I understand it’s a sign of aging but still find it sobering when friends my age or younger move beyond the realm. My last post shared a celebration of a life short-lived.  This this past week a friend had an asthma attack and is now watching over us and another friend is in a coma due to a pulmonary embolism. Consequently, over the weekend we tried to enjoy the simple gifts of life as much as possible.

The Memphis Farmers Market is beginning to show the fruits of harvest. Every farmer adds to the bounty each week.

We’re beginning to see tomatoes…small and/or green but summer tomatoes, nevertheless.  And, wild blackberries…Oh My!!!

The baby summer squash and zucchini are so tender and sweet.  I can’t get enough of the new potatoes…fried, stewed, steamed, roasted…just call me Forrest!!!  Farmers are still bringing in lettuces and greens…enjoy them before the heat puts an end to it.

And, this week Dickey Farms outdid themselves.  They’ve been foraging for wild mushrooms and found these Horn-of-Plenty Chantrelles…unbelievable…fresh from the woods of Marshall County, MS…spectacular.

We also enjoy the handiwork of Rocking Dough Pizza and their rolling brick oven.  Here you see a slice with sausage and egg and one with salami and egg.  Saturday morning we watched the original La Cage aux Folles and had breakfast pizza…and a good time was had by all!!!

As mentioned before, last weekend we enjoyed entertaining friends from Brandt’s college days. This weekend we were pleased to have a friend from my college days pop in.  We hadn’t seen each other since 1985.

Were we cute or what…this is clearly where the idea for the PRIDE flag came from.I attempted to prepare a better meal for him than we had at Ralph and Kacoo’s on Spring Break in 1981.

  

Jill Forrester of Whitton farms had the most spectacular Asiatic Lilies that gave us a wonderful centerpiece for the table.

We began with a Spring Pea Duo

Cold Spring Pea Soup with Chanterelle Cream and Crisp Pancetta & Traditional Spring Pea Seven Layer Salad

For the entrée we had Pan-Seared Amberjack and Fried Green Tomatoes with Chipotle Remoulade and Roasted Summer Squash, Zucchini and Vidalia Onions

Finally, we had a Lemon and Blackberry Parfait to complete the dinner and bring an end to catching up on the gossip from twenty-eight years.

SUNDAY SUPPER

Sunday night it was just the two of us. Every now and then we enjoy remembering one of our favorite places in Italy by re-creating their Bistecca Fiorentina. It’s really a simple treatment of a great cut of meat; the porterhouse.  We have the butcher cut a 2″ thick steak, season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper and let it come to room temperature.  Pre-heat the grill to 500 degrees and cook steak on each side for four minutes.  Bring the steak in and place it in a black skillet that has also been in a 500 degree oven.  Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and enjoy one of the gems of Tuscany. We were simple last night with a baked potato and a “fruit” salad…fresh greens, baby heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, strawberries, grapes, avocado, bleu cheese and honey mustard vinaigrette. To bring an end to a weekend of enjoying life we opening a bottle of the Poggio Antico Altero…Spectacular!!!  Thank you Dr. Charles King for introducing us to PA.

I also want to mention another friend that enjoyed life this weekend.  Jimmy Jon Josey is a dear friend from years ago in Jackson, MS. Please take time to read his story.  It’s happy but have a handkerchief handy anyway.

The Jimmy Jon Josey Story

This weekend it wasn’t so much about the house being lovely as it was about the warming of the heart of the house.

Rob Strain…our new GUARDian angel

Hope and Healing, Orlando

Love and Light…and a good time to you, all!!!