread and that cottage. What a delightful place to have a farmers market! I'd go every day~~~LOL!

    Imagine.. building such a big home, and for such a low price.
    Those were the days....

    Thank you for sharing your adventure with us, and beautiful pictures.

    Wish I could have gone with you :)

    {{hugs}}
    Kerin

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  5. It was an interesting story you told us. I'm very fond of reading about old things and I'm glad they are restoring the house, even though it costs!! It's terrible to see all the empty houses that stands all around, both big and small ones.
    It would be lovely to visit such a market. Here we have the farmers market now and then, or rather it's in our nearest town, but for one reason they always have those days when I work, lol.
    Beautiful pictures as always. You're a good photographer.
    Hope you have a nice day. Ours have been rainy!
    Love Elzie

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  6. Judy- How interesting. What a great place to visit and spend some time marketing. Your pictures are just gorgeous- Blessings- xo Diana

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  7. What a gorgeous place! I'd love to be within driving distance of such a market with all that wonderful activity going on. I wonder what you bought...

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  8. O, what a lovely home this is. I would love to tour the inside.
    We don't have good markets such as this. Too hot and dry and not much being raised.
    So glad you had a nice time.

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  9. Beautiful journey Judy and I love the history lesson you included. The USA has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. From tropical Hawaii to the New England seaports all the way back to the beautiful countryside of California. Not to forget to mention all of our beautiful country's bounty...thank you so much for sharing!!!

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  10. Oh, I love that! I really want to do that! Does it only take place once a year? How fun!! Beautiful journey, great pictures and oh my.....I want that bread!

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  11. So wonderful! I love seeing those folk musicians and that mandolin player. Oh and that wonderful fresh baked bread and produce. The simple joys in life :)

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  12. I loved tagging along with you on your little journey. Wish I could have sat in with the folk band . . . that's my kind of thing. Thanks for sharing, Connie :)

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  13. That looks like a wonderful place to visit! Love the scenery around those winding roads.

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  14. What a fabulous market....the country side on the way there is so beautiful too!!! Thanks for taking us along for the ride :o)
    ~Des

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  15. That's a great farmer's market! I really enjoyed reading your post with the little tidbits of history!!!

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  16. Wow Judy, that is one awesome jouyney and I'm so glad I came along. How wonderful that history is saved for us to enjoy as our jouyney moves forward too. I'm drooling over all the beautiful bounty I see at the market. I would be buying those gorgeous tomatoe's and eating most before reaching home. Yummy!
    I tried to find if P.Buckly Moss did do a painting of the wayside Inn and I can't find anything. I bet it was her inspiration..
    I truly enjoyed my visit here and bet you had a grand time!
    ~Shirley

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  17. Judy I really love your pictures and the history lesson.
    Thanks
    Bernice

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy