Simple Pleasures

Warm summer nights mean dining alfresco and chatting with friends into the night. While the local residents flee to warmer cities, the streets are filled with day trippers and exchange students.

My friend, Kylie and her two gorgeous daughters dropped by bringing a bouquet of herbs plucked from her garden. That's one of the best and most original presents I've ever received. I love the waft of mint, fennel and sage scents I get every time I walk past the bouquet. We laughed, hollered and giggled and feasted on a simple lunch which I hastily put together. We had bruschetta, grilled peppers (tossed in minced garlic, olive oil, sea salt and red wine vinegar), sweet cherry tomatoes (drizzled with olive oil, a sprinkling of salt, chopped fresh basil and a dash of red wine vinegar), different types of cheeses and pate.

While it may sound corny but the past few months have reminded me that life is short. The simplest pleasure in life yet the most rewarding is the time we spend with our loved ones.