The Enemy Returns

The enemy returns.  We have been waiting patiently to find this guy. He has practically eaten every frog, toad and tadpole in our pond and our neighbor's surrounding ponds.  Tim was in the front yard when he spotted him and chased him through the garden and he finally flew off. However, he came back a few minutes later and was circling the property overhead as if to say - I'll be back.  We finally consulted Tim's parents and they use clear fishing line across the top of the pond to keep the herons from eating everything in sight.   Just you wait!

The Wrecking Crew

Last night after dinner, we streamed a new documentary called, The Wrecking Crew.  It's this awesome movie about studio musicians from the 60's working in Hollywood at the time and what it was like to make music in that day and era.  It was absolutely fascinating for me and Tim but it brought back great memories for my Mom who lived there during that time and of course was dating a musician at that time who would later be her husband and my father.  He would take her to Capital Records and audition and play for with some of the same people.  It was great listening to her talk about that time period and the music.  I want to run out and buy most of the music we listened to from the movie's soundtrack.  

Years ago, my mother had given me all of her 45's from the 50's in this cute little red metal box with sleeves that protected the records from scratching each other.  I decided to pull it out and tonight while having cocktails on the porch play some of the music for her.  Looking forward to an evening of great 50's and 60's music and cocktails on the porch tonight. 

Chicken with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

It is Labor Day weekend, we picked up Mom and the three of us are spending the weekend together at the house.  We decided to spend the three days focusing  on what we like to do best.  Gardening, cooking and watching movies.  Saturday was gorgeous.  All of the hardy Hibiscus was in bloom along with Flox, Black Eyed Susans, Sedum and Butterfly bushes.   After working all day, the three of us sat on the front porch together for cocktails and Tim made this great chicken recipe - with fresh basil from our garden - it was so good!

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste 
• 1 cup chicken broth 
• 1/2 cup heavy cream 
• 1/3 cup julienned sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained 
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan 
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 
• 1/4 cup basil leaves, chiffonade.

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
• Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste. 
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side; set aside. 
• Melt remaining tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan, thyme, oregano and basil. 
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet. 
• Place into oven and roast until completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 175 degrees F, about 25-30 minutes. 
• Serve immediately, garnished with basil, if desired.

Awwww cat photos!

Awwww, our babies.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Thank you Tim, Jean, Marcello and Keith for making this a wonderful weekend for Mom.  We decided to celebrate my Mom's birthday this past weekend and Tim and his family couldn't have made it better.  Jean made these amazing Pina Coladas!  Keith and Marcello entertained us with their brainiac-ness!  Yuki charmed us with her cuteness! Tim and Jean cooked an incredible dinner which included a re-visit to the Honey Bee Cake recipe which was delicious!  Mom really enjoyed herself and we watched vintage 70's movies outdoors as the sun set.  Nothing better then the Towering Inferno on the big screen. Happy Birthday Mom - so glad that you are here with us and able to celebrate your birthday in New York.

The Best Gift

Finding little surprises around the garden this summer are just all a bonus.  Because, the biggest gift of all is having my mother here.  In the middle of this gorgeous weekend, I found myself sitting on the back porch with her.  I looked around and felt so full of love and joy with all the beautiful things surrounding us, she is the most beautiful thing of all.  I feel so grateful and happy right at the moment.  It was an amazing weekend.

Little Surprises

This summer is full of surprises.  As Tim and I start to repair portions of our neglected garden, we find a few little rewards.  After years of no tomatoes or the worst specimens you have even seen, we are glad to see that there are other great little gifts in our garden.  Our grape vines finally produced grapes this summer.  We found them as we started to clean and separate plants to transfer.  Totally excited.  Know nothing about grapes and harvesting and when you can pick so have to do some homework.  Love little gifts like this.