Transition

The time between summer and autumn is magical. The first rains come as if to clean the slate, and the rain is warm. There are still tomatoes in the garden and summer squash to be consumed. The leaves are just beginning to turn and drop.

I love to get tomatoes from the garden, cut in half drizzle with a little olive oil, and roast for a quick and delicious roasted tomato soup.

It is so easy and satisfying. I will roast some garlic (do not peel) and herbs on top of the tomatoes, cut side up, at 400f for 45 minutes until soft and browning.

Then I run everything through the food mill, and voila! soup! I would eat it just like that, so full of tomato flavor! It is nice cut with chicken or veg stock too.

We are busy cleaning gutters, preparing the garden, putting up the season (jam!)... warm soup makes it all worth it.

Summer Lovin'

Summer is winding down.  The heat in no indication, but the plants can tell.  The trees are turning.  The summer fruit is attracting flies, because no matter how we try we can't seem to eat it all.  The Naked Ladies are even starting to drop their petals. 

 

I'm a summer babe through and through, yet I am ready for the change.  I'm looking forward to (indoor) fires, and root vegetables.  I'm not rushing though.  I'm going to enjoy summer until the very last drop.  We are canning and making ice cream and making giant figs our main course for dinner.

  

Slice a ripe fig in half, stuff with soft cheese, such as fresh goat cheese, wrap with bacon, fry... EAT!  This is improved upon fig is a favorite summer snack, but we made some polenta and a salad and it became dinner. Voila!

The Backyard Benefit Brunch

Good vibes galore at the Benefit Brunch. We had a delicious meal with old friends, new friends, plenty of baby friends and four-legged friends. Odd Bird, Little Lost Boys, Chris Grabill, and Oona & Co played rotating three-song sets as we sat in the straw and basked in the sunshine.




There was something special in the air that mixed with the music. I think it was the love we all show each other in this community. Such incredible talent is fostered here, and we are proud to be a part of it.

Secret Dinner

Oh, neglected blog,
summertime is difficult
(real life is too fun).

We have been very busy.  The high point of the summer (so far) was a secret dinner in Todd and Spring's lush backyard in Santa Rosa.  We served a three-course meal to friends, family, and new acquaintances in a wonderful, laid-back atmosphere.

  
Gwen's menu was a bit more sophisticated than our usual fare, but everything came off without a hitch- no, better than that: the food was marvelous.  Our guests were wonderful and appreciative, the kids were world-class servers, and the setting couldn't have been more pleasant.

We are so lucky to live in this place!  The community here is outstanding.  After dinner, we all walked down the street to Brian Fitzpatrick's house to watch his band play.  Our good friends You Are Plural opened.  Both bands are phenomenal, and will give you a sense of the great things that come out of Santa Rosa.  We are proud to be a part of it.  

Since then it's been pretty mellow.  We have been camping, hiking, biking, working, playing, eating, drinking- but rarely cooking.  This hot weather makes me want to just eat fruit and tacos all the time.  In the next update, we'll add a recipe and some pictures from our fundraiser brunch and backyard show (t h i s   s u n d a y).

Thanks for checking in.  Until next time... Bon Appetit!