AND ANOTHER FINE WEEK IT HAS BEEN!!!

Wow, has the weather been perfect or what?  I love riding with the low humidity and comfortable temperatures. Z and I have been practicing for an upcoming show and we’re both excited to be “back in the ring.” He is such a cool horse. But, so is Picasso, who is taking very good care of my sister Liz teaching her the “dressage ropes.” He and Z are both School Masters, meaning their trained well to their ability and they’re able to pass their knowledge onto the riders.  They’re both very forgiving of our mistakes and are such kind souls.
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My sweet pups, Niki and Pico, love when I’m working outside. They did their romps in the woods and when tired stretch out on the warm driveway and relax their day away. We did a big harvest of cucumbers, peppers, rhubarb and eggplants yesterday.  I started cooking early this morning and the cukes are now pickles,  the eggplant and peppers a beautiful Caponata and rhubarb pies will be on the menu tonight. I still haven’t got a tomato and every time I see a pink one I’ll find it half eaten by some critter the next day. Herbs are prolific and fragrant. As the summer goes on I’ll have way too much to use myself and not quite enough for the restaurant.  There are several organizations that will take surplus produce from our home gardens, Active Faith Community Services in South Lyon and Community Sharing in Highland are two that I know of. Active Faith has its own garden and both encourage all gardeners to grow an extra row of crops to benefit the needy in the community. I know where all my extras are going.

​A few weeks ago my sister Jo and my 19 y.o. nephew Thomas took a fast trip to Stratford. Thomas loves live theater, as do I, and we picked To Kill a Mockingbird and The Rocky Horror Show. Both were fabulous. We saw Mockingbird Saturday night and were surprised that it was nearly 3 hours because the time flew. Sunday we saw “Rocky.” Jo and I had never seen the movie so it was such fun to experience the sci/fi horror parody/homage about a bi-sexual cross dressing Dr. Frankenstein, Frank, whose dream was to build a muscle-bound boy toy, Rocky. Fans not only go to watch many go to participate.  I can’t wait to see it again, and next time I’m taking mom!!!

As we’re used to, Sharon and crew have some awesome Chalkboard Features. Tempura Soft Shell Crabs are served with a Indian Bangalore Dipping Sauce, Carrot Basmati and Curry Dusted Braised Cauliflower and Eggplant; Manh Mi Pork Tacos chock full of Braised, Pulled Pork Shoulder Tossed with Garlic Soy Sauce and Topped with a Crisp Cucumber, Cabbage and Cilantro Slaw; Monkfish Saltimbocca Style –Medallions Sautéed  and Presented over Parmesan Polenta and Finished with a Prosciutto-Sage White Wine Sauce and Last but not Least, Lamb Meatball Spaghetti tossed with Mushroom and Spinach in a Tomato Basil Cream. And, for dessert, those rhubarb pies I baked this morning.. YUM!!!
 
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO 
AND WISH YOU MANY MILLION DOLLAR DAYS!!!
 
XXOO,
MARY, NIKI, PICO, PICASSO AND Z
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