tomato tart

Not a great year for tomatoes..., normally I am scratching my head wondering what to do with a million tomatoes all ripe at the same time.

This year I just had a few cherry, grape and plum tomatoes with a couple heirloom that survived the blight, chipmunks, deer and slugs. I wanted to use them in a way that would showcase their amazing flavor and delightful colors.

Also a nice vehicle for some of your fresh herbs.

I whipped up this wonderful tart for a wine tasting dinner party at my Uncle's house.

It was delicious, I think the Parmesan crust really makes it. I can brag about it because it is not my recipe. It came from my new favorite cookbook

"Intimate Gatherings: Great Food for Good Friends"

Hmmmm...thinking about other fillings for this..., like pesto, chicken and mushroom to make it a real meal along with a vinegary salad.

Easy and impressive, this is a wonderful recipe to keep in your repertoire!

Sweet Memories

It was my father's birthday the other day,

the 21st of September to be exact.

He was such a gentle giant sometimes, like when he would considerately answer my many letters to Santa or the Easter Bunny.

He passed away almost ten years ago but I still feel his presence around me, like when I came across this letter on Monday morning.

How appropriate.

Sweeter than finding a foil covered chocolate egg...and on his birthday too.

Make a memory today.

Young Hearts at Sea

Good Day Mates!

I have always been crazy about the sea and sailboats.

To prove my point, here is my rendition of the Nina, one of Christopher Columbus' fleet, I drew when I was in third grade.

The painting was serendipitous as I sailed upon a fine craft with the same moniker in my early twenties. Experienced my first nasty storm upon a boat then too, pulling out of New Bedford Harbor, it was rough. Our 80 year old captain Hans said it was the fastest he had ever sailed to Nantucket. What a fun cruise all around. I fell in love with old creaky wooden girls and the thrill of battling a storm at sea.

Not to mention being in our twenties, the clock always sat at beer-thirty!

Nina was a fine old gal, with quite a reputation. But now.... now we have Nellie. A gracious old lady who has 'had a little work done', well a lot of work-like the catlady of New York work, but she is certainly the belle of our ball. Hope you get a chance to take a cruise on her with us soon.

Maybe in those same waters where twenty years ago I fell in love with wooden sailboats...

...hope we don't run into any three headed monsters!

UPDATE: I found this photo of the gnarly crew of Nina. What a great trip. It was Han's 80th bday that trip. This picture was taken as we were departing, I tried to get everyone to mohawk their hair, it wasn't hard after not showering for a few days. HAIR UP!

One Month to Launch

After a couple plus years of restoring our 1903 Herreshoff Sailboat,

I can finally see the lighthouse on the horizon.

Our little girl is going to learn how to swim (again) a month from today.

If you happen to be in the area, stop by for a cup of chowda and some old timey fun.

It's easy to grin when your ship comes in.....

check out www.synellie.com for more information

AHOY!

Fly Away, Somewhere Sweet and Carefree

Killian Mansfield a brave, talented young man.

Blown away by how one young soul can touch so many.

His memorial service must have been a real celebration

with great music and a million cranes.

Fly away Killian, away from the pain.

Fly up high to a bright blue sky

and shower us with song.

Pick up a couple of his CDs, all proceeds go to help other kids fight the fight.

Volunteer.

Call a friend.

Spread Some Love Today.

That's What Friends Are For....

I am planning a shower for a good friend of mine.

Stymied as to what appetizers to make. 

So many to chose from...and I am fried after working on that wedding last weekend.

Something easy and tasty. 

Can you help me out?

What's your favorite appetizer?

Remembering

Today is a hard day.

Remembering those we loved and lost.

The tragic events of 9/11 should remind us all how precious life is and how every day is a new opportunity to 

be your best,

 to

do your best 

and

 especially 

to 

love your best. 

Life is short.

Long Live Our Memories.

Rest in Peace Wardo and Robbie and Brian and Mike and Teddy. 

Some of the nicest guys I have ever known.

Hot Dog

Cheddar watched with keen interest as I was filling out my application to become a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in NYC yesterday.

Luckily they accept therapy dogs so I told him we would fill out an application for him too.

Hope we pass the tests!

Well somebody is all ready to go!

Plenty of kids who don't feel so good out there who Cheddar can make smile. 

He is also a very good listener.

I've Missed You

Well I am still immersed in getting stuff together for my audit but wanted to share some photos, etc of what has been happening when I haven't been reliving 2002 and 2003 via Starbucks and thrift shop receipts.

The last leg of my commute in to NYC. I love NY.

A day shooting pizza is a good day.
Cakey Cake Cake.
Those funky buildings across from the Chelsea Piers remind me of Barcelona, I have not been to Barcelona yet but this is how I envision it...cool, modern buildings mixed in with the old. Am I right? Adios mi amigos! Back to my miles of files!