Things We Love Right Now – May 2013

Here in Newberry, South Carolina, Greg is enjoying getting the yard cleaned up and ready for the growing season. Last year we built a trellis on the side of the porch and planted a climbing rose bush and jasmine vines. The rose bush is blooming like crazy! It will take a while for the jasmine to fill in, but we’re pleased with how it turned out.

We also planted 2 peach trees and a fig tree last fall and the peach tree has quarter-size little fuzzy peaches coming in. (We’ve had so much rain lately in South Carolina that the grass is really growing too.) Did you know that peaches as a decorative motif on antique furniture represent longevity? I talked about Symbolism and Chinese Antique Furniture in a previous blog post.

I’m looking forward to spending Mother’s Day with my mom, Linda. We’re going out for brunch and then will spend the afternoon chatting and catching up. She lives about an hour away from me, so I try to go over to see her every three weeks or so. I plan to surprise her with a pretty hanging basket of hot pink geraniums for her back porch. Isn’t it funny how the older you get, your mom becomes more of a best friend than a mom? At least that’s how it feels to me. We’ve shared so much through the years – the ups and the downs – she has always been there with a shoulder to cry on or to cheer my success. I love you mom - thanks for everything.

Lever Farms Strawberries

Therese is loving the beautiful 70 degree days and opening the windows to bring in the fresh air. She has especially enjoyed some lazy weekend mornings, eating breakfast out on her screened porch. Her favorite thing to make? French toast with fresh sliced strawberries! Strawberry season is in full bloom here in Newberry. If you’re in the area, be sure to visit Lever Farms as you can pick your own strawberries. Their fields are ripe for the picking, or you can buy baskets already picked if you don’t want to do it yourself.

If you'd like to try something different, Strawberries in Balsamic Vinegar taste amazing! The dish is also amazingly simple to make. Sprinkle 16 ounces of strawberries (hulled and chopped in half or quarters, depending on the size) with about 2 tablespoons of good quality balsamic vinegar, and a quarter cup of white sugar. Stir lightly, and for an extra touch of spice, add a few grinds of black pepper! Marinade for an hour or more, so the balsamic and pepper can mingle and really bring out the flavor of the strawberries. Serve in a green salad, or as  dessert with ice cream, whipped cream, panna cotta or mascarpone. This strawberry sensation also tastes great drizzled over pound cake. It's fun for a dinner party. Guests wonder what on earth you are serving up…. until they take the first bite!