Cherry Blossom Festival

Every year when the cherry trees are in bloom, we have a little party in the park in front of the church. Bob McCarroll, who's the dean emeritus of just about everything in this neighborhood, picks a day and sends word around. Stemware and wine magically appear under the trees, people wander by with hors d'oeuvre, and we have a little cocktail party al fresco...one of the nice things about living in an actual neighborhood. Especially one in which the houses are close enough together that a bunch of people can actually assemble by just falling out of their houses and walking a few paces.

This year, Bob provided champagne punch. I brought a baba gannoujh, which was a hit...not only because it was delicious, but because it was garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds, which every good cook knows are un-gettable in May. I'm not revealing my sources!