Bookclub Recap & Easter Walk

Almost Forgot

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.

Ciao for now,

Easter Monday

Easter at Di & Al's

Great day yesterday, hope yours was too. The hound and I took a very peaceful walk at the Phillips Exeter trails in the morning (more on that tomorrow).  Then midday, Gar and headed over to Di and Al's for the annual Easter celebration. 

Memere and Sylivie came down from Canada (4 hours), and the Robinson gang from Jefferson (3 hours), nephew Joe home from college (2 hours) and all of us local yokels made for a full house.

The weather didn't quite cooperate, but there wasn't any rain. It was a bit chilly though.  It didn't stop the kids from playing outside and Garrett teaching Cayden a new football touchdown dance. Nephew Pat pulled his niece Sophia around and around and around in the wagon. She went in circles most of the day. (Funny, how most of my nephews on this side of the Atlantic are now Uncles.)

A good day had by one and all....

My poor parents were taunted and taunted by the Red Sox, who ended up blowing it in the 11th. Ah well, at least it's only the beginning of the season. Our Yankees didn't fare much better.

As Gar and I drove home, I said 'Look at the pretty glow of the sunset.' It was a very muted yellow. That didn't last long.

Sunset Meadows

It was quite a long sunset last night, and it was the first time the sun had really shown its face all day. It was worth the wait. The two of us were on the couch and I said to Gar, looking at the color streaming in from the window, 'Did that sunset just completely change?'. He stretched his neck to look and said, WOW! Out I went with the camera again.  Wish you'd all been able to see this one. Truly spectacular.

Mellow yellow..............

Sun going down.............

All of a sudden, sky on fire.........

I stood there in awe, snapping away...........

This one reminds me of the scene with Scarlett in Gone With the Wind...."As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again."

What an beautiful end to Easter. Quite a show.

Peace out,