When I was younger, being from Canada, where we had loooong winters, I loved the hot summer months. Then I moved to Texas and the winters were short, the summers long and sauna-like. Then I moved to California, and spent 4 oven-like summers in the Central Valley… So I’ve decided I like LA summers. Yes, it’s still really hot. But, it’s usually cool at night, and not so bad during the day. 🙂

But, there are days when it is just bad. It’s just hot and gross and even sometimes muggy (no, not muggy like Texas or Ontario muggy, but still muggy all the same… how many times can I write “muggy” in one sentence). For those days, there is this drink/dessert/treat/whatever you want to call this peachy deliciousness.

It’s so easy to make this! Toss it in a blender and eat it up. It’ll take you 5-10 minutes from start to bite. It’ll cool you down from the inside out. And, it’s got protein and fruit, so it’s GOOOOOOOD for you!!

Peachish Delight

Last modified on 2012-07-23 21:25:44 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I’m already feeling refreshed after two days “off”. My days off have been full of work, but it’s a different, less pressure work than normal. Normal is good, but this week has been really nice. I didn’t realize how much I needed it. I always feel like if I take a day off, life can’t go on without (insert whatever item I’m taking a break from). But, I think life has gone on without my weekly menu and this week’s show. It’s simultaneously humbling and a good reminder. 🙂

It was cooler on Monday than it had been the previous week. About 20 degrees cooler. Maybe that’s another reason I’m feeling refreshed. Not so bogged down by the heat. I had to jump at the opportunity and make some soup. We’ve gotten corn on the cob the last two or three weeks in our Abundant Harvest Organics box. It is one of my favorite things EVER! I love it raw, in salads, grilled, boiled, in salsa… just let me eat it and I will be happy.

As corn sits in the drawer, the sugars begin to turn into starch (says the ever wise AHO newsletter), so it needs to be consumed quickly for optimal flavor. This corn had been in there almost a week and I didn’t want to miss out.

I’ve attempted chowders before (or soups that I’ve called chowders that may not have been, but were still yummy). This was by far my most successful one. The proof is in the empty soup pot. We ate it all! Not a drop was left for another day. We had bread with honey butter on the side, but to be honest, I could have done with just the soup.

One small note, then you can read the recipe: I opted to try something different from the traditional roux that I always do for a thickened soup. My mom told me that she whisks together flour and water then adds to the soup. I tried it and it worked perfectly. Thanks, Mom!

Now, make this soup… when it’s cool enough outside for a soup day.

Three Cheese Corn Chowder topped with Bacon

Last modified on 2012-07-18 18:07:56 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

We saw The Fab Four at the Starlight Bowl yesterday with our friends, John and Ann. For anyone not familiar with The Fab Four, they are a Beatles tribute band, who, I think, did a really great job. Pardon the blurry photo. It was taken from my phone from waaaaaay up on the grass (best seats in the house, in my opinion).

Growing up , my dad and brother were fans of the Beatles. They had a few records (actual vinyl) that they’d play in our living room. Last year when my brother got married, my mom re-wrote the lyrics to a Beatles medley and our whole family sang it for him and his wife (cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, sibling, Husband). So the Beatles’ music has a special place in my heart. OH! And, I can’t forget the dances I used to make up with my cousins, Sarah and Kim, to Twist and Shout. Fun memories that came flooding back last night.

We sat on the grass, had a picnic, talked, sang, photographed. It was a great event. Made me think about what it may have been like all those years ago when the Beatles were around. What an experience that must have been!

I was in charge of the food for our picnic. Our menu included:

Farmer’s Reserve Aged English Cheddar

and

Brie with Homemade Blackberry Jam

with

Crackers

Summer Veggie Quinoa Salad

and

Bread with Honey Butter

Joy the Baker’s Peach Cobbler

(That quarter of the pan that’s missing: Husband’s helping. He ate it all. Then had seconds.)

It was delightful! A great ending to a wonderful weekend. (Which included not cooking at all on Saturday! What a wonderful Husband I have! He had to work all weekend, from home, but still was working, and yet he cooked for me. Heart.)

Chicago-Style Hot Dogs with Grilled Corn on the Cob

(To go with the baseball game we were watching.)

Mac and Cheese

(Dog was “helping” a.k.a. hoping something would fall on the floor, preferably a hot dog.)

I hope you go on a picnic soon!

Summer Veggie Quinoa Salad

Last modified on 2014-07-01 21:30:23 GMT. 6 comments. Top.