Thursday, January 29, 2009

SNOW REDUX






LATE YESTERDAY WE FINALLY DUG OUT...THE PHOTO OPTS WERE AMAZING.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

SNOW:2009





THESE PHOTOGRAPHS NEED NO NARRATIVE.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

AMARYLLIS IN SNOW



THE SNOW CAME QUIETLY LAST NIGHT BUT IS FIERCE TODAY. A MIX OF SLEET, ICE, RAIN, SNOW IS CAUSING POOR KENTUCKY TO SHUT DOWN.
JUST AS QUIETLY, THIS LOVLEY AMARYLLIS BLOOMED OUT. SHE HAD FIVE BLOOMS AT CHRISTMAS. PLUS, THESE TWO TODAY. I THINK SHE WILL WIN THE PRIZE FOR MOST BLOOMS IN A SEASON. I GIVE OUT FLOWER AWARDS, DON'T YOU?

Monday, January 26, 2009

Oh, the gift to be simple

Today is a blissfully quiet and peaceful day. The clouds are gathering and grey is enveloping our section of the world.
The smoke from our little stove is traveling straight to the ground. A sign, my Moma always said, that would bring precipitation.
A strong snow storm is said to be lurking by the forecasters. I prefer my Moma and Dad's methods of forecasting. They seem to be much more foolproof. When my joints ache and the smoke is twirling toward the ground, I know to get my wash off the line or stack the wood close to the door. The weather is about to change.
There are many more predictors....but I am going to laze about and read for a bit, so I cannot divulge any more info...reading will consume me until the snow flies. And then, I plan to take the pups for a long walk.

Friday, January 23, 2009

THE DINING PAVILION

CURES AND CRAZINESS





SO, OKAY. Catchy little header, right?
So, I guess we'll start with craziness. When things can't get any more convoluted it seems a good place to start. The dining pavilion was getting its finishing touches during this little winter warm-up. The guys really, really needed winter work. One thing leads to another. First thing you know, I am getting a new pantry and a new paint job and a new ceiling color and oh, my!
The cure.
In spite of all this and maybe because of it, my orchids starting bloomimg with a fury.
Lovely,lovely orchids in every hue. Those little sweeties don't like their picture taken with my little unsophisticated camera, but surely you will appreciate their loveliness. They have cured my winter loonies but, alas, it is only temporary. Come Monday, we tackle the main living area. In early February, the kitchen. This girl is unstoppable and unflappable, I think.
As long as the orchids keep blooming.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

SNOW IN KENTUCKY,MLK DAY




THIS LITTLE SNOW GAVE ME A DAY TO REFLECT ON WHAT OUR HISTORY WILL BE. WHAT OUR FUTURE WILL BE.
TONIGHT, JUST 24 HOURS LATER, WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT AND I AM FILLED WITH RENEWED HOPE. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS. THE TASK DAUNTING. THE FUTURE IN GOOD HANDS.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Anne, Lucie, Penquin, Maddie, Judi, Sarah, WFS

ANE'S ARIA

GALA, GIRLFRIENDS AND GREAT FUN







How much fun is allowed when the winds are blowing and the temperatures moderated, but still icy cold? I have admitted to winter hibernation and when going out means a thin sleeveless evening dress and high heel shoes, I must admit, I balk. I balk badly. However, I knew going to Carnevalle, a fund raiser for the Kentucky Opera, with fun and exciting friends would be well worth the effort.. We arrived in good spirits. The Seelbach ballroom was warm and very lovely. Our table was near the entrance and this proved to be a great people watching post. Friends came and went all night. The Seelbach provided an excellent( truly excellent) four course dinner...When my country girls eyes spied two lovely desserts, I must have shown my true nature( big eyed with wonder when the desserts are passed)....our server promptly smiled and lined BOTH desserts in front of me....there were many oooohs and ahhhhhs when this happened. I suppose proper etiquette would have been to protest, but I could not, would not, did not refuse...instead I ate as much as I could hold. And being a girl of good rearing, I shared.
We left the party early to finish off the evening with our friends at Proof....we took up one end of the bar in our finery....and we might near closed it down. We got up a little later than usual and headed back to Proof this morning to table hop between two sets of friends...Many from the night before but also, my dear friend Anne Bates and her daughter, Lucie...plus, Lucie's friend Maddie and Maddie's mom, Judi. They had driven in from Lexington to see Wicked. The girls were still glowing from their late night adventures and their sleep-over at 21C. We brunched, visited and hopped from table to table. If that won't cure the winter blah's, what will?

