Short Story Long

Hey, technically we're only three days into summer, aren't we?  From my "10 things to do this summer" list, I'm pleased to say, I can cross something off!  That is, #2. Make some macarons.   I used the recipe at Brave Tart , and read the referenced blog post at eatlivetravelwrite , and made some macarons!  I did not find that they were difficult, I think primarily due to the fact that I've made meringue before.  I made my own "almond meal" by grinding up almonds very finely in the food processor, but otherwise followed the recipe to the letter - including weighing the ingredients!  I didn't end up with the elegant foot that the cookies are supposed to have, they definitely aren't perfect.  However, I do see there are some things that could be done slightly better next time: ~ Next time, look into finding some actual almond meal.  Or if not, investigate blanching, and grinding a little more thoroughly. ~ I would indeed beat the mer...

A couple of weeks ago, a friend stopped by and made me realize that the life I have is really wonderful.  But sometimes it is hard to remember, so I'm posting this little note to myself. 

I'm watching the cats for my neighbors, and they left a note saying to help myself to the flowers, especially the peonies.  Yes please!   I cut every one that was blooming.  Hey, they'll be dead by the time the neighbors return, anyway.  Smells like... mothers and grandmothers, and being loved.

I made a list of t en things I want to do this summer; reasonable things that are within my control, although perhaps somewhat ambitious.  Should I shoot for 10%?  Nah, I'm shooting for all ten.  At the very least, maybe 7 or 8.  Of course, besides these I'm still working on my garden - though putting that in the list would be cheating.  We all know that's a success, right?  We've eaten herbs out of it so yeah, that's already success.  And I'm working on my "113 in 2013" photo list, which I probably haven't posted about.  Will I get all 113?  I'm working on it, but it can't be done by the end of summer.  Here's my latest find, #52 cobweb.  (I'm not going in order.) Anyway, back to my 10 Things This Summer list: 1.  Knit a Christmas gift.  This might seem like an easy task for me.  It would be, it's just that so many other projects seem so much more urgent.  But that's exactly the opposite of what I ...

At the moment, we've got lots of herbs, some flowers, and the beginnings of future fruits and veggies. I'm very pleased to see that my Red Hobbit is back after a two-year absence.  I wonder if it got mowed over, or perhaps it just needed a break. My first clematis (Niobe) looks the best it ever has, though it has never filled out like my mother-in-law's. My peonies look like they'll finally fill a vase this year! Equally wonderful in food as it is fragrant to brush past, buying a second lemon thyme was a good idea!   And we have blossoms on several plants. I'm hoping to squeeze a potato plant in somewhere.  We may also do a second planting of some items that don't seem to have taken / are recommended to plant again / the cat dug up. I was wondering why nothing was growing in the center of the left-most bed, and then it hit me.  I didn't plant anything there!  One last trip to the local nursery and we have our first ever tomatillo and ...

The early bird gets the best pictures, to be sure. On Wednesday, I went to my friend Tammy's house, and was greeted with lots of beautiful lupines that had sprung up since my last visit.  I was reminded of my mother-in-law, who loves lupines.  Tammy said she wouldn't mind my stopping by again with my camera, so I've been looking for lovely light.  Yesterday, the boys and I drove by, but it was too sunny.  This morning, I woke up to cool and cloudy skies, and even though it's Saturday, I knew it was time to get pictures of these lovely little flowers.   When I got back to my house, I sat outside at my favorite table, and enjoyed toast with homemade peach preserves , and loose leaf tea, which always seems fancier.  The birds are chirping and singing and I've got a handknit sweater to keep out the chill while the clouds burn off.  What's better than this?