I had the joy of hosting a prom Dinner at my home this weekend. My oldest daughter celebrated her senior prom with 22 friends by having dinner and pictures here beforehand. They were joined by all of their parents and together we had a wonderful evening.

The rain could not subdue or dampen the high spirits and beautiful attire. The kids all arrived in their prom gowns and tuxes- full of nerves as well as excitement and behind them were their parents equally excited but also full of sentimental emotion. It isn’t hard to remember our own proms and that evening we all shared the same mixed emotions of loving them all so much and knowing that soon we will have to let them go a little bit more than we have ever had to before.

As the rain fell, we snapped pictures indoors of couples, best friends, beautiful smiles and a group of young adults sharing in a memory making night. Together the parents all prepared and served dinner, poured drinks and waited on them as if they were our most VIP customers. As they finished dinner and readied themselves to leave for the Prom cameras were again turned on and ready to snap another round of pictures. Seeing all of them walk down the driveway with umbrellas, some running in heels that would break my neck and others that were lucky, being carried by their gentlemanly dates, I wished silently that we could do it all again.

Having a house full of kids, their parents and sharing together in a special meal is about as close to heaven as it gets for me. There were many thanks from the kids as well as parents for us hosting the event and cooking the meal. But I will say, I was the most thankful that evening. I am thankful for the blessings that are the simplest ones. Children that have the opportunity to grow up and experience life, good friends and that have parents that love them. Parents that can share in an evening joined together simply by that love for their children and the blessing that our chidren actually want to be with us! And the sharing of food amongst old and new friends, stories that bind us and a pang in our hearts that is shared.

It was a perfect night- and for a time or two, it felt like 1978 all over again.

I have now learned that having strept throat as an adult is no piece of cake…in fact, it was absolutely miserable! I am now through that ordeal of last week and back on track, ready to cook and wanted to share some of the exciting upcoming events for you.

Saturday Breakfasts:

Our breakfasts will continue and I hope you will join us on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. for hot and deliciois breakfast to go. Each week we have freshly baked croissants, scones and muffins. In addition we have quiches sold whole or by the slice and our housemade granola. There is always one featured breakfast entree and this week it will be Baked french toast with Orange Marmalade syrup and our own sausage loaf. You are welcome to dine in if there is room at the table or on the front porch, or take home ready to eat for your family or house full of guests. we will continue this all summer long!

Kitchens of Zionsville Tour:

This Saturday, April 17, To The Last Drop will be on theullivan Monce Cultural Center Tour for “Kitchens of Zionsville”. Tickets may be purchased at the shop or through the Sullivan Mince Cultural Center. You can visit six kitchens in Zionsville and see what creative and beautiful ideas others have had for this special room in the house. We will be serving tastings throughout the day beginning at noon and ending at 4. Come by and see us!

Opening Day at Lions Park:

This Saturday is also opening day for the season at Lions Park. I have sponsored a team again and am so excited about being part of “The Glory”- a group of great girls who love the game!!! If you are also planning on spending a lot of time at the park, please remember that we are just up the hill and will have soups, salads and cuisine to go. You can grab some breakfast for the early games, pick up some lunch to eat at the park or stop by for dinner to go after a long day of games and carpooling! We will have what you need to fill all the tummies n your house!

Class Lists:

Our new class lists for summer June through December will be available at the shop and online May 1st! Lots of fun classes for the summer including classes for teens, a Farmers Market class on Saturday morning and the usual favorites- Thai, Sushi and Soups! Hope you will take a look, choose one, and join us for the fun and relaxing joy of cooking together.

Mothers Day/Graduations/Weddings/Showers:

We have menus and catering services for all your festivities- just call for an appointment to schedule catering. Our menus are full of wonderful and creative dishes and there is always room for your suggestions and special requests. We prefer to book at least one month in advance and weekends are getting full so please plan ahead and allow us to share in  your special event.

Open House:

We will have our annual Spring Open House on Saturday, June 12th at the shop. Please join us from 11-5 for tastings,drawings for classes, private dinners and retail items. It is a nice place to stop for awhile, see what we are offering in our summer menus and for classes and have a tasting of many of our new as well as favorite items. Hope to see you- bring a friend and join us for the day!

Closings:

Please remember that the shop will be closed from May 10-May 21 as I will be traveling to London and the Cotswold area of London. You are most welcome to call and schedule events as well as sign-up fpr classes. we will be checking email regularly as well and business will go on as ususal for those areas. The shop itself will be closed for the cuisine to go so do plan ahead and order what you will need for the weeks and we can have it ready to go and ready to freeze if you wish.

