Simple, quick, delicious was this month’s theme as it turned out. We never plan anything. Loaded potato slices and sesame-coated cream cheese in a pool of soy sauce with crackers with a very good Justin wine.

Merrilyn’s grandson Jacob bought her a menu board for Christmas. Thanks Jacob.

Delicious drummettes and French bread pizza slices.

On Wednesday. Cauliflower toasts and a pretty good hot dip with tortilla chips with a terrible name, Cowboy Crack.

An old favorite, Crostini with fennel sausage by Merrilyn. Me: purchased artichoke jalapeño dip and crackers.

Honoring the tomato this month. Cherry tomato mascarpone tartlets and Upside down tomato tart:

On Wednesday. Warm Stilton and mushroom galette – so delicious! – and cream cheese w fresh-made cranberry sauce, crackers, and apple:

A favorite monthly activity for a few years was Thursday @ Merrilyn’s with Phyllis until … Phyl moved to Montana 5 years ago. Phyl arrived last Thursday to visit friends and family. This afternoon, Merrilyn came to my house for a visit – longtime friends catching up!

But first, an update. Kathy and I arrived in Sacramento late Sunday evening, we’d been traveling for 24 hours. It took a couple of days to adjust to California time.

By chance, our appetizers were both bell-pepper oriented this time. Mine was a cucumber/dill/cream cheese dip. Merrilyn made caramelized peppers with capers and Gorgonzola on crostini.

Everything in Merrilyn’s yard is popping with blooms.

It’s so good to be home!!