Nice Melon

Hi guys! How’s your day been?

We’ve had an awesome Sunday 😀 It included a visit to Robert’s Farm, where we picked up this very nice melon.

snack

Our friends Dave and Michelle came with us—I can’t believe it’s been so long since we’ve made a trip out there. (You can read more info about the farm *here* and on my last post about it)

farm

We were greeted by Bonny, who owns and works on the farm, and two donkeys.

donkeys

Sarah is the older one, and the little one, Pumpkin is in the process of losing her baby fur. Bonny keeps the donkeys to protect the other animals from coyotes and hawks.

Since it’s been so stinkin’ hot in Valdosta, the veggies weren’t as abundant as usual, but we still got to walk around the gardens and check everything out.

garden

HOLY basil!


basil

Bonny harvested a ton of basil, banana peppers and green bell peppers for us.

goofies

Next, we went over to see the chickens, who walk freely and happily around the property. Bonny has names for all of them 🙂

chicken

Thank you, lovely chickens for our eggs 🙂

eggs

We also spotted a banana spider… check out the “skull face” and funny hat

spider (2)

After the farm, we went to Publix to grab some goodies to go with our farm feast.

To go along with it, I made some marinara sauce using the fresh basil… our house smells like heaven.

marinara

The pilot decided to tackle the watermelon chopping duties:

melon

melon (2)

I’m off to make the rest of the delicious farm feast 😀

See ya in the morning! <3

xoxo,

Gina

Post Navigation:

48 Comments

  1. Krystina on August 8, 2010 at 7:02 pm

    That spider is terrifying!

  2. Shannon on August 8, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    a seriously terrifying spider!! it will haunt my dreams!!

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 7:28 pm

      the pilot said he’s going to have nightmares about it hahah

  3. Whitney @ Whitinspired on August 8, 2010 at 7:07 pm

    I have a basil plant in my garden and it is the best thing! I go pick a few leaves off too add to just about every meal. I can almost smell the marinara through the computer screen 🙂

  4. Christin L. on August 8, 2010 at 7:08 pm

    SPIDER! EEEEEEEEEEEEK!

  5. Jillian on August 8, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    I don’t think we have spiders like that in Canada. SCARY! I’m officially craving watermelon now- that one’s a beauty!

  6. Jenna on August 8, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    how do you make your marinara sauce?

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 7:27 pm

      a variation of tyler florence’s recipe- this one had shallot, garlic, san marzano tomatoes, red pepper flakes, sea salt, pepper, stevia, kalamata olives, oregano, rosemary, fresh basil, and a splash of balsamic

  7. Sarah Anne on August 8, 2010 at 7:22 pm

    Looks LOVERLY, Gina! I went to the farmer’s market this morning and got a huuuuge score. Local taters, (purple ones I love to mash, people look at me funny when I bring them for lunch!) cherry tomaters, cukes, zucchini, peaches, apricots, fresh onions and one guy even gave me a cuke as a ‘gift’. How cool! I love Sundays.

    I could barely wait to get home and hop here to tell you – I went to a Zumba class today for the first time! Holy moly, I sweat my face off and loved it. Though, watching my instructor David shake his thang, I realized I need a little more ‘spice’ in my life! lol. Seems his quick litte shimmies are easier without DDs up front 😛 LOVE IT! Thanks for the inspiration!

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 7:26 pm

      that sounds amazing!
      i’m SO GLAD you liked zumba!!! <3 it's a great workout and so much fun 🙂

  8. Meaghan on August 8, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    Fresh produce is so irresistible. The last time I went to a farmer’s market, I bought a quart of strawberries to bring home… but they were gone by the time I got back to my car! Hope your feast tastes as amazing as it looks.

  9. c on August 8, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    hey gina!
    im new to reading blogs and the blogworld in general but i consistenly come back to yours–i can feel your psoitive energy and sometimes it gets me through that 3pm lull in my office

    i have a question for you but dont know if i want to post it on the blog–do you have a fitnessista email address?

    let me know!
    thanks

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 8:18 pm

      send it my way! fitnessista at gmail dot com

  10. kristi (sweet cheeks) on August 8, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    Fresh basil is the best!! You definitely hit the jackpot. Hope you have a great evening! xoxo

  11. holly @ couchpotatoathlete.wordpress.com on August 8, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    IS that spider real? Or is something fake? Oh my god. Either way I am scared and I will never go to Georgia! Ever!!! I hate even little daddy long legs and that thing looks massive.

    I love farm fresh eggs. They taste so much better!

  12. Wendy on August 8, 2010 at 7:47 pm

    A real farm! How FUN!!
    We scored a big melon at the farmers market today too. Already ate half of it with dinner! Oh, fresh, organic veggies, how we LOVE you!
    Hey, have any of you guys seen “Food Inc.”? FINALLY watched it yesterday. WOWWWWW. would love to know your thoughts on and reactions to it if you’ve seen it! (Posted about it on my bloggy last night.)

  13. Sarah @ whole foodie fitness on August 8, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    We have one more week until our watermelons are done and I can’t wait. We went a little overboard and did so many watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and beets that we have no idea what to do with them. Have you ever opened a farm fresh egg with two yolks? It happened to me once & I guess it’s supposed to be pretty common when you don’t buy them from the store.

