I love cherries. Every year in July I hoard them, and scarf them down. They can cause occasional intestinal upset, but they are well worth the discomfort. When I was a kid you got the occasional double cherry stem. My sister Bonnie and I would wear them as earrings. I loved watching my mother using a washed bobby pin as a cherry pitter (try it) Cherries and summer go together, and so does Lavender and cherries. I have a wonderful savory dish using cherries and lavender. Check out my older blog using Lavender and Cherries in a caramelized dessert dish. What ever you do go out and eat some cherries...they'll soon be gone.

This is Goldie, one very lucky chicken. Being a novice farmer, watching movies like "Charlottes WEb" or "Babe" I thought or dreamed all farms animals got along. I had visions of my chickens roaming my garden eating all the bad bugs, dropping little fertilizers drops... enter DOGS ! I thought I could train my dogs to love chicken too. But after 5 dead, one missing I realized you can't train a bird dog not to kill birds. I was disappoints when the last chicken flew out of the coop in a freak accident and my gentle Zesus killed that one. So you see why Goldie is so lucky. Tomorrow I'm headed to buy 3 more chicken. You may ask, why is she getting more? simple I like chicken and Goldie is lonely. Keep your fingers crossed these survive.

Lavender season is in full swing. The farmers Market in Salt lake's pioneer park is going really well. This years crop should be ready to harvest in 2-3 weeks. Anyone interested in visiting the farm, just let me know and I'll have a job waiting for you. This recipe is a great summer time treat. They store well, last a long time, and are a bit more healthy than your regular candy bar. They would be great for your next extended car ride. Kids love em... enjoy.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY MIMI ! I'm told that when I was a child I would always sit on the counters and watch my mother cook . I would help her mix , stir and roll out pastry dough. We had these little metal pie tin we could create our own pies in. But mostly we would cover the pie dough in sugar and eat it raw, yum. Now a new generation is helping in the Kitchen. Mimi (Madeline) is right there on top of the counters cooking with grandma. Last weekend we made a yummy chocolate mousse, that is so easy a 5 year old can make it. It's quite rich so we layered it with slightly sweetened whipping cream. I think layering it with chocolate cake , or a chocolate cookie would be fabulous. You could even add some sweetened cherries or strawberries. How ever you use this mousse you'll love it.

Yesterday was a scary day for Roz and Thad residents of Tuscaloosa. Thad at work, Roz home alone with no power. This was a first for this girl from the west, who knows about earthquakes, but not Tornados. While she sits in her hall, I'm on the cell with her in Utah tracking the Tornado on the internet. It was un-nerving to see a hugh storm headed for her city. They escaped without damage. But Tuscaloosa didn't as you can see from the photo. So much is gone. My favorite Barbecue "Full Moon" completely gone. The main shopping area also gone. Those Alabama folk are tough old birds. Tuscalossa will be rebuilt bigger and better. Our prayers go out to ya'll

Today is Mike's 58th birthday. So I gave him a card with a Chihuahua on the front with squinting eyes saying..." still suspiciously young looking I see". I choose the card because it's true. He is, still young looking and handsome. How lucky I am. One of Mike's favorite things is "Eggs Benedict" When ever Mike sees eggs benedict on the menu he always asks if the hollandaise sauce is real. As the waitress rolls her eyes and says "of course it's real" mike continues "I mean is it homemade? , and not from a package from sysco foods" As you can see he's passionate about his food. So, this morning for his birthday I made him a simple breakfast of "Country Eggs Benedict". They are easy and delicious. But if you ask him he'll still rank the the Sheraton Place Hotel's Eggs Benedict the best in the World.