27 June

I've seen my kids pick up my speech and mannerisms. I don't know where she got her 'phone persona'.

26 June

We set out for the pool, but only made it halfway before the chain fell off.

25 June

4 people x 11 days = a whole lot of laundry to fold!

20 June

Allen's college word processor... it was worth both the technological laugh and the explanation to the computer generation.

19 June

It's hard to resist spinning the stools...at least until the seats come off.

18 June

Boston ducklings bring back as many memories as the Quimby girls of Clickitat Street. I'm glad we've made time to pay them a visit.

17 June

Steamy windows at the Loaf, they don't have a season, or even a year. It's been 18 years and it's still the same.

16 June

Things you write while waiting for duckfat fries.

15 June

The raindrops hitting the maple leaves reminded me of a player piano. It wasn't a day to go sailing and eat lobster rolls by the sea.

TWD: Parisian Apple Tart

This falls into the "better late than never" category. With an impending vacation, I decided to whip up the honey peach ice cream early, figuring I could get to this tart in a flash -- puff pastry and apples are staples around here. But I packed, cleaned and did laundry instead, and baking went by the wayside. Knowing that I could complete this tart far faster than the perfect party cake, I made these while cleaning up the breakfast dishes.

Yum! Think instant dessert. Apple and cinnamon, as well as mango with lime zest.

TWD: Honey Peach Ice Cream

I laughed when I first contemplated this recipe a few weeks ago. Not to be mean, as I know that many of the TWD bakers live in warmer climes, but hey, here in Michigan, peaches are far, far, away. Farther in fact, than our most recent snow day, which happened in late April. In fact, some might argue that really good peaches just aren't a Michigan thing. Not like cherries, or blueberries, or even the strawberries that are just now hitting the farmers' market. It seemed impossible to contemplate a summery peach ice cream when the weather was 60 degrees, and we've been eating green garlic, green onions, and green greens, with nary a fresh local fruit in sight.

I didn't even think about using a grocery store peach. Instead, I emptied a bag of frozen peach slices into the saucepan, added the honey and began cooking. In the end, the 3 egg yolk custard had just the right amount of creaminess and richness to balance the fruit.

For 5 minutes, it was late August, no matter what the calendar said. I loved every bite.

13 June

Best lunch picnic spot -- even if the sandwiches got a little "misty".

12 June

"There's a bunny in the backyard!!!"; it brings so much excitement, it's worth dropping a coloring project to watch.

Daring Cooks: Chinese Dumplings

What do you do with the first day of summer vacation?
Why, enlist the help of 7 children in making dumplings, of course!

Talk about a family affair. The youngest can practice their playdough skills, while the older kids filled and crimped the savory bundles. Some pork, some shrimp, one single little potsticker with just cabbage for a picky eater. Lots of fun!

11 June

Someone in our house thought that Allen's vacation should begin today.

10 June

No more classes, no more books...

... no more lunches to pack!

9 June

5 Ice Cream Socials...still haven't won the cake walk. Fortunately, after face painting it doesn't seem as important.

6 June

Peonies, at weddings or elsewhere, will forever remind me of my backyard in Webster Groves.

5 June

We say that a "Michigan Adventure" mandates a gravel road. If we lived on one, it might change our lives.

4 June

One of the last memories I have of my grandmother includes our lunch of vichyssoise.

3 June

"Boys of Summer" are at bat. An evening spent mowing the lawn. The smell of freshly cut grass for all.

2 June

My ankles swelled from the heat of the gym. But the rousing rendition of "Jurassic Park" made it all worthwhile.

TWD Cinnamon Squares

5 things I learned in baking this cake:
1. The batter can be mixed in less time than it takes to hard boil eggs.

2. It is possible to make the cake frosting at 5am, prior to coffee, without messing it up.

3. The leftover frosting tastes great as breakfast, straight from the pan.

4. Cake, loaded in tupperware, thrown in trunk of car along with variety of coolers and lacrosse gear, will travel well. It holds up unscathed for at least 12 hours in the trunk.

5. The cake, while less hydrating than the 8 bottles of water that were left at home in the fridge, has far more taste.

1 June

I can do so much for the end of the school year. And leave it all behind on the tennis court.

31 May

Orange smiles. It's impossible to play sports without them.