Grateful for:
Such a beautiful weekend that allowed me to be outside, nary a mosquito or any humidity in sight.
Friday night: Chicken sausage on the grill and a French potato salad ( thought apparently the French have never heard of such a thing). Tiny potatoes sliced still warm into a bath of olive oil, lemon juice, a dash of dijon and piles of herbs from the garden, salt and pepper, eaten immediately.
Saturday night: Grilled skirt steak marinated in olive oil, lime juice, heaps of garlic, a dash of soy sauce, a bit of cumin and those herbs again, eaten with tortillas and tabbouleh.
Sunday: Walking to the farmers market with Elle, bringing back beautiful strawberry smelling strawberries and those golden beets. Stopping at the local coffee shop for a latte to go, picking up the Sunday Times and heading home where I remained for the rest of Sunday.
Pain free gardening, following the wedding on Instagram, gossiping with neighbors, freshly whipped cream for those strawberries, beet salad for dinner and a long hot bath.
Dinner: Turkey burgers on the grill and a long after dinner walk. Just pretend you have a dog is my new mantra.
I'm sorry, was I having a problem with life last week?
Zumba, the miracle cure.
P.S. the burning question, what color should I spray paint the bench? Moss green, a blue, black?
Help me out here folks.
xo J
Pain free? That's wonderful news. I'm so happy for you. Chronic pain is exhausting (as well as being painful). I can feel your fresh energy. And smell and taste those strawberries. Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteHow about a hot pink bench? Mise would do that. I wonder where she is.
Pain free. What a wonderful feeling. Exhausting and kind of scary, as in will this ever stop?
DeleteYes Mise would, and it would look glorious.
She needs to pop back up, miss her.
Classic Tidewater Forest Green or what my Ex used to call British Racing Green, maybe ? Sooooo VA-traditional preppy style! Grateful for; so many wonderful things that remind us how great everyday life can be, including so many super Blogs & inspiring photographs and (finally ) having Our Hands in the Dirt!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Diane in Denver
The only dark green I could find yesterday, in the little hardware shop by the shop, was a too dark green. But I hear where you're going with this. Only hope I don't have to go to HD!
DeleteThe moss or the above suggestion. You go, girl, you are on a roll. Great to have you back.
ReplyDeleteDelighted to be back! And well fed:-)
DeleteYou have a delicious life! So happy those clouds have parted.Turquoise for the bench!
ReplyDeleteTurquoise, love that.
DeleteWow - that's my idea of a perfect weekend! And how about tomato red or deep yellow enamel for the bench? That way you'd never misplace it . . . :-)
ReplyDeleteTomato red is a color I love, but I'm not so sure against the brick. Tho I am a furniture mover!
DeleteWith the past weekend, you will never get around to painting the bench. I vote sky blue. It's soft and inviting to the butt, and contrasts with the terra cotta brick (and the terra cotta) so you will see it. Amanda's turquoise is nice, too. Light turquoise.
ReplyDeleteRay
I am a true blue sort of woman, so both colors speak to me. It's a matter of what i can find in a spray can. Not being that DIY as to use a brush.
DeleteOh my how you've made me hungry and it is almost time for bed!
ReplyDeleteI vote for black but I think black is the perfect backdrop to all kinds of flowers foliage and will go with anything....I've seen gardeners go out on a limb and use bright neon shades but they seem so fleeting....please show us what you decide.
I will. I painted chairs black last summer for the front of the house and I love them. The back yard could have something funkier....but of course I'll post finished result.
DeleteDon't paint it!Jet wash it.
ReplyDeleteReally? I don't know how nice the wood is underneath. Wish someone would jet wash my back deck....
DeleteOh, the food! My mouth is watering. And the French don't know what they are missing! So pleased that you are back on zumba form.
ReplyDeleteColour that bench? I need a bit more information, a bigger picture of what's going on. We've (well, okay. HE) has just repainted an old wicker chair. It was blue to match a colour in the cushion and it just wasn't right. Now it is a soft green and it works so much better, so I guess it depends whether you want to blend or jump.
Well one French woman does now, and she gobbled it up!
DeleteSee, soft green sound so calming. Did you spray or brush?
Brush. I'm going to post the before and after for you.
DeleteEvery room needs a bit of black so that's my vote. Although I think every color has been mentioned except yellow so my second choice would be canary yellow.
ReplyDeleteI can attest to said French potato salad. I had it--warm potatoes with fresh vine ripened tomatoes with a vinaigrette--when I spent time in Normandy many years ago. I was the one that came back and introduced it to America just in case you wondered.
Is that so? I was ever so curious!
DeleteNow you need to go back and reintroduce it to France!
I love the black idea but it's such a little messy, albeit cute garden corner. I wonder if black is too sophisticated?
The mossy green would be a nice complement to the brick.
DeleteHello, new Jane. a few days of good food and good friends does wonders ... imagine that. ♥
ReplyDeleteI say blue paint. Not too bright or funky though.
Have a happy Tuesday. :)
Right? Funny that! I'm going with blue....I think.
DeleteMoss green, French shutter blue...now I want your 'French' potato salad and skirt steak. You know I have never, ever, cooked a skirt steak?
ReplyDeleteAlso. Really. You write so well.
You must cook a skirt steak, delicious, slightly chewy and excellent cold. Make extra.
DeleteAnd, as ever, your compliment means the world to me my published friend:-)
Your 'French' potato salad sounds so delicious. I find if you chuck the word French before almost anything it improves its flavour.
ReplyDeleteWe occasionally go off piste with cooking and delve into the cupboards to see just how inventive we can be. Once the meal is complete, we then give it a silly French name.
I served up Chicken 'Gauloises' to some guests once using this technique and not one person questioned its name. I rest my case:)
Did you roast or smoke the chicken?
DeleteI'd go for a soft pale ferny green, maybe a little like the Lambs' Ears you have growing next to it. Would go beautifully with so many other plant colours. Or just jet-wash it and paint it with a thin, very-watered-down pale paint to let the wood grain show through?
ReplyDeleteMy French mother did potatoes rather like that, and also cold roast or boiled beef chopped into chunks, with a tiny amount of finely chopped shallots instead of herbs. Both delicious!
I totally know what you mean about out the cold roast beef salad. My favorite French restaurant used to make it for me whenever I can in.
DeleteNow I have to do, yum.
Oops - didn't mean to sound as though my mother jet-washed and painted the potatoes or cold beef - rather, she dressed them in much the same way as your potato salad. Time for bed for me, I think......
ReplyDeleteI have the exact same bench (old Ikea?) and have been contemplating pressure washing . For me moss green. Haven't commented before but love your blog. Keep it up. From a very shady garden in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteHey there Toronto. You can't imagine how I long for a proper shade garden. bet you'd trade me for some sun, huh?
DeleteAre indigo, aqua and purple out of the running? Am hoping to add something in one of those co,ors to my space. Glad you are feeling wwell. xoxo
ReplyDeleteNot at all Webb. My little local hardware store has such a small selection I brought home an indigo/Brittany French blue color to try out. You're right on the money!
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ReplyDeleteI would love to taste your French potato not-salad. Thanks for the details. I'll just have to make one of my own.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the bench... How about a bold bright yellow?
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