woke up at 6:15 am today, saturday, for the third week in a row. but i don't mind. when i get to spend saturday mornings the way that i do, it's a treat, really. it was a slow day at CUESA; only two guests and we weren't even going to be using the stoves. bob from the critical edge came to talk to us about sharpening and honing our knives; and a chef came to demonstrate asparagus and artichoke salads. i learned how to 'turn' an asparagus; i learned a handy trick for securing your mixing bowl with your towel; and i got to talk with lots of fun people.

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the highlight of the day was definitely the trip thru the market, though...with my CUESA discount...i procured: two pinkerton avocadoes, two sweet red onions that looked like glorious leeks in a way, two artichokes, a basket of fresh organic long-stemmed strawberries and a delightful array of pink flowers which the producer wrapped up in brown butcher paper. i saw firsthand, watercress and miner's lettuce sitting in spring water; artichokes with all the fixin's still attached; shelling peas that you just crack open and pop into your mouth; ultra-thin asparagus; meyer lemons....you name it.

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i brought the lemon rinds home from the demo today and i'm candying them as i type; i plan to use my delicious red onions in homemade veggie burgers tomorrow night; and i plan to cut up the strawberries and make a compote to garnish french toast (vegan of course) on sunday morning. hopefully at aaron's new gigantic one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen window that looks out onto beautiul houses on beatty street and the san francisco bay and the glorious sunsets that go along with it :)