Cantigny

 People that come to visit ask me somewhat skeptically, "So...what is there to do around here?" I tell them about Kilgus Dairy, Fugate Woods, the museums in Pontiac, Fairbury shopping. And I love Fairest (Fairbury + Forrest) dearly. But sometimes, I get panicky & feel as though I'm drowning in a sea of green cornfields, and for all the open space, I feel claustrophobic. I don't know why, it just happens, ok? And I ask myself the same question, "So...what is there to do around here?"

Saturday I ventured out of the area to a place called Cantigny.

It was beautiful to say the least.

A summer day with friends strolling through lush gardens.

Stress forgotten.

The piece of my soul that thirsts for beauty quenched for a time.

My feet happily danced to the music of a live salsa band.

The week I had floated away like the dew in the morning sun. (Which was a verrry good thing.)

And I remembered I am blessed to be where I am in Forrest.

Sometimes, you have to go away for a little bit to see that where you were is where you need to be.

 It was also an art festival. Which was really cool for me. My friends patiently tagged along as I quizzed the various artists about their techniques, preferances, styles. (Thanks, guys!) It felt good to look to talk "art" again. There were artists from all over the United States: Louisiana, NYC, Champaign.

Yes, this is Illinois. My place right now, for better or worse. Although on this particular day, it was "better".

Garden Party Luncheon

 With the mercury edging towards eighty, wild black raspberries gently ripening, fireflies starting to light up the night, I got an itching to host a party. The front porch was just begging me to have a luncheon full of tasty in-season produce. And once I get an idea in my head, I obsess for hours, trolling pinterest, reading articles on edible flowers, making grocery lists, until I've completely planned an entire event. Before you congratulate me on my persistence, I should tell you that I should've been otherwise occupied. But, this was the result, so it wasn't a total waste, right?

I went with a "garden party" theme. Purply-black pansies, little yellow violas, punched tin pots. Invited some ladies I know. There was the softest of breezes that fluttered the flower petals & kept the conversation fresh. The sun was out, (but not in anyone's eyes) on the shady porch. Lots of mint tea. A slow mid-day meal, relaxed & just because.

To prepare, I hit up The Antique Shoppe's farmer's market Saturday for my beets. And because I just love The Antique Shoppe.

 I hocked this lettuce from my sister's garden. Also the mint for the tea. And a few beets, maybe. Do you think she'll ever get tired of my mooching?

 Floral tabletop decor, doing duty as place cards & take-home favors! I do love me some multi-purpose, utilitarian decor. Also cheap. Got the lot of flowers for less than it would've cost me to buy a Subway footlong. And that would've been a much less attractive & slightly puzzling table centerpiece, don't you think?

Menu as napkin ring. (I do gravitate towards multi-purpose, don't I?)

I know! Gorgeous, right? These beauties were made by my favorite local pastry chef. The only local pastry chef, actually. She also happens to be my sister. Works out nicely. But these tasted better than they looked. So, in a word, Yum.

 Granddaughter & Grandmother.

It was an absolutely perfect day for a luncheon on the porch. I'm so blessed that I have such a gorgeous porch at my disposal. And talented sisters. With gardens. I also need to give credit to my friend, Carmen (She's the one in red in the group shot. Wave to everyone, Carm!), who feeds my harebrained ideas, and also brought half the food, and arrived before I did to get set-up:). I shudder to think what my already scattered life would look like without these ladies in my life.

Now, I'm off to plan my next luncheon, titled "French Country Chic Brunch"!

Kid-Friendly Breakfast

Children are allowed at The Hotel. Not that the decision was up to me, but I am acquiescent. They add a bit of energy to the place. But what do you serve them for breakfast?! We have a reputation to uphold here, one that is based on...basil, & chives, & fresh berries, & blintz-this, & sauteed-in-real-butter-that. As much as it would thrill me, I do have 5 niblings (nephews/nieces meets siblings. get it?), and they wrinkle their nose at green stuff for breakfast. So this is the compromise I came up with:

Yes, those are donut holes. On kabobs. I wrestled with myself all night over this decision. My reputation as a chef was a stake! But in the end, since two of my guests were of the juvenile type, I went ahead and did it. And to my surprise & secret amusement, the loudest "oohs & ahhhs" came from my two dignified lady guests. Who knew?! "Gourmet gas station goodies." "Glazed cake bites with fresh berries." "Cake & berry dainties". "Le pain petit avec les fraises." We can make them sound french-gourmet, oui? (Could this be why there is animosity between our two countries? As long as it sounds french, it must be high-class, even if it's simply donut holes on a stick.)

Excuse more french, but overnight french toast casseroles are a life-saver! Cubed french bread & cream cheese soaks up milk & eggs all night. In the morning, an hour after you pull it out of the fridge, you get custardy, sweet, blueberry goodness. Now that's smart. Just add a homemade blueberry syrup, and your reputation as chef withstands any wisecracks about donut holes.