Oh how lovely!  This tree was given to me when I left the YWCA board a few years ago (a fabulous gift, by the way.)  Each year the blooms get bigger, more fragrant, and a larger part of my day's view.  The bees are covering the flowers right now, inhaling the nectar, stuffing their pollen baskets full.

 

I used to enjoy giving directions to my shop by saying we were right next door to The Hot Dog King.  Sadly, I can no longer say this.  Okay.  Truth.  It's not so sad. 

 

The crews tore through the greasy home last week, leveling it in a frighteningly short amount of time.  The neighbors all poured out of our shops to watch. 

 

Here are our dinners for this coming week.

 

Monday, April 11

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta 7.95

 

Tuesday, April 12

Spinach Mushroom Crepes and Rice 6.25

 

Wednesday, April 13

Beef Brisket Pot Roast with Roasted Potatoes 8.95 (GF)

 

Thursday, April 14

Chicken Croquettes with Applesauce 7.95

 

Friday, April 15

Chicken Croquettes with Applesauce 7.95

 

Order by noon and we'll have your dinner ready to pick up by 3. Our new winter hours are in effect so we're now closing at 7.

 

Salad and bread can be added if you wish. Salad is 3.25 and bread is 1.25 per person.

 

We make a special casserole and a special lasagna 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 7:00.

 

The casserole this week is for Wednesday, April 13:

Sweet Potato Polenta with Vegetable Ragout

Full: 35  Half: 17.50

 

The lasagna is for Friday, April 15:

Italian Sausage and Red Pepper Lasagna

Full: 60  Half: 30

 

 

 

Thursday the 28th is a day to mark in your calendars.  It's the day when restaurants all over Asheville agree to donate 20% of their day's sales to WNC Aids Project.  (Yes, people here still need this kind of help.)

 

It's going to be a busy day here, because we have 100 school children coming for an early lunch - a time for them to eat really good, local food in a real, not fast-food, restaurant.  But they'll be gone by noon so come for lunch.  Bring friends and enjoy locally made, locally sourced foods.

 

If you are not familiar with Will, you are really in for a treat!  Will's band, Red June, was chosen as the TOP local band in the WNCW's listener poll.  I, one listener, play his CD over and over and over again.

 

Join me on Wednesday, April 20 from 6-8pm for a class on Spring Soups.  Also, if you'd like a 1/2 hour knife coaching session, plan to come at 5:30 for a hands-on lesson.

 

I had a bit of a star turn this week.  I am the "Chef/Beekeeper/Spokesperson" for The National Honey Board.  Whee!  I just got back from doing my first videos for the organization.  Zounds!  What a blast.  And what an experience.

 

As spokesperson, I was asked to do three videos this time: two how-to recipe demos and one introductory piece.  The introductory piece was a full page of script that I had to memorize.  Now, I'm pretty comfortable with public speaking.  And I can do a presentation on camera - with my own words.  But this script was not written by me and that, my friends, presented quite a challenge.

 

In college, in an acting class I was required to take, we were aked to memorize and perform a poem from Spoon River Anthology.  I chose the shortest one, feeling nervous about my memorization abilities.  When it came time to perform, I got up, delivered my lines, and sat down.  My teacher inquired if I was done.  Well, yes, I said, noting that I was sitting down!  At which point HE noted that my short poem continued on the next page!!!!!!  Argh!

 

So last week I memorized my full page of words and got to the studio/kitchen in plenty of time.  I wanted to film the long memorized piece first - because those words were on the tip of my tongue and I was a bit nervous about my ability to make this portion natural and smooth.  The director said we'd do "all the intorductions" first.  (ALL the introductions!!???)  And as I staggered to my folder of papers I realzied that there were scripted intros for ALL the pieces, including my recipes.

 

ARGH!!!!!

 

I almost threw up, realizing I had not even looked at them, assuming, incorrectly, that I would just be me when it came time for the recipes.

 

YIPES!

 

I immediately went to the honey people, confessed what I had done (or had not done) and got their blessing to do them as I had imagined. 

 

Which is just what happened. 

 

I only had to do the long piece twice.  No blooper tapes were needed.  The recipes, too, worked out very well, impromptu introductions and all. Yay!

 

You'll be able to see them in a little while - after they do some editing.  Tra la!

 

Monsieur Henri is a school boy now.  He had his first day last week.  Just like his father, however, day 2 was not as fun as day 1.  (Adam, when he was a little boy, was under the impression that school was something one did ONCE!) 

 

Henry now has a normal immune system (a miracle if you ask me), and he is a regular school child.  Emily said that all the other children are enchanted with his curls.  (I am too.)