Which One Is It?

Well, lots of fun and exciting things are going on that I want to update you on.  First, I had my first blogger meet-up yesterday!  I’ve seen bloggers get together on lots of other blogs but unfortunately have never lived near any other bloggers to do the same.  Well, that changed a couple of weeks ago when Jen found me through Yoga Pose May.  We literally live two miles from one another.  We exchanged a few emails and met for the first time at a local coffee-house.  I had a great time grabbing an ice tea with her (mango for Jen and mango/apple/orange for me) and getting to know one another.  I think we really hit it off!  Supposedly Jen’s mom has seen me walking Asher around the Lake and knew who we were but never said anything!  Well, this morning we saw each other and said hi!  Always fun to meet new people.  Jen and I already have a walk-the-dog date for Friday.  But looking forward to sharing a yummy meal out with her soon.  She likes tofu too 🙂 (And I promise pictures next time!) 

Also, my grandmother has arrived.  She lives in a retirement community in Durham, NC but has recently returned to the mountains for the Summer.  She has a small guest cottage (the size of a studio) that Nathan and I have been living in rent free.  She is now here and in the “big house.”  It has been nice to visit with her since I had only seen her once since my return from Togo.  The other great thing is that she is cooking for me!!  I have not had anyone cook for me since a host mom in Togo for three months.  And that food wasn’t that great.  But I’ve been eating baked chicken, homemade naan, strawberry panna cotta, roasted veggies, and fresh salads.  Amazing!  I’ve been explaining the blog and how she needs to start taking pictures of her cooking so I can post the food and recipes.  Maybe one day I’ll make it to the kitchen before she’s done so I can share the process with you.  But trust me, my stomach is happy 🙂 

I decided to make a Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp for my grandmother the other night to show my appreciation.  And luckily it was much more successful than the “rubble.”  I started with a recipe from the NY Times by Mark Bittman.  Here’s his intro to the crisp if you’re interested… 

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 And here is the recipe.  I took his previous advice and used strawberries in place of some of the rhubarb. 

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It was simple and quite yummy.  And actually quite tart, which surprised me.  Again, I didn’t think the rhubarb would have much taste but it did.  Tangy sweetness.  Definitely recommended. 

 

 

 

And as for the title of this post, my grandmother decided to serve a very similar looking main dish for dinner.  We ate both out of small blue bowls.  Only after serving it, did it occur to us that one may have trouble distinguishing the two!  Here are the two dishes: 

Which one is the rhubarb and which one is…..(spaghetti sauce minus the noodles in this pic!)?? 

Here’s another view: 

 

I guess tasty food comes in brown and red?!  

And for the final update, guess what’s up for today??  My first CSA pick-up!!  Fresh veggies, here I come!!