Another Sunny Sunday, we'll absolutely take it. This weekend flew by, zip zap, and now I've got sun rash and the weekend's just about over. Crazy.

It's been a weekend of eating food prepared by others - no complaints. Thursday lunch I dined a la Suz at Lucia's, aka The Perfect Lunch Spot. Romantic or girlie is lovely Lucia's, depending on your dining partner - not many spots can boast such versatility. Suz and I girled out, of course, ordering baked trout served with new potatoes and sauteed veggies. (Oh, a new potato-veggie-fish theme! More on that in a sec...) Deee-friggin-licious, as usual.

Thursday night, more girlie fun, this time at McCoy's with my dear friend Mary Pappas, where I ordered my old stand-by...the black bean burger, served with guacamole, onions, pickles, tomato, and lettuce. Eat it open-faced, with a salad on the side, and be very, very glad.

Friday lunch, even more girlie fun, this time at Via with my aunt Marge, cousin Kim, Stacey, and Cooper Cuteness (not a girl, The Coopst, but fun nonetheless). We raised a glass to toast my sister Etta's 24th Birthday - Happy Birthday It'll!!! This was my first meal at Via - the homemade potato chips were a big hit. They do homemade fries as well, always welcome in my world. I ordered their chopped salad, nothing to write home about, but Kim loved her burger, and Marge her chicken sandwich, and the service was excellent and setting quite pretty, so I'll give 'er another go.

Friday night, we invited Stu The Wine Genius and his wife Debbie out for dinner, but they countered with an invitation to their house instead, for salmon, new potatoes, and pea pods (therefore the theme), with Debbie's sister Michelle joining us as well. John and I very quickly accepted (we're no fools!) and bopped on over for delicious wine (always delicious wine with Stu and Debbie) and an opener of olive tapenade on crusty bread. Happy, happy, I love having dinner at the Williams' beautiful home. But wait! Poof, the electricity went out, and after a call to Xcel confirmed it might not return until 11:30 p.m., we packed up the food (and wine) and drove it over here, where potatoes were boiled (finished with butter and a shower of fresh parsley), salmon was baked (with fresh dill and lemon), salad was tossed, and pea pods were quickly sauteed (more butter, Hope Creamery, natch). With Lucia's peach cobbler to finish (to die for), I couldn't imagine a better start to the weekend.

Yesterday, John and I headed over to the US Women's Open Golf Tournament at Interlachen. We had a blast (as guests of Wells Fargo, thank you Jon), strolling the gorgeous course, people watching, sipping beer, and snacking. We ran into several neighbors and friends, took a crash course in who's who in the LPGA, and had ourselves a grand old time.

Tonight, shrimp curry coming up (once I get off the uh, computer), this time I found wild-caught Florida Key West shrimp shelled at Whole Foods. Yay! I predict goodness, I'll let you know if otherwise. LaFinca veggie share bok choy is going into the saute. And oh, this week's share also included a gorgeous bunch of icicle (white) radishes, which went into the salad I made on Friday, they're beautiful and of course crunchy with a peppery kick. I may do a side-salad of those babies, thinly sliced, tossed with minced scallions, rice vinegar, and bit of soy sauce.

Ka-pow! As long as the the sun shines, it's all good. G'night!

Moderate it: have several meals out coming up? As we all know, it's tough to be moderate when eating out - restaurants plot against us with their large portions and ridiculous over-use of fat (I'm not against fat, per se, but bathing food in it is pretty disgusting). One tasty trick is to order fish and veggies and ask them to not soak the dish in oil. A little olive oil or even butter is a good thing - a dousing of fry grease (blech) is quite another.

