Posted by Adrienne on September 3, 2012 – 12:34 PM
It’s Labor Day, the last hurrah of summer.
We’re spending the day in town. Casey’s getting ready for school to start this week — his first year of teaching. It’s exciting for both of us, and we’re glad this new chapter of our lives is starting. I have the day off of work, and I’m doing a bit of cooking and cleaning, and then we’re headed to a barbeque at my parents’ house.
Each morning feels more like fall. The air is crisp, and we’re no longer leaving the windows open 24/7. My cooking is starting to change, too. I’m starting to crave soups and comfort food, and I’m looking forward to trying some new recipes this year.
There’s still time for a few more summery recipes, and this is one of them. A pasta dish that celebrates the best produce of summer, without complicating it too much. It’s also light, yet filling, and easily made vegan if you need to. Read More »
Posted by Adrienne on July 15, 2012 – 3:41 PM
My Opa recently brought me some of his homegrown strawberries. He had so many, he needed to share. I was happy to take them off of his hands.
The beauty of homegrown strawberries is that you can let them ripen on the vine, yielding the reddest, sweetest, most strawberriest berries you’ve ever eaten. The problem with conventionally grown strawberries is that they’re often picked before they’re fully ripe, and are left to ripen off the vine. I mean, they’re fine, but their strawberry essence often hasn’t had time to come to fruition.
When life gives you strawberries — you guessed it — you make strawberry jam. Read More »
Posted by Adrienne on June 23, 2012 – 2:39 PM
Summer has officially begun. Well, by the calendar, that is. Last week held the first day of summer. Looking outside today in the Pacific Northwest is another story. It’s cold. It’s raining.
Boo.
While the weather might not get the message, summer foods are in full swing. I’m eating all the Rainier cherries, asparagus, watermelon and peaches I can get my hands on.
My Opa brought over some home-grown strawberries earlier this week, and I even got the chance to make strawberry jam. Look for that post later.
If you’ve never had homemade strawberry jam, you’ve not lived. It tastes so…strawberry-y. It’s so strawberry-y, you’ll feel like you’re tasting them for the first time. Summer in a jar.
Recently while at Mayfield Lake with my family, I went on a cooking marathon and came up with this Roasted Tomato, Asparagus and Zucchini Couscous with Lemon Basil Dressing.
It is easily my favorite thing I’ve made in a while. So simple. So freaking full of flavor and goodness. Read More »
Posted by Adrienne on June 10, 2012 – 10:27 PM
Admittedly, it’s been a bit of a rough week.
From attending the funeral of one of my husband’s high school friends to our family having to put down our beloved dog Rocco, let’s just say I’m glad this week is over.
At times, the fragility of your own existence slaps you in the face and makes you take a hard look at how you’re living and what you’re doing with your short time on this earth.
Time with friends and family has certainly helped me get through this week. Moments of joy with them, a special walk with my husband, or being with others at a community celebration bring me back to what really matters in life.
Celebrating the things you are passionate about and living the kind of life you want to live, whatever that may be, comes back into focus at times like these.
For me, cooking has a way of soothing my soul.
Something about quietly chopping vegetables, stirring a pot and being present in the moment, yet not really thinking about anything in particular, grounds me and helps me process whatever is going on. Read More »
Posted by Adrienne on May 27, 2012 – 8:36 PM
Today is a very special birthday for a very special lady — our family friend, Patty.
I spent this weekend at one of my favorite places in the world, Mayfield Lake, in Southwest Washington, with Patty, her family, and my parents. I soaked up the sun breaks and relished the mid-70 degree weather. Oh, and I cooked. And ate. And we cooked and ate some more.
I love, love cooking in the kitchen at our family lake house. It has a nice, big kitchen and the view is incredible. Looking out the windows, it’s all green. Green tree tops, green water, and if you’re lucky, blue sky.
Not only is it a gorgeous place to cook, but it’s also a fabulous place for photography. The light is sweet, and my photos always turn out a million times better out there.
For me, this weekend was all about writing recipes, cooking and photographing what I made to share with you. Get ready for some great posts coming up.
Every time Patty comes out to the lake, my mom makes a special request. It’s not even a request as much of a demand. She always asks Patty to bring her pistachio torte. Read More »
