This is remarkable because during 2010 and 2011 we had a fire in the fireplace well into June. I'm hoping we had our last fire of the season sometime back in April! Of course, that remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful we'll get a real summer this year complete with flowers, vegetables, and some new landscaping! Everywhere I look around town people are getting their farms and gardens ready for summer. Lawns are being mowed, fields are being plowed, and garden soil is being turned. It's so exciting to see people out in their wide brimmed hats, garden stores open, and bees buzzing around the yard. We are officially planting this coming weekend , but I was out and about today and here's what I saw in the neighborhood.....
A patch of blue sky above Little House
Sunny on the golf course!
Blooms in the front yard! We better enjoy it.....whatever it is! A new landscaping plan for the front yard may mean it won't be around next year!
My Japanese maple (my favorite tree) is getting so big!
Bees are buzzing all over the backyard and this purple stuff is growing like crazy....
It's even overtaking St. Francis!
JSM's prized Tennessee Walking Stick plant...it's growing, too!
More change is coming to the backyard in the next week or so. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our chickens! We are adopting two full grown chickens from a family down the road (we decided we should start with chickens before we try to adopt a real baby!) We have purchased them a beautiful home that sits in our backyard. We are just waiting for our fence to be built and we can bring them home! Hopefully, it won't be too much longer. I don't even really like eggs, but I love the idea of keeping chickens and giving eggs to friends and keeping the rest for my baking!
The chicken's new home.
Speaking of baking......Most of my friends know I love America's Test Kitchen and have been a fan of the PBS television show and a devoted subscriber Cooks Illustrated magazine for years. But recently, I've found a new love in the magazine aisle: Fine Cooking. Yes, folks, that snobby magazine often found at checkout stands in Whole Foods and Fresh Market is actually a beautifully executed glossy with fabulous recipes that are a lot simpler than I ever imagined! With a focus on fresh ingredients and step by step instructions this magazine is my new favorite. Did I mention the food styling and photography? While the black and white "infotainment" of Cooks Illustrated is educational (and the recipes almost perfect!), these color photos and layouts really light my fire!
So, with Fine Cooking as my inspiration and the sliding glass door open to enjoy the breeze I made this meal today.......for my sweet friend, CS. I hope she and her family enjoy it as they wait out the final week before the arrival of their second son. Their lives are about to change, but in a very special way. Best wishes for the Smith Family this week!
Mushroom Mascarpone Pasta
Strawberry salad with honey vinaigrette
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