I hope you all enjoy this beautiful week ahead! I plan to do so now that I am back on my feet and able to breathe in the spring!! I hope you will stop by, see what is in the coolers, catch a game at the park on opening Day, take the Kitchen Tour or simply open the door to say hello- it is always great to see you-

Claudia

I will confess, I am not a sports fan and I have a very limited knowledge of most sports. As a result of my lack of knowledge, I have always had very little interest in sports in general. The one season I do enjoy has always been March basketball and all the excitement of the Sweet Sixteen, Final Four and the expected and unexpected pairings and winners.

This year I was able to attend the season games of Butler. Sitting in the same seat each time and being with someone that actually took the time to engage me in the game and explain not only the calls but share a bit about each player made all the difference. I was hooked. Hinkle Fieldhouse is an amazing place. I had been there for basketball camps with my son over many summers years ago. I thought it was a unique and special place then as it epitomized what I always thought Indiana Basketball was all about. I grew up in Chicago and it just isn’t the same there. Oh I know that people in Illinois love basketball but it just isn’t the same- truly it isn’t. Hinkle Fieldhouse during a home game, in an undefeated season, near the end of the season, is unlike any other sporting experience I have ever seen. Sounds silly, but I felt that I was among family members- all cheering on our own kids.

I loved watching my son play hockey for years. I cheered (even at the 6 a.m. games in a freezing ice rink), I wore my colors and held up handmade signs as we played for the win. Not since those days have I ever had the feeling that I got at Hinkle that would propel me from my seat to clap and cheer like I was at a hockey game of long ago. Not since this team at Butler, have had the inclination to sit alone and watch a game on t.v. and cheer and jump up and down (scaring poor Duke and embarrasing Maddie and the cats), and scream with joy at a win like they had over Murray State.

I was proud of myself- I do have it in me to be a sports fan. I do now understand what others might be feeling as they watch their favorite teams.

I won’t plan on this being a new leaf completely though. It is not all sports that will convert me this way.It is all because of the “Butler Way”. As I said before, I am hooked. I am smitten with the team of young men who cherish their education as much as they do their sport. Smitten with a coach and adults that partner with him to nurture the players as young athletes as well as young men- fine young men as well. It is undeniable when you watch them on the court and on the sidelines. Undeniable when you read about them and hear the respect and perspective that they share for the game as well as for one another. I am smitten with the crowd of fans- the warmth and loyalty is evident each time I enter the Fieldhouse and all the way back to our car.

Brad Stevens is to be commended and admired and as a mother, I would consider it a blessing to have him serve as a role model and coach for my child. He has exhibited the skills of his profession as well as the humanity and discipline it takes to be a role model for our youth. The players have won over my heart. The amount of team cohesiveness and their ability to all be a part of the team without vanity, narcissism and ego running rampant is admirable. Not a common display by most teams at this level let alone in professional sports. They are fine players and are fine young men.

So, onward we go to Thursday and another test of abilities and character. I know that no matter the result on the scoreboard, they will be winners in my heart. Thank you Butler Bulldogs for restoring my faith in competitive sports. Thank you for sharing with me a wonderful season and bringing me to my feet again. Thank you, Gary, for the seat next to you- I love it for many reasons.

Thursday night, I will be ready to cheer. I will mean it and feel it- down to every goosebump on my arms!!

Go Dawgs!!

I am amazed by the order of nature. I have the blessing of living amongst many living creatures and one of my favorite things to do is watch them all interact. Outside my house there is an order on land and in the air. The birds that frequent our feeders have a definite pecking order. The smaller ones are gather together and descend at once for a feeding frenzy. That lasts along with a cardinal or two and a robin and its mate until the blue jays or blackbirds arrive- then all birds disperse. The blue jays are only distracted when a hawk or owl return to the trees. Our outside cat, Midnight, sits and watches. She never attempts to catch or even bother the birds- she knows they are welcome and belong here. She does not, however, have the same respect for the poor field mice that happen to cross her path. They are often gifts left for me when I open the door- ugh!

Midnight begrudgingly shares her morning food with the raccoon that has taken up residence. He saunters up to the porch every morning when it is still a bit dark and together they have breakfast together. For many years we had a raccoon that we called “Old Gray” that would arrive each morning for food and share with our many outside cats. He would also take an occassional nap in the warm sun. Now “Old Gray” has passed as have all but one of the cats. Midnight has held on and is now joined with a new bandit eyed friend who we  have yet to name.

