Gnudi and pie, go buy this wine

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What a luxurious dinner we had and dessert we will enjoy. The mushroom lady at the FM today didn't have chanterelles but thought maitakes and creminis might be a good approximation. They were yummy but creminis throw off so much water, and as Nancy calls for nearly a cup as well, I think ultimately there was a bit too much. The end result needed a fair amount of salt, but the gnudi were wonderful, so light and airy, and I was happy for the baby spinach's inclusion.

A dear friend spent the day cooking a major birthday dinner for her husband. For dessert, she was making two of my lemon meringue pies, and I was very happy she did because her questions showed me that I needed to clarify the recipe. To do so accurately, I made a lemon fluff pie too! T is so excited!Lastly, I simply must tell you to go to www.lot18.com sometime in the next 11 hours and order some of the Leone d'Oro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. We bought two bottles a while back and ordered 6 more today. It is so smooth and lovely, a great wine for this price-point!

Appetizers and drinks, camp-out in the works

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Due to a deal made of staying up late, eating by a campfire and camping out under the stars, the boys acquiesced and napped today. It was much needed, and they have been darling ever since. As promised, we lit a fire in my parents’ fire pit and cooked beans and hot dogs over it. I made a cactus paddle/tomatillo salad, and both J and O swear that they now ”loooove cactus.” They were in hogs’ heaven and made up cowboy names for everyone: Jack= Texas Fire; Mom= Maxine; Dad= Pardner; Oliver= Jake; T= Slim John; me= Priscilla/Prissy.  Following dinner, we made s’mores, and really it’s true: everything tasted good when cooked over a fire! We’d made Aperol Spritzes and poured wine, and all just seemed good in the world. Unfortunately, the tree house in which they’d so diligently set up camp had about 2000 bees living on its exterior walls, so that situation is TBD. In any case, they’re running circles in the yard under the stars and having a grand time.