Happy Friday!!

What a week. After the pollen and sinus issues I have had it is such a pleasure to taste food again. We love to eat…love the textures of different ingredients melding together as you take a small bite of porcini and portabello mushrooms in a thick sauce. Wine…..don’t get me started……..but sadly….most things were either flavorless or metal to the taste or just off. What a disappointment when you anticipate a marvelous meal with plans to savor it over a good bottle of vino.

Well…taste buds are back to normal! A mushroom ragu from Cook’s Illustrated was most appreciated after that dark time. More later…….


Updates

So, one of my resolutions for this year was to change my page appearance. Done. I like it, do you? I wanted tabs for the longest time. (It will be an ongoing process because I am basically computer illiterate.) All my other resolutions as far as following my Food Network calendar food celebrations went down the tube with my health beginning in February. Thankfully that is all over!! (Knocking on wood)

We wanted a patio for the longest time and that is finally in the works. I am going to take before/after photos. After that is in we’ll have fencing around a small area so our shibas can roam about without leashes. I picture us sitting outside with a pitcher of margaritas and nachos. Or beer in a big metal tub packed with ice as we grill chicken wings. Or a ice cold bottle of chardonnay on the table as we sit and dine on crab cakes while the shibas lounge on padded lawn furniture..begging from their comfortable thrones.



I just finished up with Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes.



One on the list I have for a personal goal for the Italy in Books 2011 Challenge. More on that as well as the book review and recipes for this fantastic meal may be found at Novel Meals.



Our son has completed 4 weeks of basic combat training and we look forward to hearing more form him. He’s been sooooooooo busy! We are proud of him and look forward to seeing him graduate next month. Doug has been keeping Tristan’s Road King in running order until he can have it when he is in Virginia. I know Tristan misses riding.



On tap for this weekend is a ride to eat lunch…anywhere….maybe a coast destination…..and then lasagna and chocolate cream pie. I will be cooking like a mad woman this Sunday.



Hope all is well in your world.