Day Seventy-Six and Seventy-Seven

Someday I'd like to thank that Earl of Sandwich guy who, I believe, developed one of the most unique concoctions in gastronomic history - the sandwich of course. But leave it to the Italians to take the idea of an English Earl and perfect it; as I would also love to meet Mr. Panini. I was so overwhelmingly excited when my oldest son presented me with my beloved Panini Press for Mother's Day. Ever since, I have been relishing the unique sandwich inventions dictated mainly by what's in the refrigerator and what I need to use up, and then taking those rather lowly ingredients to another height by toasting them between two slices of bread in this wonderful Italian invention. Today was perfection. A ciabatta roll sliced open from Schaat's Bakery, a healthy swab of blue cheese and chive spread on both sides, a good helping of roast beef slices, my homemade pickles and topped off with sliced tomatoes from the garden (which are put on after the sandwich is liberated from the machine)! I'm already thinking of what's for lunch tomorrow - my creativity knows no boundaries.