A Hodgepodge Dinner Party

Good morning, dear friends.  I hope that your week is going smoothly.  If it's Wednesday, it's time for Hodgepodge.

1.  How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. 

We had our friends Annie and Bob over for dinner.  The weather all weekend was nothing less than spectacular.

Attention: Security!
Uninvited guest on patio!
She looks hungry, too!
Meanwhile... Chow went to camp for the evening.

The Mister whipping up his magic.

For starters, we feasted on blackened tuna and strawberry tabouli.

And edamame hummus and pistachio and sumac.

Pesto and lemon chicken with arugula and fennel apple slaw.

Tomato bocconcini and olive leaves with a soy vinaigrette.

Zucchini ribbons with pink peppercorn, mint, parsley, and pinenuts.

And last but not least, grilled asparagus with peas, grilled corn, and cottage bacon.

A fabulous way to kick off the month of July.

2. Right now... what's your favorite red thing? White thing?  Blue thing?

If you don't mind, I'm doing a play on words here, and changing the word red to read.  I told you I was clever.

Anywho, I am knee deep in this delicious novel by Ramona Ausubel.  I haven't finished it yet, but so far so good. 

Collins Interiors

Pretty Pink Tulips

I have spent many hours over the long weekend looking for white bedding.

And it makes me happy to see my blue hydrangeas in my garden.

3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag ... which 'flag' have you flown most recently?  Explain.

How about find the flag?

A certain someone who chooses to remain nameless likes to take the flags out of the planters and hide them.

Rumor has it... an accomplice is involved who has a thing for frisbees and balls.

She'll never find it here!

4. According to Conde Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-

a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg, Austria.

If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any or all of these?  Which would you most like to see and why?

I'd like to see the whale sharks in Mexico.  I'll take a pass on the swimming, though.  This one looks hungry.

5.  Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese - your favorite from the cheesy treats listed? 

My favorite sandwich in the whole world is grilled cheese, bacon, and tomato. 

I still dream about the one I scarfed down with my BFF, Anne, at  South 5 Main in Cohasset.

6.  What makes you sweat?

Going to the doctor and getting weighed in.  

Why can't I find a doctor with an accurate scale?

I'm scheduled to go next week.

7.  Your favorite movie with a patriotic theme of some sort?

Great movie and it has nothing to do with Richard Gere's good looks.  Okay, it may have a little to do with that.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

One of my sweet readers, Susan, recommended Thrillest website to me.  

It describes itself as:

Thrillist is a leading men's digital lifestyle brand, providing all that's new, unknown or under-appreciated in food, drink, entertainment, nightlife, gadgets, and gear ...

I ended up soaking in this site for two hours.  I even signed up to receive daily emails, which I never do.  If you are moving or visiting a new city, I highly recommend this informative, entertaining site.

What are you reading these days ?

Until next time...

Chili:  Mom please tell me that I'm adopted and I am not genetically linked to Chowdah!

Chowdah:  Mom, I told her that we are identical twins!