Just tuned in and didn't find you the least bit boring. I found your "bar chat" comment interesting and accurate. Very rarely do we converse with others at a bar. One exception is an airport bar. Everyone is excited to share their destination and travel plans with anyone who will listen. I find it most endearing.
Have a splendid time on your holiday and soak up as much sun as time will allow!
Thank you, Laura. They're old, I'm afraid. But they had a nice breezy, unhurried feel to them. I wonder why nobody wants to make shows like that anymore!
I think they are perfect and such a respite from the fast paced world today. I would gladly watch shows like that again. And given that we are more or less the same age, they are so nostalgic for me.
4 large tomatoes, peeled and then sliced. That's the hard part. Place tomato slices in a bowl and sprinkle with 6 Tbsp chopped, fresh parsley. Pour a vinaigrette of 1 clove crushed garlic, 6 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp dried basil and 1/8 tsp pepper over the tomatoes and parsley. Cover and chill 3 hours or overnight. Not the prettiest dish ever made but it sure reminded me of a dish I ate a lot of in France a gazillion years ago.
There’s not much I can do to make my rented space look more inviting from the outside, but I’ve learned to always keep things on hand on the inside: Chocolate in my pantry, champagne in my fridge, and cookie dough in my freezer. Because you never know when you’ll need to commiserate, celebrate, or comfort a friend.
Never thought of snakes as spiritual (other than biblical references), but, I do agree that they are very symbolic. They are even a part of the Cadusus Medical symbol, which, as a Nurse Practitioner, has never sat very well with me. And, I must acknowledge the truth in your statement about them “knowing things first because they’re so in touch with the ground.” This is a very enlightening way to look at them.
Medussa's head...snake through the chakras in India...I'm trying to think of more. All religions and mytholody through time seem both to have revered and feared snakes. So, snakes must be very smart!
I must agree! This conversation led me to look up the reason for the connection between snakes and medicine. Talk about learning something new everyday! After 45 years of nursing practice, I find that the actual symbol is the Rod of Asclepius not the Caduceus (correct spelling) as I thought. Is is a common misconception. Although, I still am still snake shy, I now understand the reasoning behind the choice. Mythology and religious beliefs are an open window into the psyche of ancient and modern civilizations. A lot like the culture of food…
I too would NEVER open a restaurant, or fly to the moon or outer space as I am in love with and appreciate all Mother Earth offers and would never vote for Trump!
Laura, you have no idea how fun it is to listen to you and Peter. It feels like we are sitting together for a cup of coffee and a chat.
To participate in the conversation:
Regarding making the house look inviting, we live on a rooftop of a medical office building so no curb views of our place but the rooftop balcony is visible from the street and during the summer I make sure our garden in lush and I open the red umbrellas which I believe makes it look inviting from below. Inside the house, especially when I expect company, there is always some casual (often Bundt) cake conveniently cut and placed on a cake stand under a glass dome on the kitchen counter for easy access. Often a tea /coffee service tray as well ready by the espresso machine.
In the winter when the garden is sleeping we put on Christmas type light that make it look festive at night and is visible from below. I love lights all year long.
What I would never do? Hurt anyone intentionally, swim in the arctic (just read a book about someone who did), walk on coals…. lol. People do these things….
Just how you write about your house makes me want to come over! I love the idea of visible cake, and also of lushness and lights. The later two are like a gift to the whole street. Thanks for the ideas! x
I used to think I could never become vegetarian, but then my appetite totally changed, right out of the blue. I avoid meat as much as I can, but it's tricky because I don't want to be anti-social and I do believe in shared meals.
Thank you SO much for showing us the metal scrubber!! I went straight to Amazon and ordered one! Also, Trader Joe's (here in California) carries a nice supply of ghee.
As always, another lovely chat with you and Peter. And, as always, very thought provoking. So…
What would I never do:
1. No skydiving from a plane or bungee jumping. (I have done the indoor skydiving and it is marvelous fun!)
2. No to anything having to do with snakes.
3. No denying my faith in God!
As for ghee, I use it all the time. Generally, I take the lazy way out and buy it from Trader Joe’s or Aldi. On special occasions I will make it myself.
Again, my condolences on the loss of your dear neighbor. I loved reading the wonderful tribute you wrote about her. And, the adorable signs she put on her open door; there could be no better physical remembrance of such a beautiful spirit!
