I had the honor in my life here in Zionsville to meet a woman who was full of life and full of passion for whatever path her heart followed. Our lives had connections that were discovered by us as we got to know one another over several years and I would suspect that we would have uncovered many more. She was a painter and through those works and sketches- she touched lives and shared a bit of hereself on every canvas. Her outreach and openness went far beyond the edges of her canvas however and on Friday evening that was clearly evident. The Munce Art Center and Sullivan Museum were filled with her paintings- many from her own home which were shared by her family and many from private collections- all hung as a tribute to her beautiful gift of creativity. While the walls were full of her art work, the rooms were filled with her friends and those who were most fortunate to have had her cross their paths in life. That, for me, spoke much more vividly than the colors and brushstrokes.

She was a person whose life mattered. A woman who lived her life in a way that had depth, substance and left it’s mark on others. I can only hope that my life will perhaps make a difference, add to the world, and with the gifts that I have been given as we all have, share with those who I meet and engage.

“We are, all of us, molded and remolded by those who cross our paths. No life, no experience can pass us by without changing our lives forever.”

Cynthia Van Tassel Yeo- a life that truly mattered.

Soups:

Chicken Noodle

Tiscan Tomato

Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper

Cream of Asparagus

Butternut Squash

Potato Leek

Entrees:

Ellie’s Lemon Chicken

To The Last Drop Meatloaf

Baked and Baked Again Potatoes

Sweet Potato Bake

French Green Beans with Shallots and Sherry

Caprese Salad

Pasta Montalcino

Signature Chicken Salad

Curried Chicken Salad

Asparagus salad

Cookies, freshly baked baguettes, housemade breadsticks

I love New York- no reference to the corny coined phrase that has now become the standard jingle for this city. I just simply love New York. I first visited the city when I was much younger and upon my panic on a train to the call “last stop Manhattan”, I learned that Manhattan and New York City were one in the same. A bit of an abrupt welcome and then the first glimpse of homelessness in Grand central station, I was overwhelmed. Several years later I returned there for my first post-college job, remained there four years single, returned there for another four years married and brought my son into the world.

Last weekend, I returned there again with my two daughters and saw the city with both fresh eyes through them as well as relived many happy memories. We had a great time filled with school visits (Parsons School of Design), shopping, amazing meals and visits with old friends. I must say, it was hard to leave. I love New York!

One of the many things I have always loved most is that although it is city of many many people,  many many buildings and a constant interaction of all cultures, languages and sensory overload- it is at times very intimate. The neighborhoods are just that- small niches where people put out their welcome mats, (altough very small) and set down roots. I loved walking through my old neighborhoods, seeing the same shops years later, same people in those shops, and for a brief moment, feeling like I was home.

Zionsville is a long way from New York city- in many ways. Yet, it has it’s own pulse and own pace and can easily adapt some of the wonderful qualities that make New York special. New York manages to welcome many unique and diverse cultures yet cultivate a sense of a hometown. There are opportunities here to do the same and how fortumnate we would  all be to take hold of those opportunities, branch out, and make our worlds a bit bigger, a bit more tolerant and I believe, a bit more full.

Soups

Tuscan Tomato

Butternut Squash

Cream of Asparagus

Potato Corn Chowder

Chicken Wild Rice and Mushroom

Entrees/meals

Stuffed Shells

Pork Tenderloin with dates, onion and pine nuts and balsamic reduction sauce

Baked and Baked Again potatoes

Vegetarian Quesadillas

Chicken Quesadillas

Whole quiches

Extras!

sundried tomato spread

shrimp spread

brushetta

corn and edamame salad

caprese salad

Housemade breadsticks

Signature Chocolate Chip cookies

This week marks the first Anniversary of To The Last Drop! We will have a ususal business day on Tuesday, a celebration on Wednesday, and a much deserved break for the staff at the end of the week. Here is the schedule:

Tuesday- we will be working as usual and the coolers and staff will be ready for you!

Wednesday- our first Anniversary! Come and celebrate with us as we toast with some bubbly, share in some tastings and have our menus and classes available for you.

Thursday-Sunday- closed for some rest and rejuvenation as we welcome the fall and approaching holiday season!

A few reminders …. we will have our Open House on November 14th from 12-8 p.m. Please mark the date for a wonderful kick-off to the holidays, special tastings, sign-ups for holiday sides and treats, and a day of warmth and friendship.

We have begun to book events for the holiday season and weekends are filling up!! Don’t delay in reserving your day for a special gathering or celebration. We would love to be a part of it!

