First Tomato Of The Season!

Here it is; the first tomato of the season. This sun-ripened Lemon Boy was the first to the table from the vine. Right from the garden, sliced and sprinkled with a little freshly ground salt and pepper, a squeeze from a lemon and a sprig of fresh basil for garnish the flavor of this tomato was as juicy and vibrant as it looks.

photos by: Lisa Keating 

Last Day Of School!

Nothing says summer like sandy flip flops abandoned by the back door. I like to keep things simple in summer. With a beach bag stocked with fresh towels, sunblock, extra hats, glasses and wraps, we're ready for a spontaneous trip to the beach, river, lake or even just an unexpected dip in a friend's pool.

Time to turn up the music, fire up the grill and let the lazy days of summer carry us away!

photo by: Lisa Keating 

Lavender's Green

Longing for the Lavender fields of Provence with only an afternoon to fulfill your dream? Set the nav for Cherry Hill, California where the blooming lavender perfumes the air, the olive and pine trees shade the lane and an 1100 year old oak tree waits patiently to whisper its secrets into the curl of your ear.

This is the 7th Annual Lavender Festival taking place at Highland Springs Resort and 123Farm just above Beaumont. Some of the highlights include wandering among the blooming plants, dining on festival fare; I had the Lavender Brisket and Lavender Lemonade, listening to the live concerts of piano and cellos in the dappled light under towering pines, taking a horse-drawn hayride tour of the property and savoring the sights, sounds and scents of this extremely well-organized, family friendly and completely relaxed rustic celebration of organic lavender.

I don't know if it was just my imagination or if there is something in the water here in Cherry Hill, but this was one of the handsomest, most elegant, friendly and relaxed gatherings of people I have ever encountered in one place. Maybe it's aromatherapy in practical application or perhaps those who are drawn to celebrate this calming herb are naturally good-natured, but whatever the reason, don't you owe it to yourself to spend an afternoon that feeds your soul like a month in the country?

These 100 year old olive trees line what was once the entrance to the resort. Established in the 1800's, this was traffic control for moonless nights - one way in - one way out - kept coaches from colliding in the dark.

More info: Highland Springs Resort


video by: EncinoMom Productions 
photos by: Lisa Keating


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Lavender's Blue Dilly Dilly

Video coming soon from the 7th Annual Lavender Festival in Cherry Hill, California.

photo by: Lisa Keating 

Sausage & Peppers Recipe

Cooked on a cast iron skillet, these chicken sausages will also do well outside on the grill! Once the sausages were cooked thoroughly (about 30 minutes), I kept them warm in a Tequila bath inside the oven. Next up; red peppers and green onions hit the heat. On another burner a pot of boiling water for whole wheat corkscrew pasta. Served, as seen here, with a drizzle of olive oil and artichoke hearts (in the polka-dotted dish) served on the side. Simple and satisfying.

photos by: Lisa Keating