Heirloom Tomato Stack
Phew. What a week! I know I fell off of the radar for a while. A week ago today, my parents sent me a video of their house showing no less than four feet of snow. With blue skies and the flexibility in my schedule to pack the kids in the car with our “snow clothes crate” and go enjoy a few days in the snow – I jumped on it (ha!). Unfortunately I was also sick as dog. No voice, totally congested, achy…YUCK! I warned my mom and dad that I was SICK. They didn’t care. And neither did I. I just knew I had to do it because it would be my only chance this season to play in the snow with the girls. So, I picked up Pixie from school, loaded up the car and off we went! The girls were so stinkin’ excited.
A few hours later, the girls ripped themselves out of the car as quick as they could and dove face first into the snow. Snow bibs? Who needs ’em! Gloves? Naw! They played for about an hour and when the jeans were too wet and the fingers bright red, we retired inside for some cozy clothes and movies.
The next morning my mom had to head back to Los Angeles to work so my dad gave her a ride down the mountain to the main center in their community. As he was walking her to her car to make sure she could get out….he fell. On black ice. HARD. He came back up to the house limping and barely able to sit down in a chair. CRAP. (Side note- it occurred to me that had I still been nursing, a Boppy would make a wonderful “donut” to cushion one’s bruised tailbone)
Raspberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
My hubby is awesome. Sometimes, he really plans out thoughtful and fun presents for me. My absolute favorite musical instrument is the cello. I love the deep, passionate, resonating sound it makes. When we got married, I walked down the aisle to Jeux D’eau which is a song from the Cirque de Soleil show, “O.” About thirty seconds in, a cello starts and it’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.
Back when we still lived in Sherman Oaks, he rented a cello for me and got me private cello lessons. I LOVED IT! It was so much fun to learn – it was a LOT of work. I never realized how difficult it was. The funny part is, I guessed what he had planned for me. I wrote it down, brought it with us and showed it to him when we pulled up at my first cello lesson. He was gobbsmacked. Totally speechless. Honestly could not believe that I had guessed it.
Fig and Goat Cheese Bundles
I haven’t slept for about a week. No, the children haven’t been keeping me up with horrendous stomach flu. No, my new thyroid medication isn’t making me crazy (not a word from you hubby!!). And thank goodness, it has not been the wind for a change. You know what it is? I mailed in all of my paperwork to our accountant for our taxes. I checked all of my numbers over and over and couldn’t find one single penny more to deduct so with stomach acid creeping into my throat, I mailed it. And then I started frowning more, and my laugh lines softened because I was too busy scowling. A few days later, an e-mail from the accountant with a question. Before even opening the e-mail my stomach was doing queasy flips. Just a simple question about the paperwork followed with a, “We are working on it and will get back to you soon!”
For the weekend, we went camping at Lake Casitas with a great group of friends. Good food, good friends, and cocktails made me forget about the dreaded call for a few days. We had such a great time hiking, playing outside, playing inside the three trailers, and enjoying conversation around the firepit – with s’mores of course.
Red Potato and Goat Cheese Stack with Basil Balsamic Drizzle
Last night I posted my recipe for Filet Mignon with Whiskey Cream Sauce. So far two of the comments on the steak refer to the potato stack next to the steak. I felt bad about not getting yesterdays post up until late so I am giving you another recipe today. When I made it for the first time, I didn’t dip the potato slices in the vinaigrette before assembling and that is a MUST.
My sweet girls are sick as sick can be so this post has to be short. I barely got any sleep last night and I would love to catch some shut eye before my angels wake up from their naps.
But get ready for tomorrow! It’s my birthday and the start of another fabulous giveaway!!!