Spontaneous Spring Break, Day ONE

All my piano students are off on Spring Break this week, I have no evening rehearsals and Jean also having her Spring break means it is "VACATION" at home and in the city . We had planned a trip to AW pottery and also Pike's to get some "goodies" together for Bev's birthday but the plans unraveled at the last minute. The weather was to be lovely so we went ahead into the city anyway, surely we would find something fun to do.

First thing we did, brunch. We headed into Candler Park where Elizabeth works

"crossed eyed cat"

This mirror is almost full

 

Good coffee.. also I was wondering the likelihood of me making it to Choir practice on time...

sweet potato pancakes

Omelettes and homemade biscuits, delicious!

   

 After brunch and a lovely visit with Elizabeth, Troy, Jean & I explored the neighborhood a little

I loved this place, they had homemade cupcakes and a teapot collection and tons of books to read. Unfortunately, we were totally full already. Making a note to come back another day.....

 

With no real plan of where we were going next, we headed North into the city. I thought it might be fun to hunt for the doubled handle tea strainer I've been dreaming off so we decided to go antique hunting. We tried to stop in at "Paris on Ponce" but they are closed on Wednesdays. We were disappointed but there was a pretty Cherry tree out back and what a beautiful day it was.

We decided to try our luck at a couple of other places and had a lovely time browsing through "Antiques & Beyond"  and another antique shop across the street on Cheshire Bridge Road, the name escapes me...but  needless to say we lost track of time and before you know it, rush hour was moments away! I decided that it was not a good idea to fight the traffic but instead wait out the traffic with more eating and shopping!. Luckily, Carol & Anna were able to fill in for me at choir so I owe them both a big thank you!

Amazingly, we still had not managed to buy anything, which was good thing I guess but we were suddenly inspired and remembered the "Berverly Bremer" silver shop.. watch out trouble ahead, a shop that sells nothing but silver. The staff was a delight at the shop and we had fun handling all the wonderful merchandise while being peppered with all sorts of history and information on the pieces we were looking at. And best of all, they had a plethora of tea strainers to choose from and one exactly like what I was looking for!

 

Looking at flatware and tea sets for over and hour sure made me hungry so it was suppertime! We decided to eat nearby and visit LENOX mall since we were in the neighborhood. On the way, we made a little detour to Pollen, a lovely little place full of the most beautiful flowers and plants you've ever seen tucked into a little bungalow. I always leave the place inspired!

Tree with white flowers outside Pollen

For supper, we headed to Hashiguchi, a real Japanese restaurant conveniently located by Lenox Mall.

Spinach Ohitashi

Ebi(shrimp) tempura

Katsu Don and some griled salmon

With our bellies full and thirst quenched, we headed to the MALL! We got a good "cardio" walk in while browsing all over the mall. It was a most wonderful day and I wondered what was installed for our 2nd day in the city tomorrow.

Sunshine, Storms and Sticky Mango Rice

A resident tree-frog feeding on the porch Monday evening before the storm, it was moist and balmy. The porch floor is green but looks a little different with the coat of pollen.

Monday and Tuesday has been a smorgasbord of weather. it was in the 80's, then we had wind, hail, thunderstorm, rain, cold and a possibility of frost tomorrow morning. Basically good ol' Georgia weather. Anticipating the rain, I spent Monday afternoon planting, I got 3 spireas, an "Incrediball" hydrangea and a "limelight" hydrangea in the ground. Also re-potted some petunias, pulled a bunch of weeds and organized the nursery area. It was a most wonderful time gardening among the emerging perennials and early spring bloomers.

Artemesia "Oriental Limelight" forms a beautiful carpet under the Crepe Myrtles every spring

White creeping Phlox with a touch of pink from the frosty weather

Found these Petunias for 99C each at Home Depot

Lady Banks rose in it's glory

 

 

Chinese snowball doing nicely

Double-file Viburnum

 We had originally planned a quick excursion for lunch at Thai Spice in Peachtree City but decided to stay put and cook at home instead. Since I was still sort of in the mood for Thai food, I decided to whip up a recipe of Sticky Rice with Mango. I already had all of the ingredients on hand so it was inevitable.

 

Rice gets rinsed, then soaked for a few hours and then steamed till tender. sesame seeds are also toasted

For the sauce, coconut milk and sugar cooked till reduced by half

While waiting for the rice to cook, I popped out and enjoyed some of the sunshine but soon realized it was rather chilly today compared to yesterday but the plants were mostly unharmed even after the tremendous wind we had the night before so I was feeling thankful and lucky.

 

 

I also got a chance to tidy up around the house some.

Kitty Domain

Budding beauties

Table set and ready for dinner

For the main course, a simple shrimp and pasta dish inspired by one we had seen in "EVERYDAY FOOD" magazine. The original recipe called for radishes with the greens attached. I improvised and used collard blossoms and spinach instead

I also used fresh linguini instead of dry

 

 

 

This really hit the spot!

Cafe au lait or espresso, both good choices

Sunday Spring Impromptu Dinner

Asparagus with large Haas avocado for scale

I picked up locally grown GIANT asparagus at the Star Provisions farm stand on Saturday because it was just too good looking. I was not sure exactly what I was going to do with it but I knew it would be delicious. Since we had no plans Sunday evening, I decided I would have an asparagus inspired Spring dinner! I dreamed up an easy to prepare menu that I could manage in a couple of hours since that's all the time I had after church and a catering appointment on Sunday.

For dessert, I decided to make mango pavlova. I quick dessert since the only involved part is baking the meringue shell. After the shells are done, all you do is add whipped cream and fruit.

egg whites and granulated sugar is whipped together till stiff

Powdered sugar is folded in at the end

For a fancier presentation, I like to pipe the meringues with a star tip

always leave plenty of room around the shells for air circulation

I set the table while the meringues were baking. My small green moth orchids made the perfect centerpiece for our Spring dinner.

 

With the table all ready to go, it was time to get all the food ready, guest were expected in less than 2 hours! The meringue shells turned out nicely, with just enough color on them to add a hint of caramelized flavor.

I decided the best way to savor the asparagus was with a pureed pea and asparagus soup garnished with perfectly roasted asparagus spears and white violas from the garden.

The tender tips are trimmed and reserved for garnish

The stems are chopped up for the soup

Saute onions and celery with olive oil, and then add asparagus and peas and chicken broth.

 

simmer till tender and then puree till smooth, taste of Spring!

For the main course, simply roasted Tilapia accompanied with quinoa and carrot souflee ala Blackberry Farm.

A good book for wonderful vegetable recipes

 

found a new brand of carrots to try

 

 

quinoa after a 20 minute soaking

Ready for guest!

Tried a new "iced" tea with dinner. Very light and refreshing

 

I cheated for the appetizers....

easy tilapia: rub with olive oil, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan and bake

soup is served!

Rolls and Wheat Italian bread from Publix

Perfect 1st course for Spring: pea & asparagus soup garnished with roasted asparagus and viola blossom

Maldon salt crystals for sprinkling

Tilapia, Carrot souflee & Quinoa with dill, parsley, lemon and avocados

fresh mangoes are sliced while coffee is brewing

Hapipinezz is yummy mango puree!

     

whipped cream

a little marblelization is fun

Mango Pavlova!

perfect end to a lovely dinner!