It’s very difficult and I’ve been a bad mood much of today (unusual for me). Forms and more forms and other difficulties that need to be ironed out.
I’ve enjoyed our “vacation” for the past few weeks with no real vacation, and Jim’s driving me nuts at home but I’ll miss him when he’s back in the rat race. It’s been good to spend some time together.
Today I bought him peonies, light pink (very fragrant) and hot pink. And I am making him roast chicken with stuffing, mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, cold and raw sugar snap peas and sliced on-the-vine tomatoes (because of the tomato scare).
I usually stuff a chicken with toasted wheat bread, cubed. Onion, celery and the liver are sauteed. Add salt and pepper, thyme and sage. Season inside the chicken and stuff, right before going into the oven. Mom always added a bit of beef consomme (canned) to the stuffing to give it moisture and save the rest for gravy.
I don’t have time right now to detail my trussing technique – use your own until I write this or figure out how to do a video.
Top the chicken with softened unsalted butter, hit it with your master recipe of herbs and spices and place it in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes per pound.
When done (poke a knife under the leg and if the liquid comes out clear it’s done) let it sit for 10-15 minutes and take out the stuffing, cover under loose foil, carve and serve.
I’m about to serve this culinary treasure to my love, right about now. It was good, he liked it.
All for now, best wishes from Dee
Cooking with Dee 
Have you ever tried Campari tomatoes (http://www.camparitomatoes.com/)? They’re the sweetest of the on-the-vine varieties I’ve encountered. I used to get them regularly at Costco, but my friends with the membership – and the predilection to drive to the suburbs – have moved to St. Louis. I rarely find them in Philly supermarkets. Sigh.
Watch out for tomatoes these days due to recent salmonella scare. I’ve read that some of the expensive cluster tomatoes, on the vine, are more likely to be OK so that’s what we’re buying.
There’s nothing like a slice of fresh tomato in summer with s&p and a drizzle of olive oil. I’ll check out your version but we’re in TX. Good luck in Philly – nice town! My dad and step-mom used to live in Bryn Mawr.