Ha. Seems we're all afraid of heights! And, I'm with you on snakes (yikes), although, they're spiritually very symbolic in every culture. The probably know things first because they're so in touch with the ground.
Sorry I came off that hard on the blanching, seeding, skinning of tomatoes.. never been an issue, but perhaps others are more sensitive to it than I imagined. I strain stock, soups, other dishes, but never had to mess with tomatoes. The skins are thousandths of an inch thin, unlike apples or - say, - squash.
You could never be boring! And you said you would never marry an actor, yet I see you as a thespian yourself. lol... You have amazing ideas and being I am meeting with my family for Easter dinner I love the idea of asking 'what is one thing you would never do' as a dinner icebreaker. As always, enjoy your conversations. Have a great holiday, see you when you get back.
You may have already received this suggestion - but for wok cooking, I cannot recommend the book The Wok by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt enough (he also has a youtube channel). He also recently collaborated with a company called Earlywood to make the perfect wok spatula. It is designed to match the curve of the wok. A bit expensive, but definitely an heirloom item! Highly recommend both.
Just tuned in and didn't find you the least bit boring. I found your "bar chat" comment interesting and accurate. Very rarely do we converse with others at a bar. One exception is an airport bar. Everyone is excited to share their destination and travel plans with anyone who will listen. I find it most endearing.
Have a splendid time on your holiday and soak up as much sun as time will allow!
Thank you, Amy! And, you're right about airport bars. I think it's nice that people open themselves up to people, places, and things new.
I have been binge watching your French Food at Home shows. I absolutely love them. I love all the herbs in your kitchen and the copper pots.
Thank you, Laura. They're old, I'm afraid. But they had a nice breezy, unhurried feel to them. I wonder why nobody wants to make shows like that anymore!
I think they are perfect and such a respite from the fast paced world today. I would gladly watch shows like that again. And given that we are more or less the same age, they are so nostalgic for me.
Maybe age is why we crave a slower pace. But, even back then, that was my speed.
4 large tomatoes, peeled and then sliced. That's the hard part. Place tomato slices in a bowl and sprinkle with 6 Tbsp chopped, fresh parsley. Pour a vinaigrette of 1 clove crushed garlic, 6 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp dried basil and 1/8 tsp pepper over the tomatoes and parsley. Cover and chill 3 hours or overnight. Not the prettiest dish ever made but it sure reminded me of a dish I ate a lot of in France a gazillion years ago.
Sounds delicious. I’ll just have to wait for a sun-ripened tomato! Thank you for sharing. 🥂
There’s not much I can do to make my rented space look more inviting from the outside, but I’ve learned to always keep things on hand on the inside: Chocolate in my pantry, champagne in my fridge, and cookie dough in my freezer. Because you never know when you’ll need to commiserate, celebrate, or comfort a friend.
Yes, tricky with rentals sometimes, but it sounds like you have the inviting effect covered!
Never thought of snakes as spiritual (other than biblical references), but, I do agree that they are very symbolic. They are even a part of the Cadusus Medical symbol, which, as a Nurse Practitioner, has never sat very well with me. And, I must acknowledge the truth in your statement about them “knowing things first because they’re so in touch with the ground.” This is a very enlightening way to look at them.
Medussa's head...snake through the chakras in India...I'm trying to think of more. All religions and mytholody through time seem both to have revered and feared snakes. So, snakes must be very smart!
I must agree! This conversation led me to look up the reason for the connection between snakes and medicine. Talk about learning something new everyday! After 45 years of nursing practice, I find that the actual symbol is the Rod of Asclepius not the Caduceus (correct spelling) as I thought. Is is a common misconception. Although, I still am still snake shy, I now understand the reasoning behind the choice. Mythology and religious beliefs are an open window into the psyche of ancient and modern civilizations. A lot like the culture of food…
So interesting! Thanks for doing the deeper dive into it. The medical side of it is also very interesting. And, I am still snake shy moi aussi!
I do the same eat meat as sparingly as we can and always consume 100% grass fed
I too would NEVER open a restaurant, or fly to the moon or outer space as I am in love with and appreciate all Mother Earth offers and would never vote for Trump!
Whenever people talk about wanting to go into outer space, I always want to say, "Where do you think you are right now?"
