Blogging fell by the wayside when it dawned on me that a food blog is pointless without pictures. So after kicking myself because I kept forgetting to take any, I finally had the wits to put the camera on the kitchen counter (where it can get spattered, but that's another story.) Then came time to blog and post pics... and I couldn't upload any. Hence, trying again.

Spring is so early in NH this year. Already the crocuses have gone by, as have some of the daffodils. The red tulips are blooming and the lawn is filled with white and deep purple violets. Today, a week after our spectacular Easter, the weather was again perfect. It was time to investigate and evaluate the herb and vegetable gardens.

Having recently received two requests for buffet-style appetizer/snacking food, I've been pondering sandwiches. Among my sources for ideas, I even have that old-fashioned one, a file cabinet. Browsing through my files, it became clear that I have a real thing for grilled cheese in one form or another. Knowing none of those would work for a buffet set-up, I was discarding those ideas until I came across this one.

With all the crazy weather we've been having in NH lately, a day like today was truly a gift. A forecast of temperatures in the 70's made the choice of how to cook our Easter lamb a no-brainer - on the grill! Lots of folks like to grill year-round, but I prefer to cook over charcoal, so grilling is reserved for warmer weather.

In December I was hired to make a birthday dinner for a gentleman named Mike Bonacorsi by his wife, as a change from their usual going out to dinner to celebrate. Mike was properly surprised, and thoroughly enjoyed the menu Karen and I planned. There were Italian marinated carrots available to nibble on while they were waiting for the first course.

What a great way to begin blogging - by making the news! Our local paper, the Amherst Citizen, picked up the press release about my upcoming cooking demonstration at the town library. You can see the front page of the article here:

http://www.amherstcitizen.com/files/Archives/VOLUME_18/V18_N08/V18_N08.HTM

Click on the front page. If you want to read the rest of the article, it's on page 4.