Madam Butterfly-To-Be

While the rest of the country is in the freezer,

we are having normal Southern California weather

which allows me to get into the garden

and perform a little maintenance.  

While cleaning up the sage, roses, Bird of Paradise and other shrubbery,

I was putting the latest cuttings in the green waste when...what?
On one of the dead stalks from the milkweed,

a vivid yellow-black-white stripe figure stopped me in my tracks.

I immediately recognized this to be a creature of import.
Cinderella maybe.
Sleeping Beauty perhaps.
Royalty in the making for certain.

Here is Madam Butterfly-To-Be.

She is small but she is mighty. 

I took the branch she clung to back to the milkweed

then left her alone to find her way.

I will keep an eye on her 

and make certain she is still hanging out.

I cross fingers that she finds enough nourishment

to make her journey to cocoon and

eventually her coronation as 

Monarch of the butterfly world.

I will keep you posted on Madam's progress.

Still here on Moonlight Lane.

XX

holly

Christmas Reading

I hope that your holiday was a lovely one filled with 
Laughter.
Surprises.
Affection.
Warmth.
The Joy of Giving.
And today finds you filled with
Gratitude.  

Ours was quiet and always richer as it is my grandson's birthday!  

A solid thirteen this year and fully engulfed in smelly feet, 

long showers and video games that destroy planets.

On the softer side, there is even 
a confessed girlfriend 
and a first kiss!  
Too soon?  
Maybe.
"Let's let her mother worry about it.", 
Mrs. Walsh.  The Goonies, 1985

His birthday cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. 

So decadent with chocolate/chocolate chip and that insane frosting that

makes your teeth hurt but is Oh. So. Good. 

I sacrificed - phoned in the order, drove and picked it up.
All by my myself! 

If you have them in your area, definitely worth it 

OK - focus and back on-topic.....

Christmas Reading....

A Paris Christmas

by John Baxter

A lovely story that lets you peek into a French family Festin de Noel 
and feel the love and dedication that goes into preparing
the revered holiday meal.

John Baxter, and Australian film critic finds himself, 
oddly enough, in Los Angeles. 
John meets French woman, Marie-Do.
John falls in love.
John moves to Paris.
John marries Marie-Do.
John prepares Christmas family dinner for 18
at the family chateau outside of Paris.

Not surprisingly,
the French take Christmas dinner quite seriously.
Nothing fast.
Nothing purchased ready-made 
except for the bread from the local boulangerie.
Several courses.
Loads of wine.
Every bite savored. 

Le Menu:
Mareindeer Clear Oysters
Roast Suckling Pig (Cracklins included)
Roast Potatoes
Carrot Pudding
Clochard Apple Sause
Vacherin Cheese
Pears Crassanes
Chateau les Eyquem Margaux, 1998and for dessert .... Fruits Brules.
And yes, the French take naps post fete.
Snoring included!
The bonuses are the travels taken to assemble the feast.
My favorite, a trip to Charente-Maritime for oysters.
Ah, to have a home there and maybe one with a gite.
Je Reve. 
But por moi, hold the oysters. 
Finished the book on Christmas Eve - Perfect Timing!

I enjoyed his gift of insights into French culture 
and my only regret is that I could not join them for the feast.

Our Christmas dinner was not suckling pig as in John's book
but Porcupine Meatballs at the request of the 
Birthday Boy-Man.
Here is the recipe as adapted from the original 
found in Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, 
Porcupine Meatballs
My recipe is from the "Who Knows When" edition 
as that page is long gone.
They really are quite good and a family favorite
since my girls were young.
An easy prep and includes the must-have 
Midwest ingredient of a can of Campbell's condensed soup.
We served with mashed potatoes and 
NO vegetables.
Again as requested by the Boy-Man.

Now we march on to yet another family birthday Wednesday,
and then mine.
 I have begun my New Year Resolution list.
Have you?

xx from Moonlight Lane

holly