Our dogs- all six of them- have an order as well. Although tempting, I try not to mess with it to much. Not thrilled about being considered “one of the pack”, I am clearly the alpha dog. When I am not in the mix, the alpha is Hope. Maddie, our precious old girl was the alpha until she aged and became ill. She spends most of her day in the house with Duke, our chihuahua, and two cats. The dogs outside have an order as to who gets out the barn door first, who eats first and who is allowed to walk next to me when I am in the yard working.I love to just blend in and become invisible to see what each one does when they think I am not looking- it really is fascinating.

Charley, our newest dog, is a Blue Healer. His nature is to herd things- all things- and he does so with intent and tenacity. He first started out in the house as he had bi-lateral hip surgery and was recuperating. He tried to herd Maddie- she would not budge. Next was Duke and there were times we would find Duke in a corner afraid to move from where Charley had placed him! The cats would have nothing to do with his herding and soon learned what we all know- cats do as they please. Outside went Charley and his next targets were Hope, Lucy, and Fudge. No one seems to listen to Charley outside either and he becomes very cranky and frustrated- often how I feel with three teenagers!

The order of nature is so evident around this house. It really is comforting as it just continues and carries on even as pets pass on and are born. Soon Maddie will not be with us and as is tradition, we always allow another one of the oldest to come in the house. That will alter the order for certain and soon an entirely new one will appear. And on it goes.

I wish the order in other areas of my life were so predictable!!

My son is in New York right now for part of his spring break and I must say, I am jealous. Happy, as a Mom, that he is having a great experience….but wishing I were there with him. It doesn’t seem possible that I moved there, not much older than my son is now, and took on the Big Apple. As he walked around and explored the city this weekend, he sent texts and at each place I was able to immediately recall memories and pass along stories. Although he was born there, he has no recall at all of those few years he lived there as a child. However, now he will have some of his own memories and I am hoping, a taste of a different pace and life. Seems funny in a nice way that he is there, walking the same streets and riding the same buses and subways that he did as an infant- I don’t know, I just love when life brings us back around to things, people and places we think we have left forever.

Picking up and moving to NYC after I graduated from college was a huge step for me. After the excitement of jobs falling into place and what seemed to be a force pulling me in that direction, I was scared. Very scared. I never went to summer camps, never ventured too far from home and even the college I chose, DePauw, was a small and very safe cocoon. I hung up the phone one summer night in 1978 and told my Mom I was moving to New York. She was very excited but my Dad took some convincing;a lot of convincing.The fact that my first years salary as teacher combined with the position I took at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was less than the yearly rent I was to pay, could have been the source of some worry. But they let me go. They sent me on my way with the basic tools I needed, whatever furniture was in the storage room that older siblings hadn’t confiscated ( took a fold away cot for my bed, my dresser from 3rd grade that stil had bunny stickers on it, two chairs that were in my parents first apartment and exactly two knives, two forks and a few plates)and a security that I could come home anytime. Believe me, that thought crossed my mind more than few times those first two weeks! But they let me go…I know, I know, it is now that full circle I mentioned earlier.

I “let go” and my son is now in college, traveling the world, and beginning his life. My daughter is awaiting news this week of her own college experience and where that will be. I see ahead a few months and again, I will “let go”. Lots of mixed feelings to be sure. In another two years, I will have come full circle and my last child will be off to college. I will have entered another segment of my life where life itself brings you back around. My youngest wants to go to NYC for college….if that remains true, my journey of returning will truly be complete. Letting go and coming back. The one thing about change is you can always depend on it that it will happen.

I still wish I was looking at the Egyptian Wing with him, having a cannoli in Little Italy and walking through Central Park. But it is his time, his life…and I will love every single text I receive!!!!

This weeks blog is filled with news and invitations for you…here goes!

***We have an email newsletter that I would like for you to join. You may do so on the website or also email me and ask to be added. Now that I am 50 and so much more organized (ha) I will be doing my very best to send one out every month. It will have news of events etc. at To The Last Drop as well as recipes and fun cooking tips, discoveries… In addition, there will often be “specials” that will be offered as far as menu items, giveaways and discounts. So, please consider joining- it would be wonderful to have you.

***To The Last Drop will be closed on the following dates…. March 26-Tuesday, April 6 and also on May 10-May 23. We will be available by email and phone for your catering orders and event planning. However, the shop itself and any cuisine to go will not be available. Many apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and if we can assist in any way prior to these dates with your needs, let us know!

