Put a Little Zing in Your Day

No visit to Ann Arbor would be complete without lunch at world famous Zingerman’s Delicatessen.  Don’t misunderstand me, great food is abundant all over Ann Arbor, but nothing else compares to the deli’s character and its wonderful artisan-crafted breads and cheeses. 
 



Zingerman's Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Established in 1982, Zingerman’s has grown from a traditional Jewish deli with great sandwiches to an Ann Arbor institution.
 

The deli and fresh bread counters inside Zingerman's 

Located in the historic Kerrytown District near the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, Zingerman’s is actually a  community of businesses including:  Zingerman’s Roadhouse which serves “really good American food;” Zingerman’s Creamery with high-quality handmade cheese; and Zingerman’s Bakehouse where all of the deli’s breads, cakes and cookies are made. 
 

My favorite - the Georgia Reuben

With all of this deliciousness available, it makes it hard to settle on one sandwich. 

The menu goes on and on with whole pages of options dedicated to each meat choice – corned beef, pastrami, turkey, chicken, pork and beef. 
 

Extra seating and coffee are available literally Next Door



Your sandwich experience also includes your choice of a new or old pickle. 

 

Choosing a new one gets you crunchy and cucumbery... 

 

An old one gets you traditional and garlicky... 

 

Pickle lovers will enjoy either version.

 

Just part of the cheese selection

While waiting for your sandwich to be built, browse the selection of fine vinegars and oils, sample the breads and cheeses, and grab yourself a pie or cookie to go.  You may even get lucky and score a Magic Brownie sample. 

So, next time you are in Ann Arbor, be sure to visit Zingerman’s and put a little Zing in your day and your belly.

Zingerman's signature artistic style

   
Hey Dad - have you ever had a pie from Zingerman's?  I've heard they are really good!
 

Easy as Apple.....Cake?

I don’t know about you, but I was never one to think of apple pie as easy to make - all of that dough rolling and stuff. 

 

 

I do know that nothing smells better than fresh apples baking in the oven.  I’m really not that picky.  Anything apple will do – apple pie, apple tart, apple coffee cake.  You get the picture.

The abundance of apples that are available this time of year just puts me in the mood to bake something decadent.  I have been baking this easy-to-make apple cake for years.  It’s great for breakfast, dessert or tea time, and it always turns out moist and delicious. 

Happy Apple Season!

 

 

 

Apple Cake

½ c pecans, finely chopped - walnuts will work too
3 large eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Grated zest of 1 large lime
1 c sugar
1 ½ c all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
⅛ tsp. salt
2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped -
I prefer bigger chunks in my cake

Preheat oven to 350°.  Butter a 9-inch round cake pan, sprinkle with nuts tilting pan so sides and bottom are evenly covered. 

In large bowl, whisk eggs, butter, vanilla, lime zest and sugar until smooth.  The lime and vanilla smell so good at this point. 

Add flour, baking soda and salt and blend.  Fold in apples. 

Pour batter into pan.  Bake for 45 minutes. 

*Thank you Wilma for suggesting that I write an apple post this week.  I appreciate the inspiration and support you give me!

 

What's In Santa Fe?

Prior to leaving for vacation, many people asked me where I was going.  I told them Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I was taken by surprise by how many folks first thought that I said Mexico.  My reply, "No, New Mexico, the state.  We're going to Santa Fe."  Next question, "What's in Santa Fe?"

White Rock City Park Overlook

Think of this...... vibrant blue skies - 325 days a year of them.  Crisp mountain air.  Deep, dark skies that provide a backdrop to every star.  The sweet scent of Pinon Trees.  Ominous mountains that frame the city.  An abundance of chile peppers ready for harvest.

Chile peppers at harvest time

Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the U.S., recently celebrated its 400th birthday.  Also, known as The City Different, Santa Fe boasts a vibrant mix of Native American and Mexican cultures which is apparent around every corner.  From the fashion to the food, the city is a standout of style.
 