Here's why I love this pot of basil:

1. It's basil, duh-yum, which contributed mightily to the tasty herb frittata I made for din tonight, and will star in many tomato, pasta, salad, and egg dishes to come this summer. All Hail Basil.
2. The pot, which was originally my Grandma & Grandpa Meyer's, for whom I have such a big, soft spot in my heart that it's pretty much ridiculous. My grandparents may very well not be looking down at the plantings on my deck...but if they are, every year there's something tasty planted in that pot. Often basil, sometimes parsley, occasionally dill (I rotate crops, ha). I don't think my grandparents were herb people, but they had a killer vegetable garden that coaxed annoyingly picky little Stephanie to eat things like fresh green beans, new potatoes, and baby onions. So Grandma & Grandpa, this basil's for you. (Recipe posted in comments, below.)

ICYMI, today was herb-planting day, much postponed because of our long, cold spring and our trip to Italy. I feel much better now that my herbs are snug in their pots, tomatoes as well. I went big, BIG on the lavender plantings, not because I'll consume them, but because I cannot get enough of the heady, heavenly fragrance.

In fact, the whole day was good, one of those hot, sweaty, dirty days of weeding, planting, and watering which has always made me feel more productive and more satisfied than any other sort of work. I don't garden nearly on the level that I used to (I bordered on addicted there for a few years, but I'm more uh, moderate about it these days), but I still love it. There is nothing - nothing - as satisfying as being post-planting filthy, back aching, yard in order, flowers and herbs in bloom, followed by a long, cool shower, a cold, crisp glass of wine, and a dinner cooked with the fruits of one's labor (even if the "fruits" are just a handful of fresh herbs).

(My trademark post-gardening-satisfaction pose - both hands on hips, surveying my handy-work - was even documented once in a painting, completely unbenownst to me until my dear friend Polly noticed the painting hanging at Methodist Hospital as she exited after the birth of her son, Charlie; no, I wasn't able to purchase the painting, dang - but it still hangs in the hospital, lo these many years later.)

Moderate it: fresh herbs make everything taste amazing for zero calories. Nutritious too, and a no-brainer to grow in pots (add sunshine and water; no need for a huge, tilled garden), give 'em a go.

Now we're talking, now it feels like summer. The catmint in our yard is in riotous, excessive bloom, a purple explosion ironically contained in tidy, linear beds. Virtually alive with honey bees, the effect is stunning as I sit here on the deck, in my robe, with a cup of coffee, on a sunny-cool Sunday morning. (If any of my neighbors can see me, good morning to you.)

Yeah, it's nice to be home, even from Italy. Bzzzz...

We embraced our return to the states with a late afternoon Little League baseball game followed by burgers on the grill. Hot juicy damn that burger tasted good! Just...yum. I topped mine with nothing more than sauteed mushrooms, but John and Nathan went the distance. In a nod to all the simple, beautifully prepared food we had in Italy (sigh), I made up a little warm potato dish - halved new potatoes tossed with (La Finca veggie share!) arugula, capers, sliced roasted red peppers, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. The heat of the potatoes wilted the arugula and brought out the salty goodness of the capers and peppers. Nice alongside a burger or chicken or fish or even on its own. (Recipe posted in comments, below.)

Today we're on for more baseball and grillin', baby! Along with the arugula, my veggie share included bok choy. A quick saute with lots of garlic, minced jalapenos, and a splash of soy sauce should add crunchy-salty-heat to the shrimp and steaks I'm going to grill (yep, double-beef, bit of a planning goof, but I doubt anyone will complain...). Maybe I can convince Stacey, Cooper Cuteness, and Levi Sizzle to join us...

Happy Sunny Sunday!

Moderate it: ah hamburgers, so good, so potentially not-moderate. I've never been a thick burger girl, so I either cook a small one for myself, or cut a large one in half, then in half again lengthwise, and voila, a thinner burger. I eat mine open-faced, topped with veggies (raw onions, sauteed mushrooms, tomato in season - you know the yummy drill), alongside a salad, and it's all good.

Buena sera! And wow, some evening it is here in the Minneapple. We're just back from a family vacation in Italy, Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany (thus my writing absence, if you noticed, which you most likely did not, ha). Nathan, John, and I left last Wednesday, with John's parents and brother's family, got back (very) late last night. I can't believe I'm saying this, but at least for tonight, the weather is much lovelier here in Minnesota than in...Tuscany! Woo hoo! This, right now, is my perfect night. Warm, dry, fragrant - everyone's outside, desperate for summer to begin. Es bueno.

