Wednesday's "What We Ate May 6-12, 2013"

Are you ready for summertime food? Have you dusted off your grills yet? Wiped off that skuzzy patio furniture? Located your kids sidewalk chalk? Although we've been experiencing much on again/off again spring here in Wisconsin (we had a frost advisory on Sunday, but on Tuesday it was 80 degrees), John & I are so in grill mode. Over the past week, we've still been pretty busy with our yard work (John leveled the ground by our raised beds & placed a few patio blocks, surrounded by rock & I finished some painting & prepped the ground for some grass seeds), we've still been able to enjoy a meal or two outdoors on our patio.

This past week, we had a few flops for meals (the stir fry & tuna noodle casserole were kind of blah), a few surprisingly tasty meals (cobb salads), & of course, an old summer standby (burgers) with the added bonus of a new edamame salsa recipe (soo good!) I can't wait to try out more meals that use in season foods & local produce.

Which reminds me, on Friday, Ruby & I had quite the lovely day. We got up early & headed out to rummage sales for the morning. We found a couple gems (mostly some toys for her to play with in the newly fenced in yard, as well as some clothes that actually might fit her), but most of all, we just had a great time interacting & enjoying the experience of rummaging together. She loved seeing so many new faces & all of the items that people had for sale. Later in the day, we went to the children's museum, & then our local farmer's market. It was so refreshing to be there & the sun came out at the most perfect time, so it was pleasantly warm.

Our farmer's market is really quite the special treat. I just love all of the hustle & bustle-- all of the beautiful local produce, crafts, plants, flowers, meats, eggs... I just want it all! They even have a band play on most Fridays & starting in June, will offer free yoga in the park right next to the market. They will even be doing a few kids' yoga sessions! Ruby loooved the music & again, all of the new faces. I think she is an extrovert at heart (which is terrifying, by the way). She loved running around with a group of (unfamiliar) children in the park & chasing after a dog she became acquainted with.

I think we've discovered our new Friday tradition, my friends. What a wonderful way to start the weekend! I can't wait to start planning my meals around the bounty of fresh veggies from my garden & from the farmer's market this summer.

What are some of your favorite summertime meals?

Monday's dinner: burgers on the grill with edamame salsa & tortilla chips

What We Ate May 6-12, 2013
Monday: Burgers on the grill with edamame salsa & tortilla chips
Tuesday: Southwest stuffed peppers with watermelon
Wednesday: Chicken & sugar snap pea stir fry with rice
Thursday: We went bike shopping & stopped at Maggie's for dinner
Friday: Cobb salads with whole wheat pitas
Saturday: Skillet tuna noodle casserole
Sunday: We celebrated mother's day at Piggy's (mostly just for the flourless chocolate cake!)

I also made a batch of yogurt & whole wheat bread this week.