The Weekly Newsletter for July 11-15, 2011

It's tomato time!
Yup - my tiny little unkempt garden is producing just enough.  Here are a handful of cherry tomatoes ("tommy-toes" in the local vernacular) that will be in my tummy soon.  The Sungolds are coming along as are the larger tomatoes.  Each year I wonder if I can keep up with my plants' offspring.  Each year I manage.  This year I have about 8 plants.  Bring 'em on, I say!


Anyone need a fireman?
Monsieur Henri was in full gear for last week's 4th of July parade.  He did not need to use his siren or the fire extinguisher, but it was a mighty good thing he had them both. 
 
He most certainly was the handsomest fireman in the entire parade, in my marginally-biased opinion.


Dinners for the week
Give us a call (252-1500) by noon or so. Dinners are ready by 3 and can be picked up until we close at 7. If you'd like a salad (3.25) or bread (1.25) just let us know.
 
Here are this week's dinner to go options:
 
Monday, July 11
Chicken Piccata 8.25
 
Tuesday, July 12
Spinach Enchiladas with Mole 6.25 (GF)
 
Wednesday, July 13
Green Tabasco Fried Chicken with Potato Salad 9.50
 
Thursday, July 14
Slow-cooked Chicken, Potato Gnocchi, and Cherry Tomatoes 8.95
 
Friday, July 15
Shrimp Fettuccine with Grilled Summer Vegetables 8.95


Casseroles
Here is this week's casserole:
 
Wednesday, July 13
Mac and Cheese with Leeks and Butternut Squash
Whole: 32.95 Half: 16.50
 
And this week's Lasagna is:
 
Friday, July 15
 
Italian Sausage Lasagna
Whole: 60.50 Half: 30.25
 
Call us by noon and we'll have yours ready to pick up by 3.


Busy days at Stoney Knob
My bees are doing very well!  Hives 2,3,and 4 are all bustling.  Hive #1 is still working on getting itself a Queen.  As of one week ago, it looked like they had finally decided to go along with the idea that they really DO need a leader/mom/baby-maker.  I'll know in another week or so and YOU'LL be the first to know if they have really done it.  Gosh I hope so. 


Getting ready
These will be Cherokee Purples. 
 
I love my garden.


More for the bees
And these sweet bits are there for me and to make a colorful entrance to my cabin, but they are being enjoyed by the bees too.  They come, sip the nectar, have a bit of water in the bird bath, say hello to me and my dog, and then scoot back to the hives to deposit their haul.
 
If you wonder what you can do to help the bees, one answer is to plant lots and lots of flowers. 


A note from Laurey
 
July 9, 2011
 
Hiya. I write from my home this morning. I’ve been to the market and have had a bit of a morning and am now home, writing, regrouping, listening to my insides, my mind, my body. It is telling me to do a lot of sleeping these days. I’ve taken to thinking of these mid-day retreats as “healing sessions” not just “being a lazy bum.” I’m getting closer to convincing myself that it’s true. (And I’m feeling quite good, by the way.)
 
Two weeks ago I went to the market and bought a loaf of my favorite bread: Farm and Sparrow’s wood oven baked bread. Ooh I love this bread. Turns out, so does my pup. I should remember this. On a couple of occasions I have come home to find her smiling face sprinkled with wood oven baked breadcrumbs. And two weeks ago, after I bought that loaf of bread, I took it home, had a couple of sandwiches, wrapped up the bread and put it on the counter. When I came home, later that day, the paper wrapper was strewn on my den’s floor, and the telltale crumbs were scattered nearby.
 
So much for THAT loaf. So much for THOSE sandwiches.
 
Last week I went to the market and, realizing I had not brought enough money to get a loaf of bread, settled for a Farm and Sparrow berry-filled Croissant. They had just sold out of my favorite apricot croissants, so I made do with the berry substitute. Tye was with me, filled with mud and muck from the morning’s lake excursion. Though I have walked her at the market, it can get to be a bit much, so I’d left her in the car for this quick croissant purchasing trip. I even told Tara, my friend who was selling the Farm and Sparrow bread, that Tye loved the bread and that she had become quite the crafty bread thief.
 
After my shopping, Tye and I went to the grocery store to get some laundry detergent and some milk and some other things. Tye stayed in the car. (What was I thinking?)
 
And yup, when I got back to my car I stashed my groceries in the rear compartment and then hopped into my seat, where, what did I find but my muddy, stinky wet dog, sitting in MY seat, covered with Farm and Sparrow wood oven-baked BERRY CROISSANT! She had thoughtfully left the crispy outer edges but the sweet berry center was gone.
 
She was very happy, smiling and licking the last of the crumbs off her paws.
 
Today I went to the market, without Tye, got there in time, bought myself an Apricot croissant, and immediately sat on the curb. Right there. And ate it. Ha!
 
Sometimes I just don’t feel like sharing.


The Cutest Fire Chief
This child LOVES firethings. 
Firethings are red.
I love red.
This means that I get to love whatever Henry loves, especially when it comes to a nice new birthday fireman's jacket.
Life is sweet when you can share in this way.


Laurey's Catering and gourmet to go • 67 Biltmore Avenue • Asheville • NC • 28801