Gathering Strawberries

I'm not even kidding you,dear ones. I am gathering strawberries from my garden today. Barefoot. Even had to get out the fan for Buddy. The weatherman did say we were in for a "cooling trend" though, it's only going to get to 77 degrees tomorrow. Bummer. Made some sun tea today too.O.K. I won't go on. This has been nice, but the truth is...a snowy quiet winters day wouldn't be bad either. But I know I better be careful. Things can change here pretty fast.So for now, I'll enjoy the berry picking. Maybe I just should have kept it to myself.I don't know. Dessert tonight...in case you were wondering...is strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. There is plenty.

Kreativ Blogger Award

Thank you so much to SmitoniusAndSonata for the Kreativ Blogger Award. It is my first award and I am so happy to receive it. I should have posted this and the award about a month or so ago, but to perfectly honest, I am not too good at the computer and didn't know how to get the logo on my blog.I had to have my cousin,John do it while they were here for New Years....but I am very grateful. Thank You.

As part of the award I am suppose to list 7 things people may not know about me and nominate 7 creative bloggers. ( I hope I am doing this right...I'm not sure what I am doing...so here goes.)

7 Things People May Not Know About Me

1. My relationship with my dog may be considered obsessive...it's hard for me to leave him for long periods of time....it makes travel difficult to say the least.When Julie and I went to New England I cried for 14 days. I missed Buddy and my cats too.

2. I am a homebody. See above entry.

3. I am a loner. I would rather be alone..with the exception of about about 5 people. I hope you know who you are. I think you do.

4. I LOVE music and TRY to play the piano.

5. My perfect day would be to stay home, work in the garden,bake a pie, hang clothes on the line,come inside at dusk, build a fire, light a candle,play some music,putter in the kitchen making supper and slide into a cozy warm bed upstairs to dream the night away.

6. I LOVE David Sedaris

7. I have had a pumpkin patch and corn in my garden every year since I was 7. Even if it meant in the front yard.


Now I am to nominate 7 people and link to them. I just hit the wall. Don't know how. I am going to need some help. I'll have to return to this later,friends. Thanks for understanding.
Kary

Angel Hair Pasta with Grilled Chicken

The chicken bbq was alot of fun, but we also had some leftover chicken, so I decided to make this pasta dish with the chicken. It is from Artca Restauarant in New York City. I have had the recipe forever and I don't even know if the restaurant is still there or not.The mache lettuce is from my garden...and yes..not to rub it in or anything, but I did pick it from my garden yesterday afternoon around 4 o' clock...wearing my flip flops...we're bbqing steak tonight...and we have plenty..any takers?

Angel Hair Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Wild Mushrooms

Artca Restaurant, New York City

Saute some shallots (I added leeks too cause I had them) in olive oil till soft
Add some sliced wild mushrooms...any mushrooms will work, whatever you have is fine
I used about 1 1/2 cups
Add some salt and pepper
Cook till mushrooms are cooked
Add 1 cup of chicken stock and make a pan sauce
Add diced grilled chicken (I had about one cup)
Add diced tomamtoes (I used about 6 small ones)
Cook pasta and add to the pan sauce
Add a couple of scoops of good whole butter
Top with grated parmesan cheese...use the good stuff, it really makes a big difference

Garnish with chopped fresh herbs
I had parsely and chives in the garden,(sorry)
And, yep, I picked them barefoot

Chicken BBQ Tonight and You're All Invited

I don't mean to dwell on it, I really don't. But I just got back from Scolaris Grocery and when I walked in the gate the temperature on the thermometer read 81 degrees.Sorry.It is hot. We are in a Heat Wave. I thought about getting out the fan for Buddy, but he seems o.k. for now. All the doors and windows are wide open. We decided to bbq chicken tonight and I wish you were all here with me.I am sauteeing spinach and making couscous. After the holidays we are burnt out on Christmas Food.

The cosmos are coming up on the side of the fence. Those big green stalks against the shed are sunflowers. Sorry, again. The other plants are basil...and me in my sandals today.Wish you were here.

75 Degrees on January 3rd

This is just plain strange. The rest of the country is frozen solid and I am strolling in my garden in flip flops. And I am not kidding you, either. The temperature gauge says 75. To tell you the truth, it might actually be hotter than that.It feels nice, I guess, but it just doesn't seem right. It's January...but that's California.

I'm glad the Christmas tree is gone..the thought of looking at that tree melting in the sun. No thanks.My "berries and cream" rose is blooming, the pineapple sage is in full bloom and the hummingbirds love it, the daffodils are pushing up and my spring showers are popping open too. Is this it? Have we gone from Christmas to Spring?

I don't know what to think. The weatherman says warming up by the end of the week. Warming up? Huh?

Making pizza tonight, but we should be bbqing.......

New Years Breakfast at Farmhouse

It's all quiet and cloudy here this morning at Farmhouse.
Last night on New Year's Eve we sat around the fire like 2 mice dipping little cubes of french bread into melting cheese fondue, sipping champagne, Buddy tucked in a snowman blanket between the two of us.After supper we added another log to the fire and nibbled on raspberries in cream and shortbread cookies. We had a wonderful, cozy New Years Eve, even though we were fast alseep upstairs when the New Year arrived.

New Years Morning Breakfast at Farmhouse

Scrambled Eggs in Butter
Roasted New Potatoes
Chicken and Sage Sausages

Toast
Tea

Happy New Years Day

New Years Eve at Farmhouse

New Years Eve Supper at Farmhouse

Menu

Champagne

Alaskan King Crab steamed served with Farmhouse Butter and Meyer Lemon

Gruyere and Emmenthal Cheese Fondue with Nutmeg and Kirsch

French Bread, Cubed
Assorted Sausages
Steamed White Rose Potatoes

Mache Salad with Hass Avacado

Raspberries and Cream
Shortbread Cookies with Walnuts and Apricots

Wishing all of you were here with me by the fire for New Years Eve. I know we'd have a good time. I just know we would. You have brightened my world this year with your love, laughter in good times, support in tough times,kindness and that wonderful feeling of community. I Love All of You and treasure each and every friendship. You mean the world to me and I wish you all a happy and peaceful NEW YEAR !

With Love and Friendship,
Kary
xxx