Fall Pot Luck at Crooked Path!

Last night, a bunch of friends came out to the cabin for one last meal before Jenny and I close it up for the season. Once everyone arrived, we started up the grill and got things going in the kitchen. There were so many tasty dishes to try--rosemary potatoes with shallots, tomatillos grilled with garlic, asparagus with chives, Steve's ridiculous cheese board, Laura's pumpkin cheesecake, Nelia's apple crisp (with ginger!) and vanilla ice cream, Maegen's collard greens cooked with bacon and of course hot mulled cider with brandy to warm everyone up. Yes! The food was great and so was the company....another reason to be grateful we've got this special spot and such wonderful people to share it with. Until next season...

Sterling Pond Hike.

Today's weather was perfect-72 and sunny. It might be the last warm-ish day for awhile. Jay, Maegen, Vin, Mike, Kate and I drove through the notch and then hiked to Sterling Pond. It was very wet (I chose the wrong shoes to wear) but, the sun was shining and the skies were clear. After our hike, we grabbed some beers and wings. My body is tired but, today's hike was just what I needed...some fresh air and QT with friends.

Squash Blossoms.

I've been cooking up a storm lately. There are fresh veggies everywhere so, I've really wanted to take the time to experiment with seasonal ingredients that are a little less familiar to me.

Steve's friend Julia is a part time farmer. Last night, she and Steve came home with a couple of big bags filled with fruit and veggies they had plucked from the garden earlier in the day. I was most excited to see the plastic tupperware container filled with bright yellow squash blossoms! These blossoms expire quickly so, they need to be eaten soon after they are picked.

By the time I got to them this evening, a few had passed. I ended up with four really good looking ones that I stuffed very carefully with feta, hot pepper, salt and pepper.
I made a beer batter to dip them in and then fried them up. They were melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The cheese inside cooked nicely and there was the slightest bit of heat from the hot pepper. Once they were finished frying, I drizzled some honey overtop. The beer batter was so light and crispy. Yum. Fingers crossed that I can find more...
After I tasted the squash blossoms, I still had plenty of the cheese filling and beer batter left. I decided to experiment with some red and green tomatoes. I fried them up too! It wasn't he healthiest of meals but, it sure was tasty.

Meet Anastassia Elias. Upcycle.

Genius.

Two nights in LA...

After spending three sunny days in Palm Springs it was time to pack up and say goodbye to Miss McGlynn. :( Happily though, my friend Vanessa drove from LA to pick me up in the desert. What a gal! She was able to meet us for lunch and a dip in the pool before Molly and Kelly flew home. V and I headed back to LA on Monday afternoon and were able to make V's yoga class. I have taken a few yoga classes before but, this one was a good reminder...keep moving. I was so out of shape! I really enjoyed the instructor's words and followed along with most poses but, I'm just barely in a position to start exercising now that my body has healed from my surgery. On Tuesday morning, V and I went to a Salvadorian restaurant for some huevos rancheros and plantains! Delicious. Then, off to the Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. It's a beautiful hall complete with outdoor gardens! V had to work a 2:30pm so I dropped her off in Santa Monica and made my way 45 min south to Malaga Cove. It was a beautiful drive and so fun to explore on my own! I stopped at the Malaga Cove Plaza and picked up a sandwich and some baklava and continued on my way to the Wayfarer's Chapel. This Chapel was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's son and is made entirely of wood and glass. It's a very special structure built on some coveted real estate right on the ocean! This community has one of the nicest views in Southern California, (from where I was standing). Tuesday night, V and I decided to make frozen pizza's and watch Arrested Development. It was so nice to live like a local in LA for a few days. LA never looked so good.

Palm Springs for Molly's 30th!

I traveled to Palm Springs last Friday to meet up with Molly and her friend Kelly in Palm Springs, CA. Traveling from one small airport (Bar Harbor) to another (Palm Springs) makes for a long day of flying. My route took me through: Bar Harbor, Augusta, Boston, Phoenix and finally Palm Springs. Miraculously, all of my flights were on time and I arrived in Palm Springs at 4:30 PST as scheduled. Here are a few pics from our visit. There was lots of pool time, a nice birthday dinner out at Mister Parker's, some late night dancing, a bike ride through downtown Palm Springs and lots of catching up! The temps were mild, relatively speaking so, being outside was quite comfortable despite it being one of the hottest months of the year in the desert. Thank goodness. Great to see you, Molly! xx