I spent the evening with my Bookclub/Champagne Ladies last night. A soul-refreshing and welcome respite from the daily grind.
We gathered at Kath's, aka Soy Goddess, on the hill in Kensington where we took time to visit her garden which supplies not only her household, but her restaurant Blue Moon Evolution in Exeter, NH.
It rained all day, but it cleared up ever so nicely, just in time for the garden tour and sunset.
Here's Kath/Soy Goddess, Laurel/Pearl, and Carey/Martha. Oh, and Otis' butt.
And Kath, Me, and Carey (taken by Pearl).
Of course you can bring champagne on a garden tour!
Next time I'll have my camera in hand, not just my phone.
Then the sun started to set.
Ah.
And one more glimpse of the view as we headed back to the house.
Thanks Kath.
I needed that.
Freeform Friday
As I was choosing something to go along with the garden tour, I thought immediately of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's Back to the Garden at Woodstock and found this great footage. Click here if you're reading via email.
When it got the end, they'd tagged on Find The Cost of Freedom - with this refrain 'find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground, Mother Earth will swallow you, lay your body down'. A chilling sentiment and fitting today, the 70th Anniversary of D Day. The day in which allied forces stormed the beaches at Normandy. Casualties for the Allied forces, on the first day alone, were at least 12,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead. That is the horrifically sad, and tragic cost of freedom. Click here if you're reading via email.
In honor of those who fought in the invasion and especially those who gave their lives for the freedom of others on this day 70 years ago today, and never got home to their sweethearts, a song that was beloved during the war, probably because it helped the soldiers think of happier times at home. Click here if you're reading via email.
As I mentioned on Friday, Saturday night was our annual Champagne Ladies/Bookclub Christmas gathering. We even let the guys attend (wink, wink).
It's always something to look forward too, not only for the laughter, the singing and general merriment, but for the food. Out of this world. Four good cooks, makes for a damn fine meal.
We got to Pearl's and the house and table were all decked out for the holidays. Well done Pearl, a beautiful red table theme.
G man, Pearl and Martha got the party started with a round of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
In between all the karaoking and laughing, we nibbled on scallops.....
........and we had to keep stirring the pot.
Of 'what' you ask?
Pearl's corn chowder. One of the gang's favorites. There was enough to feed the 5th infantry. No lie.
Did you get a load of the lobster in the back?
What? You missed it?
Have no fear.
Let's put it this way, we didn't run out.
Of course, while we were letting the corn chowder do its thing, we also took a moment to partake in fondue, candied pecans, and homemade pate.
Oh yes, life is good.
Then, it was back to the corn chowder.....no more stirring, time to enjoy.
Holla!
After that, just a tiny, little Christmas spread.
Marinated beef with sauce, carrot and parsley salad, pressed potatoes with scallions and bacon bits......oh my.
Delicious.
I neglected to get a picture of the beautiful ginger chocolate cake Martha baked. Divine.
Then it was back to karaoke.
The poor men. We tortured them all night. Damn we're good.
What? You're calling me a liar?
Perhaps a bit of a fibber, but it doesn't matter. It's karaoke! You don't have to be good to have fun.
It was a night with the gals last night. We enjoyed the warm weather and beautiful night sky out on Pearl's back deck.
As indicated by the title, we did have Champagne. We don't call ourselves the Champagne Ladies for nothing.
We also had homemade lamb meatbals ala Soy Goddess, an olive tray and I made a squash and homemade ricotta terrine.
So pretty.
Even prettier?
Pearl made lobster salad. I didn't even close to finishing mine. I mean, look at all that lobster!
Oh man.
Could it get better?
Well let's put it this way, I didn't get a picture but Martha made the most divine rhubarb crumble complete with crystalized ginger in the topping.
It was all heavenly.
Freeform Friday
My parent's sent over an early (a month early) 25th anniversary present yesterday. Tickets to see my men, Billy Idol and Steven Stevens on Sunday night. Nothing I like better than Billy singing and Steve whaling on the guitar. Thanks Mom and Dad, you ROCK! We are psyched. Here's on of their more mellow tunes. Love this one. Many memories. Click here if you're reading by email.
Last night Exeter, the next town over and where I worked at the Chamber many moons ago, held Holiday Open House and Festival of Trees. It's a night when the downtown is invaded by people who want to meet Santa who holds court in the gazebo in front of the old Town Hall building and Festival of Trees inside. It's a mob scene, but a good kind of mob scene. Every one's there to get in the holiday spirit, the lights down Water Street are lit, stores show off their holiday window displays are open for shoppers, and there's lot of milling about. It's can be quite magical. A wonderful way to mark the season.
I headed over with my sister Dianne. Sister in law Kelly ventured with us at the last minute. It was full throttle hustle and bustle of the season- lights, people, and cars....oh my.
