Simple pleasures

We had a storm yesterday that blew in and blew out pretty quickly, taking the 95˚ temperature and humidity with it.  Thank goodness.  Bright blue skies this morning for my walk.  The BFF wasn't feeling well so I went solo.  Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance company has a trail close to chez moi and I decided to take that route.
There's a path through "the woods"--

An employee garden to admire

guarded over by the BCBS cow (we have these all over town).

Flowers along the way

I listened to Billy Joel and spent about 45 minutes enjoying the morning.
I came home to toast, jam, and coffee.  There is not much simpler than that.  Or more delicious.

Strawberry jam from Lyon Farms.

Simple ingredients.

They have a weekly spot at the Durham Farmers Market and their produce and products are always top notch.

Here's a simple pleasure for Rusty, the cat.  The Ex-Ex brushing him.  He loves it so much that he can't sit still for long.

And finally, here is a very simple summer vegetable dish that I made a couple of nights ago.  The Ex-Ex doesn't care for hot tomatoes, but he did try it before leaving most of it for moi.  The leftovers were good cold the next day.  It's ratatouille-ish.   Just no eggplant in this version.  I think that next time I will add a layer of eggplant.  Caramelized onions would be good, too.  Red pepper slices, maybe.

Baked Zucchini-Tomato Slices
from Tina Arnold

Slice zucchini in half.  Slice off the rounded part of the bottom to make the slices stable.  Place the slices on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper for easy clean-up.  Brush the slices with olive oil.  Sprinkle with minced fresh garlic.  Top with sliced tomatoes (I used roma), sprinkle with salt and pepper, if you wish, and /or herbes de Provence.  Top with mozzarella and/or Parmesan cheese.  I picked some fresh basil leaves off the plant on my deck and cut them up with kitchen scissors to place on the cheese.  Bake in 350˚ preheated oven for about 30 minutes until soft.

Bon appétit!  Enjoy summer!