linenandlavender.net: Might I suggest?...

Côté Sud Oct-Nov 2002, grape harvest, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

It's September...Autumn is on its way. It's time for the kids to go back to school. Most everyone I know is thinking about school supplies and packing away paraphernalia from their last trip of the summer. I was just out shopping and saw not only Halloween items on the shelves, but Christmas decorations, too! (Is it just me or do they put them out earlier every year?)

Ville Giardini Sept 2009, tree, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Here in lovely Southern California we are experiencing some of the warmest days we've had all year. If you live near the ocean, as we do, there aren't many days like this where air conditioning is used (or wished for, –as the case may be.)

Côté Sud Juin-Juillet 2007, lounges, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Contrary to popular belief, we Californians actually don't have "perfect" weather year round for alfresco dinners and the like. (I can see you rolling your eyes out there in New England this very moment.) Honestly though, I grew up in snow country and I still say California has quite a few evenings that are downright cold, particularly here near the beach. Nights where you sleep with your down comforter and mornings where you linger in bed with the promise of hot coffee as the only impetus for leaving it.

Marie Claire Maison Juillet-Aout 2005, late summer garden, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

That's what I was reminded of today when I saw all the holiday decorations already on the shelves. And that's why I decided this moment to stop wishing for cooler temperatures and to start focusing on enjoying summer while I still can...mornings where I can roll out of bed and step right outside to enjoy the sunshine and the balmy summer evenings where I can sit out in the garden chatting with my friends well after dark.

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2006, indoor-outdoor dining, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Don't get me wrong. I love aspects of all the seasons and I love the holidays, but this is about living in the present moment, as they say. This year, I'm not going to wish the summer heat away and then suddenly find myself complaining because I haven't been able to grill for ages.

Côté Sud Juin-Juillet 2007, white and natural outdoor dining, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Furthermore, I'm taking my own little stand against the commercialized push (shove) towards the holidays –I'm going to make a concentrated effort to ignore all the decorations already on the shelves and the calendar hurtling towards October with the inevitable slide right through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Côté Sud Juin-Juillet 2007, alfresco dining, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Yes. I'm vowing now to squeeze the absolute most summer I can out of the next few weeks. I'm going to do all those things I'll be wishing I could do come the rainy days of winter. —Who's with me?!

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2008, dining under the trees, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

. . .Hmm. Let's see. Maybe a bike ride this morning, then home for brunch and the Sunday crossword in the shade of my favorite tree. . .then tonight a casual dinner party in the garden. Nothing heavy. Just a beautiful caprese salad with the gorgeous (huge!) heirloom tomatoes we just bought at the farmer's market, some tea lights flickering all around. . .

Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Cheese Salad

4 large heirloom tomatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds) or 4 to 5 large plum tomatoes

Fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves plus additional whole leaves for garnish

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 (2.5-ounce) rounds burrata cheese

(If you are new to burrata cheese, here is a link with a good description: Burrata)

Preparation:

Cut tomatoes into wedges and place in large bowl. Sprinkle with fleur de sel and pepper. Crush oregano between palms to release flavor; add to tomatoes. Add 1/4 cup basil and olive oil and mix well. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Place 1 burrata cheese round in center of each plate. Fan tomatoes around cheese, dividing equally. Drizzle with dressing from bowl. Garnish with additional basil leaves and serve.

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2008, flowers and dinner, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2008, natural linen table, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Côté Sud Avril-Mai 2008, pergola dinner party, edited by lb for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

Caprese salad is traditionally made with fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese –burrata cheese takes it to a whole new level. I highly recommend trying it if you are lucky enough to have access to it where you live.

Buon Appetito, L's handwriting for linenandlavender.net, http://www.linenandlavender.net/2009/09/might-i-suggest.html

s h a r e

Images: 1-Cote Sud: Oct-Nov 02; 2-Ville Gardini: Sept 09; 3-Cote Sud: Juin-Juillet 07; 4-Marie Claire Maison: Juillet-Aout 05; 5-Cote Sud: Avril-Mai 06; 6-Cote Sud: Juin-Juillet 07; 7-Cote Sud: Avril-Mai 08; Image 8 and recipe-Epicurious 9-12: Cote Sud, Avril-Mai 08