Too bad I'm so jet lagged, it's pretty disappointing. I've always had big plans to "travel" - but in reality, it completely wipes me out, screws up my digestion, and makes me feel old and tired. That said...

...I (of course) had a great time! Forte dei Marmi is on the coast of Tuscany, so seafood and fish are menu staples. I cashed in, passing on the pastas and risottos (other than stealing bites from my son!) and enjoyed lovely fresh vegetables and fish dishes - moderation made easy, nice. Which is the whole vibe in Italy anyhow, and most of Europe for that matter. Particular favorites included:

• Warm lobster with raw shaved carrots and fennel in a pool of extra-virgin olive oil
• Whole-roasted branzino (Mediterranean sea bass), served with roasted potatoes and zucchini
• Farro soup, thick with clams, calamari, and shrimp
• Salad "imperiale" with mache, cherry tomatoes, and warm langoustines (otherwise known as Norway lobsters or scampi; similar to shrimp or crayfish)
• Focaccina (grilled, salted pizza crust) sandwiches with rocket (arugula), shaved bresaola, and soft cheese
• Antipasti at the bar of our hotel (Grand Hotel Imperiale): salamis, Parm with honey, pizza fritta (fried bread dough with salt; Nathan's favorite)

I confess that after a 20-hour trip home (bad weather in New York seriously delayed the second leg of our trip), I was too tired to make dinner tonight. So John and I set out for an early meal at Alma - the perfect destination for extending our fresh-food Italian reverie for just a few more hours. I opened with a beautifully composed little salad of smoked whitefish, arugula, potatoes, and spicy mustard; followed by a cold entree of farro, shrimp, and chickpeas. With a Turley Zin, and a nice piece of sheep's milk cheese to finish (I love that Alma will let you buy one slice of cheese for dessert, every restaurant should do the same), I am a goner, my friends. More tomorrow.

Welcome Levi Sizzle Meyer!

Levi is my sister Stacey's new dog, 1.5 years old, an English Cocker Spaniel (just like my parents' dog, Jake). Sooo cute! He's Cooper's little bro, so to speak, and Coop's maybe a little jealous of him. But not for long, I suspect, because Levi is such a kid-friendly sweetie. Stace and Cooper made it to Nathan's baseball game today, but Levi had to sit this one out. There are only so many busy little bodies Stace can handle at one time, and since Coop likes to run and run (and run!) at Nathan's games, Levi played doggie bench-warmer today.

Luckily, after the game, Stace and Coop were able to run home to pick up Levi and then head over here for barbecued pork ribs, biscuits, and a big green salad. Oh man, those ribs hit the spot, falling off the bone and spicy-sticky with a nice amount of Daddy Sam's Just Slop It On Barb-B-Que Sawce. Mmmmm hmmmm, them was good ribs, damn. Levi didn't enjoy ribs, of course, but he hung out by Coop's high chair hoping, in that fabulously ever-eager way that dogs hope for a taste of people food... Instead he scored lots of running in the back yard, enough to tire him out a bit. And for a one-year old English Cocker, that's not an easy thing to achieve! (As you can see, Cooper watched a little Ben 10 while we ate dinner; Stace perused Nathan's yearbook...)

Now, Levi Sizzle and Cooper are off to bed and it's high time to take my frizzy hair into the bedroom for an appointment with a good book, oh yeah. Nothing helps the digestion (of ribs, not light, ack) like a nice, long read. Have a good week!

Moderate it: hmmm, there's not really a way to moderate the ribs themselves - they're quite rich. The trick is to eat just a few, then fill the rest of your plate with salad, and call 'er a night.