Shopping at the Santa Fe Indian Market

You feel a certain spirituality in Santa Fe as the area is dotted with centuries-old, adobe churches and religious art. 

 

The historic San Isidro Church in Santa Fe - 1835

Santa Fe is considered by many to be the 3rd largest fine art market in the country and is home to unique treasures like the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the New Mexico Museum of Art, and the famous Canyon Road galleries.  The city also hosts world renowned events like the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Festival, bringing art lovers and foodies together from all over.
 

  

Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico 

In Santa Fe, you'll also find the most eclectic and interesting people.  People from all over who seem to have said, "To heck with all of this, I'm going to Santa Fe."

And that, my friend is what's in Santa Fe.
 

Santa Fe Farmer's Market in the Railyard District

 

 

Queen for a Day - The Someday Cowgirl in Paris, Part Trois

Imagine being the Queen…..

The Queen of England, the Queen of the Nile, the Queen of Sheba, or the Queen of Everything.

Chateau de Versailles

 

A day trip to the Palace of Versailles gave me some insight on what it would be like to be Queen. 

 

Or at least what it was like to be Marie Antoinette who lived at Versailles in over-the-top opulence with her husband Louis XVI in the 1700s.

Sitting room of Marie Antoinette

 

For if you were Marie Antoinette, you’d have a whole slew of people who would do anything for you…… every day. 

 

Pick out your clothes, do your hair, make you breakfast in bed, take out the trash, grocery shop, clean your bathrooms (okay, they really didn't have bathrooms)……

 

They’d probably even exercise for you.

Gilded Fireplace

You’d never need anything…… jewels, designer clothes, silks and tapestries, fine chocolates, exquisite statues and light fixtures like the ones below..... all yours.

 

 

Statues and crystal light fixture

 

Unfortunately, things didn't work out well for Marie Antoinette in the end. 

 

View of the garden at Versailles

 

Perhaps she would have enjoyed being a regular gal..... just like the rest of us.
 

The Someday Cowgirl in Paris - Part Deux

Staying at a resort outside of Paris gave us a great opportunity to take road trips to neighboring towns.  We headed toward Provins, a medieval city, that our concierge suggested.  After driving about an hour through a beautiful countryside full of yellow flowering fields (we guessed these were mustard plants), we arrived in Provins.   

 

As soon as we entered the city, it was as if we had taken a step back in time - a huge step back to the 11^th century.  This is when you start to understand how young the United States really is.  We were in a European town that was 900 years old - surreal. 

We squeezed our mid-sized SUV rental (small for our standards) into a spot, obviously intended for a smart car, and headed for a bite to eat and some shopping in the boutiques in lower Provins.

 

Since the French aren't big on lunch, this became a difficult task, as most of the cafes were closed and wouldn't be open until later in the evening. 

After a quick lunch of a creamy Croque Monsieur and a bit of wine at a small shop that sold ice cream and gourmet teas, we headed to upper Provins. 

Navigating our way through the town’s narrow streets, we marveled at the architecture of charming homes built long ago, watching our steps along the uneven cobblestones. 

Around the bend, we came across Caesar’s Tower, a castle and the symbol of Provins, that overlooks the city. 

It was lightly raining at this point and the skies were becoming more cloudy, so we stepped into a little museum.  Using the very small amount of French that I had learned in preparation for our trip, I politely asked the woman behind the counter if she spoke English.  With a very stern look on her face, she shook her head to the tempo of a firm no. 

We decided that we really didn't want to hang out in a museum anyway, so my husband and I huddled under our one small umbrella and continued up the hill.

At the top of the hill, stands a church - Saint Quiriace.  The church was constructed around 1200, but it was never fully completed due to lack of funds under the reign of Philip IV. 

Gazing up at the church's dome, I knew we were about to feel transported back in time upon entering.  The doves in the eaves were making eerie noises.  In many ways I found this church more incredible than Notre Dame - just the earthiness of it, like it was about to crumble around us.