Forecast for Findlay Market

The new year at Findlay Market will begin with partly sunny skies. Even though severe storms (Cincinnati streetcar debates) have passed, occasional clouds (construction disruptions) still linger. Low pressure will struggle to reappear, but a strong front (Believe in Cincinnati) will resist. Fair weather will persist in the coming weeks, but a lack of precipitation (in the form of revenue) could be detrimental to the merchants. Nevertheless, bright and sunny dispositions will continue to attract the most loyal customers and create a calming effect as we move toward spring. 

We predict a 100% chance of blue skies (nothing but blue skies) by Reds Opening Day. The market may be flooded with activity by spring, but shopping here will still be a breeze. Throughout the summer, merchants will report sales are hot. As fall approaches, however, we anticipate interest will cool a bit. With the beginning of winter, cold waves will become common (with an occasional cold stare). Merchants featuring holiday items will see brisk activity.

In spite of the ups and downs predicted for 2014, every cloud has a silver lining. The future is bright for Findlay Market and you can be assured of one thing: We'll be keeping it fresh at Daisy Mae's! 

Help! I'm Running Out of Time!

Christmas is next week, and I sense a little panic starting to set in. Traffic is picking up around the malls, people waiting in lines are starting to fidget, and the to-do lists seem to be getting longer instead of shorter. While we're supposed to be feeling peace and goodwill toward all, instead we're feeling cranky. Eight more shopping days! Seven more shopping days! Last minute sale!

How can you get it all done?

Just in time, we've created Daisy Mae's Top 7 Ways to Save Time this holiday season.

1. Order a fruit basket online from Daisy Mae's with just one click at our Square Market. (Small or large: $15-$25)
2. Purchase a gift certificate for a future Taste the World at Findlay Market food tour. (With or without wine tasting: $20-$25)
3. Pick up (or order) fresh local salsa from Daisy Mae's. ($5.50)
4. Pick up (or order) Amish jams, jellies, and butters from Daisy Mae's. ($3 each)
5. Pick up (or order) Windy Acres dried fruits, candies, and snacks from Daisy Mae's. ($2.50 each)
6. Save a stop at the grocery store by ordering fresh produce online.
7. Avoid the malls and big box stores, and shop at Findlay Market for groceries, wine, beer, gifts, and floral arrangements.

As Mr. Daisy Mae always says, "Work smarter not harder." And have a Merry Christmas!

Recipes: The Tie That Binds

A few years ago our family started a new Christmas tradition. I asked for a favorite recipe from each family member, and our Cooking with the Coopers book was born. I gathered the recipes and gave each member of our extended family a looseleaf book that included a few photos and comments regarding each contribution. (Note: There are many ways to make a family recipe book. I chose to use the Tastebook version of compiling our recipes just because it's easy, relatively inexpensive, and stores our recipes online for future reference.) Each year, a new (or old) recipe from each member is added to the book.
Now as our kids become young adults and our extended family spreads across the Atlantic, we still reconnect each year when the call for recipes goes out. One by one, the messages trickle in, but each one reminds me of a person, an event, or a special taste sensation that jogs my memory and reaffirms that we're all connected. Believe me, recipes can be the tie that binds. If your family hasn't found a way to connect through your favorite foods, meals, or recipes, do it now.

R.I.P. Green Giant

I grew up with the Green Giant. Society was in the midst of change, on the cusp of the women's lib movement. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, always there when we came home from school and always making sure dinner was a family affair. She volunteered at church and was a member of several clubs and organizations, but she didn't hold a paying job. Several of her friends were teachers and nurses and my mom had a college degree, but society hadn't yet accepted the fact that women could hold significant positions in business, law, or medicine. So life for my mom revolved around our family, making sure that all the parts ran smoothly.
Even though my mom almost always made dinner, her cooking was pretty basic. I remember meatloaf, pot roast, and spaghetti were in the regular rotation. Side dishes were often potatoes, jello, and Green Giant vegetables boiled in a bag.
I suppose Green Giant was a breakthrough for women in the kitchen at that time. No longer did you have to go to the market to purchase fresh vegetables. You could pull a box out of the freezer and have vegetables on your plate in just a matter of minutes. How easy! How quick! But, oh, how flavorless…
I remember liking the corn, probably because of the buttery sauce. I think the green beans were like plastic, and the carrots tasted like cardboard. Yet, housewives embraced the idea of the convenience of filling the plates. And with the help of the Green Giant, kids got their vegetables.
I know the Green Giant still exists today and fills a need for quick side dishes. I, however, have chosen to go in a different direction. In about the same amount of time it took my mother to take the Green Giant from freezer to plate, I can cut fresh vegetables, drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning, and roast them to a caramelized deliciousness. I have to believe the taste is better and the nutritional value is improved. At least at our house, I say "R.I.P. Green Giant."