What do Paris and Denver have in common?

Just like in Paris, there is a scrumptious outdoor farmers' market to be found every day of the week in Denver.  On a recent and brief (less than 48 hours) stay there, I happened upon two lively ones.

At the Cherry Creek Farmer's Market they have Cowboy Catering.

Go ahead....try to resist the gluten.

Designer pumpkins.

A 3-foot pan simmering Paella on an open flame??  

Oh baby!

Of course, this is a part of the cleanse.

South Pearl Street is home of the next gem of a market.

First things first.

If I lingered any longer he was going to put me to work.

Color me radish!

Cool spot.

These guys were good! (apologies for not catching their name).

A little chicken satay for breakfast.

Suede and stone, handmade in the Rocky Mountain State.

A great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Sometimes you just gotta give it a try.

At first all you see is an unfortunate building.....

....with a tattered awning.

But go on! step inside.

This was a magical find.

Not only were there 450 beers, as in the deelish Great White below,

but there was "Larry the Bartender Guy," 

and Rose with gorgeous dimples and Winter,

doing a video shoot for a musician friend.

It took awhile to figure out the name of this place

because the sign was around the corner by the Post Office.

(I'm really diggin' the spotlight fashioned from a party cup.)

Had to include a pic of the hotel across the street.

This is a real gem of a tavern.  It's a biker bar, on a dead-end street, far off the beaten path, in a place that appears forgotten (but those in the know know better).  

Port Costa, CA, across the Carquinez Strait from Benicia.  

5 Canyon Lake Dr, Port Costa, CA 94569.

All it takes is a little vision...

....and a deaf ear to the naysayers.

(okay....and a great upholsterer).

These are some of my favorite re-do's over the years.  Couldn't have done it without the skills (and patience....and good humor) of Ewie.  (Ewie's Drapery & Upholstery, Norwalk, CT 203.847.0175)

There will be characters at the Flea Market, you can count on it.

My dear friend Donna and I have been going to the Elephant's Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT nearly every Sunday for the past seven years (give or take a Sunday).  It's always an adventure, mostly because of the great personalities you find there.  Today I decided to photograph some of them.  One man, his name is Gary, told me today that I needed to take his photo (he's got the gray goatee).  I think I agree.  The woman in the head-dress? Well, that's authentic headwear from Wild Bill Hickok's show (or so she says).  The food trucks have become iconic....there's nothing like an egg-and-cheese sandwich at the Super Fried Chicken stand after a rough Saturday night.