Rusty and me: Life inside a farmers' market in Ohio

Merela Carrido, niece Grace and nephew Freddie.

MIDDLEFIELD,OHIO -- Merela Carrido works every day in the great outdoors, surrounded by the healthiest of healthy foods. It's hard work -- there's plenty of 5 a.m. days -- but it always puts "money in my pocket." She lives in Northwest Pennsylvania and helps run a family-owned traveling farmers' market. I met up with her in the heart of Amish country just east of Cleveland, in Middlefield, Ohio.

When I say family business, I mean family business. Mom works there, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews. There was about a dozen of the Carrido clan who welcomed me into their corner of the world. Merela is happy with her simple life of hard work. She grew up up in the Philippines, and lived in Australia before coming to the U.S. decades ago. Sister Pinky Carrido earned a degree in nursing and occupational therapy, but the farmers' market offered her a better future.

I'll have more on the family a little later when I have more time to write, but I wanted to post a few pictures now, so here they are.

Pinky

Business is good in Amish country

Grace meeting Rusty

The product is beautiful

The mornings are very early

Sneaking some iPad time

I traded a book for some fruit. Merela eyes the words; Rusty thinks about stealing the fruit.