Mardis Gras, a puff pastry presentation and kitchen remodeling

Well, it's been a while since I posted here; sheer laziness I assume. Our lives have been busy and, I must say interesting but then we haven't really done much either. Quite a contradiction of sorts, I suppose.

We had a fun time last month at the Alliance Française's Mardi Gras party. The next day Susie made a tasty presentation on now to make puff pastry to a group of curious folks at Aquinas College.

yep, Napoleon won for best costume

The big news right now is our house is in disarray, a consequence of our ongoing remodel challenge, this time an entirely new kitchen. Cabinets will be delivered this week and the template fabricated for our countertop. But here's where we stand so far:

before. . . 

and after the walls came down

Sophie's birthday in Providence

Spring is here at last, or so it would seem. The trees are beginning to take on a quietly dramatic flair for producing green where there was only brown and grit before. The blast of whites, reds and pinks certainly helps to ease the grayness of urban living.

This last Saturday evening, after a quiet day at the Farmer's Market, Susie and I headed downtown to the State Lounge to help Sophie Hones celebrate her birthday. Sophie's husband Peter had asked the French Tarte to prepare something special for dessert, something to follow a light buffet, and so she did: a delicate layered cake in the French style, meaning several thin layers of delicious elements and yet only two inches thick.

It was a convivial evening of music, friendly chatter and plenty of sparkling wine in a comfortable space created just for this occasion -- at least that's how it felt to me.

Magali and Jane present the stinky cheese party

After a fantastic opening day at the 2012 Winter Farmers Market, the French Tarte and I joined Magali and her friend Jane for their first annual stinky cheese party. (Magali's daughter Melodie was on hand as well to help coordinate things.)

The idea, simple in concept and wonderful in execution, was for each person to bring a cheese they deemed stinky but tasty, and a bottle of wine. Greens were provided and there was also pate, soup and various other goodies as well. Susie brought a lemon tart and a selection of financier (almond-based cakes) to wrap it all up.

The cheeses were delightful -- my favorite was the Epoisses, rich like smooth, whipped butter but with a bite that reminded you this is an incredible cheese. The wines were spot on -- French, Italian and California; the company was amiable and warm, and the conversation lively and pleasant all around. We couldn't have imagined a warmer group or a smarter idea.

Truffle tremor

Melodie

Fourme d'Ambert

Gorgonzola

Perstelle du Beaujolais

Gigi and Guy

Epoisses

Dorset

Saga and Roquefort

Goat cheese balls swirling in olive oil and herbs

Cabrales

WBNA 25th Anniversary party

This past Sunday the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, or WBNA, celebrated it's 25th year.

Created in 1983 by a handful of citizens who were tired of the lack of services provided to their neighborhood, the organization todays counts more than 250 households and businesses as members and boasts a large volunteer network working with a full-time executive director. Bounded (roughly) by Broadway to the north, Cranston avenue to the south, and the service road to the east and Route 10 on the west, the WBNA provides help and assistance in repairing sidewalks, replanting trees, volunteer cleanup of the Dexter Training Ground.

One might say that much of the rehabilitation of this part of Providence, the "West End" I think it's called, is the result of the work of the WBNA. They are one of the driving forces behind renovating and remodeling many of the older buildings in the neighborhood as well.

We attended our first meeting of the WBNA on April 1 and heard about the party scheduled for the 6th at Julians on Broadway. Naturally we planned to attend. And so we did.

It was an overcast and drizzling afternoon when we headed over to Julian's.

You had to roll a pair of dice to get in -- paying whatever the roll was for cover. Of course Susan rolled a 10 and I rolled a 7. You would've thought one of us could've rolled "snake eyes."

Anyway, we had often walked by Julian's but had never been inside. It is very funky with lots of hard-to-find beers on tap and plenty of creative food on the menu.

The place was already starting to fill up so we grabbed a couple of glasses of wine at the bar and searched for someone to take our membership dues -- it turned out to be Jean, one of the WBNA officers. We proceeded to sign up and so are now officially members of the WBNA. While we didn't feel significantly different it left us both with a rather pleasant feeling. We're happy living here and want to do whatever we can to help support the growth and development of our neighborhood.

After finding a table we had some of the delicious food provided for the occasion. The place was filled with families, young folks and older folks like ourselves.

A typical mix you might say, except for one tiny thing. There was only one person of color in the room, and to our knowledge not person of latino or hispanic or spanish or Central American origin. And yet our "neighborhood" is made up of, we have been told, a largely hispanic population.

Curious, eh?

Wish you were here,

Steve