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Sunday, February 26, 2017

A Luncheon for Some Lovely Ladies

Hello, dear friends.  How is your weekend going?  Yesterday, was surely the highlight of 2017 for me.  

It all began a few years ago when I met dear Mary, who was a reader for lunch.  We really hit it off and a couple of months later she hosted a lovely luncheon at her home and introduced me to her neighbors, the Sudbury Sweethearts.   That day I met Laurie and she was kind enough to ask me to a sensational luncheon at her stunning summer home on the Cape last November.  You can read about it here.  I had such a great time that I wanted to have them all over for lunch.  By chance, my buddy Mo, of Mocadeaux was in town visiting so she was able to come too.

 Thank goodness, the Mister was totally on board and had the menu written weeks in advance.  My guests were lucky - if I had been in charge, the main course would have been peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.




Let me begin with the "wow" factor - the cheeseboard ala the Mister.
What can I say?  
The guy's a gift for cheeseboards.  



Here are some pics from behind the scenes.  Let's just say the Mister does not appreciate me posting the kitchen pics, so don't tell him.



I've been married to the Mister for almost 27 glorious years, and it wasn't until last Spring when we had my cousin Louise and dear Peter over for lunch that I discovered that he makes the creamiest, most heavenly quiche I have ever tasted.  So needless to say, I made this one request for the menu.






The sous chef was called away on business for his own safety as well as that of the guests.  He still thinks that he is a five-pound lap dog and nobody can convince him that he's not. 



The Mister warmed these pretzel nuggets and sprinkled them with sea salt.  They are soooo good with a glass of Chardonnay.

He bought them at Whole Foods - he can't make everything from scratch, for heaven sakes!!



We enjoyed our 'tails and d'oeuvres in the sunroom.  There was never a dull moment.  The afternoon was chock full of laughs and entertaining stories.





These mini sandwiches were filled with roast tenderloin, horseradish, blue cheese and fresh strawberries.



There were also roast chicken sandwiches with prosciutto dressed with a basil pesto and fresh strawberries.



The Mister made jumbo croutons out of cornbread and sprinkled them with sea salt for the salad.

Since I'm watching my waistline, I decided to skip the salad and just eat the croutons.  
  


The quiche was made with pancetta, shiitake mushrooms, shallots, and 24-hour tomatoes. 





I was in charge of the flowers and the table.  
I slept for four days after I finished my tasks.






I grew my own plants and made the tablecloth and napkins by hand.




OK, that's not true.
I just wanted to make sure that you were listening.



Have you finished oohing and aahing about my table?

OK, back to the food...

For dessert, the Mister served a lemon frangipane envelope stuffed with fresh raspberries and a side of butter caramel gelato topped with pistachios.

The entire meal was less than 200 calories.

OK, that isn't true, either.



I will tell what is true - the company was even sweeter than the dessert!  I feel like I've known these ladies forever.  I look forward to many more fun times in the future with these funny, smart, wise women.

That is if they'll have me.


Until next time...




This is how I felt after I set the table.


Linking up with:
Amaze Me Monday
Dishing It & Digging It
TADA! Thurday's Link Party
Share Your Style
Share Your Cup
Home and Garden Thursday
Foodie Friday and Everything Else
Best of the Weekend
Sundays at Home
Monday Social 
Show & Share

Friday, February 24, 2017

The Friday Files


Hello, dear friends.  Happy National Tortilla Chip Day!  Bet you didn't know that this was such an important day.  I'll look for any excuse to inhale a bowl of chips.

I am hosting a luncheon this weekend and a special guest will be joining us.  Don't worry, I will take lots of pictures.

Here is a list of things that have been on my radar this week.




Looking to buy a fabulous house in Tuscany?  It's one link away.
I hope that you invite me for a visit.

*****



I have a feeling I know why Heather is not returning to RHOC.  She can't find the front door in her gargantuan home.

*****




Think you're a pretty good cook?  Tweet a picture of your piece de resistance to this guy and he'll tell you the truth.  
And he will not sugarcoat it, either.


*****



There's good news for all you cat owners.

