I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day, whatever it was that you did with your day 
I spent much of the morning relaxing and baking bread for my mom’s barbecue this afternoon. I ended up making two types of bread since I thought the first didn’t come out well…but I was wrong! Type one was a slow-rise, almost sourdough loaf made with the recipe I found on Biz’s blog. I let it rise nearly 12 hours! The other…well, I have to go back and figure out what exactly I did! I’ll share that recipe as soon as possible, but I will say, it’s a whole wheat sesame semolina bread. You’ll see pictures in a minute!
Adam and I headed to my mom’s house for her annual Memorial Day barbecue. You can read about last year’s Memorial Day BBQ, but this year’s was a bit different! Even though it rained much of the morning, it cleared up with just enough time to grill out and eat outside, and we definitely took advantage.
There was a lovely assortment of olives and caper berries
The dinner spread, as usual, was quite impressive!
I brought a Caprese salad with grape tomatoes, local mozzarella, and basil from my mom’s garden
As well as the two kinds of bread, which Leigh so graciously sliced up for us
Jared brought an assortment of different sausages from his restaurant (Old Town Social)
From the top: Duck Andouille, knockwurst, Boudin, smoked sausage, beef summer sausage
And my mom outdid herself with my grandma’s green bean salad, brown fried rice, and Cajun chicken skewers
Then came dessert! I was so thrilled to see not only raspberries at the produce market, but CHERRIES!
And Leigh brought individual tarts made with vanilla-almond pastry cream and strawberries.
They. Were. Awesome.
Soon after dinner, we headed home, since I have to start my last week of the year tomorrow! I can’t believe the school is over already… crazy!
Did you all see our crazy Foodbuzz 24×24 Hot Dog Adventure from Saturday??
Have a great Tuesday!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahhh, this looks like the PERFECT mix of foods! Yum!
Glad you had a good holiday!
.-= Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg´s last blog ..A Summer Meal =-.
what a great feast we had!!!
looks like a great spread! fun!
.-= ashley´s last blog ..Foodbuzz 24×24: Picnic Party in the Park =-.
A wonderful looking feast! Especially the caprese! Lovely mix of colours. Also, the fresh raspberries look so beautiful. I love fresh fruit.
Hope you had fun!
Wei-Wei
.-= Wei-Wei´s last blog ..surprise! or, not. =-.
That tart looks perfect! Lucky you for starting your last week.
.-= Jessica @ How Sweet It Is´s last blog ..10 Memorial Day Party Ideas. =-.
When I saw your FB status yesterday that you were relaxing, baking bread, and enjoying your day off, I was completely happy for you!
And wishing I was over at your house. 
Looks like a wonderful day. The food looks like something straight out of Bon Appetite!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Day at the Harbor =-.
Wow, the food looks amazing!! And it looks simple enough where you can still socialize at your own party. I think I’m going to borrow that menu for father’s day.
Now if only there was one more day off work hidden away in that menu somewhere….
Mmm, that looks SO good. Baking bread is such a peaceful way to pass the time, too.
.-= Sagan´s last blog ..Feeling like a fraud =-.
My goodness, Mara! Every time I read your blog your pictures just keep getting better and better. I’m loving it girl!
Thank you friend!! I think I’ve finally learned how to actually work my camera
Oh my goodness, this food looks amazing! What a fun exciting time! Also you have a friend who makes his own sausages?! Um, if you tell me that he also makes kielbasa, I am on the next flight out and will need a place to crash.
.-= Andrea (Off Her Cork)´s last blog ..Takin’ It Easy =-.
Love the detailed pictures, I need to take better pictures! Sounds like a glorious week you had!
.-= Amber @ Pampered Recipes´s last blog ..Yummy Enchiladas =-.
Those pictures are gorgeous! Very, very nice spread. Magazine worthy!
Jenn
.-= Jenn (Jenn’s Menu and Lifestyle Blog)´s last blog ..Memorial Day Weekend 2010 =-.
What an awesome spread! Glad the bread turned out for you, even if you didn’t think so right off the bat!
NOMMY!!!! Everything looks superbly delicious Mara!!!!
Hope y’all are doing well!
.-= Meggilizz´s last blog ..Life Update… =-.
All of your dishes look amazing, especially that first salad. YUM!
.-= kate´s last blog ..Shady Runs =-.
YUUUM – what a delicious spread, girl!
Loved that caprese salad
Wsih you a lovely end of the week, haha.
XOXO
G.
.-= Gabriela @ Fro-Yo Lover´s last blog ..Sulphur In My Eye =-.
Wish I had been to your house. That food spread looked awesome and delicious.