Monday Night Pearl Party Dessert

“Joy of Cooking’s” Vegan Chocolate Cake Kim corrupted with a mound of whipped heavy cream, chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolate drizzle. We cut it into six pieces. Super and so was the Semi-sweet St. Croix dessert wine.

It was the best of times. Tired, stressed women relaxed and enjoyed the support of each other. We called Chris back east and wished her a Happy Birthday

Kim and I are on a roll. Next Monday we’re hosting a pearl party for other friends.

Thank you Julie and Julia.

Bon Appetité!

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Monday Night Pearl Party Menu

Kim held my Todd English pumpkin-shaped kettle so I could serve each lady Bouef Bourguignonne, a boiled potato and a dipper of sauce with boiled onions and a carrot chunk. A sliced baguette was passed on LBJ's handmade breadboard. Kim and I watched wide-eyed as they wiped their bowls clean with chunks of baguette. No better compliment.

Roasted stoplight peppers and Wild Woman Wilted Salad from “The Passionate Palate” were next. I used a variety of lettuces and not all would wilt. Kim was laughing. Bernie hadn't said two words, but brought the house down,“Nine o’clock, where’s the damn salad?” Di laughed so hard she had to leave the table. The party got louder after that. The St. Croix might have had something to do with it.

A single scoop of Black Raspberry/Champagne Sorbet was the palette cleanser served in my late mother's goblets. I don't know why I should call her late? She was never late for anything. However, she is deceased. The Sorbet was outstanding. Whole Foods.

I was grateful for Kim's help and said so. Someone labeled her “the scullery maid.” She responded imitating Carol Burnett’s mop lady, butt scratch and all.

Back in the kitchen, she milked it some more,“We need some kitchen gossip. Did you see the pearls on the broad at the end?”
I peaked into the dining room. “Yeah, Mrs. Gotrocks.” We bust out laughing
Loud glass tapping at the table. Diane, “Hold it down in there. You’re having too much fun.”
Look who’s talking. She’s wearing all the pearl table decorations.

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Monday Night Pearl Party table

The dining room table was set with sailboat placemats and lighthouse napkin rings from Nantucket, Pfaltzgraf Sierra Cobalt and 1847 Rogers flatware. Grandmother Williamson's red glass swan floated six red roses. Kim stripped another bloom and spread the petals. Bernie brought the dark fuschia bouquet. The square red candles and freshwater pearls were Krysia's. She would like that and the food, too. Classical music by KVNO. And butter, real butter, in honor of Julie and Julia.

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Monday Night Pearl Party #1

Watching “Julie and Julia” four times inspired me. My friend, Kim's eyes lit up, “We should have a party.”

At James Arthur Vineyard we planned and shared baguettes, a hunk of cheese with spinach and artichoke, a slab of smoked salmon and Angel’s Share wine hinting of raspberries. It was a perfect Nebraska day: no wind; no flies; no mosquitoes. Two cats followed their noses to share salmon. We came home with Dry Red St. Croix, White Semi-Sweet St. Croix for dessert, and a plan: Dinner for six at MaeAnn’s. Wear your pearls and say, “Bon Appetité!”

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Easter 2010

Life rearranges
to adjust to the gap
so each may experience
their true spiritual path

Easter the 4th and Krysia's birthday would be the 6th.

It's celebrating Jesus Christ's overcoming death that inspires. Enough with the suffering already, his and everyone else's, I'm concentrating on "The Good News."

Andre Rieu is helping me sort my household. He fiddles while I work. But he's fiddling with the Holland Orchestra and is magnificent. Even Aja likes it. We have to stop and dance.

I had Minestrone with Alphorn Music that could be heard for miles, but without the beauty of the Alps. That's what memory is for. I had a large fresh salad with Andy Griffith when he explained Macbeth, as only he can.

My friend, Diane, is too busy with web design school to cook or dispose of her dozens of quarts jars. I gave her homemade Minestrone in two of my quart jars. fI won't repeat what she said.

This week I offered to fix them dinner. It started with a trip to the meat market for bottom round. Two grocery stores were required for the fresh veggies: potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips, turnips and celery.

Inspiried by Vivaldi the menu grew from "Betty Crocker" Beef Stew to include "Joy of Cooking" Popovers. No stopping me now. A Romaine lettuce salad with chopped fresh tomato, sliced burpless cucs and scallions needed a low-cal Vinegarette dressing from "Joy of Cooking." Back to the grocery for Dijon Mustard, scallions and fresh lemons.

With Julia Child enthusiasm, I dug out my Mississippi "Belle's Best" cookbook and made a sourcream poundcake. Then back to the store. My intention was to buy a bag of frozen raspberries. Not at $7.05 a bag! Punt. Mashed fresh strawberries would work just fine. I had a small bottle of CA White Zinfenal to reduce the berries in. Now all I needed was a drizzle. In the frig was an almost empty jar of Hershey's chocolate topping. Bingo!

Dinner was a hit! Middle-schooler, Justin, wants to come and learn to make pound cake. Another kid in my kitchen. I love it.

"Julia and Julie," or is it "Julie and Julia," awaits my viewing. What better way to celebrate "The Good News" than sharing food with friends.

Easter Blessing. Take care of one another.

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series