***We will be publishing all new menus by the end of this month. We have refreshed and added many new and delicious offerings! Our catering menus as well as menus for the Private Dinners will all be online- check the website for updates as to when  they will be posted.

*** I will be taking a trip to England in May (hence the closing of the shop for a week) I will be in London as well as Cotswold/Oxford. My son will be studying there for the month of May and we will be visiting him as well as doing some great sightseeing…. which of course, will involve lots of food!

It is rumored that English Cuisine leaves much to be desired but I intend to form my own opinion. However, I would also love your opinions and suggestions. It is my first time there and I would love any suggestions or recommendations for restaurants, menu items not to be missed and any fun and memorable stories from your travels. Upon my return I will post an email newsletter with my own reviews and travel stories. Email me or comment on this blog page to me- I will look forward to hearing from you. Any comments will be placed in a drawing for a cookbook that I will purchase when there!!

*** Our Saturday Morning Breakfasts are attended somewhat sporadically. Since I was asked to take down our banner on the front of the shop (and it was a very nice banner I will say) I know it is not serving as a reminder. So, I hope you will help and spread the word a bit and if you haven’t stopped in, please do join us for a warm and delicious breakfast to go or at our table. Each Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Check the website at “What’s Cooking” and see what we will be serving. If you bring a copy of this blog with you, your breakfast will be 50% off! Hope to see you!!!

Have a great week and enjoy the break from Snow. Although beautiful it was a bit much….don’t you think? Remember to comment to this blog and let me know your adventures in England and I will hope to see you on Saturdays!

Claudia

I have heard it said…”I only know what I know”. That is one of those statements that seems so obvious but still makes me stop and repeat it several times. It is true, simple, but true. In our lives we are formed and driven by that which we know. I’m not really referring to facts such as the length to boil and egg for the yolk to be firm or the correct answer to a complex algabraic problem. I mean what we know about ourselves, about each other and about LIFE.

I am on the eve of a milestone birthday- 16 has passed along with 21 and my 30′s but a memory and 40′s were life changing to say the least… 50 is here. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about this birthday and the significance to me. I am not hung up on the age aspect at all or all the “changes” that I have been warned that it brings. True- there are some changes and I am keenly aware of them as they not so subtley hit me on the head… a new level of scatteredness, the inability to function on just 4 hours of sleep day after day, and the unfortunate realization that I can no longer eat whatever I want whenever I want without feedback in my stomach or on the scale.

No, I have been thinking a lot about “what I know” as I turn 50.

I know that I love my kids more than words can express and I know that I love them unselfishly and unconditionally. I know that they love me and see me as their Mom and as a friend and as a person.

I know that my heart can endure great sadness and that through that sadness and pain, can endure and remain open. I know I am capable of giving love and receiving it- open hearted all the way. I know what real love feels like and the immense depth of its riches.

I know that my faith has been challenged, questioned and broken at times but that it remains at the core of who I am and that those times of enormous struggle, it has not failed me and has grown stronger and deeper.

I know simply that if you live your life with only intention and no action, you are only scratching the surface. It can be a scary place to go where you are unsure or without more than instinct. Frightening and quite intimidating to admit you really don’t know how to take those steps but that the action simply must follow the intent you are feeling. I know now that this is LIFE and on this downhill side of the hill, I don’t want to miss a single opportunity to put into action all my lists of wonderful intentions.

When I opened To The Last Drop I was equipped with what I thought was just one piece of knowledge- cooking and teaching both brought me great joy and I was hoping to combine the two. Then followed a whirlwind of things I did not know- business plans, health codes and regulations, exhaust systems and marketing. My learning curve was huge, still is in fact, and suddenly I was feeling that I didn’t know much of anything. I took a big leap of action- I opened the shop but also knew that this was a long and sustained action which requires constant assessment of what “I know”. My intent was constant it just requires a lot of action.

On the eve of this milestone birthday, I see things a bit differently. While I know that I must continue to gain knowledge that is fact based and that I may never be the wisest or most savvy business woman in spite of my actions, I have all the knowledge I really need. What I really needed to know, I knew all along.

I have the love of my kids and those in my life- this I know.

I have an open heart and an ability to love and care deeply about people and their needs- this I know.

I have a strong faith that keeps those white lines in focus even when it is foggy and the visibility is low-this is know.

I have really learned a lot in my 50 years and I am happy.

This, of all, I know best.

