Rebecca Weger

Tammy Tuesday tonight covered a wide range of topics from rating local doctors to the “fire” at the Friends of the Library, from grandma’s 93rd birthday and strawberry shortcake to planning a trip for a Shakespeare in the park picnic.

We sat on the porch with the plants, watched the neighborhood (including the comings and goings of an old friend of mine from Maryland who also lives in Ithaca and is friends with my current next-door neighbor), and swatted off bugs. A lot of them. Note to self: dig out that citronella!

Joseph cooked dinner from my inspiration. Rice pasta (Tinkyada is the *only* brand to use as far as I’m concerned), hot Italian sausage from Kingbird Farm, broccoli from Early Morning Farm, and a white sauce with plenty of Parmesan cheese. We finished off an open bottle of rose. Then we finished off the strawberry shortcake with a bit of one of my my favorite Malbecs – 2007 Gouguenheim Malbec Mendoza Argentina purchased at Red Feet.

On another note, there are some transitions on my mind tonight.

Today was a bittersweet day at my job as lots of great folks worked their last day before retirement, among them one of my favorite bosses ever. Kate is one of the kindest, most thoughtful, leaderful, supportive people I’ve ever known, much less had the pleasure to work for. We enjoyed some tasty gluten-free chocolate bunt cake at her retirement party last night. I wish her all the best for her new adventures, and also hope to do some baking together in her new “downtime.”

I want to offer a shout out to my friend Nora who is leaving Louisiana tomorrow to move to Ithaca for her residency at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. Congratulations and safe travels. I’m looking forward to taking annoying pictures of food on your plate soon!

My friend Sherrilyn also heads out on the road in the morning traveling to Ithaca, arriving for a six month sabbatical in the College of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell. Smooth sailing to you.