It Must Be Getting Warmer

On a recent trip down to the Elmwood Village in Buffalo, I saw signs of life all around. Trust me, I couldn't be happier about the return of warm(er) weather, and I'm not the only one. Lots of people were out, enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

I know that, for me, having such long winters really makes me appreciate the non-winter months. I get spring fever so bad every year, and this year has been especially great. Spring came early and has stuck around, bringing lots of sunshine with it.

It's not often you can ride with your top down in Buffalo in April!

And we won't be needing fleece and outerwear for much longer!

One of the things that makes spring my favorite season is just getting outdoors again. The sunshine and fresh air, combined with flowering trees and early bulbs, makes me feel refreshed, hopeful and energized. Everything is so pretty again and I can do the things I love to do: take Frances for long walks, dig in the garden, go jogging without worrying about ice, cut bouquets to bring in the house, sit outside and read in my backyard... and simply, just soak up the sun. Such a sweet feeling.

Bon Appétit

On a trip to the store, my mom bought me the latest issue of Bon Appétit magazine, so I thought it only fitting that I make one of the recipes for us to try.

And with a cover photo as enticing as that, I decided to try the cover recipe. No substitutions except light cream instead of heavy cream. My dad thought it could have been creamier, so maybe the switch wasn't a good idea. Or perhaps I just should have added more cream. Either way, it was an excellent way to use the early spring vegetables that are just starting to show up at the market. Other recipes that I've had luck with lately are this, and this one, too. Do you see a pattern? Creamy goodness... tasty peas and asparagus... Italian meats.

I am filled with excitement, knowing that the growing season is finally beginning. Although we have a shorter growing season in Western New York, it is always bountiful, and fresh, and delicious. My kitchen is going to be a busy place, so keep those recipes coming.

Just A Perfect Day

We take it when we can get it in Western New York, and today was simply that. A perfect day. The kind that makes you want to get outdoors and smile, smile, smile as the sun beats down on your face.

Spring is my most favorite time of the year.

Luckily for me, this year has been splendid.

I took a break from yard work and went out in search of pretty.

And wasn't the only one enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

Oh such a perfect day.

I don't think it gets much better than this.

It's a Great Day for the Irish!

Oh, happy day! My favorite holiday has arrived, and with it, a glorious, shining sun! The corned beef is in the slow cooker, the Guinness is chilling, the table is set, and I'm wearing my green. Later today some friends will be coming over to toast the Irish... and I'll be wishing I was back in Ireland, kissing the Blarney Stone!

May the sun shine, all day long, everything go right, and nothing wrong. May those you love bring love back to you, and may all the wishes you wish come true!

Girls' Night

I have the perfect cure for the mid-week doldrums: whip up a yummy dinner, invite a friend over, add a bottle of wine, and "Voila!" An otherwise humdrum Wednesday evening turns into Girls' Night, celebrated in my house every week since last summer. Usually it's an opportunity to experiment with a new recipe, but last night's menu included an oldie, but goodie.

Roasted Vegetable and Ricotta Pizza

olive oil, for baking sheet and drizzling

flour, for dusting surface

1 pound store-bought pizza dough

8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated (about 2 cups)

6 cups roasted vegetables*

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves

coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Brush a large baking sheet (preferably rimless) with oil, or line with parchment paper, if desired, for easy cleanup.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch dough into a 12-by-16 inch oval (or as large as will fit on baking sheet); transfer to sheet. Or, if you're like me, just buy a pre-made crust.

3. Sprinkle dough with half the mozzarella. Scatter vegetables on top, and dollop with ricotta; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and rosemary. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake until bubbling and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

*Roasted Vegetables

1 pound butternut squash peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 pound red new potatoes, well-scrubbed and quartered

1 medium red onion, peeled and quartered

1/2 pound carrots, halved lengthwise, if thick, and cut into 1-inch lengths

2 to 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread rimmed baking sheet with vegetables and garlic, toss with oil, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

2. Roast until vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, 40 to 50 minutes, tossing them halfway through.

Pretty delicious, and probably the last time I'll make this particular pizza for awhile, what with winter finally winding down and all.

Which made it all the more enjoyable.

Even Frances seemed pretty content to hang with the girls.

Snow Day!

There is nothing sweeter than an unexpected day off from work!

Except maybe a neighbor who comes over with his snowplow.

One Step Closer

With a week off from work, and a very helpful mother, I was able to complete a major house project, bringing me one step closer to my dream kitchen. Given that a complete kitchen redo isn't really in my budget right now, I have to work with what I've got. Last summer I painted the walls and backsplash in the kitchen. And this past week, I painted the cabinets and replaced the hardware. But, silly me forgot to take a 'Before' picture... so all you get is the lovely 'After'

Aside from painting, I spent some of my time off watching movies, amongst other things. I was anxious to finally see The Time Traveler's Wife. The novel, by Audrey Niffenegger, is my most favorite book out of the hundreds of books I've read. So my expectations of the film version were really high, and I was afraid that the characters in the movie wouldn't quite measure up to the characters in my head. In fact, this is the reason I never went to the theatre while the movie was showing. It felt like an extremely personal experience: getting to actually see Henry and Clare in person for the first time. I know, this all sounds so silly. But Henry and Clare are so special to me... second only to Rhett and Scarlett. (I guess this is what happens when you make a living reading books). Turns out, the movie was pretty good. I had to separate the book from the movie, and once I did, I enjoyed the movie from a purely entertaining standpoint. I still love the book a whole lot more, and if you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it. I also recommend taking a week off from work, to catch up on those pesky house projects, movies, books, and anything else that you're into. Such a treat!