Just as expected, it was a mob scene with tons of people lined up to see Santa.
Now, can you see what I mean?
We met my friend Carey (aka Martha of the infamous Champagne Ladies/Bookclub) and her daugther Laine....two of my best gals.
Then we went our merry ways. Now Laine and Martha were smart and checked out Festival of Trees right away. The three of us however, got distracted. Blame it on all the lovely things the shops had in them.
We popped into a store that was new to me, Reminisce, but that had been open since February. Obviously, I missed that. As I told Kathy the owner, I'm sure to be back. Her shop was packed with a whole lot of wonderful.
Everywhere you turned, more fantastic things too oogle. Kathy had lots of local artists represented. Yay for local art! She also had lots of lovely vintage in the mix.
You see that nest on the wall, to the left of the pretty mirror? It was painted by a local artist (whose name is escaping me unfortunately). Instead of trying to hide a crack in the wall, Kathy had this artist make the most of it by painting the very sweet bird's nest and eggs....there's a swallow on the other side of the mirror if you look close.
Reminisce was a feast for the eyes.
Di and Kel obviously found something they had to look at a little closer.
Vintage textiles, mixed media art, crystal, vintage fashion. What a lovely shop.
Lo and behold, while we were there, Martha and Laine made their way through the door and did a little shopping.
Since they didn't know I was taking this shot, I decided the next one I took, they would know about.
Two of my best gals.
Kathy the owner was busy greeting shoppers. Genuinely welcoming everyone to her store and having earnest conversations about her products and the artists that are represented in Reminisce. Not quite the same kind of 'greeting' you get at Walmart.
Thanks to Kathy for the sweetest little handmade ginger bread men ever (I'll show you them in another post for sure---itty bitty, eency weency and oh so cute).
Then we were off and away down the street in and out of stores and before you knew it, it was time to head back up the street to my friend Kath's (aka soy goddess and another one of the Champagne Ladies) restuarant, Blue Moon Evolution. They were holding a booth for us, so we could sit and enjoy a cocktail and some fresh, local fare.
Problem with the timing was, we didn't have enough. We got so caught up in the shopping, that we never went in to see Festival of Trees. What a shame. It's always so beautiful.
However, luckily, Blue Moon made up for it.
Kath was doing duty as hostess.
Ah, sit down in a booth in one of my favorite spots and have a Rosalita served to me....yes please. We shared fish cakes, salad, a cheese board and the charcuterie board. All of the meats on the charcuterie board are house made by Chef Ted McCormick. It's ever changing, as is the cheese board.
Last night I fell in love. I know, I know....I have Gar. Not to worry.
I fell in love with a new cheese. Bonne bouche. It might be my new all time favorite and it's made right in Vermont. Heavenly. I told Kath she needs to bring some to Book Club/Champagne Ladies Christmas, which so happens to be tomorrow night at Pearl's (the last of our little group).
We had a great night and it's always nice to give some holiday business to the locals.
Have you attended any special events like Holiday Open House yet? What tradition do you have to get into the Christmas mood?
Freeform Friday
Talking about getting into the mood, I'm about to put on my first Christmas album of the year...live recording of Judy Garland's award winning Christmas Special. LOVE it. Love her with Liza, with Lorna, with Mel Torme and Jack Jones. Enjoy. Click here if you're reading by email.
I spent election night with the bookclub/champagne ladies. We refrained from watching results come in for most of the night (though I will say this, we did stop to celebrate that NH's Governor and entire congressional delegation are now all women!). It was more about gathering, catching up, enjoying each other's company, and having a good few laughs....the stuff that life is made of! As usual, we had enough food to feed an infantry unit and the obligatory champagne.
Couldn't find my camera so only took a couple of snaps with my phone.
So I'll paint you a picture.
We began with a cheese and olive tray, that included aged reserve cheddar and ooey gooey camembert. This was followed by stuffed mushroms that I made. I tweaked them a little so they were gluten free. I stuffed them with mushroom, prosciutto, parmesan, oats, some non-fat yogurt, garlic, oregano and just a bit of butter.
Then we had roasted squash soup with pan fried cornbread, topped with bleu cheese. Oh yes we did.
Next it was escarole salad with roasted squash, pears, bacon and bleu cheese (which is where we stole the bleu cheese soup topper from). Along side that, sparkling vegetable rice and shrimp curry.
Dessert was a new recipe I tried, Raspberry Fool. We declare it a keeper. Easy peasy. Just the right amount of sweet and it was fluffy, the perfect end to the rest of all that food.
As if the mass quantities of food wasn't enough, we had discuss our plans for our holiday gather. It's never too soon to start planning, is it?
Nothing like spending some time with the gal-pals. We all need them, don't you think?
