You know what? This Fresh Forkin' Friday has me feeling feverish. I have full-on crabby pants because I can't breathe well, but you don't want to read about that. I don't even want to write about that. I just want to swim in a bowl really hot, really good soup. I want to start the day with a tomato-and-barley number that the hub cooks because I want the sharp, bright flavors to cut through my head. Then I want to sustain myself with a pot of earthy, brothy mushroom soup, giving me a reason to keep going. Of course I plan to finish the day by tucking into a little potato and leek loveliness, which is like pulling on your favorite fleece and hunkering down to watch the BBC's Chef! complete series.

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Jay's Cafe is hauling out the big BBQ this weekend to cook up some local grillables. That's why I love us, we hearty Scandi-types who say: Bluster on, chilly wind . . . I've got sunshine and a Fisher Farms pork shoulder, and life is good. Plus, it's the St. Paul Art Crawl, so you can add a viewing of locally made beauty to your coffers, which should just about fill you up for the winter.

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If FREE is your new favorite economic buzzword, and the thought of cranking your heat against the October chill makes your wallet cringe, I have a one-two punch for you. This weekend, you can watch TV chef Dave Leiberman and Federico Lopez, one of the "12 Best Chefs of Mexico," demonstrate how to make traditional Mexican food in the MOA rontunda—for free. The first 125 people get a free reusable bag with recipes and tips, compliments of Edible Twin Cities. After you check out the show, you can go home and turn down your thermostat while you crank up your internal heat with what you've learned.

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If you're planning on hitting the garage sale circuit this weekend, don't miss this one. The Sausage Sisters, no longer selling at the markets, will be selling out of their garage at 229 Upton Ave. S. (612-986-7298) in Minneapolis on Saturday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. You can buy packs of brats and sausages, and there will be deals on 15 lb. cases. The ladies will also be cooking up links to eat while instructing you how to make State Fair foods at home. Such a deal.

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We are all saddened by the closing of Callister's Farm in the Market, and many of you are worried about where you should get your Thanksgiving turkey. Yes, it's time to start thinking about the big feast. The MCFM has started taking orders for fresh Wild Acres turkey. These birds are free-range, raised without antibiotics or hormones in Pequot Lakes, and cost approximately $3.19/lb. Stop by the Market General Store and order soon, there are only so many birds and so little time. (BONUS: It's soup weekend at the Market!!)

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Worry not, the Midtown Global Market will keep on trucking, and this weekend there's a great reason to check in. Saturday, the Market will be celebrating two of the best reasons for being alive with the inaugral Cheese and Apple Festival. The kickoff will be a farmhouse breakfast cooked by The Salty Tart's Michelle Geyer. Sample local and international cheeses, learn how to throw an awsome raclette party, check out some hand-pressed cider, watch the making of fresh mozzarella, and take in a little pumpkin bowling. There, now don't you feel better?