Today was an exciting day outside. I, Bette Sue, went with a friend, Kandra Millsaps, to the Kazuko Muge. This is St. Casimir's Market in honor of his birthday. This outdoor market takes place every year the first weekend of March with vendors coming from all over the area to sell their home-made items. The city closes down streets and lets vendors set up booths for blocks around the downtown area. Today's temperature soared up to 40 F. It was a perfect day to be outside shopping. We had no rain or snow and no sun either but it was not too cold to shop. Some years I have been at the Muge(market) when there was thick ice on the ground and snow falling. Other years it was raining and cold. So, this was a wonderful day for being outside. Many of the items are the same each year but there are always some new things to watch for. This year it seemed that jewelry made with a soft, fuzzy material was the popular item to buy. There are always baskets galore, honey and wax candles, special dried flowers on poles that can be blessed at a church, wooden Easter eggs and real decorated ones, pottery and some more pottery, baskets, scarves, hats, woolen slippers (which I bought for Bob), metal works, wooden tables (we got a great deal on a small one), did I mention baskets, and lots of good things to eat like sausages, shashlik (shish-ka-bob), baked goods, and all this to take home in a new basket :) and much, much more.
The streets will be packed with people all weekend. This is a great tradition to participate in each year and buy gifts. You can bargain with the vendors and everyone is so kind and friendly. If you enjoy bundling up and going out in the cold, then this is your place to shop!
