Puzzle, pluots

/

Oh man, I had to get out a card table for my newest puzzle -games- mostly because it was too large for our coffee table. Actually, it was mostly to stop my back from complaining about hunching over in less-than-optimal lighting. The combo of card table + yet another 1,000 piece puzzle suggests to me that my nerd factor has gone off the charts, like the mercury on a hot day. Even Jack is saying, "mom, what's up with you and the puzzles!" But whatever, if I'm a nerd, hear me roar (hoarsely but with assertiveness). The games puzzle was slightly less difficult than was vintage lunch boxes but more challenging than was travel posters. I know more about this than I wish I did, but alas. It's on to wine country next. I also chopped pluots- aren't they beautiful? Mom, I did not do anything with them. I simply chopped them while sitting down.

chopped pluots, aka plumcots

Pizza a din'din

/

Well, this was insanely good. I keep hearing about grating tomatoes being a great process for X...but I can never remember what the X is, so I decided to try it just to see. While grating, I decided that the result would make a delicious puree and so mixed it with mortared garlic and made it the foundation for our pizza. I have basil and marjoram growing outside so threw a bunch of both on, then added some torn scallions and then my beloved mozzarella di bufala. Ridiculous. And seriously, folks, this plum tart is a perfect recipe. Amanda Hesser, thank you. I have tried a few varieties of plums and pluots are my very favorite. Mamma mia!