Still Summer!

Hi there, Ive got to say that I am just not ready for fall. I know it's the end of July and tomorrow is August 1 but that's not fall! All the stores and magazines are talking up the "fall collections" and "get ready fro fall"! but I just can't, really I can't. Here in the Bay Area we don't actually get summer till late August or early September. In fact, usually in October just as I begin to wish for cords and cashmere, it gets really hot. So hold on fall! I've still got summer on the mind!

A new Find

I know it's been around for a while but I just discovered Sweet Lemon Magazine. It's an online magazine and web site. It's very interesting and smart. I love Matchbook too but the content in the on line magazine I just finished was very current and up to date as well as empowering. There was a great article on date rape and how art and music create a culture that almost accepts it. There was also a very good article about getting a good intership as well as plenty of pretty spreads and fun things to look at. I often feel I'm old for the online world at 43. I'm not Gen Y and yet I have things to share. This online community spoke to both sides of me and I'll be visiting there more often. Check it out at www.sweetlemonmag.com.

Sad News

I felt so sad yesterday when I heard that Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) on Glee had passed away. He was only 31 and seemed to have so much going for him. He was open about the fact that he had battled addiction in the past and was trying to move forward. I love watching Glee and have from the start. It speaks to something we all remember and all need. Rest in peace Cory, we will miss you.

Summer Reading

First, apologies for my absense. We spent the 4th with my sister and cousin and their kids at my parents house at the coast which was really fun, but one of the smaller kids shared a stomach flu which was not. Both Hubby and I as well as one of my three kids came down with it so last week was a blur but we are all back to normal now. What would summer be without great summer beach reads. I wanted to share some of the things I'm reading now. 

 Revenge wears Prada is of course the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. It takes place several years after Andy leaves Runway and she has a great new job and husband but all these great things go up in the air when Miranda re-enters her life. I just finished it and although I enjoyed it, it wasn't as good as the original. At least that's what I thought.

The Darlings is billed as the Bonfire of the Vanities for out time. I can't wait to start it! What are you reading this summer? Anything good? Please share!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July Everyone! I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday but be suer to take a moment to be thankful to live in this great country! This is one of my favorite shots from our opening day in Little League. The local fire truck brings the ladder truck and we raise the flag from it. The local boy scout troop is the color guard and it's a truely Americana type feeling. You can see the fireman standing on the firetruck above the dug out where the players are lined up. Happy Fourth everyone!

Another Summer Staple

Ice tea is another summer staple as far as I am concerned. I was reading the new July edition of Matchbook Magazine and found this amazing receipe for lemon mint sweet tea and had to share. Sounds perfect for relaxing on the porch!

The Fixings:
8 cups water
3 lemons
8 bags black tea
8 springs of mint
3/4 cup sugar

1) bring 4 cups of water to a boil in sauce pan and remove from heat
2) halve and squeeze the 3 lemons, conserving the juice and reserving the squeezed halves
3) add the 8 tea bags, the mint sprigs, 1/2 cup of sugar and the squeezed lemon halves to the 4 cups boiling water. Stir to mix and then steep for 15-20 minutes.
4) remove tea bags, lemon halves and mints sprigs and discard
5) add 4 more cups water and the lemon juice and stir
6) taste for sweetness and add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar if desired
7) serve cold and garnish with lemon and mint1

Summer Berry Cobbler

I love cobbler, apple, peach you name it and I love it. But I must confess that my all time favorite is a summer berry cobbler receipe I found in the Essentially Lilly; Guide to a Colorful Holidays. I love this book and it's original companion. Anyway, this is super easy and totally yummy. I'm making it to bring to the block party at my sisters house on the 4th.

Filling:
2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and cut into halves
1/2 pint blueberries
1/2 pint rasberries
1/2 pint blackberries
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced

Cinnamon Biscuit Topping;
2 cups all purpose flous
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup half and half
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

First off, position the rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat to 400 degrees. Lightly butter a deep, round 3-quart glass baking dish.

To make the filling, mix all the berries the brown sugar and the cornstarch together in a medium bowl. Then put in the baking dish. Top with the butter slices.

For the topping, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Add butter and use a pasrty blender or two forks to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal with a few pea sized pieces of butter. Mix the half and half, egg and vanilla in a measuring cup and then stir into the flour mixture until just combined. Use a tablespoon and drop 8 mounds of dough over the fruit.

Bake for 20 minutes. Tent loosely with foil and continue baking until the berry juiuces are bubbling throughout and the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes more. Serve hot or warm with ice cream. Yummy!