I REMEMBER NEIL ARMSTRONG...

It was my first summer in Vermont. I had only been a mother for a few months when we arrived. The moment I first saw my daughter Abby (thanks "natural childbirth") I learned how much one person could unconditionally love another...an unfathomable depth. Mornings were often shrouded in fog until the heavy dew hanging over the soaring mountains burned off. Lazy days were sunny and warm punctuated with fabulous views of the ski runs at Mad River. We were temporarily renting a chalet until moving into the old farmhouse at "Samara Farm", a 300 acre former horse farm.

On July 20th the entire world was focused on the first man to set foot on the moon. We were at our neighbor David Millstone's house glued to the tv screen, minutes away from that famous "step for mankind", when it happened. His youngest son, aged five, had a freak fall resulting in a bleeding head wound. Priorities shifted. The child was immediately transported down the hill to the office of the town's only year-round resident doctor. This former dermatologist unwittingly retired to Waitsfield, VT. where he was ultimately pressed back into service setting bones broken on the surrounding ski slopes. So when his home was invaded once again with a medical emergency, he was not a happy camper. It prevented him from seeing the live telecast from the moon. His ranting was heard throughout the Mad River Valley, although his patient totally recovered.

Remarkably, in a few days, I'll be deliciously faced with the prospect of DOING NOTHING for almost two weeks while Bonni Bakes is closed for vacation.

Stephanie is smart. She's using her time off to head out West and reconnect with assorted family members after a long separation. I considered what I should do, where I could go. After six years could I fulfill my promise and scatter Rea's ashes over Llinaritx Nou in Menorca? Could I make good on my offer to spend a week in Maryland helping my brother organize his house? Is there a way I could manage to fly up to NY and spend time with my cousin Krista (& stand-in for a sister) who is going through cancer treatment? How can I find Rumplestiltskin's cell number and have him be my concierge? Did I really have to get ALL THAT STUFF on my to-do list done? Why isn't my dog Muffin pulling his share of household chores? Rain is a good thing, but it makes the weeds grow LIKE CRAZY when it feels too hot to do yard work. After living in the TreeHouse for 2 years, why aren't my pictures hung yet?

After lots of consideration I've decided to GO NOWHERE and tackle that list. First up will be general clean-up, trimming bushes & repainting the fence at Bonni Bakes, followed by power washing the pavers. We'll be cutting back a lot of my organic rosemary so if you'd like some let me know. Then it's time to get my former residence on Bowlees Creek ready for sale. I'll be posting pictures and details of how you can earn BIG BUCKS when it sells. Look for that in my August email.

We're getting a wonderful response to our Oct 2nd cancer fundraiser, "Making Strides With Artsy Undies". I've put together a flyer for downloading in PDF form and it's yours for the asking. Right now you might be asking, but...but...but it's almost lunchtime and I'm hungry so let's see this week's menus. My pleasure.

Hugs from the kitchen,
Bonni
=========================================================
TUES JULY 21 Steph’s ETHIOPIAN LUNCH served 11-2

Spicy Chicken (Doro Wet)
Chicken stewed with lots of onions, tomatoes, Ethiopian spices, and a hard boiled egg. $8

Mild Beef Stew (Zigni Alicha)
Beef stewed with lots of onions, garlic, ginger and Ethiopian spices.$8

Both served with:
Chickpea Sauce (Yeshiro)
Collard greens (Yeabesha gomen),
Mixed Vegetable Stew (Yeataket alicha) Carrots,potatoes, and cab bage
Red Lentils (Yemisir kik wet)
A spongy sourdough pancake like bread (Injera) to scoop up the food.

Vegetarian Platter $6
Chickpea Sauce (Yeshiro)
Collard Greens (Yeabesha gomen)
Mixed Vegetable Stew (Yeataket alicha)
Red Lentils (Yemisir kik wet)
A spongy sourdough pancake (Injera) is served on the side to scoop the food up with.

Beverages:
Coffee or Hot Tea $1.50
Iced Tea $1.50
Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Bottled Water $1.00

Desserts:
Baklava $2
Fresh Blueberry Pie $3.50
Double Chocolate Brownie $2
========================================
Stephanie’s TRADITIONAL ETHIOPIAN DINNER

A large platter covered with injera (sourdough sponge like bread) with the following on it:

zigni alich'a (mild beef stew) beef, onions, butter, ginger, cardamom, garlic

doro we't (chicken stew spicy) chicken, onions, bebere (red pepper spice), butter, hard boiled eggs, on the side yogurt

ye'abesha gomen (mustard greens) mustard greens, onions, green pepper, ginger, garlic,butter

ye'atakilt alich'a (vegetable stew) cauliflower, carrots, onions .green pepper. tomato, ginger, garlic, tumeric

yeshiro (chick pea sauce)

ayib (cottage cheese)

injera is also served on the side for dipping up the food...no forks, knives, spoons!

