Al Fresco Dining

August3

Even when the mosquitoes are at bay in the city, we are not so fortunate at the beach house.  Our little cottage was purchased in six hours and was definitely a love investment and not one of rational assessment.  We are in a little birch grove, surrounded by pine and poplar, which we love.  But we are also the lowest lot in the area and this wet spring we had a “waterfront” lot.  Frogs in the front yard were a constant and one day ducks came to check out the pond.  Even when other lots had spring run off dry up, we were in the muck.  As a result, our mosquito seaason lasted longer than most.

But this long weekend has been glorious-no rain and no mosquitoes!  We have taken full advantage: huddled over crosswords, Mastermind, Scrabble and cribbage on the deck, playing a game called red neck golf (?) on the lawn, swinging in a hammock chair newly acquired in the DR and listening to Beatles music around the firepit until late into the evening.

It has also meant al fresco dining.  Almost every meal has been served on the deck which means the screen door gets a workout when the table is being set but perfectly efficient in every other sense.  And if we have not had too many pre-dinner cocktails, we remember to light the citronella candles to keep any scragglers away.

Last night we expanded the table surface with a gorgeous red retro kitchen table.  It will find its ultimate home in our son and daughter-in-law’s tree top apartment.  But for the weekend it means we can sit eight quite comfortably.

The menu last night was Sister #2’s chicken pita’s with black bean and corn salsa and orzo, wild rice & lentil salad.   For dessert she made the ridiculously simple but of so decadent Fruit Cocktail cake with a brown sugar/milk sauce and ice cream.  Let me know if you don’t have this recipe-it is a keeper.

Somehow everything tastes better out in the fresh air!

Kath’s quote:  “The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water, is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight…”-M. F. K. Fisher

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