Easter 2016

Holiday weekend starting with fun with two awesome Amys and drinks at one of our favorite haunts, Luckys. Enjoyed bone marrow and awesome drinks, followed by a Passion Play and then a day in the country with friends and shrimp and grits and ham biscuits, a Southern tradition.

 Whirlwind fun and all the kids home for the weekend. These are the times we live for and cherish. Realizing with every holiday that there are no guarantees as the kids get older that the next holiday will find us all together. So grateful for every moment we share. They all love the food and the memories created around the table. As we began the cooking Saturday and would leave the house and return I was in heaven smelling all the awesome herbs and the aromas as they hang in the air, making the house a home. I hope my children will carry those memories with them as they move into their own lives, and cherish the smell of good food whenever they make it home.

Easter with the kids, all grown up now, included a delicious holiday meal where everyone contributed. Matthew's girlfriend, Ruth, is a vegetarian so we pulled out several Yotam Ottolenghi cookbooks and whipped up some mujadara (Israeli lentils, basmati rice and homemade fried onions, comfort food), fried cauliflower with tamarind and mint dipping sauce, salad, roasted golden beets, Thai chili deviled eggs and delicious vegan organic tortes. A feast in the making. Folks who are not vegetarian don't often realize how satisfying a vegetarian gourmet meal can be. We are all sufficiently stuffed and satisfied. Lots of fun cooking with the family. Kevin even cleaned up afterwards! Thanks, Easter Bunny! Spring right around the corner, everything in bloom, family all around, great food and awesome wine from Jefferson Vineyards....doesn't get much better than this....The Lord is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Friday night fun. Rice spinach salad and grilled asparagus with steak.

Just when you think that all the wonderful meals that were lovingly prepared for you as you convalesced have come to an end, your bestest buddy, who is a fabulous cook, has you over to partake of another amazing meal. Thank you, Eva, for all the fabulous food you have fixed over the years. You always do so much for so many! I loved the spinach rice salad! Everything was delicious!

Cold snowy day. Warm tummies. Mexican meatloaf.

Cooooold days in the country call for good wine, great friends and Southern comfort food. Calling for the once a year meatloaf with smashed potatoes. Stick to your ribs good. This year I made Mexican meatloaf with crumbled corn chips, salsa and cheddar cheese. Delicious! No particular recipe, just start with good ground sirloin and add the usual ingredients plus the Mexican additions. Sometimes I love being a basic Southern girl!