Welcome to the Bistro!

June18, 2021

And, another fine week it has been.  Of course the big news is that we can open 100% starting Tuesday. It has been the trial of a life time. I love a challenge but this is one I’m happy to leave behind.   A favorite quote of mine from the book Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach (Better known for Johnathan Livingston Seagull) is “Argue for Your Limitations and They Are Yours,” says it all. Sharon and I decided early on that our limitations weren’t going to stop us, and they didn’t. They only made us stronger and smarter. We are so thankful and are looking forward to getting back to normal.

 A warm breeze and my pups are keeping me company as I write this from my side porch. The woods are a lush green and my garden is popping with a bountiful amount of gorgeous blooms. The Blue Bells, ferns, and Peonies are magnificent as are the first Roses of the year. All the bird houses have baby birdies that chirp constantly looking for food. The moms and pops are going for the protein: worms and bugs to keep them happy. I have a new addition this year, a resident Gartner snake that is fat and long, and loves the warm driveway. He, or she, is lethargic and won’t even budge unless I stomp on the ground. I’m not a reptile lover but am glad to share my homestead. My biggest concern is that Maddie or Sophia will get interested and snapped at. Frog buddies are not back in residence in the fountain yet but I’ve got lots of beautiful little green tree frogs on my windows, attracted by the lights.  Tomatoes, herbs and peppers have been planted and are thriving. I plan on getting a few eggplant plants into the ground this weekend.  I am down to the last few packages of last year’s tomatoes that I stewed and froze to carry me through the “tomato-less” months. I hope that I’ll have another bumper crop, which I should as there was lots of shredded horse pooh-pooh put down in the fall to enrich the soil. It would be much easier, and the produce just as good, to buy my veggies at a local farmer’s market but the joy I get from walking out the back door to my little garden patch can’t be topped.

Michigan is ranked second in the nation for its phenomenally diverse agricultural industry which includes asparagus, sugar beets, honey, corn, berries, apples, grapes, beans, stone fruit, potatoes and maple syrup. Additionally, the dairy industry, including milk and cheese, is a very important sector. There are 10 million acres of farmland in our state, 27% of the total land that produces over $71 billion, yes that’s BILLION, dollars per year. Much of our bounty is exported to other states and $1.6 billion is sent of the 1 million jobs that are supported by agriculture. These are some major statistics to consider as you wander the local farmer’s markets this year! Buy local, buy Michigan!
Remember that Sunday is Father’s day. The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910 but it wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon signed it into law. It is always the 3rd Sunday in June.  It is also Summer Solstice the astronomical start of Summer and the longest day of sunlight of the year. Interestingly, below the equator it is the start of Winter. And, Father’s Day marks the anniversary of moving into my beautiful home 26 years ago. I’m a LKY GRL.

Sharon and Crew have some Awesome Chalkboard Features For the Weekend.

As a Starter: ½ # FRIED CLAM STRIPS: Always a Favorite. Served with Old Bay Dipping Sauce. Another Favorite,

and Always on the Menu for Father’s Day
½# FOOTLONG WAGYU BEEF HOT DOG: Served Detroit Coney Style or Chicago Style.

BISTRO PLATES INCLUDE:

BASIL CRUSTED MICHIGAN WALLEYE: Pan Roasted and Accompanied With a Rumble of Fingerling Potatoes, Zucchini, Corn and Shallots;

VEGETARIAN PASTA: Fettuccine Tossed with Pistachio Pea Pesto, Blistered Heirloom Grape Tomatoes, Caramelized Red Onion, Peas and Spinach;

CRAB TOPPED RAINBOW TROUT: Presented with Orzo Stuffed Vine Ripe Tomatoes and a Chilled Cucumber-Dill Salad

And, for DESSERT: ICE CREAM SUGAR WAFFLE SANDWICH: Filled with Salted Caramel Gelato, Crushed Peanuts and a Drizzle of Warm Caramel. YUM!!!

WE WISH YOU MANY MILLION DOLLAR DAYS
AND
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO!!!
 
XXOO,
 
Mary, Maddie, Sophia, Z and Kos