Martha Plants Terrace with Home Depot Finds

Planting my outdoor terrace at Skylands
posting from Martha Stewart Blog

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Usually, Martha uses plants grown from her private greenhouse or other speciality plant suppliers. She may have a deal cooking with the big orange box store and is simply sharing the love. Whatever the reason is I like it when she makes affordable choices elegant. One of her plantings inspired me to do the same in one of my garden pots. I will update you on that latter. Perhaps, the long holiday weekend will offer us all the sunny weather for fun and gardening with time to rest.

Martha's selections before planting.

I believe the cycads are $22.99 a pot at Home Depot. In my experience with HD plants it's best to catch them as close to their stock date as possible. Some locations do not give them the care a smaller nursery provides. I am planting one indoors and one outdoors.

Cream Puffs with Lemon Mousse and Blueberry Sauce

Here is another item from brunch this past Sunday. We capped off the afternoon with this very refreshing desert, which seems light despite all the eggs and heavy cream involved. I was perusing the June 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living and found this in the From Martha's Home to Yours section. At first glance I was not a big fan of this current issue. Also, I should come clean in case it was not completely obvious before now that I am a follower of Ms. Stewart's. She's like a relative in the house. Well, I should make clear that I'm glad she's not a live-in one because I would be out of my mind with perfectionist worries. She inspires me though I cannot relate to being a supper wealthy owner of a company and many properties. Would I like to? Hell yes!!!

The cream puffs are the most labor intensive part of the recipe. The light confections would also go perfect with your favorite ice cream, sauce and toppings. Do not forget to add the egg wash at the end before applying sanding sugar for a crunchy, sweetness texture. Be liberal with the sugar. Also, do not skip straining the crud through a fine metal sieve after cooking.

The cream puffs were almost to pretty to cut open.

The recipes for the blueberry sauce and lemon curd mousse made enough to top 12 cream puffs. I had extra cream puffs that I made good use of with some strawberry jam.

Portobello and Asparagus Egg Strata aka Brunch with Ponch

We had a few friends over for brunch on Sunday. I have decided that a 1:00 p.m. start time works best for brunch. One of the dishes I prepared was a recipe from Whole Foods. The portobello and asparagus egg strata was quickly devoured. You make it the night before so that the bread soaks up all the flavors and some of the eggs. You can either use plain or herb goat cheese. I choose the herb kind and would up the garlic cloves - next time - from three to four for an added kick. On the day you bake it you sprinkle the remaining goat cheese on top and bake for 45 minutes, allowing it to stand 10 minutes before serving.

Some clever types at the table had to go there and mention Erik Estrada (Ponch on Chips). We had a short chuckle about it. Get it? Of course, and most likely you groaned. However, I will forever associate Ponch - now - with the tasty Strata severed for brunch. I hope you will try it. This one is going on the make again list.

Sunday Nap Take Two

Their sleepy eyes report the fact that the only event that could perk their ears or manage to motivate a tail wag would be dinner time, followed by an after-dinner Greenie (for Sadie).

Sadie and Spencer's Nap Debate

After a brief nap, both decided to discuss what the rest of Sunday afternoon might hold for both of them. The decision was easy and the verdict was not a surprise. They decided to continue productive napping and accomplished little to nothing for the remainder of Sunday evening.

Chocolate Love

Over the last couple of years I reintroduced myself to chocolate after a nearly 14 year hiatus from the wonderful food. I do try to exercise to allow myself these indulgences and mainly limit myself to the best dark chocolate and mostly skip milk chocolate. I find that I don't scarf down dark chocolate - unlike milk - as fast. This is another benefit of dark and limits consumption. My taste may not be the most expert but I have developed a fondness for a few brands and flavors. In other words, I know what I like as you may well too know. I like to find new chocolate to share the way other like to share wine. Please, post your favorites. Here is one brand to tempt the chocolate taste buds.

Chocolove

Yes, the name and packaging suggest love and poetry but it has a very manly dark chocolate flavor. They go the purist route as well as combine interesting flavors. Nationally you can find a limited selection of their flavors at Target and a wider selection at Whole Foods.

My Picks: Strong Dark 70% Cocoa, Cherries & Almonds 55% Cocoa, Chilies & Cherries 55 % Cocoa

A Favorite Read: "A Prayer for Owen Meany"

Incredible first sentence.

"I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice-not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany."

Originally published in 1989, Owen Meany remains my favorite John Irving novel. I discovered the title in 1999 after seeing the dreadful Simon Birch that was very loosely based on this book. Perhaps, one day they will make a stellar film adaptation of this haunting epic. Irving's newest release, Last Night in Twisted River, arrives in the fall.

John Irving discussing Twisted River.