Wordless Wednesday: Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
Hiking, Ambling and Other Things You Probably Shouldn’t Do On Crutches
Mornin’ luvs! I took yesterday off to spend a gloriously sunshiny day driving and hiking in the mountains with my dear friend Jenny and her Mom’s adorable dog, Nigel.
I’ve never attempted hiking on crutches before, but, although my arms now feel like I could be Popeye’s daughter, it was worth every wobbly-armed, aching hands, oh-good-heavens-how-do-I-get-myself-into-these-things moment. From gushing streams to mountain vistas, stunning beauty at every turn had us gasping in awe and shouting “pull over! pull over!”
Today I’m heading up to Canada to get my brand spanking new passport, so I’ll leave you with a few images of our adventure in the mountains.
I’ll be back tomorrow to tell you all about it. 🙂
xo
What is your favorite memory from your weekend?
Celebrating Canada with Canadian Wildflowers
I don’t even know what street Canada is on.
Al Capone
In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.
Bill Clinton
When they said Canada, I thought it was up in the mountains somewhere.
Marilyn Monroe
A Canadian is sort of like an American, but without the gun.
Anonymous
For some reason a glaze passes over people’s faces when you say “Canada”.
Maybe we should invade South Dakota or something.
Sandra Gotlieb
When I’m in Canada, I feel this is what the world should be like.
Jane Fonda
Happy Canada Day, luvs! xo
Celebrating Friends with Berries and Cherries
“We are friends and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter.
I wouldn’t mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you,
reading the back half of the paper while you read the front.
We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often.”
– Jeanette Winterson –
As my time in Washington draws to a close, I’m spending as much time as possible with my dear ones, meeting for long heart-to-heart talks over dinner, campfires, and tea. Lots of tears have been shed and much laughter shared. How I shall miss them and cherish their friendship from afar through Skype, emails, phone calls and visits.
Today I am off to spend the day with my dear friend Natalie who is visiting with her hubby and daughter from their home in Thailand. We first met in 1993 when we lived with friends on the same boat moored in Moscow, Russia. She is a true kindred spirit and no matter how much time passes between visits, each reunion is a delight filled with non-stop talking and a shared love for nature, travel, and as many berries as we can eat.
My poor foot is still kaput so instead of hiking we’ll be driving to favorite spots: ocean, lake, mountains. I can’t wait.
Cherries are ripe and ready here in Washington and I wish I could hand deliver a basket of these beauties to each one of you. These photos will have to do.
What is your favorite thing to do with an old and dear friend?
Feasting Inspired by the Mediterranean
Hi luvs! It was our last night of Mediterranean feasting at cooking club this month, and oh boy, did folks do it up right!! Since my camera is still off getting fixed, we’re stuck with pics off my phone for a while. 🙂
We started with all sorts of crackers dipped in Mascarpone cheese and Selwyn’s amaaaazing black olive tapenade, rich and salty with anchovies and capers. Don and Jen brought savory sausage and various cheeses to top more crackers, and Don made us his fabulous martinis poured over pepperoncini and big green olives.
Then it was time for the main course!!! Jason and Kim made a gorgeous Greek salad with juicy chunks of tomato, crisp bell peppers, enormous Kalamata olives, cucumber, and lavish amounts of Feta cheese. Cameron and Robin made Smoked Chicken Breasts with a crispy Parmesan Crust that were marvelously moist and flavorful. Darren served up his oh-so-succulent and creamy risotto made with Vermouth, I brought my Black Bean Salad with Lime Dressing, and Susan made a splendid prawn dish cooked over fennel sauteed in Chardonnay and topped with Feta cheese that melted beautifully throughout.
It was such a splendid night. There was a large crowd of us this time, and we all cozied into the living room, finding perches on floors, furniture and foot stools. When I wasn’t visiting with dear folks, I loved just sitting back and watching everyone having such a great time together, sipping Toby’s sangria as they talked about their week, what they were reading, or burst into laughter at the ridiculous moments that plague us all from time to time. I sure love these people.
Suddenly folks remembered that – wonder of wonders!!! – it was actually WARM outside! So we filled our plates with non-Mediterranean desserts – Andrew’s marvy German Chocolate Cake and Kat’s warm and zesty Lemon Pudding – and clustered outside just in time for a warm rain to fall. It was perfect.
Selwyn’s Black Olive Tapenade
Ingredients:
12 ounces Kalamata olives, pitted and rinsed
1 tin anchovies rolled with capers in olive oil
2 cloves garlic
Directions:
- Place all ingredients in food processor and blend to desired consistency.
- Serve with crackers and mascarpone cheese.
Darren’s Vermouth Risotto
2 cups Arborio rice
6 cups chicken broth
8 tbsp butter
1/4 cup Vermouth
grated Parmesan to taste (about 2 tbsp)
sea salt to taste (about 1 tsp)
Directions:
- Preheat broth in a separate pot until hot, but not boiling.
- In a large flat bottom pan heat 4 tbsp butter with the rice until butter is well melted and rice is warmed but not brown.
- Add two ladle scoops of warm broth, mix well.
- As the broth is absorbed, but before the rice gets dry, keep adding a ladle full of broth at a time until all the broth is used.
- When you put the last of the broth in turn off the heat.
- Add the remaining butter, Vermouth, Parmesan and salt.
- Mix well as the rest of the broth and Vermouth is absorbed.
Black Bean Salad with Lime Dressing
Click here for my recipe
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