Success!

There is something slightly terrifying about hosting a dinner party. There is always a moment of panic when the first person shows up. And another moment of panic when everyone is about to bite into the morsels that were slaved over. Thankfully I have so many amazing friends that also bring amazing food. And there is something very thrilling about pulling it all off. With everyone's belly full and spirits happy a sense of accomplishment sets in. Or maybe that's just one of the side effects to the food coma.

The menu this past week was: Herb tomato soup (with tomato's from the garden), pesto grilled cheese sandwiches (on Tasha's homemade bread), beet salad, fried green tomato's, waldorf-esque salad, hippie chips, chocolate cookies, snickerdoodles, pumpkin muffins. and spiked apple cider.

The Bar•b•que Pit and rise of food carts

One of the few things I missed about L.A. was the food carts. They were everywhere and they were some of the best places, for both flavor and economy. I complained a lot about the lack of them in Columbus when we first got back and then this summer they shot up through out the city.

I finally stopped at Ray Ray's Hog Pit after driving past it a million times. I was nervous about the prices especially since they tout their grass fed beef. I was pleasantly surprised with a $4!! pulled pork sandwich. And I just found out that they made The Top Ten Columbus Food Carts.

bff's

A logo

A little logo I just finished for The Tone Shoppe. Mark and I have both been pleasantly busy working for the new recording studio. More to come...

I love Columbus - Local Food Week

Visit eatlocalohio.org

Country Living Fair 2010

Being an old lady at 25 has it's perks. Like shamelessly counting down the days to The Country Living Fair. And being one of the first ones there on an early weekend morning to spend the afternoon sifting through antiques and handmade goods while sipping on lemonade. Not just any lemonade, the crunchy sugar kind. $5 magazine subscriptions and pumpkin pyramids, could it get any better?

On a side note, the fair was held at The Ohio Historical Village. Why do they not advertise this place?!?! It is amazing. More on that later.

Flashback

Maybe you remember this photo from a previous post.




Now it is an awesome pastel hanging on my wall!! Mark's mom presented it to me during our trip in D.C. AND she is the artist. It's definitely my favorite piece in the house.

Visitings

Last week we had our house filled with all types of visitors: old friends, new acquaintances, chubby babies, and dogs. I love playing the hostess and can't wait until it's my full time gig.

Plum Soup

It's more of a dessert than a soup really. Served chilled with a little creme fraiche, it will make you melt it's so good.

Chilled Plum Soup

2 1/2 pounds black or red plums, pitted, skins on
4 1/2 C apple cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 thin slices of lemon
4 thin slices of orange
1 three inch cinnamon stick
1 Tbl peeled, chopped fresh ginger root
1 clove
1 piece cheesecloth
1 twelve-inch length of kitchen string
2 C heavy cream
1 C simple syrup
1/2 C creme fraiche

*In a 4 quart saucepan, combine the plums, apple cider, and brown sugar.
*Place the lemon, orange, cinnamon stick, ginger root, and clove in the center of the cheesecloth square draw up the corners to form a little bundle, and tie it closed with the string, making a sachet. Add the sachet to the saucepan.
*Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat, and simmer for 20 miniutes.
*Carefully remove the sachet from the liquid and discard.
*Puree the soup in a food processor or blender and strain through a fine sieve.
*Add the heavy cream and Simple Syrup.
*Just before serving, whisk the optional creme fraiche in a small bowl until it is runny. Ladle the soup into demitasse cups and finish each one with a swirl of creme fraiche.

(I forgot to take an "after" photo, the third photo is from here)

09.06.10

8:30 a.m. - donuts at Tasha's before we head to the fruit farm

9:23 a.m. - making another U turn trying to find the fruit farm

10:14 a. m. - being hoisted up into a pear tree to get the really big ones at the top

11:59 a.m. - a cup of coffee to celebrate a successful morning