Variety and Color In Plenty At Federal Way Farmers Market

Above and below: Surely nothing hits the spot in the summer quite like fresh produce brought home direct from

the Federal Way Farmer's Market! All photos copyright 2011 by Mizu Sugimura.

The Federal Way Farmer's Market (FWFM) has become a popular Saturday stop for many area residents over the past few years between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. One of my dear friends is such a market stalwart that she actually made it into a frame in this year's FWFM video online.

Two weeks ago I was invited to accompay her to the market, set up now at it's second location at the north side of 320th Street (just up the gentle incline kitty corner to the Federal Way Transit Center) on a roomy site overlooking busy mall shoppers at The Commons. This year market organizers began experimenting with a select sample of vendors to cater to area crowds on Wednesday nights between 4:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. creating a different yet exciting vibe through the end of September.

Above: MMMMMMN! Now THIS is a peach! Photo by Mizu Sugimura.

Arriving there at mid-morning we discovered that whatever warm summer sun shone overhead the previous week had all but disappeared, dampening down the temperatures and painting the skies overhead into a scene resembling a typical Pacific Northwest day in mid-October. This year market managers have experimented with a distinct sample of vendors to cater to nearby crowds on Wednesday nights. The Wednesday's evening market creates yet more opportunities for local residents to enjoy something different in the heart of the town.

Fortunately the liquid sunshine that fell that day couldn't damper our spirits. One of my favorite produce purchases that afternoon was a novelty to me. It was round like an onion but varigated like a watermelon so I asked if it was a squash! After I inquired the vendor pulled out a trusty pocketknife, selected one of his samples and both peeled and sliced a sample for my tasting pleasure. Wow! It was both tart and lemony. Salads will never be the same at my house again!

Above: Dreaming of radishes.

Above: Who says ears of corn can't hear!

Above: There's simply no end to all of these

heartbreakingly perfect potatoes!

As A Song Says - One Of My FAVORITE Things!

Above all : The bright, well-lit, energy filled and cheery walls of Craft City & Craft City Cafe, 35415 21st Avenue SW in Federal Way, WA provide an optimum setting to celebrate the a friend's special birthday, have coffee with long-lost friends, to meet fellow craft enthusiasts and a healing and hospitable haven away from home to jump start your personal creativity! For questions, classes, hours, etc. call (253)517-9206.
Photos copyright 2011 by Mizu Sugimura.

Turning of Seasons, Elections, Brings Memories of Crisp Days And Thick Blanketing Fog

Above: Local initiative campaign sign. Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

Like many adults of my generation, I spent far more childhood hours trying to occupy those extended time periods my parents and their contemporaries believed it was necessary for young people to play outside.

While half memories are not as precise as studiously gathered and recorded data, since I was a little girl I've connected the arrival of cooler mornings in fall and winter with a wave of nostalgia for those foggy mornings when swathes of frosty gray and white mist obscured the most familiar landmarks and signpost on the street that led to my elementary school.

Regular exposure to nature and the outdoors serves as an excellent reminder that a good part of our lives unravel daily in unexpected ways whether we are firmly focused upon these changes or not. During the upcoming election voters in the City of Federal Way are being solicited by backers of an initiative to change the format of city government to take back the theft of none less than their Constitutional rights and directly elect a strong mayor.

Do initiatives posing as timely topics purely generated by local citizens take on a different dimension? Would you want to be aware just how and why an organization with few if any personal ties to your community was more than willing to provide time, support and assistance to a vocal few?

Red, White & Blues Festival A Big Bang In Federal Way

Above: Anticipation for the evening's display grew as the dusk soon arrived. Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

This year's Federal Way Red, White & Blues Festival featuring live entertainment, hot dog eating contest, activities for kids and much anticipated public show of fireworks in Celebration Park also according to festival sponsors marked the tenth birthday of the facility.

The occasion was duly noted on Saturday night by attending civic leaders observed by an enthusiastic crowd of local citizens and their families. Musical performances included appearances by the : Randy Oxford Band, GruV box, Randy Hanson and the Federal Way Chorale.

Above: It was a definitely a crowd pleaser. Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

Above: And there was something for everyone. Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

Above: No doubt about it! Photo copyright 2009 by Mizu Sugimura.

Red, White & Blue Festival sponsors included: 4Culture, Federal Way Arts Commission, Federal Way Mirror, Rainier Pacific Bank, Red Canoe Credit Union, Waste Management and Woodstone Credit Union.

Note: Next year's festival planners might wish to provide additional microphones. As it was dignitaries and the Federal Way Chorale were poorly covered which minimized a clear hearing their remarks and performances. At the conclusion of the fireworks a warmer touch would be added if show organizers appoint a representative to gracefully wrap up the evening and bid goodnight to the crowd.

Give Me A Clean Heart

I woke up Tuesday morning feeling old aging stiff and sore. Smiling, I thought to myself, "Well, dummy, what did you expect? Three hours of heart felt sharing with some absolutely special people. You got home at eleven, hit the pillow at twelve, and had to get moving by six... did you have a great time (yes), did you feel heard and accepted (yes), did you get caught up in some especially wonderful music (so wonderful, absolutely beautiful... yes, yes, yes!) So I decided to stop whining and share some moments, dear friends, that I had with singer, writer, and choir director extraordinaire, Tina Lombard Harris...
(let me get really manipulative here... Lorraine, wouldn't a night of your teaming with Tina be just absolutely beyond blog words, Nobel or Pulitzer prize writing words to even begin to imagine... here's a picture of Tina at the keyboard:


Here are the lyrics for the gospel song she sang Monday night and just enjoy this wonderful woman singing
Give me a clean heart
so I may serve Thee
Lord, fix my heart so that I may be used by Thee.
For I'm not worthy
of all these blessings.
Give me a clean heart and I'll follow Thee.

I am not asking for the riches of the land.
I' not asking for the proud to know my name.
Please give me, Lord, a clean heart, that I may follow Thee.
Give me a clean heart
a clean heart and I will follow tThee.


(repeat first verse)

Sometimes I am up and sometimes I am down.
Sometimes I am almost level to the ground.
Please give me, Lord, a clen heart, that I may follow Thee.
Give me a clean heart, a clean heart and I will follow Thee.

(repeat first verse)