Farmers Market

I found a farmers' market that works with my work schedule. West Allis (suburb of Milwaukee) hosts a farmers' market every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and the Saturday market doesn't open until 1:00 PM. This means if I work, I can go after work. If I don't, I can have a leisurely morning.

Last week, we went, and found lots of fresh vegetables, potatoes, flowers, herbs, and even some fruit. We used the peppers, onions, and potatoes we got, plus organic carrots, celery, and stew meat from the grocery store, and made a wonderful beef stew that I was eating (and enjoying) two days later. Now, if only I can convince my husband that leftovers are good! I also picked up some green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and Paula Red apples.

So I went today, and bought more stuff. I got leaf lettuce, tomatoes, more Paula Reds, zucchini, onions (for the City Mouse), green peppers, sweet banana peppers, Italian parsley (for Pumbaa the Wonder [Guinea] Pig), and a pint of fresh, cold apple cider. Tonight I plan on having a big salad for supper, and a rice pilaf.

Last night City Mouse and I went on a date. We stopped at Kopp's Custard for dinner--burgers, fries, drinks, and, for me, Grasshopper Fudge custard--and then took it to Bayshore Town Center, which was showing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original, with Gene Wilder). Before the movie started, I quickly ran to Barnes & Noble to get myself a book light, because I often go to bed after City Mouse does, and I like to read or write or do crosswords, or color pictures (with colored pencils), before I go to sleep, to wind down. I also got a Sparks Notes planner, which features an SAT word a day and a literary quote per week. (No, I don't think I'm too old for it...however, I am familiar with most of the SAT words. It was $6.99, the cheapest planner there, and it serves my purposes.) Later, I sprung for drinks at Milwaukee's own Alterra Coffee--City Mouse had Sprecher Root Beer (in lieu of what he really wanted, Point Root Beer) and I had a very large cup of Minty Green Tea. It was a good night. I even got to wear my new Aran sweater for the first time (see above post for the pic!), it was just chilly enough that close to the lake.

I'm learning to like Milwaukee.