Forgive the Hiatus
Summertime and all of that.
Let’s recap, shall we?
In the time that has passed since we last spoke to one another:
Our entire family had birthdays
Our entire family had Covid
Our entire family tried desperately to regain some sort of normalcy
It was June all of a sudden
That’s basically it, in a nutshell. I also seemed to have found myself in a bit of a “woe is me,” season- unattractive, I know, but it made me feel as though perhaps writing in this little space- or anywhere, really- was perhaps not as important as I once thought. When facing down a bit of rejection and a mountain of bills, it’s easy for me to slip on my Ecclesiastical robe and mutter that everything is meaningless.
But I don’t really mean that. As much as my brain would often like evidence to the contrary, I’ve pretty much always believed that everything/one has meaning.
So, here we are! Meaning abounds. And so does the warmer weather.
Which means that I’d really love to get to the things giving my life right now.
The weather is warmer, the sun is shining, and this means…swimming! An athlete I am not, but water in any form has always been soothing to me and my favorite way to exercise- because you don’t get sweaty, duh. I hope you can find yourself by the ocean, a lake, or a pool ( even if it’s a blow-up, kiddy version in the yard) in the coming weeks. It’s good for you.
I went away with a few friends last week. It was, honestly, very difficult for me to justify as it’s a busy time, we don’t have extra funds to spend and I haven’t gone anywhere overnight without my husband or children in ten years. That is correct. It’s been a decade since I’ve only packed for one. I’m not sure I can put into words how good it was to go. How healing it was to be with women who get me. How freeing it was not to have a schedule to run. And how it has fueled me- even now. I hadn’t realized how empty my tank was. Good friends will fill you up. No one need run on empty.
NEVER come to me for fashion advice. I have an aversion to shopping. I’m not visually stimulated so colors are always a mystery to me. I’m fun at an art museum ( if we go, just make sure we have great lunch plans afterward). Which is kind of why I fell in love with Lily Cherie’s Capsule Wardrobe Suggestions. Just because I can’t put outfits together and filling carts in 7 different open tabs of dream clothes isn’t my idea of a good time doesn’t mean I want to live in yoga pants and mom buns forever, either. Having chronic decision fatigue, coupled with a thwarted fashion sense means THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I love choosing an aesthetic to stick to for a season, pulling out pieces I already own that fit, and then only buying the things I’m missing. Perhaps its the OCD checking behavior that feels satisfied by this- but I do not care.
Summer has ALWAYS meant reading!!!!! I’m going to give you a sneak peek of what’s on my list, but a few things first. I NEVER select a number of books to read. I don’t stay in one genre lane. I never subscribe to reading levels at any age; I WHOLEHEARTEDLY disagree with the tracking. (All educators audibly gasp). There is value in all written word; it tells someone’s story at the time it was written. And all people have value. Amen. So, you might see some, “kids” books on this list. If you’re interested in seeing my full, running reading list of books I want to get my hands on- let me know:). For now, here are the first 5:
This Here Flesh, by Cole Arthur Riley
Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller
The Power of Fun, by Catherine Price
5. Summer means cobbler!!!!!! I have thoughts on cobbler. Firstly, it’s NOT a crisp. Crisps should have oats, possibly nuts, and a buttery mouth feel (unless, of course, you use olive oil in which case I suggest a maple syrup swap for sugar so you can justify calling it, “a healthy breakfast”. Cobbler should be light and fluffy; a biscuit-like quality with a very thin, crispy top layer to, “break” into, much like a creme brule. This means two things: the dough has to have buttermilk in it, and there should be a sprinkling of brown sugar on top. Peaches are my favorite fruit, so I use peaches here, but you can use any stone fruit in season- even a strawberry-rhubarb combo would be delightful. Here’s the loose recipe:
Filling:
4 cups of fruit
3/4 cup of white sugar
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 TSP flour (omit if you don’t mind a runny, juicy cobbler)
1/4 cardamon (optional, suggested only with peaches as it adds a beautiful depth that people can’t quite put their finger on).
Cobbler Dough:
1 cup of flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 TSP brown sugar
5 TBS SALTED butter (trust me)
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 TBP brown sugar to dust on top.
*Pre-heat oven to 450. Mix filling in a buttered baking dish with fingers- it tastes better. Set aside. Mix dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter, OR, use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry mixture until the texture is like wet sand (some lumps are OK! no one will know). Add the buttermilk and stir gently until a wet, clumpy dough is formed. Drop rounded spoonfuls on dough on top of the filling, and sprinkle the brown sugar on top. Bake for 20 minutes and lock your door- the neighbors will smell it from a mile away.
Happy Summer!!!!