Our bags were packed, destination confirmed, friends organized for companionship and the  time to escape. All the ingredients for summer vacation were in place but there is always one component we cannot count on, the weather!! Well I guess Mother Nature was listening, either she saved up all of our requests in years gone by for better weather the ones made on day after day of soggy skies or she was feeling extra generous. Whatever her reasoning we got it,  a stellar summer so far, we’re still getting it and it couldn’t be better.

This  image was discovered at one of our favourite summer road side snack stands, good advice!

The weekend was filled with rewarding dinner parties, drinks with family and friends, finds at the flea market and the canine carnival of Woofstock. I am so looking forward to Monday and finally getting some rest!

I did get a card and cupcakes……….

Mothers Day. It can make you happy, you found the perfect gift. It can make you sad, you miss her or it can complete you, you are one. I’m a mom and after collecting drawings, crafts, homemade cards and dust collectors over the past 18 years I realize how much more than ever I treasure the collection. The newer tokens of affection reflect who I am more as a person than just mom. The transformation is interesting and a little melancholy too. I’m realizing the simpler version of me is slipping away and for that reason I really hope I get a homemade card this year!

Happy Mothers Day.

I remember when I received a subscription to Gourmet Magazine as a gift one year a long time ago and had the gift renewed every year for several years. It was so special I kept every copy. I have always had  a relatively small kitchen in my home which makes my culinary expertise even more impressive but the point being cupboard/storage space was always at a premium. Eventually I had to part with most of the beloved back issues but the good news was around this time there was this new invention called the “World Wide Web” and things like back issues of magazines and or recipes could be retrieved on line!!!! After purging and sorting I had to hang onto some beloved cookbooks. California Fresh, another gift, this one from a special friend, circa 1980’s. California Cuisine was all the rage and the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay was getting in on the action thus my book. The evidence is clear this is a beloved cookbook, I mostly refer to page 52 for the classic Caesar salad dressing, I should know it by heart, I do, but I love pulling out the book and letting the history of it in my life take its effect. Good book, good cause, good memories.

Earth Hour has come and gone and some critics say it’s not enough. I tend to disagree, when you see your 12 year old  running around setting up candles and counting down till the moment to shut off the power I can’t help think what a wonderful tradition and awareness that’s being created. We remembered last years earth hour, where we were and who we spent it with. I had to draw the line at music though, somehow dinner without music is unimaginable, to compensate we would extend earth hour through the night. In celebration a special menu was designed. The main attraction was a treat something we rarely create for a Saturday night dinner, magret of duck in an asian inspired marinade and sauce. I wish earth hour was every Saturday!!!

Well the internal battery has been re-charged and the clocks re-set. I leave behind a week of bluebird skies while making my way up a winding mountain road every morning to land at the base of a mountain covered with snow and no lift lines. Packed lunches with healthy hearty fare were eaten outside and the ski tan got deeper and deeper. Dinner was somehow easier to prepare every night, simpler,  but had to satisfy the tired muscles and bones of pushing through the heavy snow by midday. Gourmet mac n’ cheese. Done.

One night I was a guest for dinner (the ultimate treat) but not without the Caper 911 call. The hostess had run out of a very important ingredient for the meal the next day, capers, not always readily available in small rural grocery stores, luckily I had 3 jars in my fridge. The best part was just having to drop off the unopened jar in her mailbox while driving up that winding mountain road on the way to first tracks.

The tide is changing I can feel it. The days are longer, spring skiing is around the corner and my thoughts go to making simpler, cozier one pot meals. Soon the daylight will highlight all those dusty shabby corners in the house that have been hidden by candlelight and parties and I will have to divide my time between the compelling urge of “spring cleaning” and the constant need to create wonderful meals. So I’m strapping on my colourful apron and rolling up my sleeves using up forgotten pantry items to come up with new just throw everything in the pot creations. Cleaning can wait, for now.

It’s confirmed, love IS everywhere.