I haven't been able to write recently, things have been too chaotic, not to mention, depressing. And then Spring presented us with the most gorgeous blossom season I have ever seen. The blossoms are clinging to the twig and pushing above the un-mown grass, holding on while new blossoms join them. There are trees that I've never noticed before that are astonishingly beautiful. Branches laden with the blossoms aching to be seen. As if they want to comfort us. And then I remember that many people are in lockdown, many are sick and many have died. Hard as the blossoms try, lots of people will miss their beauty this year. The dreary cold Spring has brought this extraordinary beauty. Let's hope that the sad and difficult virus watch will bring us to some new understanding and surprising beauty.

OK let’s celebrate! RAMPS EST ARRIVÉ! I think that the Beaujolais Nouveau folks and the entire French nation are cringing with my appropriation of that slogan, but ramps are here and they don’t last long although with the cold weather…… We have Ramp soup, Ramp quiche, pickled Ramps, Ramp/Mushroom "croissant" and one of my favorites, Ramp pizza! Ramps, which grow wild in the woods and swampy areas in early Spring, have a taste somewhere between garlic and onion My favorite factoid is that the word Chicago is a Native American word for ramp.

And for Mother’s Day. Chocolate/Cherry Galettes, Polenta/Almond Cake, and an assortment of wonderful pastries. All are in small sizes to accommodate our straitened lives. But all are lovely to buoy our spirits.

Soon to come - RHUBARB! We will be making Rhubarb pastry filling, Rhubarb chutney, Rhubarb quick bread, Rhubarb muffins, Rhubarb galettes, and who knows what else!

We are maintaining our regular hours except that we are closed on Sundays for the time being. Carry out and curb side service are both available and working quite well. And don't forget ta da...Jook! The wonderful, comforting rice soup with bacon, peanuts, scallions and sesame oil.

I miss you!
Judy

Ramps and Rhubarb