Laura, you have no idea how fun it is to listen to you and Peter. It feels like we are sitting together for a cup of coffee and a chat.
To participate in the conversation:
Regarding making the house look inviting, we live on a rooftop of a medical office building so no curb views of our place but the rooftop balcony is visible from the street and during the summer I make sure our garden in lush and I open the red umbrellas which I believe makes it look inviting from below. Inside the house, especially when I expect company, there is always some casual (often Bundt) cake conveniently cut and placed on a cake stand under a glass dome on the kitchen counter for easy access. Often a tea /coffee service tray as well ready by the espresso machine.
In the winter when the garden is sleeping we put on Christmas type light that make it look festive at night and is visible from below. I love lights all year long.
What I would never do? Hurt anyone intentionally, swim in the arctic (just read a book about someone who did), walk on coals…. lol. People do these things….
Ciao Bella.
Just how you write about your house makes me want to come over! I love the idea of visible cake, and also of lushness and lights. The later two are like a gift to the whole street. Thanks for the ideas! x
Thank you Laura. Come over:).
One of these days!
I also would never bungee jump or skydive, never go to a C&W concert and never become a vegetarian
I used to think I could never become vegetarian, but then my appetite totally changed, right out of the blue. I avoid meat as much as I can, but it's tricky because I don't want to be anti-social and I do believe in shared meals.
Thank you SO much for showing us the metal scrubber!! I went straight to Amazon and ordered one! Also, Trader Joe's (here in California) carries a nice supply of ghee.
What did they call the metal scrubber, please? I was trying to find it and everything I typed in yielded nothing.
I found a nice selection of them on Amazon when I entered "chain mail dish scrubber"...they popped right up.
I just did a search on Metal Scrubber Kitchen
Thanks!
As always, another lovely chat with you and Peter. And, as always, very thought provoking. So…
What would I never do:
1. No skydiving from a plane or bungee jumping. (I have done the indoor skydiving and it is marvelous fun!)
2. No to anything having to do with snakes.
3. No denying my faith in God!
As for ghee, I use it all the time. Generally, I take the lazy way out and buy it from Trader Joe’s or Aldi. On special occasions I will make it myself.
Again, my condolences on the loss of your dear neighbor. I loved reading the wonderful tribute you wrote about her. And, the adorable signs she put on her open door; there could be no better physical remembrance of such a beautiful spirit!
Ha. Seems we're all afraid of heights! And, I'm with you on snakes (yikes), although, they're spiritually very symbolic in every culture. The probably know things first because they're so in touch with the ground.
Sorry I came off that hard on the blanching, seeding, skinning of tomatoes.. never been an issue, but perhaps others are more sensitive to it than I imagined. I strain stock, soups, other dishes, but never had to mess with tomatoes. The skins are thousandths of an inch thin, unlike apples or - say, - squash.
Blanching tomatoes so they can be peeled?...no fun at all...but necessary to make Tomatoes Vinaigrette...so it is worthwhile!
That sounds nice! What is it? Whole tomatoes peeled?
I was only kidding. I don't do it so much anymore because my cooking is less fussy than it used to be, but sometimes a little refinement is nice. :-)
I will never voluntarily jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
I will never participate in a “Bachelor” type marriage contest - no desire to be part of a harem, thank you.
I will never abandon the Oxford comma.
Long live the Oxford comma!
Same with me. Peter and I fight over the Oxford comma. I'm a stickler for that. I also resist splitting infinitives. So old-school.
You could never be boring! And you said you would never marry an actor, yet I see you as a thespian yourself. lol... You have amazing ideas and being I am meeting with my family for Easter dinner I love the idea of asking 'what is one thing you would never do' as a dinner icebreaker. As always, enjoy your conversations. Have a great holiday, see you when you get back.
Ha. Thank you! But, you'll see me BEFORE we're back, if that's not too much overload. I always like to post from holiday destinations. :-)
1. No skydiving
2. No listening to country music
3. No bungee jumping
I agree with all that!
You may have already received this suggestion - but for wok cooking, I cannot recommend the book The Wok by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt enough (he also has a youtube channel). He also recently collaborated with a company called Earlywood to make the perfect wok spatula. It is designed to match the curve of the wok. A bit expensive, but definitely an heirloom item! Highly recommend both.
Thank you! Peter will be very excited about this.