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Z'S FUSION


It had been a while since i had been to an opening night of a restaurant. a lot of restaurants just start serving food, but not Mehrzod. He understands the buzz that is created by a grand gala blow-out where you can sample the cuisine and the drink, mingle with fellow foodies and locals, and see the atmosphere of the new restaurant. By inviting local business people and proven customers from another restaurant scene, you are building your future clientele in a way that they will not soon forget.

As we got off the elevator from the parking garage to go in the Market street entrance, a very eager doorman opened the door and started the welcoming experience, asking us to sign the guestbook and telling us to explore, peruse, and enjoy. We saw Mehrzod down the hall past the restrooms, so we bypassed the food and drink to offer our congratulations. He and Bita seemed very excited about the new restaurant, and why not- it is a very beautiful spot. there is a blue neon/iridescent '"river" that runs the length of the very long restaurant on the ceiling, which is mirrored in color on the carpet below the meandering waterway. it seemed to connect the far reaches with a common sense of place, the bar area with the dining room. the decor was very hip, from the gray and light black glass restangular tiles behind the bar to small glass window panels measuring 2x2 that marry the bar area to the hallway behind it. with bottles of liquor like cognac and louis xiii lit inside, it adds class to the function of the windows. the exterior marble and clean steel were a nice touch, and i especially liked the upper curved portion of the facade. the dimly lit interior with large windows providing sweeping views of Market street, coupled with the snow made me feel like i was in a much larger city. perhaps a new york or chicago, and this had a lot to do with the very modern restaurant.

There were two food stations set up, one at each end of the restaurant, and around 5 wine stations, and 4 spcialty drink stations. My friend Heath Saunders is the mixologist chief at Z's oyster bar and steakhouse, and he concocted four signature libations for Fusion. The mango mojito was the first drink i tried, it was extremely good. a cucumber martini was very refreshing, but not for me on such a cold night, very inventive, though. a herradura drink was also excellent, served in tiny cognac-shaped glasses. but the prize would have to be given to the lychee infused champagne. i could have sipped this all night long, but i felt it was my duty to report on all of the great drinks. i first discovered lychees in a great hotel bar in El Paso, Texas, and have seen them reach the east coast and now move inland, but this was the best edition i have ever tried, and i'll say will ever try. the drink was an 11, and i NEVER give those out. great work, Heath. Makers mark also had a booth set up, manned by my almost neighbor Ginger Flowers, who always has the latest scoop in the bourbon world. She was serving old-fashions in take-home red wax glasses. overall, the drinks were impressive, i can't think of a restaurant in Louisville that has set the bar this high in the drink category, i really think i would drive 32 miles downtown to have one of those lychee champagnes.

as i was talking to my father about the concept early in the evening, i asked a person in black (employee) what was in the little cups, hoping she would say what she did- its an oyster shooter. no horseradish or cocktail sauce here though. as i had just knocked one back, i saw the chef Dallas McGarity walk by, and i introduced myself. He is an extremely nice person who has worked at Volare, gone to England for more culinary experience, and cooked at the James Beard House in NYC. as we spoke, i inquired about the shooters, and i could tell by the excitement in his voice he knew he was on to something as he said " I pickle the oysters before I add the ingredients ". Let me say I am not a fan of the bivalves in general, I had never eaten more than one in a week, I had 7 last night. The shooter had sweet onion and mango salsa atop the oyster. simply stunning. There were also white tuna burgers that had been flown in from Hawaii about 8 hours prior to reaching my mouth. there were also appetizers being passed around, like an artichoke spring roll, and an excellent 5 spice chicken spring roll with apple. crab cakes and salmon with cream cheese in a shell were also on the bill of fare. at the rear of the restaurant was a sushi bar, the sushi master was in his element, hand rolling the treats as fast as we could eat them. the crunchy tuna roll was a favorite, along with the california roll. there was traditional soy sauce and a wasabi infused version, both were very good. for dessert, there was a mango and banana creamy shot in a cup, a flourless? chocolate cake, and a very good graham cracker crusted cheesecake. (I hope i got most of these dishes right, it is kind of hard with no menu, and did i mention i tried nearly every drink at least once).

