Food memories the kind that instantly brings you back to a place, a table, a moment. Years ago, traveling with the children, we stayed in a hotel where they served a pasta with a sauce that wasn’t cooked. Just fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, Parmesan, and a few other things blended together and spooned over warm pasta. When we returned home, it became a fam fav. 

Recently, I kept seeing combinations of asparagus and peas folded into pasta- Spring on a plate. The freshness, the deconstruction reconstruction idea took me back to that earlier dish.

I used fresh lasagna sheets—larger than usual, after a quick dip in boiling salted water. Each one laid flat, waiting. Over the surface, I spread a generous amount of fresh pesto. Urges to lick the spoon, were haunting! Then pieces of burrata, pinched and scattered so every bite would find lushious-ness..

The peas and asparagus were fresh, then cooked separately. They went over the top, tucked here and there. You could add lemon zest, and or roasted hazelnuts for crunch—

I folded the pasta over itself, almost like closing a letter, and repeated the process—another layer of pesto, more burrata, a few more vegetables. A drizzle of olive oil, a good grind of pepper.

Around the dish, I scattered the remaining peas and asparagus. A handful of coriander sprouts over the top, though basil would be just as lovely.

I remember reading somewhere years ago—such a simple idea—that you can take fresh peas, or even frozen if that’s what you have, place them in a strainer set over a larger bowl, and pour boiling water over them. Let them sit for a few minutes. They come out tender yet still with a bit of crunch. You can do the same with spinach too, but that’s another story.

Overcooked pasta and vegetables is a crime against texture, and flavor—

This came to the table- the kind of dish that invites everyone to lean in with dancing tastebuds.

                

Comments

• You look so beautiful! You match the gorgeous surroundings and ... by Mari
• I'm definitely going to endeavour to try this. The table ... by Leonie
• OMG, the pasta looks divine! by Carol Berger
• Oh yum! I'm drooling. Thank you for this recipe.Now if only you ... by Judy Wilcox

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If you came to my house, you’d feel it immediately: people everywhere, looking back at you. Someone once told me that those who fill their homes with portraits must be lonely. Perhaps. Some people turn to music for that. I prefer faces.

Wall space… I’ve been thinking about it for a while: how to bring them together. Today, an idea came. Layering—faces overlapping, keeping each other company.

And someday, whoever takes them down will see what remains: a wall pricked through call it – Swiss cheese.

                

Comments

• In reply to Jeanette. You will soon see!! by Corey
• In reply to kathleen m ingles. Thank you for saying that! ... by Corey
• In reply to Ali. Funny, you should say that I bought that ... by Corey
• The last portrait on the left reminds me of Little Miss ... by Ali
• Nearly every day you have a story that makes me look at things ... by kathleen m ingles
• I love it! That looks fabulous. I totally get it, I love faces ... by Jeanette

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After months of rain and grey skies in Provence—during which my down coat and wool scarf seemed to be glued to my body—

Easter finally broke the spell. The sun came out, and suddenly it was summer.

Gabriel with his chocolate covered mouth told me that the Easter Bunny doesn’t hide the eggs very well—that it’s far too easy to find them. So this time, I made sure to hide every single egg with precision. When Olivia walked into the courtyard, she immediately asked me for help. Soon after, Gabriel with tears in his eyes sighed it was too hard. Nevertheless, their baskets were brimming with colorful eggs.

Since Martin’s parents live nearby, they split their time between our homes. I invited a few friends over for lunch. We soaked in the sunshine, when my friend Mari exclaimed, “I see an Easter egg!” Just like that, we all jumped up and began searching. In total, we found over 20 eggs. Children at heart. 

                

Comments

• In reply to Marilyn Miller. Kindred spirits! Finding the ... by Corey
• In reply to Sue J.. Ha! I didn’t know about that!! by Corey
• In reply to Diogenes. Merci 🌸🌸 by Corey
• what a beautiful |Easter indeed I love to read your postings ... by jeanne
• How fun! Loving all the colors, from the ribbons on the baskets ... by Diogenes
• The “Mom didn't give me an Easter basket” meme has hit ... by Sue J.

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Love

Joy

PEACE

Compassion

all the goodness to celebrate!

photos: on a large handpainted panel from the 1700s.

                

Comments

• And may each thing in your list be so. May we rejoice and ... by Marilyn Miller

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Never too young nor too old to go to a brocante—there’s truly something for everyone. That’s what I’ve learned from taking groups of people along. When you go with others, you start to see things differently; you see things through their eyes, and the experience becomes an eye opener wonder.

It was Olivia’s first time at the brocante, and, true to herself, she immediately spotted a red dress, pink shoes, and sparkling pieces everywhere. She may very well have been bitten by the brocante bug—and, of course, I couldn’t be more pleased.

                

Comments

• Olivia, Miss Sparkle, just makes me smile. by Marilyn Miller
• She really is the – Dancing Queen. She just has to grow into ... by Ali
• I love her choices she surely has style! I hope she catches the ... by Gina Lanman
• What fun to share your love of brocante with Olivia! Wishing ... by Annafromindiana
• Oh, I love her choices! The shoes are just the thing for a ... by Judy Wilcox
• Go Olivia! I'm so happy for you, Corey, what joy you must feel ... by Deb Hillman

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