“pie on the porch”
our summertime gatherings have been given a name.
on the menu: blackberry, raspberry, blueberry crumble.
featured drink: mojito
entertainment: sparklers, fireworks, some jazz, a sweet little baby and lots of laughs.
creating space for beauty & simplicity
on really hot nights my sister and i used to sleep on the floor of my parent’s air conditioned bedroom.
it was such a treat. cool skin under our quilt with just our noses peeking out when the rest of the house was so so hot.
last night as we were all falling asleep to the hum of the window unit, i heard the girls giggling on the floor at the foot of our bed.
i smiled and for once was happy we do not have central air.
it’s summertime.
time for some mojitos.
over at tend.
when i was a farm apprentice many moons ago i worked with someone who had previously worked as a baker.
throughout the season we would bake all sorts of things together including all of the recipes from his bakery.
i left that year with a stack of papers with those recipes doodled all over them and somehow they got lost in the shuffle.
a few years ago i unearthed those recipes and neatly wrote them all down.
when i stumbled upon the poppy seed cake, i made it right away.
i love how simple it is and it is so deliciously moist.
i made this cake in the spring for one of our potluck lunches at the farm.
the farmers loved it and now request it for all birthday celebrations.
yesterday i made it for sebastian who told me it reminds him of a poppy seed cake he grew up eating in germany.
happy birthday seb!
poppy seed cake
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil (i use canola or coconut)
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup poppy seeds
1 cup sliced almonds
Mix wet with dry and pour into greased and floured bundt pan. bake 50 minutes. sprinkle with confectioners sugar.
enjoy!
first year on the swim team.
first swim meet of the season.
first place for back stroke (norah).
first place for breast stroke (hannah).
first time i felt like a sports mom.
the heatwave struck a few days ago and we are retreating to the beach tonight.
we may be able to cross off a few things on the summer manifesto like ride a roller coaster, bike on the boardwalk, swim in the ocean and maybe even crabbing.
the sprinkler is on giving the garden one last drink before i go.
limes and tanqueray, and some farm veggies are packed up along with suits, sandals, sunscreen, a few games and a kite.
i think i’m ready.
our fourth year at lake shehawken.
each year we love it more and more.
a week full of just being.
along with swimming, sailing, canoeing and kayaking.
bald eagles, blue herons and beavers.
playing games, sewing, and cooking.
eating home cooked meals by the fire.
singing and making music.
fishing.
big fluffy clouds.
walks in the rain.
and our biggest outing was a few barn sales and farm stands.
i was honored to be asked by the lovely leya over at curious bird to write a little something about the dog days of summer. she and her sweet little family are moving to north carolina. i am in good company over there.
thanks leya xo