The wonderful flavors of summer

If your summer has felt like a blur of sunscreen, late sunsets and kids asking for snacks every 12 minutes, you're not alone. But there's something magical about this time of year in our wonderful corner of the world. I'm talking about farmers' market season – that glorious window when you can fill a canvas tote with juicy peaches, sun-warmed tomatoes and enough zucchini to fuel every Pinterest recipe you'll never actually make. Our region is spoiled with local farmers' markets – from El Dorado Hills to Folsom and beyond. El Dorado Hills hosts markets at Town Center and the Community Services District, while Folsom offers vibrant options at Historic Folsom and the Palladio. On any given weekend, you'll find vine-ripened strawberries, crisp cucumbers, colorful flowers, local honey, handmade soaps and sometimes even a guitarist gently strumming "Wonderwall." If you're lucky, you might leave with your favorite face paint design, too. Personally, I love walking through the rows, grabbing local berries, cherries and mandarins while chatting with the growers. The freshness is unbeatable – food just tastes different when it hasn't traveled from distant lands to your plate. There's something incredibly satisfying about knowing exactly where your food comes from. And let's be honest: It's more fun to eat a peach when it still has a little dirt on it and you feel like a pioneer. (A very well-hydrated, air-conditioned pioneer, of course.) What are your favorite summer produce picks? I'll take peaches over plums, strawberries over blueberries, and anything that can be mixed with vanilla ice cream with minimal effort. Bonus points if whipped cream is involved. Speaking of ice cream … Did you celebrate National Ice Cream Day? It was Sunday, July 20. Fun fact: July is actually National Ice Cream Month. So if you needed an excuse to eat dessert before dinner, you have one. I'll take two scoops of chocolate fudge ripple and zero regrets. But here's what puzzles me: Why is National Frozen Yogurt Day in February?! February! That's like celebrating National Sunscreen Day during a snowstorm. Frozen yogurt deserves sunshine, flip-flops and at least one kid crying because theirs melted too fast. So I've decided to take matters into my own (frozen) hands. While Aug. 2 happens to be National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, it's also the date I've chosen to host "Free Frozen Yogurt in the Park" in El Dorado Hills – Pinkberry-style! Clients, colleagues and friends are all invited. The park has shade, a playground, plenty of parking and most importantly: frozen yogurt with toppings. Lots of toppings. If you're interested, reach out for details. It's my little way of spreading summer joy – regardless of what the National Day Calendar says. Whether you're a farmers' market regular, a froyo connoisseur or just someone trying to keep the kids cool with a shady bench and a frozen treat, I hope you're enjoying the sweet, simple pleasures of summer in our area. See you at the market – or the park. I'll be the one balancing a peach in one hand and a Pinkberry swirl in the other, living my best El Dorado Hills life. And living here is so desirable by so many … These farmers' markets are just one more reason why people love calling this place home. The El Dorado Hills real estate market is thriving halfway through 2025. Compared to the same period last year, homes are selling faster, prices are up, and buyer activity is strong. The average sale price now tops $1.1M, and increased inventory means more opportunities for buyers and sellers alike. Meanwhile, in Folsom, the market is also moving quickly. More homes are selling at a brisker pace, with the average home price just over $800,000 – a slight dip from last year. This could create a golden opportunity for buyers, especially with more inventory to choose from. Both markets reflect solid momentum, and that's great news if you're thinking of making a move. I love where I live. I'm excited to continue to help more families in 2025 with their real estate needs. With proper planning and a good Realtor (Luckily, I know a really good one …), you can smoothly get to your next stage in life. For more tips on how to successfully navigate the real estate purchase or sale, or suggestions on Folsom topics, please contact me at Coldwell Banker, 916-812-4341, pquan@cbnorcal.com, www.PatQuan.com. CA DRE #01918240