Doing anything fun this weekend? Tonight we toast to a good friend on his birthday. Then, we are going to start working on the front yard project (eek!!). Hudson’s school is having its annual Fiesta, and—if everything is going well at the house—we’re planning to drive out to Sonoma for a pick-up picnic at Scribe.
We don’t have anything specifically adult planned for celebrating Cinco de Mayo, but I’m guessing we’ll fit in some cocktails…
Here are some last minute ideas if you’d like to raise a glass tomorrow:
Our first CSA box arrived on our doorstep yesterday—our friends’ family-farm, Capay Organic, has a wonderful home delivery option called Farm Fresh to You. We’ve been off and on members of a couple of CSAs and they’re a great way to get to know a local farmer and support sustainable farming practices. We happen to have an incredible Farmer’s Market as well as a wonderful family-run grocery, Nugget Markets, (who also supports local farms) in town, so for us one of the particular perks of a CSA is being reminded to diversify our selection of fruits and vegetables. It’s an extra nudge to try some new recipes.
This week’s delivery was full of beautiful spring greens, including asparagus, green garlic, and tarragon. As it happened, I’d picked up a recipe card for a gratin featuring asparagus and leeks and a creamy Mornay sauce of Gruyère and Parmesan while in line to checkout at Nugget a few days earlier. I decided to modify it a bit, removing the bread crumb topping, and using the green garlic instead of leeks. It’s technically not a gratin anymore without the crust, but whatever you decide to call it, it’s a delicious expression of spring and would be a wonderful addition at your table.
I’m generally guilty of skewing my mother’s day gift guides toward my wish list. But whether you’re shopping for you, your wife, your friend, or your mother, I hope there’s something inspiring here to treat someone you love.
