By Julia

The sun has come to Oregon! I took advantage of a glorious Saturday morning and walked the two miles from my apartment to the Beaverton Farmers' Market. What a wonderful experience! Everyone was cheerful and festive, and the whole place was scented with the fresh-picked strawberries decorating most of the produce vendors' tables. I meandered from row to row, visiting with a local artist to hear about his acrylic paintings, admiring hand-made jewelry glinting in the bright sunshine, and sniffing appreciatively at the scent of fresh caramel corn popping away.

There is truly something for everyone: from meats and cheeses to pastries and wine, and the biggest rhubarb I've ever seen in my life! The lines for made-to-order Mexican specialties, fresh strawberry shortcakes, and locally-made sausage sandwiches stretched around corners, but the live music and brilliant weather had everyone in good spirits so they waited without complaint. If you're anything like me, people watching is one of your favorite things to do. I saw a mom coaxing her toddler to munch on a snap pea instead of a cookie, and an older gentleman carrying two delectable-looking strawberry shortcakes to where his wife was saving seats by the musicians. Two lady friends discussed the merits of fresh bread while a young couple chose the makings for that night's dinner.

As I walked back home with my pint of strawberries and a giant peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, I definitely wasn't the only person who found something to hit the spot at the Beaverton Farmers' Market.