Miniature Things: Happiness in all it's forms

I sit here writing this post, a little tipsy, after making one of the more delicious meals I've made in a long time. First, let me say that the last 24 hours have been filled with much delight for me. In that timeframe, I've realized just how happy it makes me to "be local." I love Michigan, and I love Ann Arbor even more. When I really immerse myself in all that is Ann Arbor, I'm constantly surprised. I can't wait until I'm living in Ann Arbor proper. But, I digress.

Friday night, to kick off the Memorial Day weekend, Brad and I headed to dinner at Red Hawk. Here I had a Raspberry Ale from the Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall, MI. I have to say, not being a real "beer" drinker, I really enjoyed it.

Brad had a few Oberon's, his chicken sandwich with salsa and pepper jack, and I had my usual, the pretentious grilled cheese with tomato. Yummy. After dinner and booze, we headed through the Diag for a quick walk around the old stomping grounds, then onto bar hopping on Main Street. We spent a fair amount of time at Conner O'Neills, which never disappoints. Yeah for Strongbow, Edmund Fitzgerald, and watching a little Spurs vs. Lakers action. (Go Spurs!)

Saturday morning, I woke up to meet Stephanie at the Ann Arbor Farmer's market. It was busy like crazy, but fun as usual. There wasn't quite as much delicious produce as there is later in the summer, but I still ended up with a bounty of mixed greens with sunflower shoots, asparagus, parsnips, rhurbarb, eggs, and one cute little cherry pie bite. Thank you farmers! I appreciate you using the green thumbs that I don't have to produce me tasty things to eat. Here's what the farmer's market looks like from across the street at Community High.

After marketing, some various shopping around Kerrytown, and trying some smoked salmon at the smokery, Steph and I headed for her first Zingerman's of the season, and my inaugural Zingerman's downtown. Zingerman's is nuts, and there's way too many people in and around it at all times, but it's definitely worth it. Even despite it's price! (Which after focusing on eating local, I now understand). Here's us eating our goodness.

Finally tonight (and the reason for my post) I cooked Brad and I some mussels that I picked up at Monahan's, the fish market next to Sparrow's in Kerrytown. Oh my goodness. Who knew that 1.) something so simple could be so delicious , and 2.) I would be capable of pulling off the recipe the first time I tried! I boiled some "mussel stew" made of olive oil, herb butter, shallots, crushed tomato, thyme, lemon juice, chicken stock, and parsley. I let the mussels steam, then tossed with some spaghetti, which helped soak up the mussel juice. This was particularly tasty with crusty bread, and my standby white of Vinho Verde from TJ's.