Behold! The new grill= Broil Master

After a number of years buying Home Depot, etc. grills that last about four years (or less) and conk out we stepped up and about doubled our budget to get this Broil-King grill.

Now, on day two/dinner two we're using it again. Ramps up to fiercely hot in 6 minutes, is so solid and well-built, we are so happy we moved up a big step. And, while not American built, it's built in Canada, which makes us happy, too.

We're in the shallow end of Broil-King, but it's worth every dollar.

Strawberries and guacamole == might be the soul of Detroit this week

We took a morning jaunt to Eastern Market, which is one of marvels of Detroit and of farmers' markets anywhere.

A trip with our friend Kim from http://blogs.gangofpour.com/ and her friend Rod took advantage of a perfect Michigan day - high blue sky, low humidity and good options at the market. We bee-lined for the Michigan strawberries. Now, who wouldn't? They are the best in the world. YES, the world. See...

And other purchases were spring Michigan asparagus and a couple of flats of flowers to brighten up the yard. Miss the impatients this year but they're off the table due to an infection of downy mildew.

We made the full circuit of this giant market, sampled some good stuff and two of us came back with horseradish plants. Harvested in the fall, these simple plants can dig deep, roots at two feet, so we're inviting in a bit of a wild plant here. But should pay off with the hot stuff in the fall.

A trip to Honey Bee Market in Mexicantown capped the day. It's a terrific market -- best guac we've ever had. Wonderful salsa, huge selection of produce, spices, tortillas, masa and the hot food take out is irrestible.

We shared tamales, chicrones, homemade chips, guac, salsa verde, red salsa and a really cold Tecate beer on the picnic tables on the patio.

With the balmy weather and breezes, cool music and great company, it was like were on vacation. Can't ask for more for a Saturday morning.

Michigan Strawberries = strawberry shortcake for dinner

This is the time of year when so many of us are cheering that summer is here. Well, of course, we are.

But, this is the best time of the year for the most delicious strawberries in your life. The spring Michigan strawberries.

They are marvels of intense flavor, the best we've ever had, anywhere. And all the more precious because the season isn't that long. We take every advantage of getting these beauties home whenever we can. (Plus MI asparagus is almost as good and we do the same for these lovely stalks.)

So what else would you have for dinner, other than strawberry shortcake?

These are the beautiful berries --

So we start with macerating the berries with just a touch of sugar

Bake up some real biscuits -- these are from the original "American Cookery" by James Beard (with just a touch of sugar added.)

Beat your real heavy whipping cream with a touch of vanilla.

Pile the fresh berries, the macerated berries with juice on a fresh biscuit and dollop fresh whipped cream on top.

Perfect for lunch, dinner, breakfast, midnight snack, mid-afternoon meal. The food of the gods who probably only eat Michigan strawberries.