Peasant Goes Gourmet, Lost Treasure, Man in the Kitchen

1. We love the chunks of crusty bread soaked in oil and vinegar in the Panzanella. So simple and so delicious.

2. I found a folder of long forgotten recipes today. I typed and organized a few and became inspired to cook up some new things next week. I need to plan a picnic just so we can fully enjoy the Provencal Pan Bagna (stacked picnic bread) pictured near the bottom.

Getting ready to mash the grain

The hops (or whatever these are) are added in stages

The simmer

3. While my use of the kitchen was purely theoretical, Steve actually turned on the stove and brewed a Vanilla Porter. We both needed this day to do nothing in particular. I never left the house, except to walk the dog and feed the horses, and it was perfect.
4. Daughter #1 and family arrived safely at Daughter #2's. I counted them to be thirty-three hours on the road. Later, Daughter #3 came home (covered in freckles!) after her week away. I feel like a mother hen keeping track of her scurrying chicks and wishing they were all under my wings.

Focused, Oh Boy!, What Have You Two Been Up To?, Catch It While You Can

1. I was wide awake at 2 am. and figured I might as well get up and make good use of the time. I decided to reconcile the bank accounts for work. With all the world seemingly asleep and every place dark except for my pool of light, numbers and reports were in sharp focus and my concentration was on point.
2. The pleased expression in Tess' countenance as she earned her driver's license today!
3. There's an apple with a bite out of it floating in the horse's water trough. I don't know how it got there except that one of the horses must have been given it and then dropped it in there. They're such young and playful horses and it looks like a discarded toy.
4. More afternoon and evening downpours in this hair-frizzing, humid weather. I go out two or three times to the porch to enjoy the serenity of the rain. These August days are changing and I mean to squeeze every drop of summer out of the last few weeks.

New, For Me?!, In a Cast Iron Skillet, Let's Go Watch

1. I pull my new chinos out of the bag to show Tess. I hold them up to my nose and inhale deeply. Ahh, the smell of new clothing. I love that smell.
 2. My blogging friend Lynn over at Good Things Happened sent me a gift! When I opened our mailbox I found a box taking up all the space and it had my name on it. Inside was a beautiful clay drip tray, the color of the ocean and some pretty botanical note cards. I think Lynn has me pegged and she knows exactly what kind of things I enjoy : )
3. One of my absolute favorite meals is anything to do with potatoes and eggs. Tonight I made this Spanish Tortilla with Bell Pepper (click for recipe). I refer back to my "Everyday Food" collection of magazines over and over again. These recipes never disappoint.

photo courtesy marthastewart.com

4. A hazy, humid sky finally pours out rain. We drop whatever we're working on and take our coffee  out to the porch so we can enjoy the moment. Evening is settling in and the rain closes out the day with peace and quiet.

Unusual Summer, "Hi, What Are Ya Doing?", Routine

1. Today is the fifth day in a row that we haven't had to turn on the air conditioning. I love it! The nights are cool and even a bit chilly towards morning.
2. Tess had a ninety minute piano lesson this afternoon during which I was prepared to sit in the car and wait. I parked in the shade, rolled down the windows and reached for a book on the back seat. Then the most amazing thing happened: All three of my far away daughters phoned me, one after the other! It was totally random that each should choose that time frame to call me.
3. I like to stand outside in the evening and water plants with the hose; it's very relaxing.

Made Herself at Home, Green Striped Visitor, Aromatic Mulch

1. A sweet little toddler climbs onto my lap and rests her head on my chest. She's tired of play and just wants to watch the others while she rests. I feel privileged that she accepts me this intimately.
2. Tess told me about a visitor we had on the porch last week. I had not personally met him until today. I glanced over Steve's shoulder and there he was. He stayed in that spot for about forty-five minutes. I'm still not sure how I feel about this visitor. He's interesting, but I wouldn't want him crossing the threshold into the house.

He's in the center of the photo. That's Steve's shoulder on the bottom right.

He's on the inside alright.

3. The pine bark mulch we spread a few days ago smells wonderful!

Sorry! More Bugs, And Bug Eggs, A Guest for Dinner

1. I was picking some dill when I saw that I was not alone. A Black Swallowtail caterpillar needed the plant and I was willing to share. (This dill is a volunteer that came up in the middle of the wood pile. In the background is a sunflower that volunteered in the brick pile.)

2. There is a busy world beneath our feet. One of the dill leaves I pinched had tiny teardrop-shaped growths dangling there. These are Green Lacewing eggs.

I had already pinched the leaf before I noticed the eggs. I'll put the jar outside and maybe they will still hatch

3. Steve invited one of his bosses for dinner which gave me a perfect excuse to cook. I made the Mediterranean Chicken Packets with orzo and a Peach Almond Galette for dessert. We ate dessert on the porch and our over-worked guest, whose family is away, appreciated the peacefulness and beauty of the countryside.
3a. These chicken packets are fun to make. Folded, crisp parchment makes a tidy bundle. They remind me of lunchbox sandwiches wrapped in wax paper.
*Click on the highlighted recipe titles to link.

Boneless chicken breast, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, Kalamatta olives, Italian seasoning and olive oil

Food for Birds and Thought, Joint Effort, Cutie

1. These little opalescent, blue bugs are all over the trumpet vine. They scatter everywhere when disrupted. I'm up on a ladder, trimming the vines and they're in my hair, down my shirt, everywhere! My thoughts are all about my daughter Claire and how she would be driven insane by this. Thank goodness it's me and not her. (The video below dramatizes my experience : )
1a. The tiny house finches that were raised in this vine have not flown away due to the abundant blue-bug food source. We enjoy observing the birds as they jump and dart in pursuit of their meal. Their constant chirping sounds like a song of happiness for their good fortune.
2. Steve and I finally finished the brick and gravel paths around the raised beds. It feels good to have that project completed. Now I can walk and weed, free from mud, around the vegetable beds.
3. Henri hides under my chair and behind my legs at the vet. He's not really that scared. He's just being extremely cute.