It's ramp time again, for me, a joyful, optimistic time. It is the first vegetable out of the ground in the spring, and it protends planting and tending and harvesting in the fall. Even though I've sold my canning equipment and don't have any dirt around to plant, it's still makes me happy. Here is Alec helping our farmer friend harvest ramps. And yes, that green stuff blanketing the earth is made up of ramps!

At the bakery, we are having our usual fun with this short lived ingredient. We've got ramp soup and ramp pastries, and best of all in my opinion, ramp pizzas which are up there with BLTs in my gustatory pantheon. As soon as the trees leaf out, the ramps get busy putting out flowers and making seeds so ramp season is over. We will still have some for a while because we know how to keep them fresh, but don't delay.

Another exciting event, Farmers Markets open this weekend!! http://pfcmarkets.com/ https://www.portagemi.gov/643/Markets We will be at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market on Saturday, and at the Portage Farmers Market on Sunday. With climate change as it is, some crops are coming in plenty early so you'll want to pay attention this summer to the peak crop times. We already have lots of asparagus and rhubarb. Can strawberry season be far behind? Please join us on Saturday or Sunday, or both for that matter!
And then there is Sunday at Sarkozy's! Music and Brunch from 11:00 to 1:00. Of course this week will feature ramps for brunch. everything else on out menu will be available as well. This week's music will feature David Carambula playing acoustic guitar. David has given us many a fine, soothing Sunday morning and we look forward to his return.

Not only that, tomorrow, Friday May 3rd we will be hosting ART HOP from 5pm to 8pm. We will be featuring the work of Hannah Gregus a visual artist based in Kalamazoo Her illustration style is lightly humorous, aiming to amuse and delight with her whimsical characters. The abstract work she produces celebrates shape, color, pattern, and attention to detail.

That's not all that is happening around town. Check out KalamazooNow, a nonprofit community news service and a public resource for all who live, work and play in Kalamazoo County.
https://nowkalamazoo.org/about-us/mission-values/.
The folks there "believe that a free and independent press is essential to a healthy democracy and we are committed to providing high-quality journalism that serves the public good." we find their Things To Do section is really good, not to mention their Kalamazoo based reporting!

There is lots more cookin', stay tuned!
Best of the Best,
Judy and Alec and Crew

Ramps are calling and so is Art Hop and the Farmers Market!