Birthday Brunch...

Today is hubby's birthday, and although he was still vacillating last night between, "It's not worth celebrating," and "Are you doing anything special for me?", I decided to walk up to the grocery store and get the makings for a little birthday brunch...

Here's a sprig from some of the fresh herbs I used from our little herb garden for the gremolata. I landed on some fresh Italian sausage, pan fried, fresh ricotta cheese, some awesome tomatoes on the vine, and a fresh croissant, something he loves dearly.

The gremolata was a chiffonade of fresh basil, greek oregano, chives (no garlic) and lime zest swirled with some extra virgin olive oil and fresh cracked pepper and drizzled over the cheese and sliced tomatoes. I have to say, this went down pretty easy, and was a nice switch from eggs anything...

Playing with color...

I had fun the other day putting together some "color cards" that reminded me so much of the sewing cards that my grandma used to keep in the hall cupboard for us. They would have a picture or central theme, and then there would be little holes punched all around the design. Yarn threaded on big plastic needles or finished at the end like a shoelace could be "sewn" through the holes all around the picture.

Although simpler, mine have yards or half yards of ribbons and seam binding laced through the holes, chosen for their coordinating colors that pair them with the vintage appliques I pulled from the big wicker basket in the store...

This was one of my favorites, an old silk thread applique on silk organza paired with pink and green, my favorite color combination. I think I will make this an ongoing project...it was fun and rather relaxing to tackle something as easy as all these lovely colors...

Iron Man Strikes Again...

When I got home last night from Open Studio, Alain was at it again, seasoning a small oval cast iron crepe pan we found at a local flea market. He had his doubts if we would be able to rehabilitate this $4 bargain, but after a few slow sessions in the oven with a coat of light oil, it was ready for a trial run. Crepe batter was waiting in a bowl when I walked in the door. Here is a ladleful sliding down the pan...

They browned up beautifully, sliding around the pan and being flipped by Chef Jamar with ease. Here is one looking ~ and smelling ~ like perfection....

Another crepe gives its life for a good cause. We used some leftover cranberry, pear and lime filling from the previous night's dinner....

Open wide, here it comes!

Noodge, always on hand for Quality Control, edges out 'Tini to grab this little morsel...

Too much fun and so delicious. We are seriously thinking about just doing crepes for our holiday open house....