The heat this Summer has hit me hard and I've been draggin' my "Buns" around for the last few weeks. Everything has seemed like some great effort - not my usual demeanor. I was even beginning to wonder if I didn't like cold weather better than hot! What?? Yikes, that's scary! So, you can imagine how I was surprised and elated when I awoke this morning and checked the weather here. 59F! I was, what? WOW! - this is great, perfect! Knowing … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2013
Fresh Peach Jam
HOMEMADE PEACH JAM - courtesy Stark Bros: by Stark Bro's on 07/09/2013 Peaches have a long growing season (late May through October), so, luckily you have lots of time to make a whole cupboard-full of delicious jam. Depending upon the kind of peaches you grow, you’ll want to eat some of them fresh, and leave other varieties for your jam-making. In all, there are three different categories of peaches:Freestone. This type of peach is very … [Read more...]
Obsession, Neurosis and Nostalgia – the “loss” of the Ball Jar Co. and other stories – 2
Note: Yesterday's post was mysteriously truncated - so I am trying again. Headline: Bastion of America's Canning Scene Downsized and Marginalized - What Does This Say? When do Obsession and Nostalgia become Neurosis? It's funny to think of the things we become obsessed with. I still have a small basket which my Mom got flowers in when my brother was born - in 1957!!! I miss my Pears Soap. I miss Gourmet Magazine. I miss my vintage … [Read more...]
Obsession, Neurosis and Nostalgia – the “loss” of the Ball Jar Co. and other stories
When do Obsession and Nostalgia become Neurosis? It's funny to think of the things we become obsessed with. I still have a small basket which my Mom got flowers in when my brother was born - in 1957!!! I miss my Pears Soap. I miss Gourmet Magazine. I miss my vintage Ball Jars and the Ball Jar Co as it used to be* ........ "circa" 1957, in pristine condition one of a couple of "original" Pears soap bars I have left - don't tell … [Read more...]
The Lavender and the Peach – Toasted Coconut, Lavender and Peach Scones
Next Stop - Provence, home of millions of fields of lavender - (photo courtesy Relais et Chateaux) Toasted Coconut, Lavender and Peach Scones Ok, my wanderlust is kicking in big time again now and in my dreams, I am going to Provence next. I adore the movie, "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe. If you haven't seen it, do. It's lots of fun and it will make you want to go, if you are anything like me - and pick up the life these lucky … [Read more...]
Cherries Jubilee!
sour cherry ice cream from laugingduckgardens.com I'm Celebrating Cherries! Ok, truth be told, I have a feeling that today is the day for Kate and Will to have their baby - I don't know why, I just feel like it is. And so, in honor of this blessed event and the great Queen Victoria, the monarch for whom Cherries Jubilee was invented by no other than Auguste Escoffier, I am celebrating today with this recipe, and cherries in … [Read more...]
You Can Never Be Too Rich or Too Thin – Wallis Simpson – A Woman Ahead of Her Time, Who Knew?
Wallis Simpson - photo courtesy nnbd.com Wallis Simpson - nutrition maven? While I hesitate to follow up yesterday's post (Banana-Blueberry-Swirl Muffins) with one on healthy eating, I am here to say that I do indeed awake every morning with the best of intentions, nutritionally, that is. And while some days are better than others, I will continue to strive for improvement. Who knew that the old adage "You Can Never Be Too Rich or Too … [Read more...]
Resolve vs Passion = Not Destined to be Thin Anytime Soon – Banana-Blueberry-Swirl Muffins
New Jersey's Finest from the Summit Farmer's Market on Sunday Every day I awake with renewed resolve to get back onto my healthy-eating regimen - the one where I eliminate sugar and grain from my diet............ And then, as my big cup of coffee begins to take affect, my mind starts working. Some days I can direct myself off of the baking thing and focus on great savory dishes - (see below) sans anything "bad". Some days, well that just … [Read more...]
“Green” with Envy – For the Love of Farming
Fresh and very juicy sliced Yellow and White Peaches for my pie last night - they were perfection! Once again - you know I tend to "go on" about a few issues in this blog. Sometimes I wonder if it weren't just a little dangerous to put this vehicle in the hands of someone like me - to have this outlet for saying a whole bunch of things that I'm feeling. But, oh well, this must be what it felt like back in colonial times when the free … [Read more...]
Garden State Rural Beauty – is in the Eye of the Beholder
Visiting with these bovine beauties this week re-awakened so many memories By now you know it doesn't take much to get me going about the subjects I am passionate about. Some of my readers may think I am even slightly rabid. However, I am willing to gamble that the loss of so much of New Jersey's rural character over the last 50 years is one of those subjects that bothers at least a few others. A couple of events recently got me really … [Read more...]