last weekend

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Blog has been slow, life has been fast. Lots to do before back to school for youngest daughter on Wednesday and second youngest daughter on Thursday. Older kids are settled in great apartments in Georgetown, Boston, and Buffalo. Rent and tuition are pretty steep.

Here are some random photos from what has been going on. Friday night had dear friends, city and country neighbors, aren’t we lucky, for tuna niçoise, fresh bread, great wine, homemade blueberry pie and don’t you know it homemade whipped creme. Actually had to do it twice. First batch practically turned to butter. Second time around with a little vanilla and real sugar was perfect. Eggs for the salad are from our hens in the country, totally free ranged and organic. For a small health conscious group a composed salad for a summer dinner is a great thing. Practically the entire entree can be prepared ahead and the tuna fillets take about only a minute on each side on a hot grill.

Here’s me being totally transparent. Never in my life have I used the pre-made pie crusts available for purchase from the grocery until this weekend. Always use Martha’s pâte sucrée. As I was in a hurry and was rushing city to country I threw a few boxes of pre-made crust in the cart as a back-up. Must say they made my day pretty much easier. The trick is to use an egg wash on bottom crust before you put the filling in and then again on the top crust. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar. In a pinch I am now a fan.

Saturday night hosted fifteen dinner guests poolside post golf. Decided to keep things easy and made two blueberry pies, two whole beef tenderloins, the easiest thing in the world to make for dinner parties, added that summer pasta dish, linguine with brie, tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil, and caesar salad. Finished the evening with a great campfire and good for the soul music on the iPhone dock, thank you Pandora.

To make things easy I often correlate good food with good clothes. Blueberry pie two nights in a row? Yes. Same great outfit worn again and again? Yes. Get a few things together that work well for you and repeat, replace, and replenish. Every day dress.

Enjoy this wonderful last weekend before back to school and routine with family and friends. xoxo