to the kitchen

after vacation, i always crave some time in my kitchen.  eating out is good for only so long.  breakfast was in separate segments today, our last day of vacation.  first, baked chocolate donuts.  here is the recipe, very low sugar and i used even a bit less than called for.  just a tiny bit of icing and coconut on top. they were delicious while they were here!  i think these will appear in my kitchen again very soon.  next, italian toast with homemade peach butter.  i used a few recipes as a guide, one from august bon appetit.  a lovely article on perserving, take a look. hard boiled eggs to finish it off...coffee and tea throughout.  hmm, now it seems to be lunch time...

return to motion

mike and i took 2 weeks off for vacation.  this time included family reunion/60th birthday in cape cod, family visit in chatham, fleeing hurricane irene to the compound in RI, and finally to woodstock.  we: whale watched, sat by water falls, looked for sharks at the light house, hiked in the ri pine barrens, sat in a row boat, found turtles, walked on salt marshes, napped, drank lattes, ate dessert several times, ate some more, went to a county fair and watched declan on his first ride by himself, and had two hurricane parties.  Irene forced us to quiet down, settle in, unplug, and allowed for some impromtu visiting. we returned home with 2 days left of vacation.  i hope this time will help me ease back to work, life, grant writing, dissertation, cleaning the house, and finding time to enjoy the upcoming season.

unplugged

a lot of bloggers have been 'unplugged' lately...vacation, mindful breaks from the digital world, hurricane irene.  i have been a bit unplugged for vacation and because of the hurricane power outages.  i must say, it has been a lovely break...more soon.

{this moment}

Friday again and here is my usual: inspired by SouleMama, 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments to share with me!

seasonal treasures

awhile ago,  i thought i would do a monthly 'treasures' post, but it seems like it is more like a seasonaly posting.  that actually makes sense because i do love seasonal things and if i really think about it, i love all seasons.  i don't think i have a fav...

anyway, this summer has been passing by, fast as usual. i already bought a mum, not that i am hoping fall will come faster...i just love mums and i am quietly excited for fall!!  when i stopped at a little farm stand for some jersey tomatoes, i saw that they had mums out already and grabbed one.  then i realized how much i love and enjoy how flowers pop out one at a time all spring, summer, and fall long.  i really do love each season and i have been mindfully enjoying nature this year, as i eyed the daffodils, then tulips, then pansies, then roses, irises, gladioli, sunflowers, black eyed susans, zinnias...mums.

some treasures this season:

jersey tomatoes - i know i have talked about them already, but really...they are just amazing. i made this simple, easy and delicious sandwich after helping Jessie at her housewarming.  I am going to make them for the 3rd time this week...

cucumbers - my garden was not terrific this year.  not a whole lot of time at the beginning because i was writing my dissertation proposal, and then well, the summer just flys by.  but the cucumbers are amazing and every time i go, i pick 5-6!  i made my first batch of bread and butter pickles last night.

patiently waiting for some solid beach days on vacation - i have barely gotten to the beach this year, but soon enough...

sewing - my new addiction!! thanks melissa, for your wonderful classes this summer!

hosting in our new home - we had a bbq a bit ago, and had friends and their 4 week old baby over recently, and kevin and holly and orion recently.

eating vegetarian this month - it was mike's idea and i love it...i am hoping we might go a little longer.

baking from 'Rustic Fruit"- took it out from the library for the second time, i think i might need to just get it!

another weekend gone and one here

this week flew by me.  i think i have been doing a lot of grant writing and walking around in a bit of a fog...kevin, holly, and orion visited last weekend on their way back from a wedding.  since the four of us are doing vegetarian for the month of august, we made yummy, seasonal veggies for dinner together. i also made homemade bubble tea and homemade peach ice cream.  i have been loving bubble tea so much lately, but they put SO much sugar in it, so i got the materials to make it at home (less sugary). holly documented our food fabuously here!  

luckily, i also had some time to crawl around on the floor, with orion.  he is extremely skilled at crawling really fast towards dangerous things.

this weekend...

we managed to see the ocean for a bit; enjoy tea on the porch at the cottage for an hour of quiet bliss; see all of my siblings except todd, all of my parents and some of my precious nephews; dinner by the sea; and sat on the beach for an hour and watched orion play in the sand!  we missed todd, grandma, nana, and one nephew and niece. i must say, it was a short but lovely visit with all in good old ri...