Summertime and the Livin' is Easy

Living at the lake this summer - our first full summer living here - has been incredible. We've been lucky to have our kids and grandson here for a week-long visit almost every month. The July 4th holiday was filled with lots of family, great food, fireworks and pontoon rides.

Something I enjoy each day, is seeing how different the lake looks on a daily basis. The sunsets, clouds, and light are so painterly. We've had long stretches of warm days, blue skies and very little rain.

The construction on the house began on July 20th with the arrival of a 'digger' to clear the land and get it ready for the foundation. After many many years of planning we were underway! It felt surreal, it still does on occasion.

The first month of construction went by quickly! We went from 0 to 60 mph in just 30 days. The transformation and changes daily were unfolding and we became more and more excited by each new milestone.

We've seen some great progress and the crew from R.E. Krotzer Construction have been working hard to move the project forward.

Livin' the Lake Lifestyle

We've known winter here having moved in late December and many days were spent trudging through hardpack snow and ice. Spring here was short-lived and it even snowed here in May! However, the summer here at the lake has been glorious. Warm sun-filled days have been the so consistent that weeks would go by with no rain - just blue skies and fluffy clouds.

For the past five or more years, Marc and I have been planning on building a new home here at the lake on our 5.5 acre parcel. It's been a slow and methodical process as we were living in NY and trying to accomplish and get surveys, easements, permits, utilities, and even a 'real' address for the new home and surrounding land.

The lake looks different every day, tonight we had a spectacular sunset to end the day.

We've worked with a fantastic architect, spending many hours discussing and plotting out our 'forever' home here in the woods on the lake. Now fast forward and we are at a point where our dreams on paper are becoming a reality.

Salty, Sweet, Raw and Savory

What is it about food? It nourishes us, it provides sustenance and we require it every day. For me, it was the experience of growing up in a multicultural household that helped me explain my interest in food. Growing up I went through phases of liking things and quite the opposite. My initial palate was very adventuresome, I would eat almost anything offered – no seriously one of my favorite things was stewed pig’s ears. I know you must be thinking … gross! But I liked them! But then my palate went backwards…at one point I only wanted raw vegetables. I loved carrots, celery, cauliflower, cabbage, green beans…I was the original vegan child – lol.

Bruschetta with fresh summer peaches, tomatoes, feta, basil and balsamic drizzle.

My Mom was so confused, how could her culinary adventurous child turn into a vegetarian? I don’t recall how long that phase lasted but I do recall another phase – at another time I was eating half a pint of ice cream before Mom would serve dinner and I would be ravenous still after dinner. The kid who used to eat pig’s ears became a bit of a porker at 8 – 10 years old.

My palate went through odd phases but I embraced it. I landed on ‘savory’ as my favorite flavor ultimately. Sunday sauce, roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes – those flavors were my go-to and they still are my favorite. Our daughter’s made me so proud when they commented on a caramel chicken I had made and how it was completely out of my flavor profile. I thought, wow, I do have a profile that I really like to create in most of my style of cooking. Asian flavors are fabulous but not my forté. Culinary school trained me in classic French technique. This is how I think as a Chef – that is my training.