Another Vacation Day

Sunshine makes all the difference.

 Another hibiscus blossom arrived this morning.

 At noon I arrived at Hanny's new home for lunch and an afternoon of bridge.

 What a beautiful space...welcoming, warm and full of great energy.

 Our lunch was superb.

 Cornbread scones...

salad

 and Hungarian Mushroom Soup from the Moosewood Cookbook.

 I really look forward to these days with Ann, Bobby and Hanny.

 Two desserts!  One with nectarines and cherries...the other with blueberries.

 I played with Bobby and we squeaked out a win in the last two hands.

 Back at the farm by 4:30

 Just in time

 to

 make a salad for tonight's dinner.

 Very different from the usual.

 My own invention.

 First I blanched asparagus, drained it and topped it with homemade Italian dressing and chopped red onions.  Then I added chopped hardboiled eggs, crumbly blue cheese, those little peppers (can't remember the name) and fresh ground pepper.

This is different and you would love the blending of flavors.

It was time for our monthly meal with Ann, Ron, Brenda and Al.

 The pond in front of Ron and Ann's home was filled to capacity.

 We always start off with some appetizers and drinks.

 For our first course we had the salad.

Next, a spicy soup with a cauliflower base and almonds.....

 followed by two African chicken dishes.

 We also had green beans with bacon in a delicious marinade.

 Brenda brought another outstanding dessert.

Chocolate and peanut butter cake.

There are not too many restaurants where you can get meals like this!

 It was a night for some pretty serious discussions about the state of the world.

We did manage to work in some laughs.

Home by 10.  

The dogs missed me today.

I think Little Wonder was pretty mad that I was gone so much.

Night all.