Cucumber + hummus

This is a quick and easy lunch that I have at the office from time to time. It's creamy hummus on Persian cucumber halves, with slices of red and yellow peppers and a sprinkling of chive blossoms. I used to think the only way I could enjoy hummus was with Stacy's pita chip cracker (mmm, salty, crunchy!) but those carb calories add up fast, so I swapped in cucumbers and don't miss those chips at all. Much. Well...

Painted river

I painted this small painting an hour before going to a friends party, you know, as a hostess gift for her. It was the first time I had ever delivered a completely wet oil painting to someone. Ha! This friend lives right on the edge of the river that winds through the marshes and goes out to the sea. Every day she gets to see these beautiful salt marshes! And oh how this view changes. About once a week for 3+ years this friend has been snapping a photo of this river view. I think she needs to make a coffee book with all of her beautiful photographs.

Beet salad with chives blossoms

Sweet earthy beets are anointed with a classic french vinaigrette. Other tidbits in the salad are French lentils, edamame, arugula, goat cheese, red onion, and oniony chive blossoms, which are in bloom this week. The cosmos flower decided to join the party.

Floral confetti

Deadheading the pansies—such a colorful chore.
It's floral confetti!

Radishes, butter and salt—oh my!

The French do this marvelous thing with radishes. They serve these crunchy, peppery morsels with softened butter and sea salt, preferably Fleur de Sel. This much loved French hors d'oeuvre is so simple, yet so sublime. We've had these radishes served in a fancy presentation, as shown above—the butter even had chopped chives in it—but my favorite way to enjoy them is the rustic presentation shown below, over a soft bed of bibb lettuce, dressed with French dressing (of course!).

One particular restaurant served bread, so one could make a mini radish tartine. Mmmm... radish radish tartines—that's a whole other blog post for another day.

   

Spread (ok, slather) a little butter on the radish, sprinkle on some salt...

... and crunch!

Good to the last, zesty bite.

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Color inspiration—lilacs

The lovely lilacs are coming into bloom. Could spring ever be complete without sniffing the heavenly aroma of a lilac blossom?

I snapped this photo at a Market in Paris on my last trip there. This old woman was shouting her heart out for people to buy her lilac and lily-of-the-valley bouquets. If we weren't leaving in a few days I surely would have bought some from her.

To see more colors, click on the red "color inspiration" label below.

May Day!

The month of May is named after the Greek goddess Maia. The zodiac sign of Gemini starts in May. This print shows the twins Castor and Pollux. Enjoy this very beautiful month.