Happy 250 Years!
THE BEAT GOES ON
Whew, it has been hot and humid! I have not been able to ride Galant or have the pups out for any extended amount of time. No walks for me either, the treadmill has become my best exercise buddy! I’ve been “forced” to clean-up my desk and get some office work out of the way. It has been kind of nice to get some to-do items off my list, it feels good.
I don’t have any “written in stone” plans for the up-coming holiday weekend, which is fine by me. I’ll more than likely get together with friends at some point and if it cools down a bit, do some grilling. I saw some beautiful Japanese eggplants and cubanelle peppers at the farmer’s market recently, so hopefully the produce stand will have them again. My mom loves eggplant so I will make a batch of Caponata for her. It is best served at room temperature with toasted pita or paired with croutes slathered with a good chevre. But perhaps my favorite is to toss any leftovers with penne or linguini. Caponata is Sicilian and features eggplant, tomatoes, onions, red peppers, capers and anchovies slowly cooked in a copious amount of olive oil. My sister Liz treated me to a quart of Michigan strawberries she purchased at the Royal Oak farmer’s market, so I’ll make a ladyfinger, whipped cream and strawberry trifle for mom’s dessert.
I opted out of growing any vegetables this year, other than one lone cherry tomato plant. It is thriving with the heat and humidity. The last few years have been hit or miss, feast or famine, ending up with too much or to little of veggies. I did do a little patch of herbs including some lemon grass that is growing like crazy, and a new-to-me basil that packs a wallop of spicy punch. One of my all-time favorites is tarragon and I found two different varieties that I’ve been using whenever possible. It’s wonderful in scrambled eggs or an omelet or with chicken or fish. Known for the strong anise flavor it imparts, use it with care, as it can easily dominate a dish. At the rate it’s growing I need to explore some recipes – tarragon vinegar or béarnaise perhaps?
As we draw close to the 4th of July, the 250th birthday of our great nation, let’s remember that it is not just another day off but a holiday commemorating our independence, then only 13 colonies, from the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776.
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence which was signed by 56 others including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Hancock and John Penn. The youngest signee was Edward Rutledge at age 26 and the oldest Ben Franklin at age 70. Two of the signers became president, John Adams, our second, and Thomas Jefferson our third. Ironically both Adams and Franklin died on the same day, 7-4-1826. James Monroe died on 7-4-1831 and Calvin Coolidge, our 30th president, was born on 7-4-1872. Most importantly this Fourth is to remember all who have died protecting our freedom and all those who have served in the past or now. Without their dedication and devotion to the liberty of all, we would not be living the American Dream.
WE WISH YOU MANY MILLION DOLLAR DAYS!!!
XXOO,
MARY, MADDIE, SOPHIA and GALANT