*****



ATTENTION: #1 & #2
YOU NEED TO READ THIS NOW!!

*****





If you enjoy a combination of handsome and humor, you're going to love this video.

*****


It took me less than six minutes into This Is Us this week to reach for the kleenex box.  This show just keeps getting better.  

This is a video of a fascinating conversation between the stars discussing this particular episode. 

*****


The Mister and I just finished watching Sneaky Pete.  This series has gotten rave reviews.  I don't get it.  The acting is great but the plot gets so convoluted that I lost interest in the last episodes.

*****



We are watching Suits and savoring it like an ice cream sundae.  This show is so well written and the acting is phenomenal.


In my next life, I want to come back as Donna.
If you don't know who Donna is, you'll have to watch the show!

*****

I am a huge fan of Hoda's and couldn't be happier to hear her baby news.

*****



Sunday night is the big night.  The following is a glimpse of who will win versus who I think should win in two categories.  I have not seen all of the movies so take this with a grain of salt.  And for heaven's sakes, don't put any money down on my predictions.

Best Picture

Who will win


Who should win

*

Best Actor

Who will win


Who should win

These are the only two categories I care about so hopefully, they will announce them in the beginning of the show so that I can catch up on my beauty sleep.

*****



I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.  
If you're looking for me, I'll be working on my beach body.



Until next time...





Tuesday, February 21, 2017

A Relaxing Hodgepodge


Hello, dear friends.  Oh, how I wish I was sitting next to this glass of vino while gazing at the water.  We are in the home stretch towards Spring and as far as I'm concerned, it can't come soon enough.   

It's Wednesday, and that means it's time for Joyce to pose the thoughtful questions to willing fellow bloggers.  I always love to hear your answers to the questions as well.   






1.  Have you ever been fishing?  Did you catch a fish?  If so, did you keep it or throw it back?  If you haven't been fishing is that something you'd like to try?




When we lived in McKinney, our home was steps away from this pond.  It had only been a week that we had moved into our new home and the girls were begging their Dad to buy them some fishing rods.  The Mister was excited, as well. It didn't turn out quite the way the Mister had hoped.  

They arrived at the pond, and as the Mister was baiting the hooks, the girls spotted some neighborhood girls riding their bikes.  As the Mister handed their brand spanking new fishing rods to them, they informed their Dad that they didn't feel like going fishing anymore and wanted to go home to ride their bikes.

The girls never mentioned fishing again, and we gave away those fishing rods with our blessings to the new neighbors who moved in down the street.  



Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish or cut bait... which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?




None of those sayings describe my life right now.  However, one of my departed little Grandma Margaret's favorite sayings was that's a fine kettle of fish! 




2.  What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk or kitchen junk drawer?






The Mister refers to my purse as the Bermuda Triangle.  If I'm not fishing for my keys, I have my nose in my bag hunting for my Dollar Store readers. 

I swear some things go in my purse and are never seen again.
By the way... whatever happened to the term pocketbook?



3.  Your favorite fish tale or movie?







The first movie that popped into my head is one of my all-time favorites, On Golden Pond, which features some memorable fishing scenes.   




4.  Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night?  Explain why you chose your answer.




Twilight is my favorite time of day because that means two things: Chardonnay and a good book.



I also partake in some cross-examination exercises.




5.  What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear?




I can't wear any of my old clothes because unfortunately, the humidity in my closet causes everything to shrink.  And when I buy the replacements, I have to go up a size.  Evidently, Massachusetts has a different size scale than Texas.

It's not easy being me. 



6.  We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere.  Are you feeling the need for a getaway?  What's been the best and worst part of your winter so far?






The best part of the winter this year was that we had very little snow.




The worst part of this and every winter are the long, gray, dreary days. 




7.The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day... will you be celebrating?  Frozen or on the Rocks.  Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan?  If so, what's your favorite JB tune.



I like my Margaritas on a nice warm day on the rocks with salt, please.  And keep 'em coming. 





To be totally candid, I can't name another one of JB's songs.




8.  Insert your own random thought here.



How do I get an appointment at this spa?



Until next time...







This cute pup would never be seen again if he popped into my purse!

J. Crew

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