The week that was!

This past week went well despite ongoing heat and no rain at all. Dragging out the garden hoses helped the shrubs a little . . . . . . . but obviously didn't help with my shoulder and back issues. Thankfully Bob took over when I'd done my bit!

We did take a side trip over to the North Carolina Museum of Art after picking up the laptop from the certified Apple dealer. Luckily we thought to throw hats in the car having planned to walk through the gardens and park area, but not go inside the buildings. Being so hot, 91F, we didn't stay too long but did enjoy a walk and a rest along the way. As Noel Coward wrote eons ago, only "Mad dogs and Englishmen (and in my case, women) go out in the midday sun", and yes we were almost alone which made it quiet and peaceful. It was hard to resist dipping toes into the pool in the Rodin Garden, and lovely to see waterlilies surviving the heat.

Should have taken a chilled drink with us!

The Mirror Maze

North Carolina Museum of Art

Raleigh

Auguste Rodin

French 1840-1917

The Three Shades

I did turn on the oven to bake one thing this week - another apple and
 plum galette - but kept meals to salads mostly.

This salad was quick and easy to make and is really good. 

My dear friend Ruth in Wiltshire, England shared it this week

 and I made it, along with grilled salmon on a bed of kale quinoa,

for supper in the gazebo last evening.

Haricots verts steamed for a few minutes until still a little crunchy.

Drain well and, while still warm, add small tomatoes cut in half, some

 chopped red onion and a garlic clove. Toss with a simple dressing of

 one part red wine vinegar, two parts good olive oil, and freshly ground

 pepper - we have cut back on salt so left that out and didn't miss it at all!

As for the flowers, the addition of two beautiful elephant ears (gifted to me by

 my hair stylist on Friday when getting my hair cut) really took them to another level. 

Note I added my sweet leather elephant to the table . . . . . seemed appropriate.

Hope you are enjoying the Labor Day weekend.

Here's to another good week ahead.