  14. Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter on August 8, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    What a fun trip to the farm! I am strange that I think those donkeys are absolutely adorable?! Haha anyways, I love everything you brought home. I’m such a fan of banana peppers and farm-fresh eggs!

  15. Megan @ Healthy Hoggin' on August 8, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    I’m so jealous of your farm trip! I’d love to be able to do that!

    I bet your watermelon will taste WAY better than the one I bought last week! I can live off of fresh, sweet watermelon for days, but “blah-flavored” watermelon stinks! 🙁

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 10:07 pm

      i know what you mean- some of the store bought ones don’t taste that fab. when it was cut off the vine that morning though (like ours was), totally different!!

  16. Dana on August 8, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    oh my that is a creepy spidey…i love farmer’s markets but they are so expensive here…nice to see happy chickens!!

  17. Katie @ Healthy Heddleston on August 8, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    Looking at the picture of your donkey made me think: did you see the news story today about the Zedonk??? The donkey/zebra baby. It’s so cute it looks like a donkey but the legs are striped like a zebra!

  18. Heather (Heather's Dish) on August 8, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    y’all crack me up with your hilarious pictures! farm trips sound so fun…i think i need to find out how to go on one out here!

  19. Lana Wilson on August 8, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    What a fun day! That watermelon is as big as you are!! hehe…You sould make watermelon juice…just stick it in the blender, but watch out for seeds!!

  20. Jessica on August 8, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    Love me some free range chickens!

    • Jessica on August 8, 2010 at 9:09 pm

      P.S. I love the fact that they are free range. I do not wish to eat them.

  21. April @ Crazy Fabulous Life on August 8, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    That spider looks awful 🙁 But lucky you going to the farm! Are farm fresh eggs better than store bought?

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 10:06 pm

      by far- they make you never want store bought eggs again. the taste difference is ridiculous and the yolks are super bright yellow 🙂

  22. Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine on August 8, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    That’s one huge watermelon!! The best way to eat that is to dig right in with a spoon. Hope you’re having a great end to your weekend!

  23. Linda on August 8, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    Have you ever tried fennel salt on your watermelon? As delicious and wonderful as watermelon is in it’s natural state, fennel salt takes it to a new level!

    grind fennel seed in a coffee grinder
    mix it in equal parts with a good sea salt
    lightly sprinkle on watermelon…mmmm mmmm
    I bet even the Pilot will like it 🙂

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 10:05 pm

      that sounds LOVELY! maybe i’ll try that tomorrow- thank you!

  24. Emily @ Emilyeatsclean on August 8, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    Ohhh I LOVE fresh basil!! YUM!

  25. kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com on August 8, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    THE. PRECIOUS. MELON. BABY. <3

  26. Cyndi @ Weightless Life on August 8, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    We tried to grow herbs this year, but they all died. We were so bummed. Enjoy your feast!

    • Fitnessista on August 8, 2010 at 10:05 pm

      SQUIRRELS ate all of mine! everything! little punks

  27. Janna on August 8, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    I love how you can just to a farm and get veggies and herbs fresh picked! I want to find somewhere near where I live to do that!!!

    And omg that spider picture really freaked me out! I hate spiders!

  28. Kristina on August 9, 2010 at 1:16 am

    the little donkey looks sweet 🙂

    that spider does not! I am insanely afraid of spiders… we have TALL vaulted ceilings in our house, I saw a big black spider up in a corner last night… not there this morning. I try to tell myself he let himself out and is chillin’ in the garden or something.

    that watermelon looks like the perfect size to be delicious… hope it was!

  29. Ilana on August 9, 2010 at 4:35 am

    that IS a nice melon!! ugh I need farms in my life! lucky you!!

  30. Jess on August 9, 2010 at 5:16 am

    Not happy with that spider!!!!

    Gina- do you have a recipe for your marinara sauce? Looks delish 🙂
    xx

    • Fitnessista on August 9, 2010 at 8:43 am

      it’s based off tyler florence’s, but i used san marzano tomatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, stevia, oregano, rosemary, fresh basil, sea salt, pepper and kalamata olives

  31. jassy on August 9, 2010 at 6:03 am

    that’s one big WATERMELON!!! i love basil…especially on pizza 🙂

  32. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on August 9, 2010 at 6:33 am

    Holy watermelon!!

  33. Paige @Running Around Normal on August 9, 2010 at 7:59 am

    OMG That spider would scare me for days!!! yikkkkeess! haha
    Nice melon, though 🙂 haha

  34. Allison @ Food For Healing on August 9, 2010 at 9:09 am

    wow freaky spider, I don’t know what i would do if i EVER saw anything like that in my life.

    I haven’t had watermelon in so long, its so yummy!

  35. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on August 9, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    Oh my gosh I can’t believe you actually have spiders like that where you live! I’ve never seen one as big as that around here.

  36. Nicole @ Getting Back to the Basics on August 9, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    First off, now I have to google how donkeys protect animals 🙂 I never really thought of them that way! And second, I can totally relate to that basil plant because a friend of mine has a mint plant that has taken over her garden! Mojitos, anyone??

    • Fitnessista on August 9, 2010 at 4:30 pm

      mojitos! yummmm 🙂

  37. LisaG on August 9, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    Spiders like those are pretty colored; and fine as long as they are outside! Luv wallermelon. I need to visit that farm; the kids would enjoy.

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.