Monday, April 15, 2024

Beautiful Weather at Last

Cooking and Eating Outdoors

Finally, the weather has become warm and sunny. Sunday we ate lunch outdoors, and cooked dinner on the grill. Sitting at the outdoor table is such a pleasure after months of cold and rainy weather. Will this last? I hope so.

Lunch in the back yard: a tortilla casserole and some La Croix water.

While Len was making a fire, Carol, Nat, and I enjoyed great bread that Len had baked earlier in the day.
A ray of sunshine descends to the bread like the light in a medieval or renaissance painting.

Some sherry seemed like the perfect drink with the fresh bread.

Marinated chicken and red bell pepper on skewers: first grilling of the season.




Carol baked an orange and almond pie. The red fruit slices are blood orange.

Spring in the Arb



Saturday we took our first walk in the Arboretum for months. We found that the boardwalk is currently under construction, and that there’s still a huge project to remove many large trees that fell in a major storm last year. Despite these issues, the woods and the river were very pretty while we were walking, and we saw quite a few different species of birds. My favorites were a bluebird and two red-tailed hawks.



Blog post and photos © 2024 mae sander


17 comments:

Lori said...

It is always so nice to be able to cook outside and sit and enjoy it without it being too hot or cold? Everything looks delicious! Love the bluebird.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh beautiful Spring! Dinner looks so good! And the baked goods -- bread and pie.

eileeninmd said...

Our weather is much the same here, beautiful to be outside.
Your meal sounds and looks delicious.
Love the cute bluebird.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a happy week ahead.

Valerie-Jael said...

Glad to hear that spring is now there , and great that you were abe to enjoy a lovely meal outside. Our spring has lrft us, it's cold and stormy now. Love thhe light beam leading to the bread! Hugs, Valerie

Lisca said...

Yay! to warmer weather! Lovely to eat outside. We've been eating outside too this week.
The chicken skewers look yummy and that pie is very unusual. Would love to try that. I bet it was really good. Oh and that bread! That is the sort of bread I would eat. (I'm not a bread fan, but I would eat that!) I'm coming over right now!
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

Haze said...

Your food pictures are amazing! The food looks delicious and I want to grab them from the screen!

Haze
https://thebookhaze.com/

My name is Erika. said...

That looks like a really yummy lunch Mae.That pie looks yummy and is that Len's bread? And I'm with you about being able to eat outside. Hurrah for some spring-like weather. have a great T day. hugs-Erika

Meezan said...

Look at all that delicious food and beautiful scenery in the great outdoors! Spring is in the air! :)

Iris Flavia said...

Yay to Spring and oh, did you make me hungry! ;-)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What amazing weather you are having. Here it is so windy (winds to 60 mph), the food would blow into the next county before I could catch it. Loved seeing the bread being shined on and the lovely pie and chicken skewers you served to your guests. That pie was a lovely and thoughtful addition to the meal, too. Thanks for sharing your meal, La Croix water, and sherry with us for T this Tuesday, dear Mae.


Yvonne said...

Nice to be able to eat outside. The food looks delicious!

Jeanie said...

Once Rick is back from his bike hike, we'll be doing this too -- but I have a feeling it won't look clearly so fabulous (or taste as good!)

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The bread alone is cause for huge celebration!

Jenn Jilks said...

A BBQ and nature! Life is grand.

CJ Kennedy said...

So nice when the weather warms up and you can eat outside. It all looked fabulous. Cool shot of the bluebird. Happy T Day

Violetta said...

Oh, that looks great...alas you can´t taste it via computer......
Have a good time and all the best
Violetta

Lisca said...

Lovely food! It all looks delicious!
Sorry I'm late commenting. I have my friend staying with me and we're having a great time seeing places and catching up.
Lisca