“I have a simple philosophy. Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.”
Alice Roosevelt Longsworth
Oh la, la! Wonderful summer. Long lazy days. Spontaneity. Warm nights. Hot winds from Africa sending the mercury to 47/107. Life seems more vivid under a blazing sun. Everything needs to be easy. Al fresco dining. Grazing in the fresh air. Sipping cool drinks. Having mellow conversations with family and friends. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Breath in the deep, balanced quality of pleasure. The sun of August, particularly this one because the stars are aligned just so, allows us to slip into our purpose in the world without even noticing. As August unfolds it will be a time of completion. With the heat of a summer’s day we are reminded to slow down enough to be present.
It’s impossible not to stay outside as long as you can. A storm threatens, the sunset throbs with color, change is in the air. Remember with your heart what these days feel like, smell like, even sound like. For me all it takes sometimes is the sight of a sliced ripe tomato on the kitchen table waiting to be blended into rustic gazpacho, a fresh baguette with sun softened butter and a glass of chilled rosé.
Rustic Gazpacho –
2 baguettes
6 beefsteak, 6 vine, and a small box of cherry tomatoes.
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped.
1 red pepper, peeled, seeded and chopped.
1/2 red chili, seeded and sliced.
2 cloves of garlic, chopped.
Splash of good olive oil and balsamic vinegar,
2 large handfuls of fresh basil.
Salt & pepper to taste.
Cut half the baguette into small pieces.. and set aside. To a blender add tomatoes, cucumber, and red pepper. Then the garlic, a splash of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Next a handful of basil leaves and blend. Continue by adding the cut baguette pieces to the blender. Blend and add salt and pepper to taste. Chill for a few hours. Taste again. Don’t strain. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, the rest of the crusty baguette and butter and another chilled bottle of rosé. À votre santé!
