Roz Savage is an ocean rower (and my hero). She is the first woman to row, solo, across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. And she's getting ready to row across the Indian Ocean. (How about THAT?!)

 

Best of all, she's coming to Asheville!

 

On Wednesday, September 8 she will be speaking and reading at Malaprops (7 pm). And on Thursday, September 9th, she'll be here. We're making a special dinner in her honor and are getting the projectors ready to show the film of her Atlantic Crossing.

 

This is an amazing opportunity to meet a real true adventurer. SHE delivered a TED talk in the Galapagos recently - all about global warming and ocean pollution. She's working to make big changes in our world and I'm thrilled she's coming to share her ideas with us. Please plan to come join us and help her raise the funds she'll need to accomplish this next row.

 

We're serving Risotto with Butternut Squash, Seared NC Grouper (or whatever is the freshest when we go shopping on Wednesday), Biscuits with my brand new Blackberry Jam, and Hickory Nut Gap Apple Crisp.

 

I spent the morning last Wednesday making Blackberry jam.  You should have seen it!  My helper, my co jam-babe for the day was Alyssa, who knows how to run all the equipment.  I know the way I want the jam to taste.  Together, we made about 300 jars of jam in a couple of hours.  Sweet!!!

 

At one point, however, when I was ladling out the jam from the cauldron, I slipped and splooshed hot jam all over my jacket, the floor, my shoes, my pants, EVERYWHERE!

 

I was purple and sticky for the rest of the day.  Whee!

 

This little sticker on our jam jars means that the berries were grown in the designated Appalachian Grown region.  Close to home, that is.

 

By the way, for you out-of towners, the word is pronounced Ap-uh-la'-chun (the la sounds like the a in "cat" not like the a in "day).

 

Here are our dinners for this coming week.

 

Order by noon and we'll have your dinner ready to pick up by 3. We are open until 8 now which makes it easy for you to dawdle if you like. Feel free to stay right here with us if you like. We'll reheat your meal and stay out of your way.

 

Monday, September 6

We’ll be closed for Labor Day today

 

Tuesday, September 7

Crawfish and Sausage Gumbo Filé with Okra 12.50

 

Wednesday, September 8

Green Tabasco Fried Chicken w/ Deviled Eggs + Potato Salad 11

 

Thursday, September 9

Local Beef Bolognese with Cavatappi and Parmesan 12

 

Friday, September 10

*French Lentils with Butternut Squash + Zucchini Fritters 10.50

 

* these are gluten free

 

(though it is important to know that

We make a special casserole each week.

 

Order by noon or so. Order a half if you have around 4 folks. If you have a bigger group, or you just like leftovers, order a full-sized one.

 

Then come pick up between 3:00 and 8:00. (Or bring a gang and enjoy your dinner right here. We do have beer and wine by the glass, you know.)

 

Please order by phone (252-1500) or stop in to speak to one of us in person.

 

The casserole for the next week is:

 

Wednesday, September 8

Chicken Pot Pie

Full: 35 Half: 17.50

 

We make Lasagna every Friday. Here is the next offering.

 

Friday, September 10

Local Sausage, Roasted Pepper, and Mozzarella

Full: 49.50 Half: 24.75

 

I know it's only September, but this is a chance for you to help the bees and get a jump on your - ahem - shopping.  Beautiful illustrations of flowers that are pollinated by bees.

 

We're stocked up on our favorite shirts with our favorite motto.  These are a bit lighter weight and are VERY comfortable. 

 

 

September 4, 2010

 

Here we are on another one of those days I’ve been thinking about and planning for a long time. We are catering a big birthday party this afternoon and the details of the party have been on my mind for months. And now, here it is.

 

Much of my work life is like this. I write menus months and months in advance. We plan, order, envision, discuss, and prepare. And then, one day it is that day and we wake up and know that it is finally September 4th and then before we can blink it is September 5th and what the heck happened to September 4th anyway???!!!

 

So in a little bit I’ll go off and be grill babe for this 75th birthday party and then I’ll go home and pick up my pup and go to a family friend’s wedding and then I’ll come home and go to work and then ROZ is coming and then I’m going to Italy for a little while.

 

Woosh!

 

Speaking of Italy – it’s really about time! My supply of Chestnut honey is seriously depleted. My really good olive oil is gone. My ability to carry on a conversation in Italian is almost non-existent. It is time for a trip. Actually, this one, in contrast to my usual style of taking folks to taste the food and wine of Tuscany, is a family trip. My sisters and I are going with a few other friends and we’re spending the majority of the time doing pastel drawings. My sister’s pastel teacher is coming and it should be really fun. I also will be the designated driver and cook, both of which are fun for me.

 

Whee!

 

And then I get to come home to my very favorite place in the whole wide world. And by then it will truly be cooler and my puppy and I will split some wood and get ready for winter.

 

Sorry for the short note. I need to go sharpen my knives and get ready for the birthday festivities.

 

I’ll be in touch next week.

 

Tra la.

 

Ooh - what fun that was!  I'm working on getting a good copy of my speech to share with you and once I do, I'll let you know how to see it.