No party is complete without people, and there were plenty of them. A-listers included John Schnatter and Larry Townsend. I ran into my buddies Paul and Sandy (who will be working at Fusion, and he has a passion for service), the director of the Jefferson Club, Wayne and Heat Saunders, and Bob and Patty Ethington, Lori, Linda Ethington and Jennifer Settle, Edward Lee from 610 magnolia,and the Vandertolls to name a few. Heath said 1100 invitations were sent out, and about 400 more word of mouth invitations, and by 6:45 there were 800 signed in guests. when we left around 7, it was getting very crowded, which translates to mission accomplished. my guess is this morning saw a lot of conversations talking of the great future this restaurant holds. Jackie, Scott, April, Dallas, Heath, Mehrzod, Kelsey, and all employees of Fusion, Best of luck. Downtown has a new shining star.

I can not rate this restaurant until i have a sit down dinner, so for now i will say- this restaurant should be here to serve Louisville for a great run. The only two minor setbacks were when the bathroom plumbing backed up, easily remedied by alternate bathrooms by the sushi bar which is excusable. the other was inexcusable, when a hurried older kitchen hand about knocked one of those 7 oyster shooters out of my hand as he very rudely rushed past me and did not think of saying excuse me or I'm sorry, my guess is Mehrzod will have this corrected in a short time. Or weeded out. Can't wait to go have dinner so i can get the full effect.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

UPDATE ON CHRISTMAS FOX

As I suspected, the red fox from Christmas day had vanished.
Not a hank of hair. Not a sign that he ever existed.
I pulled over into a wide space in the road...got out, walked the ditch line and looked high and low.
No fox. No remnants. No nothing.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Searching for a Home, Part II






These photos capture the mini-blizzard. It was a fierce but beautiful day.

Searching for a Home











Yesterday was a blizzardy day. It did not stop my brother Dan and I from going into some uncharted territory near our home. Dan used to walk home from school through the tangles and scrub brush of this area. I had an entirely different route home...straight across the hill where our great-great grandparents, great grandparents and grandparents lived. The place my father was born. Though it is only a short distance from our family cemetery and in full sight of developing subdivision and other unearthly abominations, it remained to us, a hidden part of history. The Duttons came to KY in early 1800 and have remained steadfast all these years. The first Duttons found this little spot and called it home. Dan found the springs that fed this fertile little vale and the stones forming fences and door stoops. We broke our way through the undergrowth to stand where our ancestors stood. It is an awe inspiring. We both know this is a precious commodity. One that might not make it through the next gouges in the earth.
It is magical to stand quietly and sense how it might have been almost 200 years ago.
I couldn't help but add the photo of the pint whiskey bottle. No place is too sacred to be unblemished, it would appear.

Monday, January 5, 2009

CEBAH



I dreamed last night of a leopard, snow
white with steely grey eyes. She moved gracefully,
leading me into her world.
The hem of my nightgown was covered in frost.
I crouched beside a rock, steel
coloured, like her eyes.
Snow was falling over my skin.
Hanging on me like a thin nightgown.
My hands were stuck on the cold stone. The cold
spread over me.
She ran, turned her head, glanced my way
and disappeared
Into the fog and snow.
I knew she could give me shelter, no matter
the risk.
Have no fears, move into the light. Time is fleeting.
I shook away the cold, searched the snow for
her tracks.
The dream shifts.
It says go on. Go away.
Do something.
My nightgown is frozen. I do not know where I am.
You must walk on.
Alone.
But, where?
How?
I taught you all your life.
I answer
Please.
I feel like a child.
I am terribly afraid.
I remember the wolves.
I remember the ghosts.
I do not know this ghostly beast.
I hear laughter.
I see the fire.
I cannot make it to the center.
I cannot hear a sound.
A cloud droops down.
I am alone.

Porcini shines



Porcini is a restaurant that i love to eat at, but for whatever reason it had been a while since i ate there. the reason probably is something like Yogi said- nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded. this place usually has them 3 deep around the bar waiting for tables regardless of what night it is or what the weather is. i am amazed at how long this place had been on a good run. sometimes one needs to feel like they are in the hot spot with a surefire A list restaurant. jack fry's and porcini are the only two that come to mind right away. always packed, always good service, and 95% good food. Our dear friends bill and sarah had made 7 pm reservations, and as we walked in with my daughter i could see them setting us in the back room. they would have none of it. we were seated in the main area next to the mayor. great table. great start.




as we took our time settling in, seemed like everyone knew someone there, we just enjoyed our waters and let everyone get their seat. when that happened i ordered a charles krug cabernet by the glass ($10), Jennifer had a split of Korbel ($9), Bill had a red wine, and Sarah had a Russian River chardonnay ($7.50). Sierra stuck with water. my cabernet was a solid partner with my two courses.




