PARTY -- It's in the details

2012 Day One

I was fortunate to be invited to Bill's home where our friend, poet and chef extraordinaire, Elena Karina Byrne, treated us to an 8-course meal.  The feast began around 3 pm and lasted seven hours.
I wish I could share with you all the sensory delights I experienced that evening, but alas the best I can do is to present you with a visual feast.  Enjoy.

 



A bed of arugula with sliced heirloom tomatoes, burrata, lemon oil and crisppy parmesan



Spa Water

Tri Ravioli (leek, crushed fennel seed, sweet potato, mushrooms with hints of smoked salt, nutmeg and white truffle oil) butter sauce with sage and walnuts



Eating my ravioli







King crab legs with an offering of lemon butter, horseradish cocktail sauce and fresh mango salsa


  

Fillet mignon and creme garlic, basil potatoes



 

Prosciutto wrapped asparagus with smoked oil and kiwi slice





Black Cod butter fish with lemon risotto



Lemon sorbet cups with pomegranate seeds and mint



Pear tart, vanilla bean ice cream and choclate torte with raspberry sauce and blackberries

Trip to Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country

This is where we stayed. A beautiful Inn with a great chef.

The drive from LA to Santa Ynez is beautiful and romantic.

Gladiolas, Gladiolas, Gladiolas...

Harvest Time

First Harvest of the season at Kenneth Volk Winery

The Vineyards are breathtaking.

The landscape between and around the Vineyards.

Hungry?

Warm tortilla in a pan, place it on a plate, top with arugula and fried eggs. Sprinkle with olive oil, cumin powder, salt and pepper.

Dangerous Beauties

I met these stunning creatures at the Monterey Bay aquarium. Despite my intense fear of Jellyfish, I would have gladly dipped my head in the tank for a kiss. Beauty numbs a soul to danger.

Strawberry Picking Time

I drove up to Santa Cruz last month, stayed at my friend's light-filled beach house and let the ocean air renew my lungs, soul, the words the keep circling my mouth but get stuck between my teeth.

I stopped at a strawberry field and watched the pickers bent over, plucking the green field's little red hearts.
...........

Of Bugs and Beauty

All my life I have hated and feared all bugs. But last year something strange blossomed in my eyes. Bugs became beautiful. Delicate. Even precious.

(Disclaimer:  I still hate mosquitoes, black flies and cockroaches. They are pests that do not deserve any admiration or sympathy.)