gathering a feast.

When not fleeing the city on weekends, I've made a habit of spending my Saturday afternoons gathering a feast. A large tote is a necessary tool in this project. I'd also suggest supporting the local lemonade stands where small children will pour you juice in paper cups while you select homemade cookies as their parents guide them through the process. A surge of sugar and local color to energize you-

First step: select a loaf of bread. The man with the short-shorts has produced the best loaves that I've tasted-at the Grand Army Plaza market, (adjacent to Prospect Park). Next- grab a few tomatoes that were grown on a New Jersey Farm. After you enjoy a few free samples of pickles and turkey sausage--> head down to Blue Apron foods. A Euro-style market with charcuterie, wonderful cheeses, divine cup cakes, mustards & chocolates. I selected a goat cheese wedge laced with truffles and a spicy imported salami.

The next step: fruit. At Garfield & 7th Ave you will find an incredibly sweet man with his roadside produce stand. Better quality and a broader range of choices than those in Midtown Manhattan. He's a pug enthusiast and loved little Pilgrim- as well he snapped a few photos with his camera phone. I selected a large, fragrant pear.

I pulled a white Bordeaux that I had been chilling in the fridge at home- divine.