a common household scene.

But the very cutest is when she jumps up during students' lessons 

and starts chewing on the corner of their music.

Cilantro & Cumin Carrot Salad.

This was our inspiration.....

Christopher bought this Carrot & Cumin Salad from Milk & Honey at the beginning of the week and we enjoyed it so much that we felt the need to duplicate it (based off the ingredients list).  Christopher's first attempt was super successful, and so we made it yet again last night for guests, but with a few additions.  

Here's what Christopher came up with.....


Cilantro & Cumin Carrot Salad 
(serves approx. 6 as a side dish)

• 1 bag of Carrots
• 1 tsp Ground Ginger
• 1 tsp Coriander
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Dijon
• 1 tsp Stone Ground mustard
• zest & juice from 1 Lemon
• juice from 1 Orange
• 2 tsp Fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 10 chives (minced)
• 1/4 cup olive oil

1. Roughly chop carrots into quarters and put into blender or food processor.

2. After pulsing carrots for a few seconds (don't blend too long or they'll become too juicy!), remove from blender and put into large mixing bowl.

3. Stir in the remainder of ingredients by hand.

  

And one random photo of my new "petite mug" from Second Mile Thrift, hehehe....

It's the perfect size for my morning coffee!

Visiting Longwood Gardens: hands for scale.

Visiting Longwood Gardens: the visitors!

Visiting Longwood Gardens: the organ.

Composed of 10,010 pipes divided into 146 ranks, the Longwood Organ is the largest Aeolian organ ever constructed in a residential setting. Pierre du Pont was an organ aficionado who, in 1930, replaced the original organ with a much larger, custom-designed Aeolian model that remains in Longwood’s Conservatory to this day.

With the goal of returning the Longwood Organ to its 1930 splendor, a team of experts began a seven-year restoration process in 2004. They completely rewired, repainted, re-leathered and refurbished virtually every element of the Longwood Organ. 

Today, the remarkable, fully restored Longwood Organ is a highlight of the extraordinary performing arts programming.

 -from the Longwood Gardens website.  

 Fact sheet here.

Visiting Longwood Gardens: the flora.

Christopher & I have been fortunate to spend so much quality time together this whole week!  It's been such a rare and unique time for us.  Christopher has the week off (no work, no gigs for the first time ever!) and we've decided that we will live with "no TV" and "no movies" for an indeterminate period of time.  Every day this week, I've arrived home to a "fancy" lunch either ready to eat or already in the making.  A girl's so lucky to have a husband who loves to cook.  I am so thankful.

Last Saturday, we made the "long" trek out from Philly to the suburbs of Chadds Ford, PA to visit Longwood Gardens.  Although we had been told time and again that it was such a beautiful place to visit, we had no idea just how magnificent it would be.  And how large (1,077 acres)!

Next time, we'll plan on spending the entire day.

Every Spring, I remember why and how much I love this neighborhood.