Farm Dinner

Tonight I met my friends, Shelly and Wanda and their husbands for an amazing farm dinner. Joe had a work event tonight so he had to miss out on the fun but I can't wait to go back with him sometime. It was really neat to hear all about the fresh farm food we were eating. Most of the courses were served family style so I only snapped a few pictures. And as luck would have it, Wanda and I both won raffles - bee-keeping books. Hmm...a future career for me?

The photo doesn't do it justice but this was the beautiful barn setting for our dinner.

Tonight's menu focused on honey; everyone had a jar of apple blossom honey to take home.

Left to right: Shelly, Wanda and me.

Appetizer of pea shoots and blueberries.

First course of parsnip soup.

Menu:

Pea shoots with blueberries and creme dressing

Corn muffin with honey

Chestnut and parsnip creme soup with honey and roasted petite onion

Honey brined and tea smoked duck breast on roasted pears with toasted hazelnut oil

Orange - basil grilled pork on heirloom beans with fresh herbs and garlic drizzled with pomegranate sherry coulis

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, candied pistachio and raw honey - yogurt creme sauce

Goodbye, Old Friend

This is my couch*. The very first piece of real furniture that I ever picked out and bought. I have had it for approximately 12 years and it's very evident that it has seen better days. No longer can you disguise the holes; they're on every cushion. The piping is also sticking out. And the fabric is stained. A few months ago the frame broke in half. But still, I love this couch.

When we moved into our house a year ago, we stuck Joe's couch in the basement and my couch upstairs because we thought it would just be with us a short while as we anticipated having something delivered to replace it. Then we changed our minds and cancelled the order. Then the shopping got put on the back-burner while we instead bought other things. And so finally, today, we picked out a new couch that will shortly replace this one.

While new furniture is fun, I am kind of dreading the day that this one leaves our house. Even with the broken frame and the stained cushions, it's comfy like a pair of cozy old sweatpants. You know, the ones with the holes that you might not want to be caught dead in but you can't help but wear them anyway?

I have had more friends sleep on this couch than I can recall. This couch has provided me with many Sunday naps. It has been with me during many tearful movies. It has made six moves with me. But all good things must come to an end. So goodbye, blue brushed denim couch. You will be missed but never forgotten.

*Yes, it's true, I am the only person sentimental enough to write a post about a couch.

Dog Sees God

My husband suggested today that we get out of our "rut" and not go to a movie or to dinner tonight. Instead, he suggested a play. We went to see, "Dog Sees God." It's an unauthorized look at the Peanuts gang as teenagers. I'm glad we went but I also think I will never look at the comic in the same way. My beloved characters make for really dysfunctional teenagers!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Joe and I went to Milwaukee today to watch the Cardinals play the Brewers. We had a fun time at Miller Park despite the fact that the Cardinals lost. Where else can you find concession stands dedicated to only serving food items containing cheese?

Hair and more

Typically Joe goes to the driving range alone but I joined him yesterday and am considering taking up golf as well. This all depends on whether or not my "natural" luck at the range continues. I can see it being fun (Hey, I do like mini golf. How much different could this really be?) but I can also see if being frustrating. I might take lessons with Joe in the future and we'll see if fun or frustration wins.

We also took in a great production of the musical, Hair. I will never take for granted all the great theatre we have access to here. It's truly great to wake up, decide you want to see a show, get tickets at one in the afternoon and then go that evening with very little planning.

Tomorrow I'm taking Amtrak for a short trip to visit my family for a couple days. Not my favorite way to travel (I'm apparently incapable of entertaining myself during any car, plane or train trip that lasts more than two hours) but hopefully I survive. Lots of fun things in store for next weekend!