we're home!

there was something very pretty waiting for me on the farm table.

 SUMMER!

i'm way behind the times as this is my very first issue of Jeanne d'Arc Living.

how perfect was my Saturday morning coffee! i'm inspired, and ready

for a fresh post vacation start.  Mr D and i plan to hit a few 

farmer's markets today with focus on the potager.  

where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, 

but not our hearts.

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

withLove.

something i did not know about Idaho...

"Mom, did you know that Idaho has a large Basque community?"

"i would like to take you and Dad to the area where Boise's Basque community gathers."   

before i share the photos...here is just a brief bit of history.

the first Basques in Idaho showed up as miners in the 1880s and 1890s, 
quickly turning to sheep herding as a means of a living. these Basques wrote
 home and invited their friends and family who came in large numbers between 
1900 and 1920. today, there are many Basque celebrations around the West.
 in Reno, Elko, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and in numerous small towns, 
picnics, festivals and celebrations, the Basques come together, even from 
overseas. this tightly knit community continues to celebrate its own culture 
and welcomes others to join in. Jay has attended a few of the celebrations
since his move to Boise. it's a lovely community. 


yesterday, we took a little walk on Boise's Basque Block.

Jay and Mr D., approaching Basque Block.

the community is filled with restaurants, a museum, 

markets and shops that reflect the Basque heritage.

this market was my favorite. 

inside was a wonderful selection of wines and spices. there was also red or white
 Sangria on tap.

the cook was just beginning to lay out a huge 

selection of Tapas for the afternoon and

early evening crowd.

Basque Block's sidewalks are etched with history and song!

we popped in to view the Fronton.


 Fronton (Spanish: frontón, Basque: frontoi or pilotaleku, French: fronton) 
is a two walled or single walled court used as playing area for Basque pelota.

i couldn't help photographing this little reminder with a sense
of humor!  the sign works. the courts are tidy and 
the community is clean.

another children's song...Jay actually sung it to me as we 
read the English words. (you most likely know by now
he is a character! ) 

a perfectly maintained, neat and tidy, tree lined city block.

traditional espadrilles are for sale in the museum store.

more sidewalk etching...this one is a tribute to one
of the provinces in the Basque region.

the community center holds events and celebrations. they also take to
the streets for festivals now and then.

i purchased a community cookbook. i will share a recipe or two when we
get home.

...and speaking of home...

we leave for 34th street this morning. we had a wonderful visit
with Jay. he'll be home in less than a month to be in a friend's wedding in
Seattle which makes today's goodbye a little easier!

withLove.

hey! the sports guy!

when you are out and about with Jay in his town, on occasion you will hear...

"hey! the sports guy!

Jay will take a moment to shake hands and formally introduce himself.

he loves his job! and it's fun watching him live his childhood dream.

in this time of social media,  even on a day off,  he's tuned in.
 the MLB draft has been going on during our visit. he was watching for the selection of
two local boys.  it was getting down to the final few rounds when the
second prospect was selected. Jay was thrilled. he immediately went to work.

we watched it all unfold as we toured Bronco Stadium.

Jay and Mr D are taking a peek at the stadium renovation and
the famous "Smurf turf". Jay pretty much lives here during football season.

with me, he is pointing out where he conducts his interviews, and he is
 sharing some of the details about the renovation.

after this, we grabbed a sub sandwich and he went on to work to produce
the story for tonight's broadcast.
Mr D and i watched him on the news at 6, and again at
10pm ( in our jammies).

withLove.

a chance to win a big hug for Holland Grace and the new baby to be...

Jennifer at dear lillie is ever so gracious to give us all another chance

to win one of her amazing growth charts.

i have pinned it to my 

"Hugs for Holland" board!

~here~ 

wish me luck, and i'll wish you luck as well!

if i win...life will be...berry sweet!

Chrislyn captured this image of Holland chowing down on her

current favorite food and used it for her party invitation! 

call me silly, but doesn't my granddaughter bear a slight
resemblance to Strawberry Shortcake? just saying.


withLove.

what's in the fridge at Jay's place? plain and simple, 34th street comfort food...

" Mom, i have a fresh salmon in the fridge!"

"i also have  some mixed greens with spinach."

"there's some pignoli in the pantry"... 

just add a  tbs. butter, a  tbs. extra  virgin olive oil, 

sea  salt & pepper,  or... season as you wish!

..."i have Feta!."

hmmm...

i spy a rustic French bread on the counter, 

  suitable for a crouton sautee'.

2 Tbs. unsalted butter 
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil 
1 large clove garlic, crushed and peeled 
4 oz. (2 to 3 cups) bread cubes 
1/2 tsp. sea salt 

(depending on the meal...the seasonings will change, the basic

recipe above can be taken French, Italian or Greek. with Feta, i 

usually go Greek, but tonight sea salt & pepper will be just fine.)

i drain any excess butter and olive oil, and toss the croutons and

pignoli together.  the greens are tossed with extra virgin olive oil and

balsamic vinegar, then tossed once again with the savory sautee!

it's always nice when "MOM IS IN THE HOUSE" to 

put it all together. 

 yeah!

 tonight, i'm cookin' in Jay's kitchen!

he tells me that he eats this meal at least one a week.

fish and vegetables? music to a far off  Mom's ears.

"i'll love you forever,

i'll like you for always.

as long as i'm living,

my baby you'll be!"

and...don't you forget it!

withLove. 

there are six little miracles to talk about here on 34th street...

first there were four, early to earth on May 31st, here.

(Linda, your prayers for your new "grand littles"

in this post, lit up my heart today.)

next...there was another early visitor, here on June 2nd.

Diana...not a boring weekend for you, sweet friend!

http://www.childreninspiredesign.com/content/washington

we won't be trekking for the tree on the
second week of December. (it's going up a week earlier this year.)
 we'll be trekking to the hospital.
Holland Grace is going to become a big sister!
yes, we are over Mount Rainer to the moon and back, up here!

~*~

talk about a busy work week. He was on overtime for sure!

we are blessed!

Happy Sunday!

withLove.

~ all images via Pinterest...just type in the name of the state! ~