Some days I get to my desk and find packages waiting for me.  This morning I found a big billowy thing that, upon unwrapping, revealed itself as this fine chef's hat, adorned with bees.

 

I also recently received a collection of Hazmat t-shirts from our local fire department friend, a gift from fire stations around the state.  (You know that our Henry is fascinated by fireman.  we who might not share his focus, still get to share in the bounty of gifts given to him or because of him.)

 

My high school journalism teacher drilled into us the importance of getting the essential information of a story in the first paragraph.  The who, what, when, where, and why.

 

I got almost all of those details in the story about the dinner with Firefly Farms in the last newsletter.  All except the date.  Here is what I SHOULD have written:

 

Join the folks from Firefly Farms in our August "Dinner and Conversation with a Farmer" on Thursday, August 1 at 6:30 here at Laurey's (67 Biltmore Avenue)  The menu will be inspired by Firefly's current produce availability but is sure to include their Devon Beef, Peaches, Peppers, Onions, Heirloom Tomatoes, and other ingredients.  Scott, who speaks eloquently on why he does what he does, will be here with us to share his thoughts with you.

 

Adam is taking charge at the stoves, and I'll be here to cajole and enjoy right with you.  AND some of the recipes will be from my book and will, I hope, include my bees' honey.

 

Here are dinners to go for this week.  This, if you do not know, is a fabulous way to have dinner.  It's easy - just call us by noon and your dinner will be ready for you to pick up by 3 that very day. 

You can stop by to pick yours up until we close at 8.

Add Salad (3.25) or bread (1.25) if you like.

 

 

Monday, July 22:

BBQ Chicken with Cucumber Salad and Cheddar Spoonbread $9.25

 

Tuesday, July 23:

Chick Pea Cakes with Tzatziki and Three-Bean Salad $9.95

 

Wednesday, July 24:

Blackened Flank Steak with Bleu Cheese Slaw (GF) $9.50

 

Thursday July 25:

Crab Cakes with Rice and Cole Slaw $10.25

 

Friday, July 26: *CLOSED due to Bele Chere*

 The Casserole of the week:

 July 24: Shrimp and Vegetable Paella whole $69/ half $34.50

 

The Lasagna of the week:

Sorry - no casserole this week because of Bele Chere.

This is Stephanie.  She is the newest member of the gang, handily taking care of the cafe tables and more in the middle of the day.  Andy, who used to be here, has gone on to do more outdoor things.  We'll miss him but understand that change is good.

 

This is Rebecca, a new addition to our kitchen gang.  Rebecca is a culinary school dropout (my favorite kind of cook - especially since most of us never went to school at all!)  She spent the last 10 years teaching, but teaching these days is too caught up in administration duties and so she left to have a happier life and to have more flexibility to be with her two children.

 

My godson Ezra turned 27 this past week.  As you may remember, his mother planted Morning Glory seeds when she was waiting to bring him into the world.  They bloomed the day he was born.

 

The seeds of Laurey's were planted then too, as I moved in with her for a month or so, cooking and helping her around her house.  Her brother commented that I seemed so happy in the kitchen, so fluid, and so graceful.  And I was.  Which prompted me to think about, and ultimately to act on my idea for cooking as a livelihood. 

 

Tomorrow is going to be a fun day here.  My middle sister is going to get married, and she is having the ceremony and the party right here in our cafe.  I get to be a part of the actual ceremony because I am ordained as a Universal Life Minister.

 

Her Beau, Fred, is a music man, a clarinet player and a teacher of many instruments.  He traveled for a number of years with the Marine Corps Band and has some insider stories to tell about playing at the White House. 

 

 

July 20, 2013

Good morning to you all.

 

Wowee what a whirlwind these days are!  It’s not that I LONG for the pace of the Camino, but it is safe to say that it is a far cry from things here in Asheville.  I came home to a renovated home but one that needed, and still needs, putting back together.  I love the improvements, but find that unpacking one box at a time is about my speed.

 

I did not pick out new lighting fixtures before I left.  I now have them and have been painting them to match my new ceiling.  The electrician arrives this week to install them.  Putter, putter, putter.

 

In my absence a few large trees fell down on my property.  I’ve been playing tag with a fellow who can fix things up for me and right after I finish writing I need to go home to look at my woods with him.  The work he does will lighten things up, for sure, but will be chaotic for a few days – and beyond that, as I spread out the mulch that will result from him chipping up all the soon-to-be-cut pines.  I have two new hawks who have taken up residence in my yard and spend a lot of time in one tree that is due to be cut.  There is no nest, so I hope it won’t be too traumatic.

 

My new book arrived in the mail earlier this week, just my personal copy for now, and so my mind is filled with the flurry of getting out and spreading the word about it.  I gave myself this past week to get readjusted to the time here and to life off my feet, but next week I will dig in full time to get my calendar organized for book promotions.   

 

I’ve been trying to keep calm and quiet as I re-enter my life here.  Walking all day long every day is very different than what I am now doing.  I have doctors to see, scans to have, and assurances to seek telling me that I am good, healthy, ready to carry on for a while longer.  I have a new area in my renovated living room where I sit and read.  I have a few things on my reading list right now and absorbing them is good for me.  I have thoughts about writing about all of this.  That will come soon.  Right now it resides in my mind.

 

And there is the story of my sister’s wedding.  She and Fred met in the winter and are celebrating their decision to be together at a sweet celebration here at my shop.  The flowers just arrived and, as you see, the beverages are here.  The kitchen bustles with food preparations.  I have their copy of their vows on my desk and I need to think about what I want to say during my section of the ceremony.  All is good.  Fred is very happy and so is Heather.  They have a good bunch of friends coming and it should be a fine and festive time.

 

Next weekend is the very last Bele Chere, a rowdy street festival here in Asheville.  I am one of the many who is happy that this is last year of this event.  It started as a fine, small affair, with local music and art.  It has grown to an unmanageable size.  The biggest indignity is that they have a performance stage right in front of our shop and they actually put up a chain link fence in front of our front door and across our parking lot.  No one can get anywhere near us.  It’s infuriating.  It has become a beer and funnel cake fest.  I will not be sad to see it go.  For this year, however, we will need to be closed from Friday until Sunday.  Sorry. 

 

Okey doke.  Thanks for sticking with us and being so loyal and such a fine group of customers! I was given a community service award yesterday which was for community activism.  The truth of it all is that I would not get to be active if there was not a receptive community.  And, more than that, I would not get to go gallivanting around if I was not backed up by the most talented and impressive gang of individuals ever: the staff here at Laurey’s. 

 

Alright – I’ll be in touch next week.

Ciao and Buen Camino, y’all.

 

Oh I so admire this woman and feel so thankful that I get to be with her every now and then.  Her speech therapist lives here and so Gabby (Giffords) comes a couple of times a year for intensive work. 

 

Gabby's mother is also a huge influence on me and was a big reason for my recent walk Camino.  Gloria had been there a couple of years ago.  When I met her last year she dazzled me with her enthusiasm and positive spirit - and she gave me a Camino Milagro from her own necklace.  At the end of my walk this year I found a special gift for her which she now wears.