Is it us, or is it getting easier to tolerate the heat? Last week was super busy at the Market, despite the high temps. Everyone seemed pretty happy, though sweaty. We hope this week's cooler weather continues through the weekend but if it doesn't, well, maybe we're used to it by now?

---

Vendors

This week's lineup features nearly a full complement of vendors, both regular and varied. We are not superstitious types but we literally knocked on wood when we wrote this, given the unexpected absences we've had lately -- skip to three paragraphs down for details.

In the meantime, here is the lineup for this Saturday: Weekly: Big Sky Bread, Frecon Farms, Freeland Market, Fruitwood Farms, Green Zebra Farm, The Icery, Kia's Cakes, MyHouse Cookies, Poniton Farm, and Wilsons Curiously Good Foods. Biweekly: Amazing Acres Goat Dairy, The Ancient Kitchen, Crisp Pickles, Paradocx Vineyards, Rafiki Shoppe, and Rebecca's Dumplings. Soap: Love Naturally. Special: Ridge Valley Farm.

If you love maple syrup, Ridge Valley Farm has you covered. This fourth Saturday vendor is here only seven times during the Market season, so if you miss 'em now, you'll have to wait until September 24 when they return. Sue and Jim Myers of Green Lane, PA, collect maple sap from January through March, cook it down in a wood-fired evaporator in their sugarhouse, and bottle it in gallon, 1/2 gallon, quart, pint, and 1/2 pint sizes. They also make maple granola, maple-coated walnuts and pecans, and a maple snack mix, which are all just incredibly tasty.

Note that FBG Foods gave us appropriate notice that they must miss this week due to a big salsa competition. Mark your calendar for their return on September 10.

As for cancellations, we got word late last Friday that dairy vendor South Mountain Creamery, who had a 3-hour journey from Middletown, MD, is not coming back to the LFM for the rest of the season. That was a distinct disappointment to a number of shoppers, who came to the Market Manager's tent to ask "wherefore-art-they?" and to which we had to reply, sadly, "Nevermore." (Apologies to The Bard and Mr. Poe for the mixed literary references.) You can contact [email protected] for info, to find out what to do with your deposit-refundable bottles, or to inquire about home delivery of their goods, which can be arranged, for a fee.

---

Farmer's Delights

The farmers' tables are just groaning with variety, so the sky's the limit, culinarily. Here are some ideas for using the beautiful vegetables you bring home from the Market (or that friends and neighbors with gardens are foisting on you):

• Anna Herman wrote a delightful roundup for Philadelphia Inquirer readers about what to do with veggies at the height of their flavor (now!) when you just don't want to cook.
• Slaving over a hot stove is not our cup of tea these days. That's why we've been turning to our stalwart slow cooker. It takes next to no time in the morning (or the night before) to chop up some veggies and toss them into the crock. Two rather appetizing recipes include minestrone and veggie-loaded baked potato soup, ready for a simple lunch or dinner for several days, depending on how large your household is.
• When we do feel like cooking again, we're going straight to a few recipes we came across that we haven't tried before: charred eggplant tossed with walnut pesto and pasta in a salad and eggplant Parmesan melts (with three options for how to cook the veg).
• Pro tip: When recipes like this brown butter marinara sauce or creamy tomato basil tortellini soup call for canned tomatoes, you can easily substitute fresh ones. You don't have to worry about precise measurements; just eyeball it.
• If you're not in the mood this weekend to make these dishes, follow these quick preserving (aka freezing) methods for when you do have time to throw together that stew, sauce, or soup, like maybe later this fall.
• There's also this handy guide for how to store fresh produce and herbs.

---

Community Day Deux/Redux

Saturday's Community Day #2 will bring a bonus row of tables representing friendly folks from area organizations and businesses who would love to tell you who they are and what they do. That's a real benefit if you're the curious type or are new to town. Find out how you can learn to cut a rug in style with Lansdowne Ballroom & Latin Dance. Order a free tree ready for fall planting from the Lansdowne Borough Tree Commission, which has been re-greening properties around town for years now. The Lansdowne Arts Board reps return with printmaking fun for kids and adults and to raise awareness about the great cultural focus we've built here in 'Downe Town. Learn about diversity from the Pennsylvania Diversity Project and the Philadelphia Sikh Society. Meet utility-type folks from RCN and Green Mountain Energy. (BTW, RCN provides free WiFi at the Market, accessible with the password lfmrocks.) Finally, meet area businesses such as Downtown Nutrition (which will have samples and tips on eating well), music teacher Tashya Adamcik from Learning, Inc., Dress Your Door custom handmade wreaths, Darby's Body and Soul Tattoo, and Pam Cristanti, who will be showing Pampered Chef's fall line.

---

Housekeeping

Special thanks to the folks who helped set up and break down the LFM last week. The regular volunteers are grateful for your support. If you, dear reader, want to help out, just arrive at 7:45 am or 12:45 pm. Remember that many hands make light work. Also remember that early birds get the best selection, and folks that are hanging around at the end of the Market often get deals on merchandise the vendors would rather not transport home.

This being the last Saturday of the month (can it really be almost September??), we're hopeful for some donations of nonperishables for the community food bank, or you could stuff a few dollars into the jug on the table in the Manager tent.

---

Get Ready to Space Jam!

This Friday, August 26, is the final movie night of the season at Hoffman Park, where the Landowne Parks and Recreation Board will be screening Space Jam starting at 8:30 pm. Come early, bring a blanket, and picnic with your family and friends during this epic classic starring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan.

---

Picnic in the Park

On Saturday evening, 5 to 8 pm, the Borough of Lansdowne invites you and your family to a say-goodbye-to-summer picnic at Sycamore Park. (You'll know you're at the intersection of East Lacrosse Avenue at Wycombe Avenue by the huge, 400-plus-year-old sycamore tree.) Bring your picnic dinner, blanket or chairs, and enjoy the beautiful sounds of Joe Stevenson and his Jazz Band.