June 5 - Lisa's Musings (on a fun day) and Every Day Life

Well, since Driver and I didn't show in agility today, I found other ways to support the local economy and, of course, its farmers.

First up, a stop at the Chelsea Farmer's Market where I found terrific strawberries, which were later made into strawberry shortcake with REAL whip cream. The dogs got strawberry tops and some fresh asparagus.

Did I mention a replacement Gerber Daisy for the one that wasn't doing so well in one of the hanging baskets?

From there, it was onto the AA Farmer's Market where the dogs got miniature squash -- really cute little squashes, but I skipped the squash blossoms this time.

Let's just say that I tried feeding them to the dogs last year and, well, they weren't the most popular veggie with the four-legged troops.

They also got some lamb.

I, on the other hand, bought my usual two pretzels and a blueberry scone, a new kind of spaghetti sauce, which will go on top of homemade noodles and will be topped with some chicken.

For lunch, my new favorite treat -- tamales.

Also coming home with me were Biscotti and some lettuce.

And en route home, there was a stop at The Cupcake Station.

And to Polly's for the shortcake portion of the strawberry shortcake that I made when I got home.

Yes, it was a good day not spent an agility show for the pups and I.

And for the coffers of my local farmers.

March 20 - Lisa's Musings (on Bok Choy and) Every Day Life

First day of spring.

First taste of Kombucha Tea.

First taste of Bok Choy.

If you've never tried Kombucha Tea, it's pretty tasty. I tried two varieties from Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea -- blackberry grape and pineapple ginger.

Any guesses which was my favorite?

Trying Bok Choy was Farmer John's idea after I purchased a half share in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) from Our Family Farm.

He's all in on my pledge to eat more green stuff this year.

So, Bok Choy and I had our first dinner date.

The leafy green stuff was a side dish to the chicken and stuffing I made.

It was stir fried in olive oil -- leaves first, then the stems with some salt and pepper.

And, I doctored it up a little more with some grated Parmesan cheese because I can eat just about anything if it has cheese on it.

I must say I was more fond of the stems than I was the leafy part, but I ate most of it. (And didn't hold my nose.)

Which is pretty good for me since about the only greens I regularly eat is Iceberg lettuce.

But I figure with time all green leafy things will become acquired tastes.

I can't remember for certain, but I doubt that I liked Roquefort cheese the first time I ate it, either.

Today, however, it's one of my favorite cheeses so ... there's hope for my green future.

In fact, I spent quite a bit of time at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market today in my first attempt at not just interviewing vendors and taking photos but also of taking videos.

I want to send a HUGE thank you to Rachel and Tarek Kanaan of Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea, Andrew Okla of Cafe Japon, Julie Rabinovitz of Tasty Bakery, Dolores Gracia of Gracia's Greenhouse, and Penny Snow of Snows Sugarbush, who were willing to let me practice my new skill.

Your patience with me -- as a bumbled through shooting video today -- was much appreciated.

And, all this green stuff --it'll become part of the Lisa and Betty Project, which I put on a temporary hold until there is a greater variety of local fruits and veggies from which to choose.

Even though I'm going green this spring, I still bleed Maize and Blue.

Jan. 16 -- Lisa's Musings from Every Day Life and the AA Farmer's Market

Today's musings involve trying new things.

Both canine and human.

From three different venues.

First up, the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market. Where I bought my puppy Hannewald Lamb Dehydrated Lamb Liver from Judi Hannewald of Stockbridge.

She's a delightful person and sells equally well liked lamb products. And how do I know this? Because person after person purchased her products while raving about the quality.

I'm hoping Driver, otherwise known as Redwyn's Hard Drive, will really like these treats, since I'm showing him for the first time this week at an AKC show. As a 9-12 month old puppy dog at a four-day show in Novi at the Rock Financial Showplace.

I've tried baking my own liver, but not only was it smelly, but also he really didn't like it that much.

For me was Thomas Organic Creamery Organic Yogurt. The blueberry variety.

Mark Angelini offered samples and it was by far, the BEST yogurt I've ever tasted.

And, let me tell you, the Great Diet of 2010 has me taste testing the many different yogurt flavors out there.

In addition, I bought a container of frozen spaghetti sauce from Pasta e Pasta. I'd tasted it before and it's yum-yum-yummy.

Well, except for the mushrooms, but I'm pretty good at removing them.

From there, I made a stop at Great Harvest Bread Company for a taste of their terrific bread. A sign outside the door offering six free whole wheat rolls if you bought a soup mix was a bargain too tempting to pass up.

So, I bought a chicken noodle soup mix. You know, one of those bags of pretty dehydrated ingredients. Just add leftover chicken and broth.

Voila. Amazingly tasty soup when I got home from my adventures.

And last, but certainly not least, while covering the annual Saline Historical Society antique show, apple pie.

I was told over and over that people who didn't like antiques went to the show just to have a piece of the apple pie baked by the Saline Area Scouts.

Yes, I know. But, come one, one taste isn't going to ruin all the progress I've made and turn me into a pie-eating contest participant.

I'm not a big fan of pie, but it was pretty darn good. For a pie.

I'd say it was a pretty darn fun Saturday.

Living in this area offers people so many different tastes; I highly recommend giving them something new a try. You might find that you like it.