I just returned from two wonderful visits with those I love. I saw my son for a few days where he attends college and then on to see my parents for another few days. I say, “few” days as that is what it was. I wish I could have had an endless visit until we all knew it was time to go, but that is sadly not the way visits seem to go. I am very thankful for the time I did have, however, and loved every single moment.

It is always such a comfort to see people you love in their element. I think about my son avery day- what is he doing, who are his best friends, is he getting enough rest, enough food, enough happiness in his days? Seeing him with his friends, in his environment and doing what he does every day was great- it filled me up and gave me a deep sense of peace. He took me out to dinner at a favorite place of his- Farm 255. It is an organic restaurant which uses all its ingredients from their local farms- including the meats and vegetables.We had a great meal and I was able to try all of Todd’s favorites on the menu. If you are ever in Athens, Georgia I would highly suggest a visit to this special place.Of course, my review is a bit biased asthe best part of the meal was the company with which I shared the evening!

Then, off to see my Mom and Dad. Every minute I am able to spend with the two of them is precious to me. My Dad has Alzheimers and each time I am able to see him, I am thankful for the memory that is left. The laughter and teasing shared and the hugs which have taken on a newer and deeper meaning than ever before are beyond words.  My Mom is truly a remarkable person and in a completely unbiased review of her- she is by definition….perfect! We spent most of our time at home, around the kitchen table.

Breakfasts would start at 7 a.m. with coffee, a bit of food, my dad then joining us, and before I knew it, it was lunch. Dinners lingered as well and the joy of cooking for them and sharing the kitchen with my Mom was well tucked away in my heart and memory.

I wish those visits were neverending-truly I do.

Please note that To The Last Drop will be closed the week of Monday, February 8-Monday February 15. We will re-open on Tuesday February 16 for regular business hours. Have a wonderful week and Valentine’s Day!

Don’t forget to stop by on Saturday mornings for our warm fresh bakes breakfasts to go. We will have our special Biscuits and Sausage Gravy along with our House Granola, fresh bakes Croissants, Scones and Muffins. Join us for a complimentary cup of coffee or cocoa (if it is snowing!!) and either take home your breakfast or eat it here at the our table if there is room!

We are already booking for graduation parties, weddings and spring events so please call ahead to reserve dates!! We would love to be a part of your special events! See you on the 16th!

Claudia

In a culture and civilization that preaches we should love ourselves first and shouts examples of that to an extreme to the point of self-absorption and self-centeredness, there is an area in which we tend to think of ourselves last. We will spend hundreds of dollars on workout equipment, memberships, clothing, beauty supplies etc. without a second thought. However, fast food lines are always seemingly long, the prepared and robotic style food counters at markets and large chains are growing and the frozen food section at most stores occupies far more space than the fresh produce and meats.

What does it say? It says we will go to great lengths to take care of the outside of our body but not the inside. I think a huge part of that is because of fear and a lack of a true sense of self-worth. Loving someone is all about really tuning in and giving that person what they really need at the deepest level. We don’t love ourselves enough- sad but true.

I have spoken with many people in my cooking classes at the shop and one of the most prevalent reasons that they don’t cook at home is surprising. The reasons such as skill level and knowledge, money, convenience are all secondary to the answer…”it is just a lot of work for just me….” Whether these are single people or empty-nesters, most people do not feel they are worth the time and effort of a good home-cooked meal. All the other things which consume our time and finances are acceptable- but preparing a healthy and delicious meal and sitting down to enjoy it are not. How odd-

We need to break that way of thinking and begin at the start- we should care about ourselves, feel comfortable with ourselves and allow ourselves to treat our own selves and admit we are worth it. Buy a cookbook or go online and look at some of the things you really enjoy. Instead of ordering it at a restaurant or buying it prepared by someone else- do it as a gift to yourself. Instead of wandering the aisles that have package after package of pre-made foods or frozen entrees that at some point probably were actually food- stroll through the fresh produce aisles and meat cases and see for yourself that there is a step you have been missing. The journey from the farm, the stream or the ground does not go directly from there to your box, bag or microwavable container. It stops along the way, just waiting for someone to grab it and cook it into a delicious and healthy meal.

I realize that with today’s faster paced lives, there is not an ability to always sit down to a full meal at home every night- but there is time, and if not….make the time. You will not regret the decision.  Create a time for yourself to cook and relax and enjoy a nicely prepared meal for YOU! It is worth it- for so many many reasons.

You may find yourself repeating that “date” over and over again.