Two things

First: a salad to go with leftover pizza. The pizza, "artisan," wasn't exactly unhealthy... but, nonetheless, salad seemed like a good idea. So, farro with sautéed leeks, mixed greens, dates, pecans. Really delicious.

Second: the first dinner I grilled on my new-to-me gas grill. Very pleasing. Not sure why the pic is blurry, but, in any case, a filet along with charred corn salad (grilled) and asparagus (not grilled).

Roses in May

I associate roses with June, but everything happens earlier in West Virginia than what I'm used to.

Last year I planted four rosebushes, all in apricot-pink-orange hues. This one, Livin' Easy, is the first to bloom.

Variations on a theme

I've had two very nice steak salads lately.

The first photo is actually the salad pre-steak, but you can imagine that part. The rest: mixed greens, asparagus, tomatoes, onions.

The second salad features spinach, sweet potatoes, leeks, dates, feta, pecans... and a filet.

Mourning Dove update

—well there's not too much to report because the nest was so well chosen that it is now covered by the ivy that grows up the pussy willow. That's probably not good for the willow, but there's nothing to be done about it until the doves have moved on. I'm pretty sure they're still in residence, however. And last time I was able to see the nest (about a week ago), it was truly impressive and looked ready. Good job, doves.

Catching up

Well the semester is over—except for graduation, this Sunday—and I'm now getting around to posting some recent dishes.

First, from last Friday's dinner with my dear friend Rosemary, two salads: chicken tabbouleh and watermelon-tomatoes-red onions-feta, both recommended.

And then from last night, a filet with rosemary butter (though you can't see that) and my favorite Brussels sprouts (with feta and pecans):

A Spring dinner

Pasta with asparagus and those cute "sunburst" tomatoes and a creamy lemon-yogurt sauce. The recipe can be found here.

Two along-the-way photos and then the finished dish.

Occasionally

To my mind, a heart-shaped springform pan is a practical item. I have several small ones and I use them.

This particular little cheesecake is not quite as beautiful as some—I over-filled the pan; the cake grew quite tall; the cake sunk—but, nonetheless, it will be delicious, and pleasing to the eye.

A light rain

---the kind that doesn't stop the birds from chirping. And yes, the mourning dove is in her nest.

A quiet kind of evening. Risotto with asparagus for dinner. Homemade vegetable stock gave it a rich look.

Risotto is one of those foods that doesn't photograph that well... but it does taste good.

A string of a lovely days

Near-perfect weather all week.

And today there was a mourning dove camped out in the crook of the pussy willow. Eye-level from my kitchen window. It was nice to observe and be observed. She had her face turned. One very dark eye studied me.

She's gone now, but perhaps she'll be back.

Tonight's dinner: a filet and whole wheat pasta with lemon and tomatoes. Again: very simple.