Drinks:
Bunna (coffee spiced with cloves,cinnamon)
tea with cardamom
birz (honey soda drink)
coke, sprite, diet coke

Bring your own beer or wine…no corkage charge
One seating at 7:30pm RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
$15+tax/per person CASH ONLY

===================================================
WED JULY 22 Steph’s LEBANESE LUNCH Menu served 11-2

Lentil Lemon Soup V
A traditional lentil soup with spinach, mint and lemon, served with homemade Pita bread. $4

Couscous Salad V
Tomato, red and green sweet peppers, greens beans, chickpeas, cucumbers, raisins, green olives and couscous mixed with a tahini, mint, lemon and extra virgin olive oil dressing. $4 Add chicken for $2

Falafel V
Spicy chickpea croquettes stuffed into homemade Pita bread with organic home grown lettuce, tomato, and topped with cucumber sauce. $4

Chicken Pita:
Spicy yogurt marinated shredded chicken breast stuffed into homemade Pita bread with home grown organic lettuce, tomato and topped with cucumber sauce. $4

Choose Two: pick 2 items from above. $7.50

V indicates vegetarian

Beverages:
Coffee or Hot Tea $1.50
Iced Tea $1.50
Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Bottled Water $1

Desserts
Baklava $2
Fresh Blueberry Pie $3.50
Double Chocolate Brownie $2
=============================

Thur JULY 23 Steph’s MOROCCAN LUNCH Menu served 11-2

Ramadan Soup V
Lentils, chickpeas, saffron, cilantro hearty soup; served with Moroccan country bread. $4

Moroccan Chicken Pie
Cinnamon, ginger, saffron spiced chicken sandwiched between layers of crisp phyllo pastry with almonds. $4

Spinach Pie with Cheese V (Spanakipita)
Layers of filo pastry filled with my own home grown organic spinach combined with feta cheese baked to a golden brown. $4

Couscous Salad V
Tomato, red and green sweet peppers, greens beans, chickpeas, cucumbers, raisins, green olives and couscous mixed with a tahini, mint, lemon and extra virgin olive oil dressing; served with Moroccan country bread. $4

Choose two
Pick any two from above. $7.50

Moroccan Country Bread
A rustic, plain bread. Take some home! $3.50/loaf

Beverages
Coffee or Hot Tea $1.50
Iced tea $1.50
Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Bottled Water $1

Dessert
Baklava $2
Fresh Blueberry Pie $3.50
Double Chocolate Brownie $2
================================================

Fri & Sat July 17 & 18 Bonni’s NYC UPPER WEST SIDE LUNCH

Julia Child's Cold Vichyssoise Soup
I've been making this since 1967 and it's still a heavenly blend of leeks, potatoes & cream...especially with a hunk of her crunchy French Bread $4

New York Style Bagel Platter
My handmade bagel with Zabar's Scallion Cream Cheese, Nova, fresh tomato & red onion $7.50

Ses Salinas Salad (V)
Mixed organic greens, cucumber, tomato, red onion, Spanish olives & Feta cheese, served with Bonni’s Honey Dijon Vinaigrette $4

Grilled Chicken added to your salad $2

Pick Two (V) Bowl of Soup, House Salad OR A Stromboli* $7.50
*choose either Florentine w/spinach & tomato (V) or Roasted Veggie w/Feta (V)

HANDMADE 8” THIN-CRUST PIZZA (vegan available on request)
Naked Cheese - mozzarella, red sauce, Parmesan, fresh oregano (V) $6
New York - mozzarella, pepperoni, red sauce, Parmesan, fresh oregano(V) $6
Mahon - mozzarella, spinach, tomato, red onion, red sauce, oregano (V) $7
Margherita - mozzarella, red sauce, tomato, Parmesan, basil, olive oil (V) $7
Chinese Chicken - hoisin, garlic, chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, scallions $7

(V) = Vegetarian

Dessert
Real NY Rugelach (V) 2 pieces/$1
Individual 4” Frozen Key Lime Pie w/whipped cream (V) $4
Chocolate Orgasm Cookies (V) $4.50/pkg of 4
Homemade Muffins (V) $1.75
Large crunchy cookie (assorted flavors) (V) $1.25

Drinks
Bottled Spring Water, cans of soda $1
Brewed Raspberry Iced Tea or Hot Tea (assorted bags) $1.50
Our House Blend of Half-Caff/Half-DeCaff Flavored Coffee $1.50
=================================================
Remember, we love you but we don't take debit/credit cards...or your first born.
We'll be closed after Saturday July 25 for vacation and re-open Friday night August 7 for the Village of the Arts ArtWalk 6:30-9:00pm. Our August menu will be sent to everyone on our email list then. If you'd like to join our email list and receive weekly updates of menus & events in The Village, send your request to bonnibakes@gmail.com

LUNCH SERVED TUES-SAT FROM 11-2.

SPECIAL OCCASION CAKES TO ORDER AND CATERING AVAILABLE.

BONNI BAKES
in the Village of the Arts
930 12th Street West
Bradenton, FL
(941) 746-6647

bonnibakes@gmail.com