Where have I been all week? Sorry, it's been a bit crazy 'round these parts, what with wrapping up the school year, getting some time with my nephew Cooper Cuteness, preparing for a big upcoming trip, and working on the house. Throw in a few parties (the beginning of summer fun!) and even a little gift-shopping time with Susie (I kinda sorta hate shopping - but of course I had a blast with Suz!) and someone is a little behind on sleep. Oops.

Some good healthy eats help the energy level. Like last night's ridiculously, scandalously expensive Copper River salmon. I was extra careful not to overcook it since it was dear and the only piece we'll be having this season. Too bad - despite the fact that it's seriously overly hyped, it is outstanding. Silky. Unctuous. I enjoyed it completely over a quick saute of fennel, spinach, and (already boiled) new potatoes, seasoned with lots of fresh dill.

Tonight my neighbor Amy is stopping by for a glass of wine and some nibbles. I found a perfectly ripe cantaloupe at the store yesterday so am setting it out, cubed and tossed with a tiny bit of vinaigrette (just a little olive oil and red wine vinegar whisked together), salt and pepper, a scattering of minced scallion, and a few shreds of prosciutto. Alongside some grilled bread, olives, and marinated artichoke hearts, it is so pretty and delicious. The goal is to sit on the screened porch but with the gale-force winds we've had all day, I don't know if we dare! It's bad enough to have tree seeds and pollen thick in the air without the wind driving them literally up your nose and into your eyes. I discovered in rather short order that it is not a lip gloss day, yuck.

Tomorrow I'm having lunch with my mom and sister Stacey (to visit her newly adopted English Cocker Spaniel, Levi Sizzle!) at Stacey's house. I'm bringing a big couscous salad, basically just whole wheat couscous tossed with dill vinaigrette, sauteed red peppers, green beans, toasted pine nuts, and a pulled apart rotisserie chicken. I love couscous for just this sort of dish - a quick addition of any assortment of vegetables and protein makes up the tastiest, healthiest salad. Good stuff.

Moderate it: I can't say enough about how much I love Neutrogena tinted lip balms. They come in a range of beautiful sheer colors, with SPF 20, and they're nicely glossy without being sticky. Definitely good on a windy day. Unforch require re-application after eating a meal, even a healthy one - but at $5 a pop (Walgreens always has a good selection), it's cheap and easy to stash 'em all over the house and in every bag and pocket, ready for a post-meal swipe. NICE!

Baseball, steaks, naan, and um, Volkswagen? Not quite as catchy (or kitschy) as the old Chevrolet jingle but the sentiment, while not pure Americana, is the same - man, there is nothing like a sunny summer's day, ahhh. We caught some actual heat today, which meant real pool time for Nathan and John, a long, sweaty walk for me, and some grilled goodies for us all. And then, to cap off the day, an evening baseball game. What a perfect night for a game! And Nathan's team came from behind to win! Just a lovely, fun end to the weekend. I hear it's going to rain again this week so I'm extra thrilled to steal one of these beautiful days.

So, as for the steaks - I grilled a top sirloin, one of my favorite cuts. On the leaner side, but juicy and full of flavor, particularly good on the grill. Although in my mind it needs nothing more than a generous sprinkle of Kosher salt before hitting the heat, top sirloin takes nicely to a marinade or generous rub of crushed garlic and spices - steak tacos, anyone? Oh yeah!

And because grilled bread in any form is one of the most delicious things on the planet, I grabbed some naan at Whole Foods, rubbed it with a bit of olive oil, gave it a light sprinkle of salt, and grilled until smokin' hot and soft. Soooo good. Works great with pita as well. And of course thick slices of baguette or other crusty bread is The Kill. With soup, or salad, or alongside grilled steaks, chicken, or fish - makes the meal, and that's not an exaggeration.

Now...I'm beat, guess I'm not much used to the heat. The plan is to sleep like a rock and move on into Monday... Happy June! And oh, Happy 50th Anniversary to my in-laws Dot & John - 50 years, my friends, incredibly impressive. Can't wait to celebrate in just a few short weeks!