Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Rain and pasta




Today the rain came, slowly, quietly.
I was outside sweeping and raking....a few drops plopped down.
I rested my rake and took in the approaching smell of rain and autumn...
Much akin to stopping to smell the roses.

I had sheets hanging outside, so I sauntered over to the clothesline...the drops were coming in
furious little streams by the time I picked up my pace and rescued the sheets, dashing indoors.
I went back out to stand under the stoop, listening to and feeling the rain.
It has been coming down, steadily~~~~~~since.

Driven indoors, I had a notion to make pasta....WFS rarely ventures into the kitchen until clean-up time.....
Well, he DOES
venture in to keep me company, but, cooking chores are not his forte. Pasta making is the exception. He loves the pasta gadget, rolling the thin sheets and picking a "type" of pasta....
We lost our little drying rack, so we used rolling pins and spoons. Julia Child would approve.
I caramelized some sweet potatoes and finished them with fresh sage from the herb garden...then I
lightly tossed it all with clarified butter. The pasta was dreamy.
I also made a fennel, apple and radish salad with rice wine vinegar and olive oil....
We finished our meal with poached pears, whipped cream and ginger cookies...
If that doesn't carry us through the debate, what will?
Wish you all were here....Cathy, WFS thought you and Dan should have been here....
I add , for your pleasure, WFS & SBD's, PASTA!

Monday, October 6, 2008

CHEROKEE PARK ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Just so you know where to go.....

CHEROKEE PARK ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON

I have a huge debt to my family, they inspire me in all sorts of ways...I have an enormous debt to Dan,
he allows me to borrow from his creative well...often.
Thus, he took us for a walk in the woods on his blog, dandyland muse, several weeks back.
I am taking you for a walk through Cherokee Park.
I know he will indulge me on this one....
It was a day to catalog.

MIRACLE FRIES


One of our very favorite places in Louisville is, Cafe Classico. The owner, Tommy Mudd, has created an international environment with the best coffee in town.
And the best atmosphere, not to mention his perfectly lovely servers. Weekends bring flamenco dancers, mid-eastern music, Spanish bands and people willing to share a table and conversation. George Wakim is guaranteed to please any night he is performing.
Some evenings we walk the 2 &1/2 miles down and enjoy any one of his entrees. The stroll back home is always filled with comments about the many friends we've made by just being "regulars".
Which brings me to our best night at Cafe Classico. Jaxon was here and we decided to have an evening out.
Jaxon KNOWS what he likes. This does not prevent him from being a very good dining companion, he just likes what he likes, no further comment. A very limited but discerning palate. We arrived early in the evening, he was ravenous. Orders were taken...He really, really wanted a Coca Cola in a small bottle he spied in the cooler...so, okay, this would be a safe bet to appease him while we waited for the food. He did enjoy twirling the straw and discussing his day with the above mentioned lovely server.
Finally, Tommy appeared, personally delivering the first course, Belgian Fries. Jaxon's eyes were shining, " it's a miracle!" he exclaimed. Tommy has henceforth referred to his fries as miracle fires...They are, indeed.