another thursday

if you have not figured out by now, thursdays are a very nice day of the week for this couple. i spend my day cooking, dining, enjoying good wine and chatting with good friends. my husband will tell you.... when his wife is happy everyone (that's just him now) is happy.

cooking is my favorite thing to do. there are other things i love to do with other people but for just me alone, my choice would be cooking. today, the two sous chefs in the making, at the exceptional cooking school of dr. juri sbandatti prepared a wonderful ribolitta. a very rustic tuscan vegetable, bean and bread soup, that is not really soup at all. you cook it like soup though and at the end of the first time it seems like soup but since ribolitta means to boil again (reboil, get it... ) after you add the bread and cook it again it comes out thick and hearty. it is a rich and tasty vegetarian dish that is only better the next day. although, i enjoyed it very much today!

the beginning


the middle, sorry no picture of the end. i was busy eating it!


then while our ribolitta was cooking away we prepared a beautiful lamb shoulder that we stuffed with artichokes. we peeled and cooked them in a wonderful mixture of olive oil, garlic and parsley before we rolled them up in our little lamby shoulder. wrapped it all up in caul fat (my new secret ingredient that is quite amazing) and garnished with rosemary. it looks quite tempting even before baking.


and is even more yummy looking after. the presentation was beautiful in the end and the taste, ohhhh, how can i keep saying every week, it's just the best. the food juri teaches us to prepare is really good. he is a master chef.


speaking of masters.... i had the honor to accompany my husband to an event here in sisters this evening. the sisters movie house does a series of talkies (showing thought provoking films then having a panel of experts to answer questions). my very handsome and very knowledgeable husband was on the panel for the film 'helvetica.' yes it is a movie about a type face. i admit, i thought it was very good and really interesting. i think anyone who loves design would enjoy it.

bill did an amazing job on the panel and was obviously the most interesting and entertaining 'expert'. the line to speak with him after was the longest and it was an honor to say, "i know him."

i think the sweetest part was him beginning, as he does so often, telling about his initial inspiration into the world of design and giving credit where credit is due. a mom who encouraged him, loved him and believed in him, no matter what he drew. i always wish she was sitting there with me to hear him share this. it would bless her so.... some day.... maybe...

xo
- L