Because of the aforementioned chaos that's been the state of things around here of late, I seem to have mostly missed out on one of my favorite late summer obsessions: figs. One place from which I have been conspicuously absent is my garden. After a weekend at Bois Dore opining to my friend Claudia upon the wonder that is figs, I sheepishly went down to inspect mine. Sadly, I think that the squirrels and birds have had a fig fest going on which didn't leave but so many for me. Nevermind, the great thing about gardens, I've discovered, is that even if you "miss" a season through benign neglect as I seem to have done, it will come back around next year, hardly the worse forwear.
Read moreShrimp, Chicken, and Andouille Gumbo
In the utter silence that cloaks my house this afternoon, it's hard to believe that two weeks ago today things were rockin' and rollin' around here. The College of William and Mary had just elected to close ahead of the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene. With that, Felix and five hall mates who had been together for all of six days followed their "personal evaluation plans" and came to roost here for the storm.
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It's not hyperbole to say that my world has been shaken in every possible way since I last properly blogged nearly a month ago. Yes, there has been an earthquake with the epicenter located, I'm reliably told, next to my friend Kevin's tomato plant in his garden in Mineral. Yes there has been a hurricane whose epicenter, I'm convinced, was right here on my block where we lost something like ten aged oaks which squashed seven cars to pancake proportions. No, the earth-shaking thing that happened here was the unexpected death of my beloved Father, Tom Osdene--in so many ways, the inspiration for almost everything I've ever done or accomplished in my life, and most assuredly the catalyst for and soul of my kitchen.
Read moreFeta Cheese Spread
A reader request....totally yummy to which my pal Johnnie can attest !
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