Post Election
No matter what side you're on and whether your candidate won or lost, I'll hazzard a guess that it was nice waking up to 'negative-political-ad free' TV this morning. I wish it was like that in the lead up to elections (and in Congress all the time), instead of only after elections. The rhetoric and nasty generalities from both sides are so old, and only does our country harm. It is time to start finding what we all have in common, instead of only focusing on our differences. I doubt it was all smooth sailing for our forefathers. I'm sure they had to hash a lot of their differences out and come to many, many compromises. If we don't do the same, we are doomed. Both sides have valid arguments, but it is hard to cut through the clutter of derogatory statements and falsehoods, and focus on the tasks at hand. It's past time to be more concerened with solving problems than calling each other names.
Let's try and remember this:
Have a great day in your corner of the world, and I'll do the same in mine.
I'm on my way to Boston to bring my dad into see his eye specialist, Dr. Peter Lou. My Dad has macular degeneration ( a very common eye disorder that affects the central area of your vision) and Dr. Lou has been treating him for probably close to 20 years at this point. When we check in, since we're travelling in from the 'country' so to speak, my father always says, "well, we're here with the egg money". We were on a schedule that had us seeing Dr. Lou in winter (tough time to travel with the egg money), but somehow we're back on the Spring schedule. This makes me much happier because right about now, the courtyard at Dr. Lou's will be in full bloom with tulips, daffs, and every blooming tree imaginable. Whoever does the landscaping for the condo complex that Dr. Lou is in (residential above, commercial on first floor) reall knows what they're doing. It's quite a show.
Beyond that, Dr. Lou is great, if you ever need an eye specialist in Boston.....he's a 'first do no harm' kind of guy. He's not going to risk what you've got, for what you might get. Which when it comes to your eyesight, is probably the best way to go.
So, enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend. Any plans for the Derby? We'll meet our usual gang at the track to place a few bets. Always fun to have a couple of dollars on a horse or two so you can root them on.
Freeform Friday
Went to a party for an old friend and former boss tonight. All us bookclub/champagne ladies were invited. It was a hoot. She was surprised to see everyone. Lots of old familiar faces I hadn't seen in a long time. We ended the evening back at my friend Kath's place, Blue Moon Evolution, for a nightcap. Many thanks to Lenny, who makes the loveliest Rosalita.
Here's to my gals. Thinking of them and how I love and need my time with them. Of course, this especially for Pearl and Kath and Martha will understand.
I think I had said I'd post bookclub-champagne review last week after my night with the gals, but I didn't. So here we go....ready to drool? I brought smoked salmon with cream cheese, capers and onions. A bookclub favorite. That joined some other things Soy Goddess had put out on the coffee table-caper berries, smokey spread and chips, cheese and apple.
Then Pearl arrived with an entire pickled extravaganza. Here's Martha (aka Carey) going for something off the tray while Soy Goddess (aka Kath), buzzes around the kitchen.
There was pickled okra, pickled eggs, pickled artichoke, deviled eggs, and even pickled brussel sprouts. Sorry, I didn't get a picture of Pearl 'the pickle queen' who also made Utica Greens. Heavenly.
And Kath baked the cutest little ham ever. It was like an 'Easter Warm Up' feast.
I did say feast, right?
That was the first time Pearl made the Utica Greens. I'll be getting that recipe for sure.
I'm sorry to say I neglected to get a picture of Martha's roasted pineapple with creme fraiche dessert. A perfect ending to another wonderful night with the bookclub-champagne ladies.
Walk in the Woods
The hound and I took a walk on the trails at Phillips Exeter Academy on Easter morning. It was so very peaceful that it may have to become a tradition. Often the trails are hopping with people and pups. Not too much so, but a LOT more than Sunday. On Easter, only passed 4 people total and two dogs. Funny thing is, both Lucan and the other two dogs all looked alike. Wish I'd gotten some pics of the other dogs. The first one really could have been his brother, very similar markings and a pointer mix. Just not as fluffy as Lucan.
Nice thing about these trails are that they start out in the woods, then they turn and hit the river. Still looking a bit like Winter in this shot.
Then you get to go over the river and back into the woods. As you can see, Lucan was 'showing' me where to go the whole walk.
Always a pretty reflection view from the bridge.
This stretch in the woods still runs along the river which is on the right.
Then it loops around through the woods before you end up along the river again after the wood bridge.
Yes, I know these pictures are fuzzy. Please remember I had Lucan.. ..ahem...leading the way, so to speak.
Then we headed back over the river bridge, and along the wooded path and got the extra special Easter Sunday touch of church bells tolling.
We even stopped to smell the flowers. Literally, Lucan did stop to smell the wood hyacinth which was pretty funny, but he was too quick for me to get a shot of him.
Have a super Tuesday in your corner of the world and I'll work on the same in mine. Weather is kind of gray here, but nothing to keep me away from the field at the end of the day- fingers crossed.
