Driving up Van Dyke Road to Michigan's northern Macomb County and on up into Lapeer County is one of our favorite local autumn trips. If nothing else, I try to make the trip up to Northern Farm Market in the extreme northern part of Macomb at least once each season.
Northern Farm Market is a family-owned seasonal market where shoppers browse among wooden crates of fresh veggies, check out the produce tables under the big tent, or wander out into the pumpkin patch.
Morris VanHoutte immigrated to the United States from Belgium in the early 20th century. Van Houtte persevered through hard work and a few setbacks before moving to Romeo, Michigan, in 1954. The Van Houtte family started Northern Farm Market in 1963.
I can't remember when we first made the 25-plus-mile drive out to the market, but like the market itself, visiting it is a tradition with us. I can't wait to get out there to stock up on squash, get a pumpkin, and maybe buy a few bundles of Indian corn to use as decorations before the market closes after Halloween weekend until next season.
Thanks to Debbie Dubrowof Delicious Baby for creating and coordinating Photo Friday to link travel photos and blog posts across the Web.
© Dominique King 2009 All rights reserved
I love going to the pumpkin patch. It's just visually pleasing to see so many colors and shapes. And look like they have such a great variety here.
Posted by: Amy @ The Q Family | October 16, 2009 at 07:56 AM
These pictures should be entered in some competitions. I haven't seen some of these varieties before wonder what they taste like.
Posted by: Cate | October 16, 2009 at 10:58 AM
As usual, amazing photos. I love the way you can transform a seemingly mundane place like a pumpkin patch into something truly fascinating!
Posted by: Glennia /The Silent I | October 16, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Amy-I'm always particularly jazzed about the market's selection of squash. We both like squash, and this market always has quite a few different types to choose from!
Cate-I haven't even tasted them all! We try to get something a little different each year, in addition to our old favorites.
Here is a site I found with a photo glossary of a few different squash types. http://whatscookingamerica.net/squash.htm We particularly like the little Sweet Dumplings and the Delicatas (I've always called them banana squash, but I've also heard them called peanut squash).
Glennia-Thanks! I love taking market photos because it's usually so colorful. I've done several different market posts...both here and at Urbane...the places never cease to interest me.
Posted by: Dominique | October 17, 2009 at 11:31 AM
When I see all those pumkin photos I know that Halloween is just around the corner
Posted by: Heather on her travels | October 17, 2009 at 01:52 PM
you evoke fall, and the market itself, so well with your shots. thanks.
Posted by: Kerry Dexter | October 17, 2009 at 02:17 PM
wow, I didn't know there were so many different types of pumpkins. Great photos!
Posted by: maria | October 18, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Truly festive! What a nice, colorful composition.
Posted by: Lorraine | October 18, 2009 at 02:08 PM
What a display of fall veggies. I love the pictures of the pumpkins. I wish we had something like this down here in Florida. It would help to get in the mood for the holidays.
Posted by: Debbie | October 19, 2009 at 06:54 AM
I love farmers markets pumpkin patches etc. This is the time of year for fall colors in the Hocking Hills area of Ohio and I've been busy taking pictures there. Planning a romantic getaway with my lovely wife Linda. Have a great week
Posted by: Joe Todd | October 19, 2009 at 08:37 AM
Heather-I'm looking forward to Halloween, too!
Kerry-Farmers Markets always make such good photo subjects this time of year. They just say "autumn" automatically!
Maria-I'm always amazed at the number of different types of pumpkins, squash and gourds at the markets, too.
Lorraine-The colors were so great that day that pretty much all I had to do was point the camera and shoot :)
Debbie-That is the nice thing about Michigan and the Midwest, we have a real change of seasons. Thanks for stopping by!
Joe-Have a great time at Hocking Hills! We love that area and try to get down for a visit every few years or so.
Posted by: Dominique | October 19, 2009 at 05:05 PM