Thursday, July 14, 2011

Viva la France!

Today is Bastille Day, a national holiday in France that marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in Paris on July 14, 1789. The historic people's revolt was the first step to establishing a republican government. What a great excuse to pop a cork, dust off your high school French phrase book and download some Edith Piaf.

Tonight we'll be eating Coq au Vin and Tarte Tatin. I am using Nigella Lawson’s recipe for the Coq au Vin and Julia Child’s La Tarte Tatin from The Way to Cook. I'll let you know how they turn out.

I hope your day is magnifique!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Happy Independence Day!




Growing up my mother always made a special breakfast on holidays…popovers on Christmas, crepes on my birthday, strawberry shortcake on her birthday, eggs over easy with bacon for my dad. It was a great way to say I’m always thinking of you. Even while we were sleeping my mom was working to make our life feel special. I am keeping the tradition alive in my home and my boys were delighted to kick off our Fourth of July weekend with blueberry waffles, sparklers and smoke bombs. The biggest hit of the morning was the watermelon fruit bowl (now I’m glad I gave up a beautiful day on our Honeymoon in Thailand to take a cooking class).

We will spend our four day weekend riding bikes, swimming, kayaking on the Hudson River, eating lobster, listening to the St. Petersburg Quartet at Music Mountain, swing dancing at Boscobel, and watching the West Point fireworks. Whatever you do this weekend be safe, be happy and be grateful for your independence.

Happy Fourth of July!