Country Breakfast

Summer in the country is the perfect season to enjoy a filling, fulfilling breakfast. Today I join you from Harvey's Lake, Penna., where at a friend's historic home I took in a slice of the good life. Starting things off with fresh coffee made in a French press certainly kept the conversation flowing. I enjoyed good company while the sounds and smells of pans and toasters chimed a morning chorale.

The eggs were over medium, enough to hoist the yolks on the end of my fork like a breakfast fairy godmother. I chose to touch these up with a couple spoonfuls of hot salsa. The bacon was extra crispy, allowing for a good hearty crunch yet yielding the savory, salty soul within. The bagels, store fresh, perfectly toasted with a thick New York spread of whipped cream cheese 2 fingers thick, were accompanied by an assortment of locally produced fruit jams and jellies (I chose the blackberry jam, theoretically a perfect choice but just conflicted slightly with the tangy onion bite everything bagel I prematurely selected before my first cup of coffee!).

The sun poked out from behind the clouds, shining rays from heaven onto the breakfast table (and irking the local anglers hoping to pull a few morning trout from the lake). The country breakfast so casually yet harmoniously put together warmed my spirit and made a great start to the day. It helps that it is Sunday today, the weekly day of rest lends itself conveniently for a laid back, fun filled breakfast such as this, basking in the company of good friends and good down home country cooking!