Welcome to the Bistro!

And, another fine week it has been. The pups and ponies have been fairly listless with the heat. And, poor Maddie is terrified of thunder and lightning so has spent a fair amount of time shivering and shaking over the last few days of stormy weather. There is nothing I can do to calm her down. Sophie could care less. Z and Kos don’t get turned out in the really hot weather. Instead, they get extra hay to munch on and a box fan hangs on their stall to keep flies at bay and the air moving. This morning a beautiful warm breeze is blowing across my side porch where I’m writing with my pups by my side napping away. 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. The resident Gartner snake, fat and long, is back and loves the warm driveway. He, or she, is lethargic and won’t even budge unless I stomp on the ground. Many times there is a huge bulge in its mid-section, a mouse, frog or toad, I’m guessing. I am not a reptile lover but 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 have had lots freshly picked leaf lettuce salads over the last month or so. I hope that I’ll have another bumper crop of tomatoes that I’ll freeze to get me through the winter 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.
 
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.

Tuesday is 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 28 years ago. I’m a LKY GRL.

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

As a Starter:
LETTUCE WRAPS: Ginger Soy Pulled Chicken Breast Tossed with Cabbage, Green Onion and Carrots in a Chili Glaze. Served with Butter Lettuce for Wrapping.

Bistro Plates Include:
WILD COHO SALMON: An Alaskan Summer Treat Pan Roasted and served with Fresh Corn Fritters, Mango-Jalapeno Salsa and a Schmear of Coconut Pineapple Sauce;

STUFFED YELLOW AND RED PEPPERS: Chock Full with an Italian Sausage, Brown Rice, Zucchini and Mozzarella Filling, Topped with Frizzled Fried Zucchini and a Basil Tomato Sauce;

MONKFISH: a.k.a. Poor Man’s Lobster. Sautéed Medallions Presented over a Toss of 3 Potato Hash, Toasted Cashews, Skinny Green Beans and Brussels Sprouts. Finished with a Splash of Maple Vinaigrette and Toasted Pepitas

and for DESSERT:
RHUBARB AND STRAWBERRY PIE –Just Harvested Rhubarb from my Garden and Sweet Strawberries in Rich Custard Filling. YUM!!!
 


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