I love eating outside. When we lived in California, I got addicted to it. We lived in the East Bay and the skies were cloudless from April through October. I can’t recall being bothered by any insects, perhaps it was the arid conditions. So eating outside was a no brainer. We had a nice table setup out on our porch and ate almost every meal outside.

Living in the Northeast is a bit more challenging. The weather does not always cooperate and there are lots of pesky insects that can be quite annoying. Sometimes I feel like I am always porting cushions and tablecloths in and out everyday, as the rain clouds move in and out. But on those glorious days, when there are just a few clouds decorating the sky and there is a nice breeze, I am in heaven.

There is nothing better than sitting outside enjoying yummy food and having good conversation. People tend to relax more, especially when the TV and all electronics are out of range. I simply love sharing the experience of the food and scenery and having it take center stage. Perhaps I should move to Tuscany.