14 October 2012

The week was long and busy, and the weekend was not a lot different. I was in New York City on Monday and Tuesday for a client presentation. Everything went great, but I wished there was more time to enjoy the city. I did get one of my favorite things, an authentic New York bagel! There are not better bagels in the world, and it always provides some familiar comfort in Gotham. The rest of the week was a blur, but it is great being busy again. The weekend began on Friday with a great art exhibit opening at the Cherokee Arts Center. Afterward, our friends Sandy, Gary, John and Cory joined us on the Side Porch for a nightcap. We talked, laughed and listened to Barbra Streisand's new CD. "Release Me." It contains previously unreleased tracks from her personal vault, yes she has one, dating from 1963 – 2010. I have been mesmerized with the CD since it was released on Tuesday, and I especially enjoyed listening on my return flight from NYC. At 70 years old, she is truly a national treasure, and that voice...

 Despite the hectic workweek, my heart was heavy with thoughts of my dear friend, Amado, and his partner Steve. They went to Colorado earlier in the week to be with Amado's sister, Maria Christina, who is about to pass away from cancer. I was fortunate to meet Christina a couple of times when she visited, and she is a great soul. As of tonight, she is still with us, but the transition is expected any moment. Steve flew back to Atlanta yesterday to take care of business, and I picked him up at the airport and drove him home to Blue Ridge. Despite the circumstances, it was great to spend some personal time with him. True friends are to be treasured. While in Blue Ridge, I stopped by Mercier Orchards to get some local apples! It is the peak of apple harvest, and I had to have a few! So for tonight's Sunday Supper, I had to find a way to incorporate them into the menu. I have been craving pasta with brown butter and sage sauce for a few weeks, so tonight I submitted to the urge. I have always enjoyed the Atlanta restaurant, Soto Soto, and on of my favorite dishes is Tortelli di Michelangelo, ravioli based on a recipe from Michelangelo's personal letters. I could not find the exact recipe, so I improvised. It does contain veal, pork and chicken and is served with brown butter sage sauce. I incorporated the Georgia apples into the filling, and it worked out great! When we were preparing for our yard sale a few weeks ago, I found my pasta machine! I bought it a few years ago and used it once, so I spent the afternoon making homemade pasta for the ravioli. It was very relaxing and therapeutic! I made the pasta from scratch while listening to Barbra's lost gems and another one of my favorite new releases, "Sing the Delta" by the most amazing Iris Dement! It is incredibly written, and NPR recently named her as one of the most amazing voices of our generation. I agree!

 While I was obsessing over homemade pasta all afternoon, Jeff and Cory were moving the last items and cleaning their home at Tara. They close tomorrow afternoon, and the Mayor of Canton and First Lady, Gene and Elly Hobgood, will have a new home. So tonight's Sunday Supper was in celebration of Jeff and Cory's closing, and here's to the next phase of life in so many ways. Handmade pasta just felt – appropriate.

 Ciao!

 The Menu:

 - Tortelli di Michelangelo: Homemade Pasta with Veal, Pork, Chicken

   and North Georgia Apples with Brown Butter Sage Sauce

 - Bruschetta

 - Pan Roasted Asparagus

 - Unintentionally Charred North Georgia Apple Tart