Welcome to the Bistro!

And, another fine week it has been! The weather is playing havoc on my garden and grass as everything is always thirsty and showing signs of dehydration. I only cut half the grass yesterday – the other half is browned out. And, I’m not getting much out of the garden yet except for lettuce, Swiss chard and kale. The latter two I cut every morning for my smoothie, just giving them a swish to clean off the dirt and whirl them together with blueberries, flax seed and coconut water. YUM! The dogs and horses do not like the heat at all and if I don’t ride or walk the pups early, early then I don’t. And, the deer flies and “bomber” flies are out in force. Every one of us gets a strong spray down of Off before we brave the wilds. If you’ve never had the experience of a deer fly bite count yourself fortunate. They are brutal! I think the only animal buds I know that likes the steamy heat and quantity of insects are the tree frogs and toads. Last night I watched a frog inch its way up my house to get close to the light where lots of bugs were gathered. He, or she, proceeded to feast for several hours on such.  And, this morning I woke up to a doe and her twins outside my window. The two babies played for a good 15 minutes, leaping and bounding, chasing each other back and forth while mom watched protectively. Although I did detect her smiling proudly. These are the first deer I’ve seen in ages. I did a walk-about of the garden later and of course they’ve been munching. Oh well, it was worth the show.
 
Over the last few months we’ve lost some legends in Muhammad Ali and Gordy Howe. Ali was a three-time heavyweight king. Equally important, maybe more so, was his fight for a cure of Parkinson’s disease of which he suffered from for three decades. He helped thousands get needed health and treatment over the years. “Mr. Hockey” turned pro at the age of 18 and enjoyed 32 spectacular professional seasons, many with his beloved Red Wings. Gordy lived to give 100% of his body to hockey and 100% of his heart to family, friends and millions of fans he so loved. You’ve heard the saying that everything happens in 3’s… Last week Reid Ashton, founder of the many starred Golden Mushroom, died after a short illness. Reid was very devoted to the hospitality industry and served as the President of the Michigan Restaurant Association and as a Board Member of the National Restaurant Association. He was a voracious fundraising machine for the Michigan Culinary Team and I cooked many diners at the Shroom that he hosted as fundraising events.  He, like Ali and Gordy gave back selfishly to society. What role models they are for the rest of us!
 
Mimi is in charge of the Chalkboard Features this week and boy, do they look good! For Starters there’s a Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail with Green Goddess Dressing, Tomato and Hard-boiled Egg. The BISTRO PLATES include: Roasted Halibut Accompanied with a White Bean and Bacon Succotash & Fried Zucchini Frizzle; Eggplant Rollatini, Thinly Sliced Eggplant Rolls filled with Pesto Angel Hair Pasta and Marinara Sauce; Seared Snapper Served with Green Chili-Cilantro Grits and Mango-Pineapple Salsa; Grilled, Sliced Bistro Steak Presented with Dill Redskin Potato Salad and Mexican Street Corn and for Dessert There is Mocha Tiramisu the Classic Italian “Pick Me Up.” I’m getting hungry in anticipation of Show and Tell!
 
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO!
 
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”
Muhammad Ali
 
“You find that you have peace of mind when you know that it was 100% effort that you gave Win or Loose”
Gordy Howe
 
Have a Million Dollar Day
Marion Simpler
 
XXOO, Mary
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