Ugh.  Is so hot.  Just attempted to make a rather heroic journey down to the bottom of the garden to bring up the wheelbarrow, and had to take a break.  Our sweet kitty (whom I have named Nana due to her sugary, incessant babbling) was lying in the shade under the cherry tree, and I thought that sounded like the best idea I'd heard all day.  

What to do with all of these glorious cherries??  My mother has sent me the recipe of a friend, whom she says make the best cherry pie she's ever had.  I'll have to scrounge up a pie tin.  Baking is not my forte (roasting is a much easier oven-based activity), so we'll see how it goes.  I believe that one in my life I made a really killer apple pie, and then decorated it with sugar-coated violets and cinnamon swirls.  Washed down with whiskey, accompanied by a sharp cheddar cheese...I don't know if goodness comes in any greater form.  If the pie doesn't work out, the original plan was just to pack them all into mason jars and top them with grappa.  Let them sit like that for a few months, and whoo, what a treat!

This is one of the kitties.  He lost his ear somehow, and I think it makes him look tuff.

The leg of wild boar, by the way, was wonderful.  I think FL was really very impressed with self.  Braised it, as I said, with cherries, wild strawberries and chocolate, and then served it over polenta.  It wasn't dry at all, which I think was a benefit of the brine.  Tonight I'm going to roast a chicken and some potatoes, make a big, fresh salad and slice up some yummy Montasio cheese.  A note about Montasio:  it is a cows milk cheese made here in Friuli, up in the mountains in Carnia.  When aged 5 or 6 months, it has a sweet, firm yet milky taste, with just the right amount of bite.  It melts fabulously and is really wonderful for snacking.  I say this because I know that it can be found at Harry's/Whole Foods, and I recommend picking some up the next time yall are there.

Saturday I leave for Sicily, and it couldn't come at a better time.  So looking forward to a week in the gorgeous sun, hanging out with my wonderful Aunt Cindy and her friends.  Will bring my deck of cards to teach them Briscola, and will be sure and cook lots of yummy dinners and impress them all as expert guide and translator.