We will be starting a new Saturday breakfast menu for the new year- “Saturdays at the Drop!” - come in and hear all about it and look for email and ads announcing it’s debut!

Hope to see you on Wednesday….we will have our special crab cakes with a new sauce for the fall ( thought a little bribery would be ok!)

See you at the Drop!

This Wednesday, September 16th, we will mark our one year anniversary at To The Last Drop! Although a bit cliche, I will say that it does not see possible that a year has passed. We have now been through every holiday, all seasons, and many Zionsville and local events. We have had the wonderful opportunity to meet many new friends, be a part of many happy and meaningful occasions and been able to be in your homes at dinner time as well as special gatherings.  We have laughed and cooked together at classes and private dinners as we learned about cooking as well as each other. It has truly been a joy.Thank you!

It has been a pleasure to go to work each day and do what I love to do- cook. The challenges of the business have been a learning experience and the ability to be able to join my home life and business life has helped both myself and my children grow. We have had many adjustments but those have been tackled together and given us one more bond and connection. Having them work by my side at events as well as in the shop is one of the most fulfilling parts of this past year.

My staff has been a steady and very special part of this past year. We have made mistakes and hopefully learned from them, had moments of extreme pride and fulfillment and through it all and many good laughs and lots of fun. Thank you for your hard work, all the clean dishes, mopped floors, smiles while serving, Costco runs, chopping, prepping and cooking, patience with me, your tolerance of my music and old movies, your support, your loyalty and your giving of yourselves and time. I am so very grateful.

I hope to have a full house on Wednesday- new friends, old friends, first time customers that are curious and loyal customers stopping by to help celebrate.

We will have tastings all day, treats to sample, drawings for a chance to take a class, plan a dinner, or choose a cookbook. Class lists and menus will be available. Come and share in a glass of bubbly and some delicious food. We will look forward to seeing you!!!

Thank you for everything- it has been a year of memories and much happiness for me!

Claudia

To The Last Drop will have a bit of a shortened week-

Monday-as usual

Tuesday 11-2

Wednesday 11-2

Thursday- as usual

Friday 11-6

Saturday 11-5

Farmer’s Market is a short one as well due to Fall festival. We will be at our booth with all the favorites but only from 8-10 a.m.

Hope you have an enjoyable Labor Day weekend!!!!

Claudia

Soups:

Black Bean

Tuscan Tomato

Corn Chowder with Sweet Pepper Relish

Chicken Noodle

Potato Leek

Spicy Thai Noodles with Roasted Chicken

Chicken Parmesan

Lemon Chicken

Bolognese Sauce and fresh pasta

Smashed Red Potatoes

Caprese Salad

Mom’s Traditional Potato Salad

Chicken Salad

Pasta Salad

I am in the process of planning Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom and one of my brothers. All of my siblings and I will be (with our own families in tow) going to my parents in Florida for Thanksgiving this year. It is a sentimental and meaningful trip as it is rare that we are all together with all of our children for a holiday. In addition, my Dad has Alzheimers and memories are precious now for us all.

We sat down recently and began planning the activities for the four days and the most important- Thanksgiving Dinner. We will have two kitchens going, at least seven of us cooking together, many more tasting what we are cooking and a full table to set! I can see it in my mind with such clarity and am already anticipating it with such joy. The smells and aromas of all the different dishes, the stories, chatter and laughter. Macy’s Thanksgiving parade on the tv, football later, and my yearly breaking out of “Miracle of 34th Street” in the evening or before bed. (It’s A Wonderful Life will make it’s debut the day after!!)

As we planned the dinner, it was clear to me that some things were not ever going to leave the menu no matter how much I may wish it were so simply because of a matter or taste. But, as a matter of tradition, I can relent and have them there on the table. Tradition before taste I guess. You have those same dishes on your table as well I am sure. They are dishes of a generation that immediately illicit the comfort in food that I have mentioned many times before. I guess they have earned their place!!

I hope that you will be planning special gatherings as the fall slides in and the holidays follow behind. I hope that you will smile as you do it whether you are alone or with family members, at your home elsewhere and whether filled with traditional dishes or new additions and experiences. To The Last Drop will be offering some classes to help with your planning, dishes to order ahead to add to your table, and our private dinners as a place you can schedule a fun family gathering.

I will be away this Thanksgiving so I won’t see you as you pick-up your food the day before. It was a lot of fun last year as those of you bustled in and got spreads, desserts and side dishes for your table. I was missing my family though and wishing I was not alone on that day. So, this year- I will be there in spirit, our food will hopefully be in many homes and at many gatherings again, and we can all be thankful together.

Claudia