Dusk in California One Week Past New Years

We had a beautiful dusk tonight.The stray cats came for supper at Farmhouse.We fed them all.This is the view from my garden looking north. 5 o'clock p.m.
And yes..it was warm today....took these pictures in my flip flops...again.

Have a great weekend dear ones....

Kary's Farmhouse Skillet Eggplant Parmesan

It was a lazy January afternoon around here and I had one big beautiful eggplant, no desire to leave the farm,a giant can of organic tomatoes and lots of leftover cheese from the New Years Eve fondue night. Ah Ha....eggplant parmesan. So I got busy making a nice simple tomato sauce,I cut up the eggplant, dipped it in some beaten up eggs and bread crumbs..got out my friend, cast iron skillet, and fried it all up.Then just layered it all together in another cast iron skillet. When John got home all I had to do was pop it in the oven to bake and make a salad. It is STILL warm outside ....I know...this has got to end sometime....so we just lit some candles and settled in for a cozy skillet supper.


Kary's Farmhouse Skillet Eggplant Parmesan

Slice one large eggplant into thick slices

Dip each slice into some beaten eggs and bread crumbs

Saute in olive oil till brown

Add some salt to taste

Drain on paper towels and set aside

Make a simple tomato sauce. I had some leftover leek and shallots so I just sauteed them, added a big can of organic whole tomatoes, some salt and a splash of white wine and let it all simmer on the stove slowly for an hour or so.

Then just layered the eggplant, sauce and cheese...covered it in foil and baked it at 350 degrees till hot and bubbly.

Sprinkle with parmesan before serving

Do you see the kitty in the first picture..that's Whiskey Sour

The Fabulous Sugar Doll Blogger Award

Thanks Justyna from the wonderful blog "love lives in the kitchen" for this fabulous award. So kind of you to include me. I actually posted it myself..A MIRACLE. I don't know what I am doing....I'll have to work on how to link my nominations...I'll work on it this weekend.Still struggling along on this blogworld....thank you so much for your understanding and support.....Kary

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.