So Good I Have No Pictures

I sat down to write this post about the fact that I had such a good time last night that I didn't have any pictures....because I was too 'in the moment' and happy. Then I realized that I did have one bad fuzzy iPad picture. Heh. I just can't help myself I guess.

Our living room, not fully recovered from last house concert, replete with ripped wallpaper (damn cats).

We had our dearest friends Ann and Bob and Sophie over for dinner last night and it just felt heavenly. Ernie got a good PSA reading from his oncologist, I snuck him out  for a quick celebratory drink and then we tumbled home and I sauteed some boneless chicken thighs and roasted some beets and sweet potatoes. That and sliced cucumber and tomato---which Sophie got ready as the boys set the table. The meal was simple but tasted good, conversation was great, it felt like a family dinner. It felt like home. Later we sat and talked and listened to music in the living room. One of the loveliest nights I could possibly imagine. The comfort of friends is a mighty, mighty thing.

I don't always make dessert but when you have Ann over you HAVE to have dessert. She's just a dessert kind of girl. I'm still trying to do the no carbs/dairy/sugar thing so I was in a bit of a quandary. I did cheat with this dessert because I used sweetened cocoa powder but otherwise no carbs/dairy. I gotta say, it was delightful. I toasted a few pecan bits in olive oil and salt so we could sprinkle them on top. I didn't have cute little ramekins so I pulled out the cups from my mother's china. And, uh, I forgot to take a picture...

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Four ripe avocados

1/3 to 1/2 cup sweetened cocoa powder (I used Ghiradelli and it was great. I could probably have used a bit less, this was pretty strongly chocolatey)

sprinkle of salt and cinnamon

Whirl in a food processor until smooth, and chill in serving dish or ramekin

Here are the three kids 13 years ago...man.... Oh, look there was torn wallpaper back then too!