Patrician, Majestic, Chic, Enchanting………... And, so it was told to me by my son, Ryan. "Mom, no one goes to Paris in July!" - in that insistent tone he loves to use with me. "Everyone is in San Tropez", I believe was the direct quote - the "informed - one", my up-to-the-moment student of chic-world-wide travel norms, patterns and emerging trends, laid that one on me when I said I was going. Too bad Ryan, currently in a typical early … [Read more...]
Fresh Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes
What to do with your crop of green beans and surplus of cherry tomatoes? Here's one idea: Here is one of my very favorite side dishes for Summer - to be enjoyed when Green Beans are at their peak! Fresh Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes 1 lb freshest grean beans, trimmed about 20 ripe cherry or grape tomatoes 4 very thin slices of red onion 1/8 cup best quality red wine vinegar 1/8-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1-2 tsp … [Read more...]
I Can’t Believe my Eyes – A Few Words about Pete Wells’ Column Today – Camera Cuisine
"Cameras hate brown food." I can't believe my eyes. I am in awe of food writers who appear on the pages of famous publications, print and otherwise. I come to the table (pun intended), feeling justifiably inferior, inexperienced and under-informed, and in a state of total respect for these people, who have spent years and years cultivating their expertise and who have been justly rewarded with their bylines. They eat, they drink, they … [Read more...]
Near and Far – Mother Nature, Quintessential Portraiteur
and Mt. Etna Solvang, Ca 3/14: My daughter called me eccentric this morning. (?) Hypothesis of the Day: Mother Nature is the quintessential intimate portraiteur (I like this better than portraitist and I did find an artist that is using it in this way - and, anyway, I like words that end in "eur", like connoisseur, millfleur, secateur, raconteur, provocateur, amateur). This seems fitting to me. I'm hereby … [Read more...]
Summertime Photos are Ripe for the Pickin; It’s War on Japanese Beetles
It's really quite extraordinary how self-deceptive we can be, isn't it? Earlier on in the season, and right up till yesterday, I was at least partially convinced that the population of birds in our yard had happily grown, and I thought it was quite agreeable if not dually hospitable………... Two confessions today: I have been known to say (well, maybe boast, just a tad - not because I'm boastful but because I felt like I was … [Read more...]
A MidSummer Night’s Dream; GaGa for Gorgonzola – Peach, Gorgonzola and Candied Pecan Ice Cream
my favorite photo from Union Square yesterday - I felt as if the eye of Summertime was peering at me I awoke this morning with an instantaneous sense of confusion. You know - when you don't know what day of the week it is and you can't recall what you're supposed to be doing right away? Coffee needed! Callie, our cat, has taken to starting a loud chorus of meowing as soon as my feet hit the floor. I must say, this is rather … [Read more...]
Postcards from the Edge; Beyond the Farmer’s Market
Majorca (courtesy housetrip.com, tripextras.com) it all started with a simple straw handbag: Per Merriam-Webster: penchant for: a strong and continued inclination Isn't it funny how one's quest for seemingly the simplest of items seems to carry one, well, um, away? I'm not going to say here that I'm just confirming my own personal hypothesis, (and heart's desire) of a lifetime or anything --- I'm not even going to state it here for … [Read more...]
Summer-Cool Flavor Profiles, Reminiscing and July 4 Plans to “Cling To”
pineapple coconut ice cream courtesy asweetpeachchef.com The media is "awash" --- as we're all praying not to be, in suggestions for recipes to indulge in for the upcoming weekend. Honestly, I am amazed that they are predicting a tropical storm on the east coast for the 4th of July. So, in case the storm does decide to hit here, we indeed may have to be clinging to something! And well, great food and drink is always an option! Especially … [Read more...]
Having a Berry-Cherry-Good Time; But, What’s Up at the Market?
mid-western Cherries on my counter OMG - I can't believe it is July 1st! Yikes! I don't know whether I should begin hoarding peaches……. I have seen the squirrels hoarding things for weeks - and it's so early. What does this mean? Question: Can a person be happy and upset about something at the same time? Ahhh, the devil is in the details - or in this case the dysfunction of the "market"…… Market: a profound word - in all its forms, … [Read more...]
Scone “Shortcakes” with Fresh Peaches for Breakfast
I was in the mood to try something different this morning. I took a long look at my 4 perfectly ripe white peaches this morning. Hmmm….. Then I went outside to scope out the raspberries. The ripe ones were gone! Thieves! Rather than bake up a "regular" peach scone, I decided to try something new - how about using a scone as a shortcake? Not like they aren't related anyway……… I was inspired by the Vanilla Bean Biscuits from the … [Read more...]
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