The forecast is cold but we will fire all
three of our large heaters in the pavilion to keep it coat comfy inside.
This Saturday we hold our last
Christkindlmarket. We’ve been really pleased with the quality of local arts and
crafts we’ve hosted this year and we have yet another new craft coming in
Saturday. Nightcire makes wooden toys – cars, tanks, swords, shields. This is a
business owned by Paul Spangenburg (who used to sell seasoned salts and sugars
at the market) and his children. Their
swords are researched and patterned on
historic artifacts, like their sword based on a 16th century Italian
Great Sword with a leather-wrapped hilt. Paul tells me that the swords often
end up on the wall as a decoration rather than in pretend combat. Everything is
finished in non-toxic finishes.Other Christkindlmarket vendors this Saturday include Jane’s Glass – her ornaments, spoon rests and other art objects are delightful, and BHayes with her up-cycled knitwear. She recycles sweaters into wonderful hats, scarves and even dresses. Delightful Gifts returns with their practical fire starters. They look like cupcakes good enough to eat but instead get the fire off to a good start.
Both our soap makers, 2Ts and Garden ‘N’ Goat,
will be at the market. From them I’m thinking stocking stuffers and small gifts
for the postman/lady, hairdresser and others. Sharron with the Joplin
Businesswomen will have Rada knives and utensils. These made-in-America tools
are inexpensive but very good quality. Sugar Buzz will have their pretty, and
tasty, hard candy which is made right in the market kitchen. They share a table
with Forge Fahrenheit where you will find key racks, napkin rings, knives and
more. The Forge will be outside on the south making more during market.
Fuhj 417 will have, you guessed it, fudge,
Fairhaven (and we’re moving out of the Christkindlmarket to the regular farmers
market now) will have pecan and peanut brittle and other sweet delights, as
well as picked out pecans. Still Waters is another farm that could fit in
either end of the pavilion because they have fresh produce and candles so they’ll
be in the middle! Sandra makes the
candles using all natural products and organic spices for scents and many of candles
are in china tea cups. They make a special gift for the candle lovers in your
life.
In the north end of the market, we expect
loads of fresh local produce. Cook’s Berry Farm has combined their honey and
seasoned salts with Misty Morning Farms’ pecans to make seasoned pecans –
another great stocking stuffer if you don’t eat all of them before you get
home.
Helms Family Farm has local raw honey in a
variety of sizes that make great gifts.
And if you really want to get on the nice
list, consider a gift of meat. My son-in-law’s Christmas gift this year (at his
request) was 20 pounds of bacon!
Way Back Bakery will have fried pies and other
baked goods. Stewart’s Bakery will have Christmas Morning Rolls. That’s
cinnamon rolls dressed up with raisins and nuts.
Stewart’s Bakery serves their usual breakfast
for $6 and potato soup for eat-in or take-away for $5 a pint. If you missed
their vegetable soup last Saturday, you really missed a treat. We’ve been
enjoying it all week and it just gets better every time.
Richard Hugh Roberts sings Christmas on the
market stage.
Don’t forget that at the information table you
can buy insulated market bags for only $5 each and market tokens that spend
just like cash in $5 increments. Now there’s a nice stocking stuffer.
We will not hold our Christmas Eve market this
year since it would be the day right after the Saturday market, so we will wish
you Merry Christmas on Saturday! See you
there.