I’ve had Spring Fever something awful! This Southern chick isn’t used to being cooped up in the house through such a long winter. It snowed several times this year and TWICE we couldn’t leave the Hassienda. TWO times y’all! I had to wear a COAT. A real one. I’ve never seen such weather and I’m not at all sure I want to see it again. (I’m sure my northern friends are currently having a conniption fit of hysterical laughter reading this.) Yes, you may officially keep your snow. To be clear, we will place our snow order for only once next year, a light pretty white dusting if you will, sometime around Christmas, please and thank you. No more of this. We can’t cope.

After suffering through both snow and ice storms, the romantic notion of a glowing fire in the fireplace and a warming cup of hot chocolate quickly faded into the reality of a real winter in the south. People completely forget how to drive; I mean WHO uses the “stop and go as much as possible” method while driving on ice? We have slush all over our front yard, and we bust our posterior regions several times while navigating the front steps.

In our case, we also have the GREAT pleasure of a crazy, regal Great Dane who dares not get her dainty little feet wet, at all ever. We thought surely to God that dog’s bladder was literally going to explode as she had to be convinced to pee by dragging her down several flights of stairs, repeatedly. One pushing, the other pulling. Have you ever tried to even budge a Great Dane who absolutely flat refuses to move? Imagine an 18-wheeler vs. a Yugo. And that was the easy part. The more interesting part came when she was finished and then drug us back UP the stairs at warp speed to get inside. Believe me, all of this required several bandages, lots of wine and lots of whisky to keep our religion in tact. Let me tell you, none of this makes for a pleasant, romantic evening by the fire. Well, except the lots of wine and whiskey part. Good times.

All of that said, I guess you can figure how completely thrilled I was to wake up Sunday morning to find the good Lord had provided a perfect Spring day for the Easter festivities! I could not wait to get my Spring on! We had an incredible brunch by the river, then I decided on a light Spring menu for dinner, starting with an absolutely gorgeous salad of grilled stone fruit, fresh Ricotta and mixed Spring greens with peppery Arugula. Ahh.

We can all rest easy now. Life is back to normal. The sun is shining. The flowers are blooming. The bees are buzzing. No coats required. No front yard obstacle course. The dog can pee alone without injury to any party involved.

Spring has finally sprung y’all. Thank GOD.

Grilled Stone Fruit with Mixed Spring Greens, Fresh Ricotta & Ciabatta Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 bag/container Mixed Spring Greens with Arugula
• 6 mixed stone fruit; I used peaches and plums
• 1 container fresh ricotta; recipe here
• Ciabatta or crusty bread
• Good Olive Oil
• Good Red Wine or Flavored Balsamic Vinegar

          

Directions:

Cut fruit in half and remove pits. Grill or griddle face down until the fruit caramelizes. Place fruit on top of a bed of the mixed greens and serve with oil and vinegar for your salad dressing, ricotta and sliced bread. This is so simple, but so gorgeous and so good!

NOTE: This is a fantastic, beautiful dish to split between guests. For a more hearty first course, add good Pancetta, Prosciutto or country ham to your platter with a side of candied walnuts.

Life is too short to eat ugly food. Bon appetit y’all!