Delaware Water Gap
In another time, during another life, I had a house near the Water Gap. Back then, Pike County, where the house was located, was known for rocks, Republicans and rattlesnakes–charming, no? Friends, who are not enamored of any of the trio, still have a house in that area which we visited.
Drink up!
Among the weekend delights was this spectacular cocktail which is neither an Americano nor a Negroni, although vaguely related. We’ll call it a Guistino for private reasons. To make it, fill a glass with ice, add a slug of vodka, enough Campari to make it reddish and a wedge of lime which you’ve squeezed a little before splashing it in. Salut.
Our friends’ house is very near Milford, PA, a Gilded Age resort area that went through a downturn, is now back and adorable complete with lots of galleries and historic buildings. Milford also has the very upmarket Hotel Fauchere that houses the ultra-chic Bar Louis
Bar Louis at Milford's Hotel Fauchere
featuring a photo of Andy Warhol kissing John Lenon over the actual bar.
Milford offers activities year ’round and is near Grey Towers, home of Gifford Pinchot, the first head of the US Forrest Service and twice Governor of PA.
Grey Towers
You could do far worse than spend a weekend visiting Milford although you might not elect to stay at the Fauchere once you see the room rates. (There are plenty of other inns and hotels both in Milford and nearby.)
Among the other weekend pleasures were long walks, swimming to get a break from the heat and–of course–eating.
This creation was whipped up by our hostess for lunch one day.
And no, I don’t only hang with people who are creative in the kitchen. However, this friend is and here is her recipe:
Ellen’s Farro and Pesto Salad
2 cups farro (a grain that comes from wheat), cooked according to the directions on the package
1/2 cup pesto (make it yourself or buy it)
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half
1/2 cup chopped, fresh basil
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all the above together. Check and add S and P as you wish. If salad seems dry, add another 1 T of olive oil (pesto already has oil in it.) Check again. You can always add more olive oil.
Some salad was left over so, next day we added cooked corn sliced off the cob, avocado and more tomatoes. You can pretty much add any ingredient, especially vegetables, that strikes your fancy. Yum.
How nice to remember the good times! Will check out the websites for Milford and Hemlock Farms.
Hemlock is sort of the same, sort of not. Club vastly enlarged, some houses are huge but still close to neighbors. My ex-house looks better than it ever did when we owned it as it’s been painted a pretty creamy gray and given a nice garden.