Welcome to the Bistro!

​And, another fine week it has been. Wet but fine. I can literally watch the garden grow.
 
“Spring has Sprung, the Grass has Ris, I Wonder Where the Flowers Is?”
 
     I remember this little sing-song from Grandpa Smith. He loved poetry of any type and was a beautiful vocalist.  Working outside today I noticed lots and lots of evidence that spring is really here. There’s a plethora of daffodils in my woods, clumps and clumps, the result of years of “naturalizing.” And the hyacinths and star bells are coming unto their own. There are a few lonely tulips around that have survived the deer for a decade at least. It is so wonderful to walk out the door and create a beautiful bouquet with “my own” flowers. In fact, I’ve made an executive decision to devote part of the vegetable garden to a gathering blooming garden this year. I always have a fresh floral arrangement on my kitchen island – year round. Part of the fun is the vases. Today I opted to put the gathered flowers in a ceramic swan vase that I brought home from a Singapore Culinary Competition that Tom sent me as a Good Luck Wish. (I did end up with Gold!!)  I have beautiful Pewabic and Waterford but this one means the world to me. Another is a lovely, delicate Lavender Art Glass vase, a gift from Sharon, years ago which I treasure and use over the others. And, I stopped in the local greenhouse and bought my pansies for the deck planters. They are planted and thriving with all the rain. Last year my friends Molly and Phil gave me this beautiful pot that is decoupaged with pictures of my garden that Phil took. Just about everything in, and out, of my house carries a story and memories with it. 

​The birds are chowing and Niki and Pico follow me around filling the feeders. Pico chases the ground eating birds, mostly pigeons, and if there is a squirrel in site he is off baby off. He is fast but never even gets close. It is good exercise for my baby boy. Niki just plops down and chews on a branch waiting for me to move on. Picasso and Z have been stuck in most of the week as the pastures are waist deep in mud. Both have incredible personalities and are kind, loving and honest horses. Then there are the barn dogs, Gunner and Drake. They run around the arena as I ride and instinctively know when I let the reins loose and am done. Then, it is time for their treats that I throw from the saddle.  Then my horse bud gets his (4 only!!)  sugar cubes and life is good for the Brady pets.
 
My nephew, Thomas, and I went to see “The Girl of the Golden West” last week at the Michigan Opera Theater. He’s 17 and I was thrilled to spend the day introducing him to the opera. Written by Giacomo Puccini it is the story of a lady saloonkeeper, Minnie, set in a miner’s camp in California, circa 1850. It was first performed in 1910 and has been credited with “ the  operaization of America” by painting in musical drama the clash of classes, morality and cultures present during the Gold Rush. It is a great first opera, easy to follow, a fun story and beautiful music.
 
A reminder that Mother’s Day is quickly approaching. We will be open and taking reservations for lunch and brunch. We’ll be closed for dinner so our staff can be with their families. Our patios have been very popular the last few years for larger groups, but, plan ahead as they tend to book early especially on holidays and for graduation celebrations.   
 
     We have a new mission statement for our Meals-On-Wheels Collections:
“ONE CAN AT A TIME”
     Or bag... If you can remember to bring a “little something” every time you visit us lots of pets will be very appreciative. As will their owners and the kind folks at Meals on Wheels. I challenge you.
PLEASE AND THANKS!!
Also,
STAY TUNED FOR SHARON’S MOTHER’S DAY MENU…
 
Chalkboard Features are wonderful Per Se. Pan Roasted Walleye is Served with Lemon Basmati Rice, a Chilled Dill-Cucumber Salad and Tzatziki; Grilled Pork Chops are Glazed with Sticky Korean BBQ Sauce and Presented over Kimchi Mashed Potatoes and Fried Carrot Ribbons; Warm Flour Tortillas are full of Mahi and a Pineapple-Mango Salsa Accompanied with Black Beans and Brown Rice and Our Vegetarian is Red Peppers Stuffed with Grilled Eggplant, Artichokes, Boursin Cheese and Orzo Pasta. YUM!!!
 
We Look Forward To Seeing You At The Bistro and Wish You a Million Dollar Day!!!
 
XO. Mary, Niki, Pico, Z and Picasso