For starters, Jennifer ordered a salad that was not delivered (the only miscue of the evening), bill and sarah had the oysters rockefeller, and i had the calamari ($8.95). the calamari was a lightly dusted dish, mostly rings cut from the body that was made with the light marinara sauce. too many restaurants use a heavy sauce that masks the natural flavor of the calamari. as we finished our appetizers Rick Pitino emerged from the restroom area, I made sure to wish him luck the next day and he was appreciative. always a good buzz in a restaurant with Coach in the house. that was the second time i ran into him the night before the dream game (Ruth's Chris).




Entrees is where the restaurant took ahold of my attention. Sierra had the spaghetti and meatballs, it looked a little dry, but i did not try it. she ate a lot of it, though - and she has good taste buds. she was busy entertaining our four senior neighbors on girls night out between bites. she was a very good diner saturday night for a 3 year old. Bill had the bucatini with scallops. the scallops were diver size and were absolutely wonderful. Sarah had the special, which was a black bass with sun-dried tomato polenta, salted asparagus, and a drizzle of sauce to give the fish a slight flavor enhancement. i was glad i was sitting next to her, because i had about half of her polenta, as it was excellent. i had the penne carbona (sub linguine for penne, my least favorite noodle) and leave out the peas. the pieces of chicken were sized correctly and the sauce was heavy enough for a cool, damp evening. the subtle nuances of a good carbonara were evidence that Chef has mastered the northern italian recipe. i usually try diferent items here and you can always expect a steady as we go approach. no bright flavors and wild experiments, just good, solid, perfectly executed italian fare.


the atmosphere of this restaurant is what makes it shine in my eyes. tim is a gracious host who is very personable and loves to talk college hoops. the bar area is cozy, yet lively. a good mix. the main dining room is everything it should be, not so close you can't mill about, and there was a lot of that going. the exposed faux brick and vines give the feel of a northern italian villa. ok- the big question, what's the best italian restaurant in town - porcini? well..... well..... i still go with volare. porcini is as close at second as any two restaurants could be. they are very different, one northern - one southern with lighter sauces and more fruite de mare. two excellent restaurants that shine brightly. porcini **** as good as it gets in louisville

Friday, January 2, 2009

VOLARE

I am officially on strike from the kitchen. This is quite unusual for me. Rarely do I go two days without cooking...or baking or whirring up something. I didn't plan to be on strike...Banished from my kitchen... certain circumstances made this decision..
1. For the past three weeks, hardly a moment went by without me standing in front of the stove...and then, 2. the mess. WFS is a complete jewel about clearing and cleaning....but, the poor man could not bear another clean-up....so, 3. he coerced me into leaving cooking behind for a few days....Let's eat out, said he...every meal. We haven't entirely adhered to that notion but I have kept my large- scale- drama- mess in the kitchen at a minimum.
We decided to dine at Volare's tonight with our friend, Jennifer. I made reservations but this wasn't entirely necessary. It was a slow evening at Volare's. We were greeted immediately upon entering the restaurant. By the hostess and the owner. Our wraps were taken and we were escorted to our seats....We ordered a Montepluciano, a lovely wine, usually very affordable. This one was excellent and spot on perfect for our varied dinner orders. My dinner was a Caesar Salad, just anchovy, garlicy and eggy enough to be perfect. Not covered with one of those bottled goop concoctions...My main course was the soup special, Lobster Bisque... this can be a hit or miss in my mind...but I dreamed of a somewhat briny broth, finished with cream and floating a few pieces of lobster meat.
Imagine my amazement when this soup rang each of those dream bells, except, it had nearly a whole lobster floating in the smoothest broth I have sampled in a long,long time...including the White Barn Inn. Jennifer had Osso Bucco, perfectly cooked and served with a la dente risotto. She generously shared the marrow bone with me, the bone had its own little spoon and a fresh spring of rosemary. Marrow bones rank as one of my favorite delicacies ... WFS had a Penne Pasta with his beloved Italian Sausage. Our server, Beth was attentive, engaging and funny. A fine combination on a slow evening. We could have, should have stopped right there...But the siren songs were playing the dessert tune and we ordered vanilla panna cotta and bourbon ball gelato.....plus a cappucinno...oh, my...I will have to give them 4 out of 4 stars and go to bed...
Sweet dreams are made of this.