Brooklyn Flea Market and new site updates!!

I have been meaning to go to the Brooklyn flea markets for a few years and finally took the time last Sunday. I am lucky enough to live close enough to the city to visit often but far enough away to still have bears in my yard! (which has continued on a daily basis, by the way.) Brooklyn, the largest of the 5 boroughs of New York,  has transformed itself from its humble beginnings. In the late 19th and early 20th century it was the first American home of many hard working immigrants. The area became ethnic enclaves full of great eateries and small businesses and the friendly bustle of growing neighborhoods. From brownstones and row houses to Italianate mansions, Brooklyn thrived as the home of many New Yorkers. Large industries like Pfizer, Domino and Corningware shared the waterfront with popular breweries. In the past several years abandoned factories were negotiated and converted to spacious lofts.  Talented artists moved in seeking lower rents than in Manhattan and enjoying the much needed light filled lofts for their work. Galleries and shops opened catering to the new residents and a new transformation began. Along with the changes in Brooklyn rents have changed also but, are still much more affordable than Manhattan. With community involvement and new zoning laws open spaces and parks are now  mandated . Many new businesses and hip restaurants keep Brooklyn a great place to live and well worth a visit.  There are now biking paths on the water and also, some interesting flea markets.  We visited the Williamsburg flea market on the water on 7th street which, on Sundays, has vintage items in addition to gourmet foods. The offerings weren't really my style but it was fun to see what the younger antique sellers were offering. Their pricing was definitely high New York. I must say if you wanted some nice handcrafted jewelry there were many examples of beautiful creative pieces. Generally, most of the displays showed a lot of effort and creativity as in this vintage and new eyeglass vendor's display, above. It's hard to tell but the fixtures were handmade from reclaimed wood with decorative medallions...very pleasing and easy to shop.  He had hundreds of styles and will even fit the frames to your prescription. I didn't want to notice the food but you just couldn't. As a matter of fact it was the "gourmet flea market " food that attracted most of the people.  The vendors were very passionate about their offerings which was really enjoyable but I resisted! These two girls have roasted corn on a stick that was dripping with butter and spices. I don't think the girl on the right actually ate hers, do you??? SNORT!! The visitors were young and adorable! My husband indulged in a lobster roll sandwich...I resisted and ate Vegan, gluten free (I am not even totally sure what that is) Swiss chard, garbanzo beans and a little couscous with lemon.  I thought gluten was in bread products!  Very delicious but I don't have to tell you there was no comparison to what I was seeing everyone else eat. Simple display but it moved beautifully with the breeze. After he enjoyed his lobster roll Roger then chose one of the lemon poppy donuts that I had one single bite of....it was stupendous! This was the tiniest smoked brisket sandwich with Texas style mustard potato salad. This vendor brought his wood burning stove...you can see some of the wood next to it in the shadows to create gourmet personal pizzas... There were also wonderful desserts, homemade gourmet ice creams and treats to take home, beautifully wrapped. I love this!  A 1/2 block away from the Williamsburg flea market was the Artist and Flea market inside an old warehouse on North 7th Street FULL of new handmade jewelry, nice artisan pieces and vintage and new artistic clothing.  They had a DJ spinning, it was really nice! We parked in a lot on 7th street not wanting to waste time trying to score street parking.  We paid $8.00 for a couple of hours...very cheap! Well when I got home my mother had stopped over and left THIS!!, above, in my refrigerator.  She had tried something new!  I think to lose a few pounds I need to go live in a cave somewhere for 6 days!!  Is there sabotage all over or what?? My husband has a metabolism that you would give up your first born to have and I am surrounded by fantastic cooks who  have their own keys to my home!! She left her pumpkin bread at the beginning of the week and then, Sunday this eggplant dish.  Well, as you can imagine, I caved and it was worth it.  The most delicious dish I ever sunk my teeth into. It was funny having her dictate the recipe to me and I made her change "the little of this, little of that" measurements for your benefit. To your knees Stuffed Eggplant  6  eggs 3 cloves  crushed garlic 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/4 c chopped fresh basil 1. 1/2 c grated Romano cheese 1 cup breadcrumbs Dash cinnamon Dash of ground cloves Mix stuffing mix together the consistency of meatloaf Eggplant Make slices of eggplant envelope style like a hot dog roll Stuff envelope with prepared stuffing. Fry in 3/4 inch deep canola oil on both sides until browned. Remove and drain on rack with paper underneath. Assembly Put a thin layer of marinara sauce in foil pan .place stuffed eggplant slices on sauce place slice of fresh mozzarella on each eggplant . Top with 1/4 cup marinara sauce and bake  in a 375 degree oven for 40 minutes. The website has been updated with new pieces..HERE. I have some more items from my container getting "cleaned up" and will picture soon.  Thank you for all your responses about the lantern positioning on my front entry.  They came in half  voting to turn it on the diagonal and half  leaving it straight.  Rog knows turning it is on his list of "to do's"as I want to see more of the antique zinc. GREAT EVENT!!!!!   The town of Summit is hosting its GIRLS NIGHT  next week on Thursday, October 11th and we are excited to be offering FREE TAROT CARD readings at the shop at 12 Beechwood Road Summit, NJ from 5:30-9 pm. If you ever wanted to visit the store,  GIRLS NIGHT is the time to make an evening of visiting ALL the shops and restaurants in town as everyone has fun things planned from refreshments to freebies.  Hope to see you and help you look into your future...... Best way to reach me is by EMAIL.... Warmest regards, Bonny    Bonny Neiman Antiques & Artisan  p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com    Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ  Monday-Saturday 10-5:30