maison rustique

Hot weather salad for supper. Spinach, bacon, blueberries, red onion, goat cheese.

I'd have used pickles, but then I'm still on my salty pickley kick. 😃

I wish I would inherit one!!

My wonderful sis and BIL came in last night (so we could get an early start packing today), and we went to the best local place here that I've talked about previously. Osteria Bianchi We ordered way too much food. Focaccia there is to die for. Made in-house and served with an olive oil-parmesan dipping sauce. I swear I could just eat that and be happy. We also ordered a mortadella pizza as an appetizer. BIL ordered appetizers meatballs and shrimp panzanella as his meal. Sis & I both ordered spaghetti carbonara. Had a lovely chianti with. They shared a chocolate torte while I tried an after dinner glass of italicus rosolio di bergamotto. It was tasty, but a little sweeter than I'd hoped. I doubt I'd drink it again. Got to chat a bit with owner Kelly Bianchi about her vintage stemware buys on eBay. My drink was served in vintage Moselle which my BIL went ga-ga over. Sorry, once again we took no photos. Got home to the raccuties on the deck entertaining us with their usual antics. Nothing cuter than baby wildlife.

It is a rough week, but doing my best to stay positive. Saturday would have been my husband's birthday. A year ago, it was the last day he was able to be in a sitting position and immediately after lost consciousness and died 6 days later. Thank you all for listening to me cry and whine. I'm doing fine now, but looking forward to finally getting moved (had some delays with work on the house). Don & the cats are already at the new place and they've made no complaints about it yet. My sister and BIL took me (and our other sister) out for dinner Saturday night and it helped to be out and doing something. Going to try to keep my focus this week and stay busy until after the 29th.

I wasn't very hungry. Started with some chips and salsa. Then had some sliced peach and half of an almond croissant from my neighbor's daughter's bakery. Stuffed.

@MitchW, if you weren't half a continent away, I'd be sitting on your back porch with an empty plate in my hand and a "Please Feed the Old Lady" sign at my feet all the time.

I sure hope I've finally found and moved all the cookbooks because I am running out of room for them. Right now they are 2 rows deep on each shelf and in no order whatsoever. But every time I think I've hauled the last box of books over to the new place, I find a small stack somewhere where I'd been browsing for recipes in them and left them sitting.

I've never heard them make sound either!! They are usually completely silent except for movement sounds.

Maybe I got lucky. I hit the 4th of July sale at Lowe's and bought all new appliances for the new house. Mind you, it is a tiny kitchen with tiny appliance spaces, so doesn't allow for anything fancy, but I was amazed at the prices I got. Of course, by the time you add on delivery, installation kits, extended warranty (You only get a year on major appliances!!!), tax, etc., it all adds up but didn't seem as bad as I expected.

I don't know how I lived all these decades and am only finding out about how many flowers are edible that I never knew about. Last year I found out about hostas. Now I find out about day lilies!

Completely agree!

I sort of like that curly look. Maybe you just invented a new pasta!

@Steve R., oddly enough, I have Google Fiber coming today to install the fiber box. I have my network name set as Maison Rustique here and I've been pondering what to do with the one there. I guess I better hurry up and decide.

Closed on my house today. Now the work begins. Have various service people scheduled over the next week (electrician, plumber, carpet, Google Fiber) and then cleaning!! And after all that can begin to finally start moving things gradually. Will be a couple of months before I am completely out of this place, but may be able to start staying there before. At the closing this afternoon with my realtor. I'm the old one.

Last night I couldn't think of a single thing I felt like eating. Settled on buttered Jasmine rice with tomato and citrus garlic seasoning.

Last night's freezer-cleaning find was bacon cheese potato soup.

Since I'll be moving in a couple of months, I'm trying to clean out the freezer. An unmarked container turned out to be black-eyed peas. Not the best thing for a nearly 90 degree day,, but it was tasty!

There is a cherry tree in the backyard, so I hope to spend less on birdseed! LOL!!

After a few months of looking, I bought a house! Assuming it passes all inspections tomorrow, I will close on 6/20. Ranch with fully finished basement and awesome sunroom and deck. Will be an adjustment to get used to a smaller place after so many years in huge places, but it will be a good place for this little old lady. Still in Kansas City area. Will be a couple of months before I move--still downsizing and packing, but I will start taking things over gradually. Excited to be entering this new chapter of life.

I actually cooked! Italian sausage, a little diced potato, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, herbs/spices. Baked to cook them topped with spinach and cheese and browned. Pretty tasty.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Many condolences for you all.

I've not spent much time there (though I have aunt/uncle who live in Mountain Home). But should you decide to go for whatever reason, Eureka Springs is OK. And not too far from there, Crystal Bridges museum is nice. We went when it very first opened and it was not fully open, but I understand now that it is wonderful.

I recently asked on FB about good places to make an overnight trip. Several people recommended Des Moines. Apparently they have some superb restaurants there.Who knew! I keep saying that one of these days I will make a driving trip through Kansas to go see the salt mine and all the funky "World's Largest" type attractions. A kitsch trip if you will.

My sweet little Black-Eyed Susie is getting bolder every day. She is my little early bird who always watches for me to put out the food in the evening and comes immediately. I'm guessing she is pregnant by the appearance of her nipples.